Joy

Passages

Every passage tagged with this emotion in the Vela corpus. Search the body text, narrow by source or register, click through to a book’s profile to see how the passage sits with the rest of the work.

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• From Saint Thomas Aquinas Collection (22 Books) (2016)

  This is the immediate vision of God that is promised us in Scripture: We see now in a glass darkly, but then face to face (i Cor. xiii, 2): a text absurd to take in a corporeal sense, as though we could imagine a bodily face in Deity itself, whereas it has been shown that God is incorporeal (B. I, Chap.XX). Nor again is it possible for us with our bodily face to see God, since the bodily sense of sight, implanted in our face, can be only of bodily things. Thus then shalt we see God face to face, in that we shall have an immediate vision of Him, as of a man whom we see face to face. By this vision we are singularly assimilated to God, and are partakers in His happiness: for this is His happiness, that He essentially understands His own substance. Hence it is said: When He shall appear, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is (1 John iii, 2). And the Lord said: I prepare for you as my Father hath prepared for me a kingdom, that ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom (Luke xxii, 29). This cannot be understood of bodily meat and drink, but of that food which is taken at the table of Wisdom, whereof it is said by Wisdom: Eat ye my bread and drink the wine that I have mingled for you (Prov. ix, 5). They therefore eat and drink at the table of God, who enjoy the same happiness wherewith God is happy, seeing Him in the way which He sees Himself. CHAPTER LII THAT NO CREATED SUBSTANCE CAN OF ITS NATURAL POWER ARRIVE TO SEE GOD AS HE ESSENTIALLY ISTHE property of a higher nature cannot be attained by a lower nature except by the action of that higher nature to which it properly belongs. But to see God by the divine essence is the property of the divine nature: for it is proper to every agent to act by its own proper form. Therefore no subsistent intelligence can see God by the divine essence except through the action of God bringing it about. 5. To see the substance of God transcends the limits of every created nature: for it is proper to every intelligent created nature to understand according to the mode of its substance: but the divine substance is not intelligible according to the mode of any created substance (Chap.XLIX). Hence it is said: The grace of God is life everlasting (Rom. vi, 23). For we have shown that the happiness of man consists in the vision of God, which is called life everlasting, whereunto we are led solely by the grace of God, because such vision exceeds the faculty of every creature, and it is impossible to attain it except by an endowment from God. And the Lord says: I will manifest myself to him (John xiv, 21). CHAPTER LIII

• From Enchanted: Erotic Bedtime Stories for Women (Erotic Fiction) (2006)

  The goose girl moaned fretfully, caught up in the rapturous surge of her mounting pleasure. Suddenly the maid wanted to help her mistress if she could. She slowly moved her hand lower, and even lower still, until she reached the secret place she knew so well, where she worked her fingers gently, round and round, faster and faster. The goose girl moaned louder, panting for air. The prince continued to thrust himself into her as he stared, fascinated, at his wife. She smiled as she continued to massage the little swollen mound, whirling it round and round, gently but firmly. She was getting closer. The maid bent down to kiss her mistress’ feverish lips. The goose girl whimpered and moaned. And still, the prince thrust himself into her. And his wife’s fingers kept going round and round. Suddenly the goose girl’s eyes grew wide, and her body trembled violently as she cried out. In a rush of emotion she embraced her maid and kissed her repeatedly. But there was still the matter of the prince. The maid looked up at her husband. “Lie down, wife,” he demanded. She shivered with anticipation, even as she suddenly burst into tears. The goose girl immediately rushed to her aid and held her close, but the prince gently pried his wife away from her. He pulled his wife into his arms, where he took her, gently and lovingly, even as the goose girl looked on with interest. He kissed his wife’s wet cheeks and attempted to soothe her, saying, “You are my rightful wife, for it is you who really wished to marry me.” He knew that the goose girl would not have made him happy, and besides, it was too late, now that he had already fallen in love with her maid. At hearing his declaration, his wife was filled with joy. She gazed at the goose girl, while her husband continued to gently make love to her. The goose girl snuggled closer to her and gently kissed her lips. The maid slowly wound her arms around the goose girl, pulling her so close that their breasts were pressed tightly together. Thrilling sensations shot through her as she divided herself between her two lovers. From the waist up, she clung to the goose girl, who whispered little endearments between kisses, and pinched her nipples teasingly. But from the waist down the maid was engaged in a much more tumultuous embrace with her husband, the prince. She clutched him with her legs as he thrust himself repeatedly into her, his eyes hungrily watching the two women clinging so fetchingly to each other. And once again, the goose girl returned a favor to her friend, by carefully reaching her hand down to the place where she and her husband were joined, and knowingly caressing her just above that opening. The maid clung desperately to both the goose girl and her husband as she screamed out her pleasure.

