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diff --git a/old/50210-0.txt b/old/50210-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 9f32256..0000000 --- a/old/50210-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,1341 +0,0 @@ -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 50210 *** - -THE STORY OF - -VENUS AND TANNHÄUSER - - -in which is set forth an exact account of the manner of State held by -Madam Venus, Goddess and Meretrix, under the famous Hörselberg, and -containing the Adventures of Tannhäuser in that Place, his Repentance, -his Journeying to Rome and Return to the Loving Mountain. - - -A ROMANTIC NOVEL - -BY - -AUBREY BEARDSLEY - - -Now first printed from the Original Manuscript - - -LONDON - -FOR PRIVATE CIRCULATION - -MCMVII - - - - -THE STORY OF VENUS AND TANNHÄUSER - - - - -FOREWORD - - -Only a portion of this work, Beardsley's most ambitious literary -effort, has hitherto been printed, with the title "Under the Hill". The -present work is a complete transcript of the whole of the manuscript as -originally projected by Beardsley. It has been deemed advisable, owing -to the freedom of several passages, to issue only a limited number of -copies for the use of those literary students who are also admirers of -Beardsley's wayward genius. - - - - "La chaleur du brandon Venus." - _Le Roman de la Rose_, v. 22051. - - - -CONTENTS - - -CHAPTER I. HOW THE CHEVALIER TANNHÄUSER ENTERED INTO THE HILL OF VENUS. - -CHAPTER II. OF THE MANNER IN WHICH VENUS WAS COIFFED AND PREPARED FOR -SUPPER. - -CHAPTER III. HOW VENUS SUPPED; AND THEREAFTER WAS MIGHTILY AMUSED BY -THE CURIOUS PRANKS OF HER ENTOURAGE. - -CHAPTER IV. HOW THE COURT OF VENUS BEHAVED STRANGELY AT HER SUPPER. - -CHAPTER V. OF THE BALLET DANCED BY THE SERVANTS OF VENUS. - -CHAPTER VI. OF THE AMOROUS ENCOUNTER WHICH TOOK PLACE BETWEEN VENUS AND -TANNHÄUSER. - -CHAPTER VII. HOW TANNHÄUSER AWAKENED AND TOOK HIS MORNING ABLUTIONS IN -THE VENUSBERG. - -CHAPTER VIII. OF THE ECSTACY OF ADOLPHE, AND THE REMARKABLE -MANIFESTATION THEREOF. - -CHAPTER IX. HOW VENUS AND TANNHÄUSER BREAKFASTED AND THEN DROVE THROUGH -THE PALACE GARDENS. - -CHAPTER X. OF THE 'STABAT MATER' SPIRIDION, AND DE LA PINE. - - - - -THE STORY OF - -VENUS AND TANNHÄUSER - -A ROMANTIC NOVEL - - - - TO - THE MOST EMINENT AND REVEREND PRINCE - GIULIO POLDO PEZZOLI - CARDINAL OF THE HOLY ROMAN CHURCH - TITULAR BISHOP OF S. MARIA IN TRASTAVERE - ARCHBISHOP OF OSTIA AND VELLETRI - NUNCIO TO THE HOLY SEE - IN - NICARAGUA AND PATAGONIA - A FATHER TO THE POOR - A REFORMER OF ECCLESIASTICAL DISCIPLINE - A PATTERN OF LEARNING - WISDOM AND HOLINESS OF LIFE - THIS BOOK IS DEDICATED WITH DUE REVERENCE - BY HIS HUMBLE SERVITOR - A SCRIVENER AND LIMNER OF WORLDLY THINGS - WHO MADE THIS BOOK - AUBREY BEARDSLEY - TO - THE MOST EMINENT AND REVEREND PRINCE - GIULIO POLDO PEZZOLI - - - - -_Most Eminent Prince_, - -I know not by what mischance the writing of epistles dedicatory has -fallen into disuse, whether through the vanity of authors or the -humility of patrons. But the practice seems to me so very beautiful -and becoming that I have ventured to make an essay in the modest art, -and lay with formalities my first book at your feet. I have, it must -be confessed, many fears lest I shall be arraigned of presumption in -choosing so exalted a name as your own to place at the beginning of -these histories; but I hope that such a censure will not be too lightly -passed upon me, for, if I am guilty, 'tis but of a most natural pride -that the accidents of my life should allow me to sail the little -pinnace of my wit under your protection. - -But though I can clear myself of such a charge, I am still minded to -use the tongue of apology, for with what face can I offer you a book -treating of so vein and fantastical a thing as Love? I know that in -the judgment of many the amorous passion is accounted a shameful thing -and ridiculous; indeed, it must be confessed that more blushes have -risen for Love's sake than for any other cause, and that lovers are an -eternal laughing-stock. Still, as the book will be found to contain -matter of deeper import than mere venery, inasmuch as it treats of the -great contrition of its chiefest character, and of canonical things in -its chapters, I am not without hopes that your Eminence will pardon my -writing of the Hill of Venus, for which exposition let my youth excuse -me. - -Then I must crave your forgiveness for addressing you in a language -other than the Roman, but my small freedom in Latinity forbids me to -wander beyond the idiom of my vernacular. I would not for the world -that your delicate Southern ear should be offended by a barbarous -assault of rude and Gothic words; but methinks no language is rude that -can boast polite writers, and not a few have flourished in this country -in times past, bringing our common speech to very great perfection. -In the present age, alas! our pens are ravished by unlettered authors -and unmannered critics, that make a havoc rather than a building, a -wilderness rather than a garden. But, alack I what boots it to drop -tears upon the preterit? - -'Tis not of our own shortcomings, though, but of your own great merits -that I should speak, else I should be forgetful of the duties I have -drawn upon myself in electing to address you in a dedication. 'Tis of -your noble virtues (though all the world know of 'em), your taste and -wit, your care for letters, and very real regard for the arts, that I -must be the proclaimer. - -Though it be true that all men have sufficient wit to pass a judgment -on this or that, and not a few sufficient impudence to print the same -(these last being commonly accounted critics), I have ever held that -the critical faculty is more rare than the inventive. 'Tis a faculty -your Eminence possesses in so great a degree that your praise or blame -is something oracular, your utterance infallible as great genius or as -a beautiful woman. Your mind, I know, rejoicing in fine distinctions -and subtle procedures of thought, beautifully discursive rather than -hastily conclusive, has found in criticism its happiest exercise. 