CXXIX

I am by Nature made for my own good; not for my own evil.

CXXX

Remind thyself that he whom thou lovest is mortal — that what thou lovest is not thine own; it is given thee for the present, not irrevocably nor for ever, but even as a fig or a bunch of grapes at the appointed season of the year� .

“But these are words of evil omen.”�

What, callest thou aught of evil omen save that which signifies some evil thing? Cowardice is a word of evil omen, if thou wilt, and meanness of spirit, and lamentation and mourning and shamelessness� .

But do not, I pray thee, call of evil omen a word that is significant of any natural thing: — as well call of evil omen the reaping of the corn; for it means the destruction of the ears, though not of the World! —