• From Enchanted: Erotic Bedtime Stories for Women (Erotic Fiction) (2006)

  Upon seeing Snow White’s hair upon the comb, the queen was filled with hope. She longed to stand before her mirror to see the results, but the prince insisted that she come straightaway with him, just as she had promised to do. She reluctantly agreed, and they arrived shortly thereafter at the cottage. And once again, upon entering the cottage, a feeling of joy and well-being came over the queen. She followed the prince this time to his bedchamber, where the wonderful little mirror now stood facing the bed. Recollections of their activities on the previous night flashed through the queen’s mind, and a wave of pleasure coursed through her at the memory. She undressed herself excitedly and lay on the prince’s bed, facing the mirror, watching as the prince came up behind her and began stroking her body. She opened her legs. It delighted her to see her body in this position in the mirror, with the prince hovering over her, admiring and touching her. He caressed her backside leisurely, teasing her, until finally she arched her hips so that the opening between her legs touched his hand. He boldly delved into the wetness there, but the queen only gasped as she continued to stare at her flushed face in the mirror. Carefully, so as not to alarm her, the prince slowly lifted the queen’s hips, adjusting her so that she was settled on her forearms and knees, with her hips at the highest point of elevation. She watched in utter astonishment, as the prince knelt behind her, staring intently at her most private place imaginable. Without embarrassment or fear (for what had she now to fear when she felt so beautiful and so entirely cherished?), the queen watched her lover’s excitement grow as he examined, pried, poked and kissed her intimate parts. She moaned with pleasure at the memory of what was to come. The prince seemed to read her thoughts, and he entered her from behind while she watched. The sight of him joining with her was almost as wonderful as the way it felt: his hardness sliding into her wet body, his large hands grasping her hips, his masculine features set in an expression of intense ecstasy. She began to move, slowly at first, but then faster and faster, frantically rubbing herself against him, all the while delighting in the way her body appeared in the mirror, with her breasts jerking and bouncing and her buttocks shaking with every single thrust. It did not occur to her at all that the bouncing and shaking was unattractive, for the curse was far away from her mind. She dropped her head upon the bed as her body shuddered with bliss.

• From Under the Banner of Heaven (2003)

  By May of that year more than six thousand Saints were plodding westward through the axle-deep spring mud, drawn by the promise of Zion. The thirteen-hundred-mile emigration from Nauvoo was a grueling trial. On the journey west they were plagued with frostbite, diphtheria, scurvy, starvation, stillborn babies, tick fever, hostile Gentiles, and an epidemic of whooping cough that killed dozens of young children. More than six hundred Saints perished during that first grim winter. But Brigham proved to be a masterful manager of men, and he possessed a formidable will. On July 21, 1847, an advance party crested a ridge and caught the Saints’ first glimpse of “the valley where the broad waters of the Great Salt Lake glistened in the sunbeams.” The next morning this group, with scout Porter Rockwell leading the way, descended the western slope of the Wasatch down what is now called Emigration Canyon. At its mouth they emerged into the Saints’ new Zion, near the southern end of the vast body of water they had spied earlier that day—a lake with no outlet, and saltier than the Pacific Ocean. Although most of this bottomland was a relentlessly barren desert, along its eastern margin flowed streams of sweet, crystalline snowmelt that rushed down from the Wasatch Range through all seasons. These imposing granite mountains, moreover, served as a natural barrier that would help keep the godless at bay. All things considered, the Great Salt Lake Valley struck the scouting party as a fine site on which to erect a capital city for the Kingdom of God on earth. After conducting a two-hour tour of the immediate environs, they rode back up Emigration Canyon to share the joyous news with Brigham and their brethren. Brigham, weak and aching from tick fever, arrived in the valley with the main company of Saints on July 24, 1847, the date now venerated throughout Mormondom as Pioneer Day (and the holiday Ron Lafferty would choose, 137 years later, on which to fulfill his removal revelation). Before the sun had set that first evening, they had planted a crop of potatoes and diverted the waters of City Creek to irrigate them. A stone’s throw from the creek they began laying the foundation for a temple, at the center of what would become Salt Lake City. The long, seventeen-year journey from Palmyra was over. The Mormons had finally found their home. Many had died en route. But those who survived the hardships and completed the exodus were more devoted to the church than ever. The wafflers and whiners, the doubters, the malcontents—those of weak faith—had been filtered out by the myriad trials of the preceding years, leaving behind the truest of the true believers. The grueling emigration from Nauvoo, on top of the violence directed at them in Missouri and Illinois, had forged an exceptional bond among the first waves of Saints to arrive in Utah. Adversity had welded them into a close-knit tribe whose loyalty to their leader, Brigham Young, was unconditional.

• From Fragments (7)

  A stream of wine bring me. I know to talk, to drink I know: My mirthful madness see. TO EUROPA (52) Zeus that bull doth seem to me, Whom thou seest there: A Sidonian maiden he On his back doth bear. Now, O boy, his course he steers O'er the spacious sea. And his hoofs the billows pierce, Plying busily. In the herd no bull could be, Who would e'er not fail. If he tried across the sea. Like this one, to sail. 151 Lyric Sonffs of the Greeks TO THE ROSE (53) Rose, which spring-time loveth dearly, Spring, e'er crowned with wreaths of rose. Praising thee, my song rings clearly: From the gods thy fragrance flows; Mortals give thee joyous praises, Thee, the glory of the Graces; Thou art Aphrodite's joy. And the flowery Cupids' toy. Thou of poets art a treasure. Thou delight'st the Muses* mind. He who seeks thee e'en finds pleasure Thee in thorny paths to find. Pleasant too it is to take thee In one's hand and warm to make thee, To the temples thee to move, Thee who art the flower of Love. Where the festive banquet lingers. How could roses absent be? Think of Dawn of rosy fingers. Nymphs whose arms glow rosily, Rose-complexioned Aphrodite, Named by those in wisdom mighty. Roses sickness, death oppose; Time is conquered by the rose. Of the rose whose beauteous glory Makes old age breathe youthfully, 152 Anacreontea We shall now relate the story: *Twas when from the foamy sea Dewy Aphrodite rising, First was bom, while Zeus, apprizing All the gods of Pallas' birth, Showed his head whence she sprang forth. And the warrior-goddess frightened All Olympus, but the rose With its splendor then first brightened Every land where'er it grows; And, its cups with nectar filling, And immortal beauty instilling, Bacchus godlike it would show: From the thorns he let it grow. TO DIONYSUS (54) That god to us doth now appear. Who from young lovers takes their fear; Through him the troubled no more tire. Whom drink and dancing doth inspire. To man a wondrous charm he hath shown. Love to arouse, yet not to groan. He guards the offspring of the vine. Which in its fruit hems in the wine Imprisoned in the clustered grapes. When once from them their juice escapes, Then all without disease shall be. Then sickness shall our bodies flee, And from our glad minds disappear, As time flies on year after year. 153 Lyric Songs of the Greeks TO A DISCUS WITH AN ENGRAVING OF APHRODITE (55) Who fashioned artfully this sea In wild enthusiasm? Who on this discus cunningly Furrowed the waves* deep chasm ? Upon the Ocean's back whose art With white shows Cypris gleaming? Gods surely did his skill impart, Who was godlike visions dreaming. Her upper half alone doth show, Without a dress or cover ; The half of her that is below, The waves are passing over.