'Tis -pity that so perfect a Mecænas should have no Horace to befriend, no -Georgies to accept; for the offices and function of patron or critic -must of necessity be lessened in an age of little men and little work. -In times past 'twas nothing derogatory for great princes and men of -State to extend their loves and favour to poets, for thereby they -received as much honour as they conferred. Did not Prince Festus with -pride take the master-work of Julian into his protection, and was not -the Æneis a pretty thing to offer Caesar? - -Learning without appreciation is a thing of nought, but I know not -which is greatest in you, your love of the arts or your knowledge of -'em. What wonder, then, that I am studious to please you, and desirous -of your protection? How deeply thankful I am for your past affections, -you know well, your great kindness and liberality having far outgone my -slight merits fend small accomplishment that seemed scarce to warrant -any favour. Alas! 'tis a slight offering I make you now, but, if -after glancing into its pages (say of an evening upon your terrace), -you should deem it worthy of the most remote place in your princely -library, the knowledge that it rested there would be reward sufficient -for my labours, and a crowning happiness to my pleasure in the writing -of this slender book. - - The humble and obedient servant of your Eminence, - - AUBREY BEARDSLEY. - - - - -THE STORY OF VENUS AND TANNHÄUSER - -A ROMANTIC NOVEL - - - - -CHAPTER I - - -HOW THE CHEVALIER TANNHÄUSER ENTERED INTO THE HILL OF VENUS - - -The Chevalier Tannhäuser, having lighted off his horse, stood -doubtfully for a moment beneath the ombre gateway of the Venusberg, -troubled with an exquisite fear lest a day's travel should have too -cruelly undone the laboured niceness of his dress. His hand, slim and -gracious as La Marquise du Deffand's in the drawing by Carmontelle, -played nervously about the gold hair that fell upon his shoulders like -a finely curled peruke, and from point to point of a precise toilet, -the fingers wandered, quelling the little mutinies of cravat and ruffle. - -It was taper-time; when the tired earth puts on its cloak of mists and -shadows, when the enchanted woods are stirred with light footfalls and -slender voices of the fairies, when all the air is full of delicate -influences, and even the beaux, seated at their dressing-tables, dream -a little. - -A delicious moment, thought Tannhäuser, to slip into exile. - -The place where he stood waved drowsily with strange flowers, heavy -with perfume, dripping with odours. Gloomy and nameless weeds not to -be found in Mentzelius. Huge moths so richly winged they must have -banqueted upon tapestries and royal stuffs, slept on the pillars that -flanked either side of the gateway, and the eyes of all the moths -remained open, and were burning and bursting with a mesh of veins. -The pillars were fashioned in some pale stone, and rose up like hymns -in the praise of Venus, for, from cap to base, each one was carved -with loving sculptures, showing such a cunning invention and such a -curious knowledge that Tannhäuser lingered not a little in reviewing -them. They surpassed all that Japan has ever pictured from her maisons -vertes, all that was ever painted on the pretty bathrooms of Cardinal -La Motte, and even outdid the astonishing illustrations to Jones' -"_Nursery Numbers_." - -"A pretty portal," murmured the Chevalier, correcting his sash. - -As he spake, a faint sound of singing was breathed out from the -mountain, faint music as strange and distant as sea-legends that are -heard in shells. - -"The Vespers of Venus, I take it," said Tannhäuser and struck a few -chords of accompaniment ever so lightly upon his little lute. Softly -across the spell-bound threshold the song floated and wreathed itself -about the subtle columns till the moths were touched with passion, and -moved quaintly in their sleep. One of them was awakened by the intenser -notes of the Chevalier's lute-strings, and fluttered into his cave. -Tannhäuser felt it was his cue for entry. - -"Adieu," he exclaimed, with an inclusive gesture, and "Good-bye, -Madonna," as the cold circle of the moon began to show, beautiful and -full of enchantments. There was a shadow of sentiment in his voice as -he spake the words. - -"Would to heaven," he sighed, "I might receive the assurance of a -looking-glass before I make my début! However, as she is a goddess, I -doubt not her eyes are a little sated with perfection, and may not be -displeased to see it crowned with a tiny fault." - -A wild rose had caught upon the trimmings of his muff, and in the first -flush of displeasure he would have struck it brusquely away, and most -severely punished the offending flower. But the ruffled mood lasted -only a moment, for there was something so deliciously incongruous in -the hardy petal's invasion of so delicate a thing, that Tannhäuser -withheld the finger of resentment, and vowed that the wild rose should -stay where it had clung--a passport, as it were, from the upper to the -underworld. - -"The very excess and violence of the fault," he said, "will be its -excuse;" and, undoing a tangle in the tassel of his stick, stepped into -the shadowy corridor that ran into the bosom of the wan hill, stepped -with the admirable aplomb and unwrinkled suavity of Don John. - - - - -CHAPTER II - - -OF THE MANNER IN WHICH VENUS WAS COIFFED AND PREPARED FOR SUPPER - - -Before a toilet that shone like the altar of Nôtre Dame des Victoires, -Venus was seated in a little dressing-gown of black and heliotrope. -The coiffeur Cosmé was caring for her scented chevelure, and with tiny -silver tongs, warm from the caresses of the flame, made delicious -intelligent curls that fell as lightly as a breath about her forehead -and over her eyebrows, and clustered like tendrils about her neck. Her -three favourite girls, Pappelarde, Blanchemains, and Loreyne, waited -immediately upon her with perfume and powder in delicate flagons and -frail cassolettes, and held in porcelain jars the ravishing paints -prepared by Chateline for those cheeks and lips that had grown a little -pale with anguish of exile. Her three favourite boys, Claude, Claire, -and Sarrasine, stood amorously about with salver, fan and napkin. -Millamant held a slight tray of slippers, Minette some tender gloves, -La Popelinière, mistress of the robes, was ready with a frock of yellow -and yellow. La Zambinella bore the jewels, Florizel some flowers, -Amadour a box of various pins, and Vadius a box of sweets. Her