Thursday, September 11, 2008

Baudelaire interlude



Deep joys of wine, who among us has not known you? Who has not felt remorse to calm, a memory to conjure, a sorrow to drown, a castle to build in the clouds – all have invoked you, mysterious god hidden in the fibers of the vine. How grand are the acts brought forth by wine, as though we were illuminated by an inner sun! How true, how burning is the second youth man draws from it! Yet how formidable are its searing raptures and its draining enchantments. And yet: say, in your soul and conscience – judges, law-makers, men of the world, you whose happiness leaves you gentle, whose fortune makes virtue and health a thing of trifling ease – say: who among you would have the pitiless courage to condemn those who drink genius?

Baudelaire, Wine and Haschisch

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Ooh, Baudelaire is so darkly brilliant. Thanks, Sharon...........

Michael D. said...

"One night the wine was singing in the bottle"- Baudelaire

Great quote from your recent post, and thought I would offer up my favorite.

Sharon said...

Thanks, Mike. Love that one.