So must pure lovers' souls descend
T' affections, and to faculties,
Which sense may reach and apprehend,
Else a great prince in prison lies.
To'our bodies turn we then, that so
Weak men on love reveal'd may look;
Love's mysteries in souls do grow,
But yet the body is his book.
From "The Ecstasy" by John Donne (1572-1631). Full text at Poetry Foundation.
Illustration by Paul-Émile Bécat (1885-1960)
Lovely image to pair with poetry.
ReplyDeleteSIGH.
"But yet his body is his book" reminds me of Greenaway's "The Pillow Book" film (I know, I am shallow here, John Donne notwithstanding!)
ReplyDelete:-)
Isn't it sweet, Chaya? I think most all the Becat things are adorable.
ReplyDeleteI only know 2 Greenaway films, E--"The Cook, the Thief..." and "The Belly of an Architect." "The Pillow Book" sounds wonderful (I googled it)-I'll have to check it out. I'm sure Donne would approve.:-)
Greenaway is one of the most sensually stimulating director there is.. :) I got infatuated in his films years ago. The last on Nightwatching is also to recommend for affiniendos of visual arts, it is a dramatization and further visualization of Rembrandt´s The Nightwatch. Love´s mysteries in souls do grow, I think also may say something about that film
ReplyDeleteHello, stella polaris. It's nice to see you here. I always enjoy your comments at Perfumeshrine.
ReplyDeleteI really have to start working my way around the Greenaway films. I need to buy the DVD's for my husband, and that way I'll wind up watching them ;-)
If you can find his shortfilm 28 Bathrooms that is also very interesting, about all the things that one can do there, from A to Z.. :)
ReplyDeleteps: I really like the selection of pictures on your blog!
Thank you, stella.
ReplyDelete"28 Bathrooms," eh? Sounds ... intriguing ;-)