• From The Decameron (1353)

  Calandrino, hearing this, fancied himself already at it and went singing and skipping, so overjoyed that he was like to jump out of his skin. On the morrow, having brought the rebeck, he, to the great diversion of all the company, sang sundry songs thereto; and in brief, he was taken with such an itch for the frequent seeing of her that he wrought not a whit, but ran a thousand times a day, now to the window, now to the door and anon into the courtyard, to get a look at her, whereof she, adroitly carrying out Bruno's instructions, afforded him ample occasion. Bruno, on his side, answered his messages in her name and bytimes brought him others as from her; and whenas she was not there, which was mostly the case, he carried him letters from her, wherein she gave him great hopes of compassing his desire, feigning herself at home with her kinsfolk, where he might not presently see her. On this wise, Bruno, with the aid of Buffalmacco, who had a hand in the matter, kept the game afoot and had the greatest sport in the world with Calandrino's antics, causing him give them bytimes, as at his mistress's request, now an ivory comb, now a purse and anon a knife and such like toys, for which they brought him in return divers paltry counterfeit rings of no value, with which he was vastly delighted; and to boot, they had of him, for their pains, store of dainty collations and other small matters of entertainment, so they might be diligent about his affairs.

• From History of the Christian Church: The Complete Set of Eight Volumes (1858)

  This is the most important doctrinal passage of the letter, and contains (together with 2 Cor. 8:9) the fruitful germ of the speculations on the nature and extent of the kenosis, which figures so prominently in the history of christology.1182 It is a striking example of the apparently accidental occasion of some of the deepest utterances of the apostle. "With passages full of elegant negligence (Phil. 1:29), like Plato’s dialogues and Cicero’s letters, it has passages of wonderful eloquence, and proceeds from outward relations and special circumstances to wide-reaching thoughts and grand conceptions."1183 The objections against the genuineness raised by a few hyper-critical are not worthy of a serious refutation.1184 The Later History. The subsequent history of the church at Philippi is rather disappointing, like that of the other apostolic churches in the East. It appears again in the letters of Ignatius, who passed through the place on his way to his martyrdom in Rome, and was kindly entertained and escorted by the brethren, and in the Epistle of Polycarp to the Philippians, who expressed his joy that "the sturdy root of their faith, famous from the earliest days, still survives and bears fruit unto our Lord Jesus Christ," and alludes to the labors of "the blessed and glorious Paul" among them. Tertullian appeals to the Philippian church as still maintaining the apostle’s doctrine and reading his Epistle publicly. The name of its bishop is mentioned here and there in the records of councils, but that is all. During the middle ages the city was turned into a wretched village, and the bishopric into a mere shadow. At present there is not even a village on the site, but only a caravansary, a mile or more from the ruins, which consist of a theatre, broken marble columns, two lofty gateways, and a portion of the city wall.1185 "Of the church which stood foremost among all the apostolic communities in faith and love, it may literally be said that not one stone stands upon another. Its whole career is a signal monument of the inscrutable counsels of God. Born into the world with the brightest promise, the church of Philippi has lived without a history and perished without a memorial."1186 But in Paul’s Epistle that noble little band of Christians still lives and blesses the church in distant countries. Theme: Theological: The self-humiliation (kevnwsi") of Christ for our salvation (Phil. 2:5–11). Practical: Christian cheerfulness.

• From Fragments (7)