doves, -ever in attendance, walked about the room that was panelled with the -gallant paintings of Jean Baptiste Dorat, and some dwarfs and doubtful -creatures sat here and there, lolling out their tongues, pinching each -other, and behaving oddly enough. Sometimes Venus gave them little -smiles. - -As the toilet was in progress, Priapusa, the fat manicure and fardeuse, -strode in and seated herself by the side of the dressing-table, -greeting Venus with an intimate nod. She wore a gown of white watered -silk with gold lace trimmings, and a velvet necklet of false vermilion. -Her hair hung in bandeaux over her ears, passing into a huge chignon -at the back of her head, and the hat, wide-brimmed and hung with a -vallance of pink muslin, was floral with red roses. - -Priapusa's voice was full of salacious unction; she had terrible little -gestures with the hands, strange movements with the shoulders, a short -respiration that made surprising wrinkles in her bodice, a corrupt -skin, large horny eyes, a parrot's nose, a small loose mouth, great -flaccid cheeks, and chin after chin. She was a wise person, and Venus -loved her more than any of her other servants, and had a hundred pet -names for her, such as, Dear Toad, Pretty Pol, Cock-robin, Dearest Lip, -Touchstone, Little Cough-drop, Bijou, Buttons, Dear Heart, Dick-dock, -Mrs Manly, Little Nipper, Cochon-de-lait, Naughty-naughty, Blessèd -Thing, and Trump. - -The talk that passed between Priapusa and her mistress was of that -excellent kind that passes between old friends, a perfect understanding -giving to scraps of phrases their full meaning, and to the merest -reference, a point. Naturally Tannhäuser, the new comer, was discussed -a little. Venus had not seen him yet, and asked a score of questions on -his account that were delightfully to the point. - -Priapusa told the story of his sudden arrival, his curious wandering in -the gardens, and calm satisfaction with all he saw there, his impromptu -affection for a slender girl upon the first terrace, of the crowd of -frocks that gathered round and pelted him with roses, of the graceful -way he defended himself with his mask, and of the queer reverence he -made to the statue of the God of all gardens, kissing that deity with -a pilgrim's devotion. Just now Tannhäuser was at the baths, and was -creating a most favourable impression. - -The report and the coiffing were completed at the same moment. - -"Cosmé," said Venus, "you have been quite sweet and quite brilliant, -you have surpassed yourself to-night." "Madam flatters me," replied the -antique old thing, with a girlish giggle under his black satin mask. -"Gad, Madam; sometimes I believe I have no talent in the world, but -to-night I must confess to a touch of the vain mood." It would pain me -horribly to tell you about the painting of her face; suffice it that -the sorrowful work was accomplished frankly, magnificently, and without -a shadow of deception. - -Venus slipped away the dressing-gown, and rose before the mirror in -a flutter of frilled things. She was adorably tall and slender. Her -neck and shoulders were so wonderfully drawn, and the little malicious -breasts were full of the irritation of loveliness that can never be -entirely comprehended, or ever enjoyed to the utmost. Her arms and -hands were loosely but delicately articulated, and her legs were -divinely long. From the hip to the knee, twenty-two inches; from the -knee to the heel, twenty-two inches, as befitted a Goddess. - -I should like to speak more particularly about her, for generalities -are not of the slightest service in a description. But I am afraid that -an enforced silence here and there would leave such numerous gaps in -the picture that it had better not be begun at all than left unfinished. - -Those who have only seen Venus in the Vatican, in the Louvre, in -the Uffizi, or in the British Museum, can have no idea of how very -beautiful and sweet she looked. Not at all like the lady in "Lemprière." - -Priapusa grew quite lyric over the dear little person, and pecked at -her arms with kisses. - -"Dear Tongue, you must really behave yourself," said Venus, and called -Millamant to bring her the slippers. - -The tray was freighted with the most exquisite and shapely pantoufles, -sufficient to make Cluny a place of naught. There were shoes of grey -and black and brown suède, of white silk and rose satin, and velvet and -sarcenet; there were some of sea-green sewn with cherry blossoms, some -of red with willow branches, and some of grey with bright-winged birds. -There were heels of silver, of ivory, and of gilt; there were buckles -of very precious stones set in most strange and esoteric devices; -there were ribands tied and twisted into cunning forms; there were -buttons so beautiful that the button-holes might have no pleasure till -they closed upon them; there were soles of delicate leathers scented -with maréchale, and linings of soft stuffs scented with the juice of -July flowers. But Venus, finding none of them to her mind, called for -a discarded pair of blood-red maroquin, diapered with pearls. These -looked very distinguished over her white silk stockings. - -As the tray was being carried away, the capricious Florizel snatched as -usual a slipper from it, and fitted the foot over his penis, and made -the necessary movements. That was Florizel's little caprice. Meantime, -La Popelinière stepped forward with the frock. - -"I shan't wear one to-night," said Venus. Then she slipped on her -gloves. - -When the toilet was at an end all her doves clustered round her feet, -loving to frôler her ankles with their plumes, and the dwarfs clapped -their hands, and put their fingers between their lips and whistled. -Never before had Venus been so radiant and compelling. Spiridion, in -the corner, looked up from his game of Spellicans and trembled. Claude -and Clair, pale with pleasure, stroked and touched her with their -delicate hands, and wrinkled her stockings with their nervous lips, and -smoothed them with their thin fingers; and Sarrasine undid her garters -and kissed them inside and put them on again, pressing her thighs with -his mouth. The dwarfs grew very daring, I can tell you. There was -almost a mêlée. They illustrated pages 72 and 73 of Delvau's Dictionary. - -In the middle of it all, Pranzmungel announced that supper