tent than masculine audacity. And further,

Rarely need the complaisance that audacity evokes perturb the diffident
man; since

Rarely need the complaisance that audacity evokes perturb the diffident
man; since

The true woman may give her fingertips to the gallant; she gives herself
to the worshiper. The pity o' it is that

The worshiper cannot away with the complaisance that permits a woman to
give even her finger-tips to the gallant. And

Few are the women who have plumbed the silent and sensitive depths of the
diffidence of her devotee. The worst of it is,

The devotee essays two things: he would apotheosize the object of his
adoration and place her as a constellation among the stars; yet he would
have her at the same time terrestrial and tangible. When the woman shows
herself terrestrial and tangible to others than he, the faith of the
devotee is shaken. In fine,

Every lover attempts that impossible task: the realization of the
heavenly ideal. Perhaps

It is in aphelion that the corona appears most splendid;

Were perihelion to result is coalescence, perhaps the photosphere would
be proved composed of terrestrial vapors. And if it did (as no doubt it
would), would it be at all bedimmed? For, to the devout astrologer

Nothing, nothing will ever destroy beauty--and therefore wonder. So,

Bodily beauty, where Love is priestess, is a daedal spur to the loftiest
worship.

The lover is ever worshipful. And

Where is worship, nothing can be profane. So

In love there is nor taint nor stain. Therefore,

Make, O youthful lover, the best and most of youth and love: never will
either recur.

* * *

VI. On Making Love

"Mille modi Veneris"
--Ovid

There are as many ways of making love as there are of making soup. And
probably

There are as many kinds of love as there are of flavors. And

Palates--both sentimental and physical--evidently differ widely. And
yet,

If you would know the secret of success with women, it is said in a word:
Ardor. And

Would ye, O women, know in a word the secret of success with men? It lies
in: Responsiveness.

* * *

In matters amatory--or rather pre-amatory--feminine tactics are
infallible and consummate:

Let no man think to cope with feminine strategy.

* * *

A rake has more chance than a ninny.--Which doubtless has been said
before.

* * *

In love, as in all things, indecision spells ruination. For

There is a curious ant