  The lyre of Homer to me bring, Without its bloody murderous string; And o'er the goblet's sparkling flame The festal laws I shall proclaim. Then shall I steep myself in wine And dance; and then with rage divine, Though temperate, I shall play the lyre, And ne'er of drinking songs Til tire. The lyre of Homer to me bring, Without its bloody murderous string. A PICTURE (2b) Best of painters, come to me. Listen to my lyre's sweet ditties: On thy picture let me see First hilarious laughing cities. IIS Lyric Songs of the Greeks Sporting Bacchae paint below, Flutes with music light rebounding; If thy wax so much could show, Also strains of love resounding. TO A SILVER DRINKING-CUP (3) Hephaestus, silver-smith divine. Fashion for me thy metal, Not into panoplies — not mine Is love of strife and battle. A hollow drinking cup for me Make thou as deep as deep can be. Engraven on the cup I care To have no constellations: With surly Orion and the Bear I have not the slightest patience. What care I for the Pleiades? Perdition may Bootes seize. Pray, vines and clustered grapes for me, And Maenads them to gather, And wine-vats flowing bounteously Do thou engrave much rather. Bathyllus and Lyaeus fair Shall press, and Love with golden hair. ii6 Anacreontea TO THE SAME DRINKIN&CUP (4) O thou of wondrous skilful art, Fashion for me a cup of spring: First roses to delight our heart Shall us the early seasons bring. Of gleaming silver work it out; Put on a pleasant drinking-bout. Not foreign rites depict thou, nor Their odious philosophy; Nay, rather Bacchus, whom I adore, The son of Zeus, engrave for me. Cypris, who sings the wedding hymn, Be mystagogue of Bacchus' stream. And unarmed Cupids' winsome shapes Depict, and laughing Graces too. Under a leafy vine, whose grapes Are hanging down in clusters blue. Here handsome youths engrave, I pray, And there let sportive Phoebus play. TO EROS (5) Once as I a chaplet wound. Though I never sought him, I midst roses Eros found: By his wings I caught him. 117 Lyric Songs of the Greeks Then I dipped him in my wine, Let it downward trickle — Now within these limbs of mine E*er his feathers prickle. TO HIMSELF (6) " Anacreon," the women say, " Thou art surely growing old. Just take a mirror, look, I pray. Thy scanty hair behold." And my bald forehead then they show, But I must needs confess, I know not whether it is so. That e'er my hair grows less. Of this, however, I am sure : The nearer is my death. The more do joys of life allure. While still I draw my breath. ON LIVING WITHOUT ENVY (7) For Gyges* wealth I do not care, The far-famed Sardian king; No grudge within my heart I bear, The tyrants envying. ii8 Anacreontea But as to me, far more with myrrh

• From Fragments (7)

  I care my beard to wet ; Fresh wreaths of roses I prefer To place upon my head. Today means everything to me, Tomorrow hidden lies. As long as it fair weather be, Do drink and throw the dice. And also to Lyaeus pour Libations; for, I fear, Disease will say, '* Pray, drink no more," Whene'er it will appear. TO HIMSELF WHEN INTOXICATED (8) By the gods, by the gods I conjure. Let me drink, let me drink evermore. For madly to rave do I crave, As Alcmaeon before did rave. And barefoot Orestes too. Who in frenzy their own mothers slew. But no one would I want to kill. But my cup e'er with red wine fill. Thus madly to rave do I crave, As Heracles too did rave. When his terrible quiver he shook, And his bow from Iphitus took. So formerly Ajax raved. Who the corpse of Achilles had saved, 119 Lyric Songs of the Greeks Who the sword of Hector did wield, And brandished his terrible shield. But I for a cup only care, And a wreath to put on my hair. No bow and no sword will I have: Thus madly to rave do I crave. TO A SWALLOW (9) Come, what shall I do to thee. Noisy, chattering swallow? Wouldst thou after thee have me With my scissors follow? Shall I clip thy airy wings, So thou ceasest flying, Or thy tongue which ever sings, With famed Tereus vying? Why from me, not yet awake, With thy noisy chatter. Didst thou my Bathyllus take From my dreams, O prater? TO A WAXEN EROS do) I met a youth who on his hand A waxen Eros had. And right beside him I did stand. And then to him I said: 1 20 Anacreontea " This figure which was made by thee For how much wilt thou sell to me? " And, answering, he turned about, With Doric accents broad: " Pay what thou wilt, thou wilt find him out My skill I do not laud. But I no longer with me now The villain Eros will allow." " Give quickly, quickly give to me ; A drachma will I pay. Eros, my fair companion be; Inflame me e'en today. But if thou canst not me inspire, ril melt thee in the gleaming fire." TO ATTIS (II) With fair Cybebe once, they say, Attis became enamoured: Half woman, raving, far away. He on the mountains clamored. Some, shouting loud on Clams' shore, In frenzied madness totter. Where laurelled Phoebus men adore. They drink the babbling water. But rather I with cheering wine And ointment would be sated. 121 Lyric Songs of the Greeks Through thee, dear maid, companion mine, rU madly be elated. TO EROS (12) I wish to love, to love desire — So Eros would persuade me; But not so soon did I take fire; My stubborn mind delayed me. And then at once he raised his bow, And let his arrows rattle;

• From Enchanted: Erotic Bedtime Stories for Women (Erotic Fiction) (2006)

  So without further ado, her godmother waved her magic wand and lightly tapped Cinderella’s feet, each in turn. They both watched with fascination as the glass slippers magically dissolved away into nothingness. Almost immediately the glass was replaced with the softest imaginable material of the palest possible pink. The exotic material weaved itself elaborately around Cinderella’s feet, starting at the tips of her toes, continuing along the arch of her foot, and finally winding itself over her heel and around her ankle. Cinderella’s eyes widened in amazement as the remarkable slipper took shape in a most clever design around her foot. She arched her ankle and twisted it this way and that in admiration as she watched, never having seen anything so utterly exquisite before in her life. Now Cinderella’s feet had become all but deadened from the dreaded glass slippers, but very stealthily sensation was returning to them, as a tingling awareness of the magnificently soft material encroached upon all of her foot’s nerve endings. She wiggled her toes in approval, and the luscious feeling of her skin moving within the supple slippers sent shivers of delight all the way up her legs. She gasped and squealed with glee. Feeling as if she had the abilities and grace of a gazelle, she pushed herself up onto her toes and laughed merrily as she spread her arms wide for a pirouette. Her fairy godmother smiled as she watched Cinderella. Perhaps she would fashion herself a pair, too… Later that evening, when the prince returned to his castle, he called out for Cinderella again and again, only to find, again and again, that she was not there to answer him. He was extremely concerned by this, as it had virtually never happened before, and more to the point, there were dangers always present and lurking in their kingdom. There were ogres and witches and even worse in nearby forests, lying in wait for any opportunity to infiltrate their kingdom and cause their mischief. As he searched the castle with no sign of his wife, he grew more and more concerned. Could some mishap have befallen Cinderella? When he was certain that Cinderella was nowhere within the castle, the prince gallantly mounted his horse and rode out to find her. He circled the castle, and after that the kingdom, in increasingly larger segments, that he might cover every inch through to their borders. As he did this, he stopped at every sign of habitation to ask if anyone had seen Cinderella. The search continued for many hours until the prince reached a certain tavern from which lively music poured forth. Frustrated and exhausted from his utter lack of success thus far, he thought the tavern an unlikely lead indeed, but unwilling to leave a single stone unturned he wearily slid himself from his horse and went inside.