was ready -upon the fifth terrace. "Ah!" cried Venus, "I'm famished!" - - - - -CHAPTER III - - -HOW VENUS SUPPED AND THEREAFTER WAS MIGHTILY AMUSED BY THE CURIOUS -PRANKS OF HER ENTOURAGE - - -She was quite delighted with Tannhäuser, and, of course, he sat next -her at supper. - -The terrace, made beautiful with a thousand vain and fantastical -devices, and set with a hundred tables and four hundred couches, -presented a truly splendid appearance. In the middle was a huge bronze -fountain with three basins. From the first rose a many-breasted dragon, -and four little Loves mounted upon swans, and each Love was furnished -with a bow and arrow. Two of them that faced the monster seemed to -recoil in fear, two that were behind made bold enough to aim their -shafts at him. From the verge of the second sprang a circle of slim -golden columns that supported silver doves, with tails and wings spread -out. The third, held by a group of grotesquely attenuated satyrs, was -centred with a thin pipe hung with masks and roses, and capped with -children's heads. - -From the mouths of the dragon and the Loves, from the swans' eyes, from -the breasts of the doves, from the satyrs' horns and lips, from the -masks at many points, and from the childrens' curls, the water played -profusely, cutting strange arabesques and subtle figures. - -The terrace was lit entirely by candles. There were four thousand of -them, not numbering those upon the tables. The candlesticks were of -a countless variety, and smiled with moulded cochônneries. Some were -twenty feet high, and bore single candles that flared like fragrant -torches over the feast, and guttered till the wax stood round the -tops in tall lances. Some, hung with dainty petticoats of shining -lustres, had a whole bevy of tapers upon them, devised in circles, in -pyramids, in squares, in cuneiforms, in single lines regimentally and -in crescents. - -Then on quaint pedestals and Terminal Gods and gracious pilasters of -every sort, were shell-like vases of excessive fruits and flowers that -hung about and burst over the edges and could never be restrained. The -orange-trees and myrtles, looped with vermilion sashes, stood in frail -porcelain pots, and the rose-trees were wound and twisted with superb -invention over trellis and standard. Upon one side of the terrace, a -long gilded stage for the comedians was curtained off with Pagonian -tapestries, and in front of it the music-stands were placed. The tables -arranged between the fountain and the flight of steps to the sixth -terrace were all circular, covered with white damask, and strewn with -irises, roses, kingcups, colombines, daffodils, carnations and lilies; -and the couches, high with soft cushions and spread with more stuffs -than could be named, had fans thrown upon them, and little amorous -surprise packets. - -Beyond the escalier stretched the gardens, which were designed so -elaborately and with so much splendour that the architect of the Fêtes -d'Armailhacq could have found in them no matter for cavil, and the -still lakes strewn with profuse barges full of gay flowers and wax -marionettes, the alleys of tall trees, the arcades and cascades, the -pavilions, the grottoes, and the garden-gods--all took a strange tinge -of revelry from the glare of the light that fell upon them from the -feast. - -The frockless Venus and Tannhäuser, with Priapusa and Claude and Clair, -and Farcy, the chief comedian, sat at the same table. Tannhäuser, -who had doffed his travelling suit, wore long black silk stockings, -a pair of pretty garters, a very elegant ruffled shirt, slippers -and a wonderful dressing-gown. Claude and Clair wore nothing at -all, delicious privilege of immaturity, and Farcy was in ordinary -evening clothes. As for the rest of the company, it boasted some very -noticeable dresses, and whole tables of quite delightful coiffures. -There were spotted veils that seemed to stain the skin with some -exquisite and august disease, fans with eye-slits in them through which -their bearers peeped and peered; fans painted with postures and covered -with the sonnets of Sporion and the short stories of Scaramouche, and -fans of big living moths stuck upon mounts of silver sticks. There were -masks of green velvet that make the face look trebly powdered; masks -of the heads of birds, of apes, of serpents, of dolphins, of men and -women, of little embryons and of cats; masks like the faces of gods; -masks of coloured glass, and masks of thin talc and of india-rubber. -There were wigs of black and scarlet wools, of peacocks' feathers, of -gold and silver threads, of swansdown, of the tendrils of the vine, -and of human hairs; huge collars of stiff muslin rising high above -the head; whole dresses of ostrich feathers curling inwards; tunics -of panthers' skins that looked beautiful over pink tights; capotes of -crimson satin trimmed with the wings of owls; sleeves cut into the -shapes of apocryphal animals; drawers flounced down to the ankles, and -flecked with tiny, red roses; stockings clocked with fêtes galantes, -and curious designs, and petticoats cut like artificial flowers. Some -of the women had put on delightful little moustaches dyed in purples -and bright greens, twisted and waxed with absolute skill; and some wore -great white beards after the manner of Saint Wilgeforte. Then Dorat had -painted extraordinary grotesques and vignettes over their bodies, here -and there. Upon a cheek, an old man scratching his horned head; upon a -forehead, an old woman teased by an impudent amor; upon a shoulder, an -amorous singerie; round a breast, a circlet of satyrs; about a wrist, a -wreath of pale, unconscious babes; upon an elbow, a bouquet of spring -flowers; across a back, some surprising scenes of adventure; at the -corners of a mouth, tiny red spots; and upon a neck, a flight of birds, -a caged parrot, a branch of fruit, a butterfly, a spider, a drunken -dwarf, or, simply, some initials. But most wonderful of all were the -black silhouettes painted upon the legs, and which showed through a -white silk stocking like a sumptuous bruise. - -The supper provided by the ingenious Rambouillet was quite beyond -parallel. Never had he created a more exquisite menu. The _consommé -impromptu_ alone would have been sufficient to establish the immortal -reputation of any chef. What, then, can