“Is she beautiful? What do I know! But the oldest carps are still lured by her.

“Changeable is she, and wayward; often have I seen her bite her lip, and pass the comb against the grain of her hair.

“Perhaps she is wicked and false, and altogether a woman; but when she speaketh ill of herself, just then doth she seduce most.”

When I had said this unto Life, then laughed she maliciously, and shut her eyes. “Of whom dost thou speak?” said she. “Perhaps of me?

“And if thou wert right⁠—is it proper to say that in such wise to my face! But now, pray, speak also of thy Wisdom!”

Ah, and now hast thou again opened thine eyes, O beloved Life! And into the unfathomable have I again seemed to sink.⁠—