• From The Decameron (1353)

  As soon as they had seated themselves, Dioneo, who was the merriest springald in the world and full of quips and cranks, said, "Ladies, your wit, rather than our foresight, hath guided us hither, and I know not what you purpose to do with your cares; as for my own, I left them within the city gates, whenas I issued thence with you awhile agone; wherefore, do you either address yourselves to make merry and laugh and sing together with me (in so far, I mean, as pertaineth to your dignity) or give me leave to go back for my cares and abide in the afflicted city." Whereto Pampinea, no otherwise than as if in like manner she had banished all her own cares, answered blithely, "Dioneo, thou sayst well; it behoveth us live merrily, nor hath any other occasion caused us flee from yonder miseries. But, for that things which are without measure may not long endure, I, who began the discourse wherethrough this so goodly company came to be made, taking thought for the continuance of our gladness, hold it of necessity that we appoint some one to be principal among us, whom we may honour and obey as chief and whose especial care it shall be to dispose us to live joyously. And in order that each in turn may prove the burden of solicitude, together with the pleasure of headship; and that, the chief being thus drawn, in turn, from one and the other sex, there may be no cause for jealousy, as might happen, were any excluded from the sovranty, I say that unto each be attributed the burden and the honour for one day. Let who is to be our first chief be at the election of us all. For who shall follow, be it he or she whom it shall please the governor of the day to appoint, whenas the hour of vespers draweth near, and let each in turn, at his or her discretion, order and dispose of the place and manner wherein we are to live, for such time as his or her seignory shall endure." Pampinea's words pleased mightily, and with one voice they elected her chief of the first day; whereupon Filomena, running nimbly to a laurel-tree--for that she had many a time heard speak of the honour due to the leaves of this plant and how worship-worth they made whoso was deservedly crowned withal--and plucking divers sprays therefrom, made her thereof a goodly and honourable wreath, which, being set upon her head, was thenceforth, what while their company lasted, a manifest sign unto every other of the royal office and seignory.

• From The Erotic Engine (2011)

  “There’s nothing about the chat facilities of MUD1 that made cybersex impossible or even difficult,” Bartle said. And yet, he wasn’t surprised that there was no initial stampede toward erotica. “Almost all of the early players were male. Furthermore, they were sexually repressed, shy computer types,” he said. “In a world where there are few women, and those that there are, are treated as honorary men, you don’t want to be reminded of what you’re missing out on. The players would no more have tried cybersex than they would have written love letters to one another.” Perhaps even more significant was the fact that if you took your eye off the game, you’d likely be bitten by a poisonous snake, attacked by an evil black rat, consumed by fire or otherwise imperilled, killed and forced to restart the game. So even if these men had decided to indulge in some hot chat, there was too much else to concentrate on to make it practical. “MUD1 had a very intense gameplay,” Bartle recalled. “You were constantly on guard against attack, and there were very few places you could safely stand still for ten minutes. People were there to play a game, and that’s what they did. As an analogy, imagine a team of gay soccer players in the middle of a match: are they going to whisper sweet nothings to each other while the game is in progress? Well no, they’re not—they’re going to try to win. There isn’t the time for that kind of thing in soccer, and there wasn’t in MUD1.” Even before sex came into the picture, though, MUD1 had already begun to alter the way people related to each other through the technology. The chat function Bartle was talking about had the same surprising potency as the other text-based aspects of the game. People could type short messages to everyone in the game, just the people close to them in virtual space or just to one other individual. Those “shy computer types” started connecting on an emotional level that was purely and astoundingly a product of the medium. Some people say it was because online, nobody knew you were a shy computer type. It’s more likely that the initial bonding was due to a more basic fact—in MUD1, everybody was a shy computer type. That was the thing people bonded over. And this was the perfect medium through which to do it. Friendships formed. A community grew. Though many on the outside might dismiss this intimacy as ersatz, cockamamie or worse, it was for many people liberating, empowering and really quite wonderful. And with that kind of personal intensity, online social interactions led inevitably toward online sexual interactions.