I say of the _Dorade bouillie -sauce maréchale_, the _ragoût aux langues de carpes_, the _ramereaux -à la charnière_, the _ciboulette de gibier à l'espagnole_, the _paté -de cuisses d'oie aux pois de Monsalvie_, the _queues d'agneau au clair -de lune_, the _artichauts à la Grecque_, the _charlotte de pommes à -la Lucy Waters_, the _bombes à la marée_, and the _glaces aux rayons -d'or_? A veritable tour de cuisine that surpassed even the famous -little suppers given by the Marquis de Réchale at Passy, and which the -Abbé Mirliton pronounced "impeccable, and too good to be eaten." - -Ah! Pierre Antoine Berquin de Rambouillet; you are worthy of your -divine mistress! - -Mere hunger quickly gave place to those finer instincts of the pure -gourmet, and the strange wines, cooled in buckets of snow, unloosed -all the décolleté spirits of astonishing conversation and atrocious -laughter. - - - - -CHAPTER IV - - -HOW THE COURT OF VENUS BEHAVED STRANGELY AT HER SUPPER - - -At first there was the fun with the surprise packets that contained -myriads of amusing things, then a general criticism of the decorations, -everyone finding a delightful meaning in the fall of festoon, turn of -twig, and twist of branch. Pulex, as usual, bore the palm for insight -and invention, and to-night he was more brilliant than ever. He leant -across the table and explained to the young page, Macfils de Martaga, -what thing was intended by a certain arrangement of roses. The young -page smiled and hummed the refrain of "La petite balette." Sporion, -too, had delicate perceptions, and was vastly entertained by the -disposition of the candelabra. - -As the courses advanced, the conversation grew bustling and more -personal. Pulex and Cyril and Marisca and Cathelin opened a fire of -raillery. The infidelities of Cerise, the difficulties of Brancas, -Sarmean's caprices that morning in the lily garden, Thorilliere's -declining strength, Astarte's affection for Roseola, Felix's impossible -member, Cathelin's passion for Sulpilia's poodle, Sola's passion -for herself, the nasty bite that Marisca gave Chloe, the épilatiere -of Pulex, Cyril's diseases, Butor's illness, Maryx's tiny cemetery, -Lesbia's profound fourth letter, and a thousand amatory follies of the -day were discussed. - -From harsh and shrill and clamant, the voices grew blurred and -inarticulate. Bad sentences were helped out by worse gestures, and at -one table, Scabius could only express himself with his napkin, after -the manner of Sir Jolly Jumble in the "Soldier's Fortune" of Otway. -Basalissa and Lysistrata tried to pronounce each other's names, and -became very affectionate in the attempt, and Tala, the tragedian, robed -in ample purple, and wearing plume and buskin, rose to his feet, and -with swaying gestures began to recite one of his favourite parts. He -got no further than the first line, but repeated it again and again, -with fresh accents and intonations each time, and was only silenced by -the approach of the asparagus that was being served by satyrs costumed -in white muslin. - -Clitor and Sodon had a violent struggle over the beautiful Pella, and -nearly upset a chandelier. Sophie became very intimate with an empty -champagne bottle, swore it had made her enciente, and ended by having -a mock accouchment on the top of the table; and Belamour pretended to -be a dog, and pranced from couch to couch on all fours, biting and -barking and licking. Mellefont crept about dropping love philtres into -glasses. Juventus and Ruella stripped and put on each other's things, -Spelto offered a prize for whoever should come first, and Spelto won -it! Tannhäuser, just a little grisé, lay down on the cushions and let -Julia do whatever she liked. - -I wish I could be allowed to tell you what occurred round table 15, -just at this moment. It would amuse you very much, and would give you -a capital idea of the habits of Venus' retinue. Indeed, for deplorable -reasons, by far the greater part of what was said and done at this -supper must remain unrecorded and even unsuggested. - -Venus allowed most of the dishes to pass untasted, she was so -engaged with the beauty of Tannhäuser. She laid her head many times -on his robe, kissing him passionately; and his skin, at once firm -and yielding, seemed to those exquisite little teeth of hers, the -most incomparable pasture. Her upper lip curled and trembled with -excitement, showing the gums. Tannhäuser, on his side, was no less -devoted. He adored her all over and all the things she had on, and -buried his face in the folds and flounces of her linen, and ravished -away a score of frills in his excess. He found her exasperating, and -crushed her in his arms, and slaked his parched lips at her mouth. He -caressed her eyelids softly with his finger tips, and pushed aside the -curls from her forehead, and did a thousand gracious things, tuning -her body as a violinist tunes his instrument before he plays upon it. -Priapusa snorted like an old war horse at the sniff of powder, and -tickled Tannhäuser and Venus by turns, and slipped her tongue down -their throats, and refused to be quiet at all until she had had a -mouthful of the Chevalier. Claude, seizing his chance, dived under -the table and came up the other side just under the queen's couch, -and before she could say "One!" he was taking his coffee "aux deux -colonnes." Clair was furious at his friend's success, and sulked for -the rest of the evening. - - - - -CHAPTER V - - -OF THE BALLET DANCED BY THE SERVANTS OF VENUS - - -After the fruits and fresh wines had been brought in by a troop of -woodland creatures, decked with green leaves and all sorts of Spring -flowers, the candles in the orchestra were lit, and in another moment -the musicians bustled into their places. The wonderful Titurel de -Schentefleur was the chef d'orchestre, and the most insidious of -conductors. His baton dived into a phrase and brought out the most -magical and magnificent things, and seemed rather to play every -instrument than to lead it. He could add a grace even to Scarlatti -and a wonder to Beethoven. A delicate, thin, little man with thick -lips and a nez retroussé, with long black hair and curled moustache, -in the manner of Molière. What were his amatory tastes, no one in the -Venusberg could tell. He generally passed for a virgin, and Cathos had -nicknamed him "The Solitaire." - -To-night he appeared in a court suit of white silk, brilliant with -decorations. His hair was curled into resplendent ringlets that -trembled like springs at the merest gesture of his arm, and in his ears -swung the diamonds given him by Venus. - -The orchestra was, as usual, in its uniform of red vest and breeches -trimmed with gold lace, white stockings and red shoes. Titurel had -written a ballet for the evening's divertissement, founded upon De -Bergerac's comedy of "Les Bacchanales de Fanfreluche," in which the -action and dances were designed by him as well as the music. - - -I - -The curtain rose upon a scene of rare beauty, a remote Arcadian valley, -and watered with a dear river as fresh and pastoral as a perfect fifth -of this scrap of Tempe. It was early morning, and the re-arisen sun, -like the prince in the "Sleeping Beauty," woke all the earth with -his lips. In that golden embrace the night dews were caught up and -made splendid, the trees were awakened from their obscure dreams, the -slumber of the birds was broken, and all the flowers of the valley -rejoiced, forgetting their fear of the darkness. - -Suddenly, to the music of pipe and horn, a troop of satyrs stepped out -from the recesses of the woods, bearing in their hands nuts and green -boughs and flowers and roots and whatsoever the forest yielded, to heap -upon the altar of the mysterious Pan that stood in the middle of the -stage; and from the hills came down the shepherds and shepherdesses, -leading their flocks and carrying garlands upon their crooks. Then a -rustic priest, white-robed and venerable, came slowly across the valley -followed by a choir of radiant children. - -The scene was admirably stage-managed, and nothing could have been more -varied yet harmonious than this Arcadian group. The service was quaint -and simple, but with sufficient ritual to give the corps-de-ballet an -opportunity of showing its dainty skill. The dancing of the satyrs was -received with huge favour, and when the priest raised his hand in final -blessing, the whole troop of worshippers made such an intricate and -elegant exit that it was generally agreed that Titurel had never before -shown so fine an invention. - -Scarcely had the stage been empty for a moment, when Sporion entered, -followed by a brilliant rout of dandies and smart women. Sporion was a -tall, slim, depraved young man with a slight stoop, a troubled walk, an -oval impassable face, with its olive skin drawn tightly over the bone, -strong scarlet lips, long Japanese eyes, and a great gilt toupet. Round -his shoulders hung a high-collared satin cape of salmon pink, with long -black ribands untied and floating about his body. His coat of sea-green -spotted muslin was caught in at the waist by a scarlet sash with -scalloped edges, and frilled out over the hips for about six inches. -His trousers, loose and wrinkled, reached to the end of the calf, and -were brocaded down the sides, and ruched magnificently at the ankles. -The stockings were of white kid, with stalls for the toes, and had -delicate red sandals strapped over them. But his little hands, peeping -out from their frills, seemed quite the most insinuating things, such -supple fingers tapering to the point, with tiny nails stained pink, -such unquenchable palms, lined and mounted like Lord Fanny's in "Love -at all Hazards," and such blue-veined, hairless backs! In his left hand -he carried a small lace handkerchief broidered with a coronet. - -As for his friends and followers they made the most superb and insolent -crowd imaginable, but to catalogue the clothes they had on would -require a chapter as long as the famous tenth in Pénillière's history -of underlinen. On the whole they looked a very distinguished chorus. - -Sporion stepped forward and explained with swift and various gesture -that he and his friends were tired of the amusements, wearied with the -poor pleasures offered by the civil world, and had invaded the Arcadian -valley hoping to experience a new frisson in the destruction of some -shepherd's or some satyr's naïveté, and the infusion of their venom -among the dwellers of the woods. - -The chorus assented with languid but expressive movements. - -Curious, and not a little frightened, at the arrival of the worldly -company, the sylvans began to peep nervously at those subtle souls -through the branches of the trees, and one or two fauns and a shepherd -or so crept out warily. Sporion and all the ladies and gentlemen made -enticing sounds and invited the rustic creatures with all the grace in -the world to come and join them. By little batches they came, lured by -the strange looks, by the scents and the doings, and by the brilliant -clothes, and some ventured quite near, timorously fingering the -delicious textures of the stuffs. Then Sporion and each of his friends -took a satyr or a shepherd or something by the hand, and made the -preliminary steps of a courtly measure, for which the most admirable -combinations had been invented, and the most charming music written. - -The pastoral folk were entirely bewildered when they saw such -restrained and graceful movements, and made the most grotesque and -futile efforts to imitate them. - -Dio mio, a pretty sight! A charming effect too was obtained by the -intermixture of stockinged calf and hairy leg, of rich brocaded bodice -and plain blouse, of tortured head-dress and loose untutored locks. - -When the dance was ended, the servants of Sporion brought on champagne, -and, with many pirouettes, poured it magnificently into slender -glasses, and tripped about plying those Arcadian mouths that had never -before tasted such a royal drink. - - * * * * * * * - -Then the curtain fell with a pudic rapidity. - - -II - -'Twas not long before the invaders began to enjoy the first fruits -of their expedition, plucking them in the most seductive manner with -their smooth fingers, and feasting lip and tongue and tooth, whilst -the shepherds and satyrs and shepherdesses fairly gasped under the -new joys, for the pleasure they experienced was almost too keen and -too profound for their simple and untilled natures. Fanfreluche and -the rest of the rips and ladies tingled with excitement and frolicked -like young lambs in a fresh meadow. Again and again the wine was -danced round, and the valley