trace is left in it--the design of the finest of webs,
the web of dream-charms, the enchantment of noiseless movements, the
inaudible hiss of gliding lines. I am silent and I sway myself. I look
ahead and I sway myself. What strange burden am I carrying on my neck?

I love you.

I always was a fascinating creature, and loved tenderly those I loved.
Come closer to me. Do you see my white, sharp, enchanting little teeth?
Kissing, I used to bite. Not painfully, no--just a trifle. Caressing
tenderly, I used to bite a little, until the first bright little drops
appeared, until a cry came forth which sounded like the laugh produced
by tickling. That was very pleasant--think not it was unpleasant;
otherwise they whom I kissed would not come back for more kisses. It
is now that I can kiss only once--how sad--only once! One kiss for
each--how little for a loving heart, for a sensitive soul, striving for
a great union! But it is only I, the sad one, who kiss but once, and
must seek love again--he knows no other love any more: to him my one,
tender, nuptial kiss is inviolable and eternal. I am speaking to you
frankly; and when my story is ended--I will kiss you.

I love you.

Look into my eyes. Is it not true that mine is a magnificent, a powerful
look? A firm look and a straight look? And it is steadfast, like steel
forced against your heart. I look ahead and sway myself, I look and I
enchant; in my green eyes I gather your fear, your loving, fatigued,
submissive longing. Come closer to me. Now I am a queen and you dare not
fail to see my beauty; but there was a strange time--Ah, what a
strange time! Ah, what a strange time! At the mere recollection I am
agitated--Ah, what a strange time! No one loved me. No one respected
me. I was persecuted with cruel ferocity, trampled in the mud and
jeered--Ah, what a strange time it was! One in many! One in many!

I say to you: Come closer to me.

Why did they not love me? At that time I was also a fascinating
creature, but without malice; I was gentle and I danced wonderfully.
But they tortured me. They burnt me with fire. Heavy and coarse beasts
trampled upon me with the dull steps of terribly heavy feet; cold tusks
of bloody mouths tore my tender body--and in my powerless sorrow I bit
the sand, I swallowed the dust of the ground--I was dying of despair.
Crushed, I was dying every day. Every day I was dying of despair.
Oh, what a terrible time that was! The stupid forest has forgott