• From The Well of Loneliness (1928)

  ANOTHER year passed and Stephen was twenty-one, a rich, in- dependent woman. At any time now she could go where she chose, could do entirely as she listed. Puddle remained at her post; she was waiting a little grimly for something to happen. But noth- ing much happened, beyond the fact that Stephen now dressed in tailor-made clothes to which Anna had perforce to withdraw her opposition. Yet life was gradually reasserting its claims on the girl, which was only natural, for the young may not be delivered over to the dead, nor to grief that refuses consolation. She still mourned her father, she would always mourn him, but at twenty- one with a healthful body, there came a day when she noticed the sunshine, when she smelt the good earth and was thankful for it, when she suddenly knew herself to be alive and was glad, in despite of death. - On one such morning early that June, Stephen drove her car into Upton. She was meaning to cash a cheque at the bank, she was meaning to call at the local saddler’s, she was meaning to buy a new pair of gloves — in the end, however, she did none of these things. It was outside the butcher’s that the dog fight started. The butcher owned an old rip of an Airedale, and the Airedale had taken up his post in the doorway of the shop, as had long been his custom. Down the street, on trim but belligerent tiptoes, came a very small, snow-white West Highland terrier; perhaps he was looking for trouble, and if so he certainly got it in less than two minutes. His yells were so loud that Stephen stopped the car and turned round in her seat to see what was happening. The butcher ran out to swell the confusion by shouting commands that no one THE WELL OF LONELINESS 143 obeyed; he was trying to grasp his dog by the tail which was short and not at all handy for grasping. And then, as it seemed from nowhere at all, there suddenly appeared a very desperate young woman; she was carrying her parasol as though it were a lance with which she intended to enter the battle. Her wails of despair rose above the dog’s yells: ‘ Tony! My Tony! Won’t anyone stop them? My dog’s being killed, won’t any of you stop them?’ And she actually tried to stop them herself, though the parasol broke at the first encounter.

• From Saint Thomas Aquinas Collection (22 Books) (2016)

  OF THE EFFECTS ATTRIBUTED TO THE HOLY GHOST IN THE ATTRACTION OF THE RATIONAL CREATURE TO GODIT is a mark of friendship to take delight in the company of one’s friend, to rejoice at what he says and does, and to find in him comfort and consolation against all troubles: hence it is in our griefs especially that we fly to our friends for comfort. Since then the Holy Ghost renders us friends of God, making Him to dwell in us and we in Him, we have through the same Holy Spirit joy in God and comfort under all the adversities and assaults of the world: hence it is said: Give me back the joy of thy salvation, and strengthen me with thy guiding Spirit (Ps. l, 14): The kingdom of God is justice and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost (Rom. xiv, 17): The Church had peace, and was edified, walking in the fear of the Lord, and filled with the consolation of the Holy Ghost (Acts ix, 31).

• From Fragments (7)

  The maid sweet honeyed wine poured out; With three-cupped jar she went about. THE RIGHT MIXTURE (31) From a spotless jar pour in Six parts wine, of water ten. LET ME DRINK (32) Come now, boy, a jar bring in, A deep draught to take; 91 Lyric Songs of the Greeks Ten cups water, five of wine Pour, a pledge to make, That, like Bacchus, mildly I Into frenzy break. MODERATION IN DRINK (33) Come now, do at last Cease to roar and shout. Do not drink so fast. Stop that Scythian bout. Rather let us drink with measure. And in beauteous song find pleasure. INTOXICATED (34) Since I am drunken now with wine, I pray. Wilt thou not let me homeward wend my way ? THIRSTY (35) A friendly maid to strangers certainly art thou; Since I am thirsty, wilt thou me to drink allow? IN THE HALLS OF ZEUS (36) The high-roofed halls of Zeus resounded, And with the violent roar rebounded. 92 Anacreon THE DANCE OF THE MUSES (37) The beauteous-haired maidens of Zeus did com- mence Nimbly the gracefully figured dance. MUSIC AND DANCE (38) Whom see I there? Whom meets my glance? Who turns our thoughts to lovely youth? Who to the three-holed flute doth dance, Whose delicate notes our spirits soothe? CLOVER GARLANDS (39) With plaited garlands of clover Their necks and their breasts they did cover. THREE WREATHS FOR EACH (40) Three wreaths to each man were given, with roses two entwined, The third made of papyrus, of the Naucratite kind. 93 Lyric Songs of the Greeks THE FESTIVAL OF DIONYSUS (41) Over our eyes with parsley wreaths Let us our brows enfold, And then a cheerful festival To Dionysus hold. PERFUMED OINTMENT (42) How now? Upon thy wings thou art soaring, Perfumed ointment downward pouring Upon thy breast more hollow far Than pipes of tuneful shepherds are. ANACREON'S POPULARITY (43) Because of my words, because of my song I am loved by the boys who about me throng; For pleasant the songs I know to sing. And pleasant the spoken words I bring. ANACREON'S DESIRES (44) 'Twere not worth while, to me it appears, The horn of plenty to attain, Not for one hundred fifty years Would I o'er proud Tartessus reign. 94 Anacreon ANACREON'S MODERATION IN LOVE (45) I am in love, and then again no love I have. I am raving mad, and then again I do not rave. ANACREON AND HIS TOWNSMEN (46) Neither steadfast, firm, nor kind To my townsmen is my mind. ANACREON'S SHIELD (47) Along the fair stream's banks through fright I threw away my shield in flight. ANACREON IN OLD AGE (48) My temples now with gray are sprinkled. And on my head my hair is white; My youth is gone, my forehead wrinkled. My teeth have lost their lustre bright. My closing years pass by in haste: Soon I no more sweet life shall taste.