grew as busy as a market day. Attracted -by the noise and merrymaking, all those sweet infants I told you of, -skipped suddenly on to the stage, and began clapping their hands and -laughing immoderately at the passion and the disorder and commotion, -and mimicking the nervous staccato movements they saw in their pretty -childish way. - -In a flash, Fanfreluche disentangled himself and sprang to his feet, -gesticulating as if he would say, "Ah, the little dears!" "Ah, the -rorty little things!" "Ah, the little ducks!" for he was so fond of -children. Scarcely had he caught one by the thigh than a quick rush was -made by everybody for the succulent limbs; and how they tousled them -and mousled them! The children cried out, I can tell you. Of course -there were not enough for everybody, so some had to share, and some had -simply to go on with what they were doing before. - -I must not, by the way, forget to mention the independent attitude -taken by six or seven of the party, who sat and stood about with -half-closed eyes, inflated nostrils, clenched teeth, and painful, -parted lips, behaving like the Duc de Broglio when he watched the -amours of the Regent d'Orléans. - -Now as Fanfreluche and his friends began to grow tired and exhausted -with the new debauch, they cared no longer to take the initiative, -but, relaxing every muscle, abandoned themselves to passive joys, -yielding utterly to the ardent embraces of the intoxicated satyrs, who -waxed fast and furious, and seemed as if they would never come to the -end of their strength. Full of the new tricks they had learnt that -morning, they played them passionately and roughly, making havoc of -the cultured flesh, and tearing the splendid frocks and dresses into -ribands. Duchesses and Maréchales, Marquises and Princesses, Dukes -and Marshalls, Marquesses and Princes, were ravished and stretched -and rumpled and crushed beneath the interminable vigour and hairy -breasts of the inflamed woodlanders. They bit at the white thighs and -nozzled wildly in the crevices. They sat astride the women's chests -and consummated frantically with their bosoms; they caught their prey -by the hips and held it over their heads, irrumating with prodigious -gusto. It was the triumph of the valley. - -High up in the heavens the sun had mounted and filled all the air -with generous warmth, whilst shadows grew shorter and sharper. Little -light-winged papillons flitted across the stage, the bees made music -on their flowery way, the birds were very gay and kept up a jargoning -and refraining, the lambs were bleating upon the hill side, and the -orchestra kept playing, playing the uncanny tunes of Titurel. - - - - -CHAPTER VI - - -OF THE AMOROUS ENCOUNTER WHICH TOOK PLACE BETWEEN VENUS AND TANNHÄUSER - - -Venus and Tannhäuser had retired to the exquisite little boudoir or -pavilion Le Con had designed for the queen on the first terrace, and -which commanded the most delicious view of the parks and gardens. It -was a sweet little place, all silk curtains and soft cushions. There -were eight sides to it, bright with mirrors and candelabra, and rich -with pictured panels, and the ceiling, dome shaped and some thirty feet -above the head, shone obscurely with gilt mouldings through the warm -haze of candle light below. Tiny wax statuettes dressed theatrically -and smiling with plump cheeks, quaint magots that looked as cruel as -foreign gods, gilded monticules, pale celadon vases, clocks that said -nothing, ivory boxes full of secrets, china figures playing whole -scenes of plays, and a world of strange preciousness crowded the -curious cabinets that stood against the walls. On one side of the room -there were six perfect little card tables, with quite the daintiest and -most elegant chairs set primly round them; so, after all, there may be -some truth in that line of Mr Theodore Watts,-- - - "I played at piquet with the Queen of Love." - -Nothing in the pavilion was more beautiful than the folding screens -painted by De La Pine, with Claudian landscapes--the sort of things -that fairly make one melt, things one can lie and look at for hours -together, and forget the country can ever be dull and tiresome. There -were four of them, delicate walls that hem in an amour so cosily, and -make room within room. - -The place was scented with huge branches of red roses, and with a faint -amatory perfume breathed out from the couches and cushions--a perfume -Chateline distilled in secret and called L'Eau Lavante. - -Those who have only seen Venus at the Louvre or the British Museum, at -Florence, at Naples, or at Rome, can have not the faintest idea how -sweet and enticing and gracious, how really exquisitely beautiful she -looked lying with Tannhäuser upon rose silk in that pretty boudoir. -Cosmé's precise curls and artful waves had been finally disarranged at -supper, and strayed ringlets of the black hair fell loosely over her -soft, delicious, tired, swollen eye-lids. Her frail chemise and dear -little drawers were torn and moist, and clung transparently about her, -and all her body was nervous and responsive. Her closed thighs seemed -like a vast replica of the little bijou she held between them; the -beautiful tétons du derrière were as firm as a plump virgin's cheek, -and promised a joy as profound as the mystery of the Rue Vendôme, and -the minor chevelure, just profuse enough, curled as prettily as the -hair upon a cherub's head. - -Tannhäuser, pale and speechless with excitement, passed his gem-girt -fingers brutally over the divine limbs, tearing away smock and pantalon -and stocking, and then, stripping himself of his own few things, fell -upon the splendid lady with a deep-drawn breath! - -It is, I know, the custom of all romancers to paint heroes who can -give a lady proof of their valliance at least twenty times a night. -Now Tannhäuser had no such Gargantuan facility, and was rather -relieved when, an hour later, Priapusa and Doricourt and some others -burst drunkenly into the room and claimed Venus for themselves. The -pavilion soon filled with a noisy crowd that could scarcely keep -its feet. Several of the actors were there, and Lesfesses, who had -played Fanfreluche so brilliantly, and was still in his make-up, paid -tremendous attention to Tannhäuser. But the Chevalier found him quite -uninteresting off the stage, and rose