OF IMMACULATE PERCEPTION
"When the moon rose yesternight, I fancied she would give birth unto a sun. So broad and big she lay on the horizon.
But a liar she was with her child-bearing ; and I shall rather believe in the man in the moon than in the woman.
To be sure, there is little of man either in the moon, that shy dreamer of the night. Verily, with a bad conscience she strideth over the roofs.
For he is lascivious and jealous, the monk in the moon, lascivious for earth and all delights of the loving.
Nay, I like him not, this tom-cat on the roofs ! Disgusting for me are all who steal round half- closed windows !
Piously and silently he walketh on over starry carpets. But I like not soft-stepping men's feet, without even a spur clinking.
Every honest man's step speaketh; but the cat stealeth over the ground. Behold, like a cat, dis- honestly the moon strideth on.
This parable I give unto you sentimental dissem-
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