• From Confessions of a Mask (1958)

  Sonoko introduced me to her aunt. I wanted to make a good impression and was trying as hard as I could. Everyone seemed to be silently asking each other: "Why did Sonoko ever fall in love with such a fellow? What a pale bookworm! What on earth can she find to like about him?" Having the commendable intention of making everyone think well of me, I did not form an exclusive clique with Sonoko as I had that time on the train. I helped her sisters with their English lessons and listened attentively to the grandmother's stories about her days in Berlin long ago. Oddly enough, it seemed that Sonoko was all the closer to me at such times. In the presence of her grandmother or mother I would often exchange impudent winks with her. At mealtime we would touch feet under the table. She too gradually became absorbed in this play. Once when I was being bored by the grandmother's yarns, Sonoko leaned against a window through which I could see green leaves under the cloudy sky of the rainy season, and from behind her grandmother, so that only I could see, she held up the locket that hung against her breast and swayed it before my eyes. How white was the bosom that could be seen above the crescent-shaped neckline of her dress! Startlingly white. Looking at her smile as she leaned against the window, I could understand the reference to the "wanton blood" that dyed Juliet's cheeks. There is a kind of immodesty that becomes only a virgin, differing from the immodesty of a mature woman, and intoxicates the beholder, like a gentle wind. It is a sort of something that is in bad taste but is still somehow cute, for example, like wanting to tickle a baby. At moments such as these my mind was apt to become intoxicated with sudden happiness. For a long time I had not approached the forbidden fruit called happiness, but it was now tempting me with a melancholy persistence. I felt as though Sonoko were an abyss above which I stood poised. Thus time passed and only two days remained until I was due to return to the naval arsenal. I still had not fulfilled the obligation of the kiss that I had imposed upon myself.All the uplands were wrapped in the drizzle of the rainy season. Borrowing a bicycle, I went to the post office to mail a letter. Sonoko was working in a branch of a government office in order to escape being sent away for volunteer labor, but she had promised to meet me at the post office and play truant for the afternoon.

• From Enchanted: Erotic Bedtime Stories for Women (Erotic Fiction) (2006)

  Later, my husband clung to me even in his sleep, while I—too exhilarated to rest—recalled the night’s events in minute detail. If I had not felt the telltale tenderness in my backside, I would not have believed I had actually done it. And as for my husband, I had never seen him so thoroughly shocked. But that was not his only response, and afterward, when he had taken me in his arms, he was trembling as violently as I was. A smile of triumph spread over my lips as I snuggled against my husband’s warm body. His arms instinctively tightened around me. I had managed to step outside the boundaries that for so long defined my existence, and with very pleasant results. In fact, one could say it was a complete success. Not only had I discovered a new pleasure, but in the process, I had managed to collect for myself a great boon from my husband’s past. For there was no doubt in my mind that this new memory my husband and I had just created together replaced forever, in his mind, that other memory of so long ago. And really, hadn’t it been incredibly easy? Indeed, those women have nothing on any of us! Why, any lady can do what she does. It is simply a matter of changing one’s appearance, just as the proverbial wolf who dons the sheep’s clothing or, I suppose in this case, you might say the sheep who dons the wolves’ clothing! I shall most definitely take on the alluring role again. But I must remember to tread carefully…lest I lose my way back! The Ugly DucklingOnce upon a time there lived a husband and wife who had five daughters. The four older daughters were exceptionally beautiful, but the youngest daughter was thought by comparison to be gangly and awkward, with large bones and features that were less than perfect. Because of this, she was continually picked on by her sisters, and even her parents did little to conceal their disapproval of her, openly lamenting their ill luck in having such a child and wondering whether she would ever amount to anything. They all criticized the poor girl incessantly, saying such things as, “Perhaps if you ate less, you would be more petite,” though she ate no more than any of the others, or, “If you rub lemons in your hair it would not be such a dull color.” In truth, the unfortunate child went to bed hungry many a night and rubbed lemon after lemon into her hair, but nothing she did seemed to matter; there was always one thing or another that they would find wrong with her. The townspeople were no different from her family; they insulted and criticized the youngest and plainest sister and other girls like her. Since her older sisters were thought to be so much more beautiful by comparison, the youngest sister soon came to be known to everyone as “the ugly duckling.”

• From Enchanted: Erotic Bedtime Stories for Women (Erotic Fiction) (2006)

  And in the midst of this, her entire body shuddered, time and again, exposing her pleasure in the performance. Finally the emperor’s excitement reached its peak, and the empress felt his warm wetness dripping down her legs. Even then, he still did not immediately release her, but remained inside her body, languid and self-possessed. A blush crept into her cheeks at the humiliating position she was obliged to maintain, for she had not been able to right herself since the loss of her balance, and still stood with her hands and feet on the floor, and her body bent awkwardly at the waist. Thus situated, all she could do was wait for the emperor’s direction with a burning face, but even so, she still could not look away from the men and women who continued to stare at her. And in spite of her embarrassment, she could feel the tantalizing sensations building up inside of her all over again! But at last the emperor waved the servants away. They, too, were reluctant to look away and, as they slowly walked out of the theater, they repeatedly turned their heads back for one last look. Alone with his wife, the emperor at long last relieved her of her post and gently took her into his warm embrace. “You liked that, didn’t you?” he asked, after watching her face for a moment. She assented with a shy blush, still too embarrassed to admit just how much she had liked it. “I am glad, for you are scheduled to repeat the performance next week—this time for an audience of royals.” The empress pulled away from her husband and stared at him incredulously. She was still too overcome to speak, but it was beginning to dawn on her that, if what they had done ever got out, it would mean her certain ruin. It was, of course, reasonably possible that she could persuade the servants to keep quiet, but royals…? The emperor knew her thoughts and laughed teasingly. “Did I forget to tell you, my love? The crystal panels in our little theater box are magical. All who look into the theater box come under a spell which causes them to forget everything they see. Only those peering out through the panels from the inside maintain their memory.” He gave her a big smile of self-satisfaction. “So you see, my dear, each and every time anyone comes to this theater, they will be as shocked and amazed and delighted by your performance as if it were the first time they were seeing it!” “Do you mean to say that the servants will not remember what they just saw?” she cried. She could not contain her joy and began clapping her hands together excitedly. “Do you like your new theater, empress?” her husband asked her, laughing. “Oh, yes!” she replied happily.

• From Fragments (7)

  Lyric Songrs of the Greeks DRINKING SONGS IN WINTER (I) Now Zeus sends rain; a powerful wintry blast Blows down from heaven; the streams are freezing fast. Strike do>yn the winter, piling up the wood To feed the fire, and let us warm our blood With honeyed wine profuse, while thou, I pray, Beneath our heads soft cushioned pillows lay. IN SUMMER (2) Q)me, wet thy chest with wine: the dog-star now Is rising high, the oppressive sultry glow Of summertime brings parching thirst to all. Now from the leaves the locust its loud call. Its sweet shrill song, pours out from 'neath its wings. The blazing heat, which witherejlh all things, 0*cr all the earth is spread ; the blooming thistle Holds up its head; now womankind doth bristle With passion most, and man is haggard worn ; For Sirius his head and limbs doth burn. 56 Alcaeus IN SPRING (3) I heard that flowery spring Its glories about is to bring. Mix therefore wine with great speed, A bowl full, as honey sweet. IN THE AFTERNOON (4) Let us drink — do not tarry till night. Why wait for the lamp's pale light? But a brief span of life is a day. My dear friend, let us drink while we may. The large figured cups from above Take down; for the son of Jove And of Semele wine gave to man To release him from misery's ban. Do thou therefore mix two and one: 0*er the brim so it almost doth run, For us all one large goblet fill. And then come with another one still. AT NIGHT (5) Let us drink, let us drink, let us drink; For the dog-star is up o'er the brink. 57 Lyric Songs of the Greeks ON THE STORMY SEA (6) Her cargo all is cast into the waters, To save the ship perchance; yet now she totters, Struck by a loudly thundering wave, Which fills with terror e'en the brave. No more to struggle against the stormy weather, The savage tempest, she desires, but rather To founder on the hidden reefs — Thus mountain-high the Ocean heaves. This to forget, my friend, wish I — *tis better In thy glad company my cares to scatter. Of love and friendship let us think. And honeyed wine with Bacchus drink. IN GRIEF (7) Nay, give not up to grief, it profits nothing, Nor do we remedy our ills by loathing. O Bacchus, best our cares to still It is to drink of wine our fill. CHEER UP (8) Come, cheer up. Drink this cup. 38 Alcaeus REJOICE! THE TYRANT IS DEAD (9) Now shall we drink our fill ; Now in carousal mad Drench ourselves with a will: Now is Myrsilus dead. THE VINE FIRST OF ALL (lO) Before the vine no other tree Or shrub do thou set out for me. NOT FASTIDIOUS (II) The wine they drink now honey-sweet, now worse And sharper is than are the prickly burrs.

• From The Decameron (1353)

  The physician then took his leave and letting make a little clary,[428] despatched it to Calandrino, whilst Bruno, buying the capons and other things necessary for making good cheer, ate them in company with his comrades and Master Simone. Calandrino drank of his clary three mornings, after which the doctor came to him, together with his comrades, and feeling his pulse, said to him, 'Calandrino, thou art certainly cured; wherefore henceforth thou mayst safely go about thine every business nor abide longer at home for this.' Accordingly, Calandrino arose, overjoyed, and went about his occasions, mightily extolling, as often as he happened to speak with any one, the fine cure that Master Simone had wrought of him, in that he had unbegotten him with child in three days' time, without any pain; whilst Bruno and Buffalmacco and Nello abode well pleased at having contrived with this device to overreach his niggardliness, albeit Dame Tessa, smoking the cheat, rated her husband amain thereanent." [Footnote 428: _Chiarea._ According to the commentators, the composition of this drink is unknown, but that of clary, a sort of hippocras or spiced wine _clear-strained_ (whence the name), offers no difficulty to the student of old English literature.] THE FOURTH STORY [Day the Ninth] CECCO FORTARRIGO GAMETH AWAY AT BUONCONVENTO ALL HIS GOOD AND THE MONIES OF CECCO ANGIOLIERI [HIS MASTER;] MOREOVER, RUNNING AFTER THE LATTER, IN HIS SHIRT, AND AVOUCHING THAT HE HATH ROBBED HIM, HE CAUSETH HIM BE TAKEN OF THE COUNTRYFOLK; THEN, DONNING ANGIOLIERI'S CLOTHES AND MOUNTING HIS PALFREY, HE MAKETH OFF AND LEAVETH THE OTHER IN HIS SHIRT Calandrino's speech concerning his wife had been hearkened of all the company with the utmost laughter; then, Filostrato being silent, Neifile, as the queen willed it, began, "Noble ladies, were it not uneather for men to show forth unto others their wit and their worth than it is for them to exhibit their folly and their vice, many would weary themselves in vain to put a bridle on their tongues; and this hath right well been made manifest to you by the folly of Calandrino, who had no call, in seeking to be made whole of the ailment in which his simplicity caused him believe, to publish the privy diversions of his wife; and this hath brought to my mind somewhat of contrary purport to itself, to wit, a story of how one man's knavery got the better of another's wit, to the grievous hurt and confusion of the over-reached one, the which it pleaseth me to relate to you.