and crossed the room to where -Venus and the manicure were seated. - -"How tired the dear baby looks," said Priapusa. "Shall I put him in his -little cot?" - -"Well, if he's as sleepy as I am," yawned Venus, "you can't do better." - -Priapusa lifted her mistress off the pillows, and carried her in her -arms in a nice, motherly way. - -"Come along, children," said the fat old thing, "come along; it's time -you were both in bed." - - - - -CHAPTER VII - - -HOW TANNHÄUSER AWAKENED AND TOOK HIS MORNING ABLUTIONS IN THE VENUSBERG - - -It is always delightful to wake up in a new bedroom. The fresh -wall paper, the strange pictures, the positions of doors and -windows--imperfectly grasped the night before--are revealed with all -the charm of surprise when we open our eyes the next morning. - -It was about eleven o'clock when Tannhäuser awoke and stretched himself -deliciously in his great plumed four-post bed, and nursed his waking -thoughts, and stared at the curious patterned canopy above him. He was -very pleased with the room, which certainly was chic and fascinating, -and recalled the voluptuous interiors of the elegant amorous Baudouin. -Through the tiny parting of the long, flowered window curtains, the -Chevalier caught a peep of the sun-lit lawns outside, the silver -fountains, the bright flowers, and the gardeners at work. - -"Quite sweet," he murmured, and turned round to freshen the frilled -silk pillows behind him; "and what delightful pictures," he continued, -wandering with his eyes from print to print that hung upon the -rose-striped walls. Within the delicate, curved frames lived the -corrupt and gracious creatures of Dorat and his school; slim children -in masque and domino, smiling horribly, exquisite letchers leaning over -the shoulders of smooth doll-like ladies, and doing nothing particular, -terrible little pierrots posing as mulierasts, or pointing at something -outside the picture, and unearthly fops and strange women mingling in -some rococo room lighted mysteriously by the flicker of a dying fire -that throws huge shadows upon wall and ceiling. One of the prints -showing how an old marquis practised the five-finger exercise, while in -front of him his mistress offered her warm fesses to a panting poodle, -made the chevalier stroke himself a little. - -After the chevalier got up, he slipped off his dainty night-dress, -posturing elegantly before a long mirror, and made much of himself. Now -he would bend forward, now lie upon the floor, now stand upright, and -now rest upon one leg and let the other hang loosely till he looked as -if he might have been drawn by some early Italian master. Anon he would -lie upon the floor with his back to the glass, and glance amorously -over his shoulder. Then with a white silk sash he draped himself in a -hundred charming ways. So engrossed was he with his mirrored shape that -he had not noticed the entrance of a troop of serving boys, who stood -admiringly but respectfully at a distance, ready to receive his waking -orders. As soon as the chevalier observed them he smiled sweetly, and -bade them prepare his bath. - -The bathroom was the largest and perhaps the most beautiful apartment -in his splendid suite. The well-known engraving by Lorette that forms -the frontispiece to Millevoye's "Architecture du XVIIIme siècle," will -give you a better idea than any words of mine of the construction and -decoration of the room. Only, in Lorette's engraving, the bath sunk -into the middle of the floor is a little too small. - -Tannhäuser stood for a moment, like Narcissus, gazing at his reflection -in the still scented water, and then just ruffling its smooth surface -with one foot, stepped elegantly into the cool basin, and swam round it -twice, very gracefully. - -"Won't you join me?" he said, turning to those beautiful boys who stood -ready with warm towels and perfume. In a moment they were free of their -light morning dress, and jumped into the water and joined hands, and -surrounded the Chevalier with a laughing chain. - -"Splash me a little," he cried, and the boys teased him with water -and quite excited him. He chased the prettiest of them and bit his -fesses, and kissed him upon the perineum till the dear fellow banded -like a Carmelite, and its little bald top-knot looked like a great pink -pearl under the water. As the boy seemed anxious to take up the active -attitude, Tannhäuser graciously descended to the passive--a generous -trait that won him the complete affections of his valets de bain, or -pretty fish, as he called them, because they loved to swim between his -legs. - -However, it is not so much at the very bath itself, as in the drying -and delicious frictions, that a bather finds his chiefest pleasures, -and Tannhäuser was more than satisfied with the skill his attendants -displayed in the performance of those quasi amorous functions. The -delicate attention they paid his loving parts aroused feelings within -him that almost amounted to gratitude; and when the rites were ended, -any touch of home-sickness he might have felt before was utterly -dispelled. - -After he had rested a little, and sipped his chocolate, he wandered -into the dressing-room. Daucourt, his valet de chambre, Chenille, the -perruquier and barber, and two charming young dressers, were awaiting -him and ready with suggestions for the morning toilet. The shaving -over, Daucourt commanded his underlings to step forward with the suite -of suits from which he proposed Tannhäuser should make a choice. The -final selection was a happy one. A dear little coat of pigeon rose silk -that hung loosely about his hips, and showed off the jut of his behind -to perfection; trousers of black lace in flounces, falling--almost -like a petticoat--as far as the knee; and a delicate chemise of white -muslin, spangled with gold and profusely pleated. - -The two dressers, under Daucourt's direction, did their work superbly, -beautifully, leisurely, with an exquisite deference for the nude, and a -really sensitive appreciation of Tannhäuser's scrumptious torso. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII - - -OF THE ECSTACY OF ADOLPHE, AND THE REMARKABLE MANIFESTATION THEREOF - - -When all was said and done, the Chevalier tripped off to bid good -morning to Venus. He found her wandering, in a sweet white muslin -frock, upon the lawn outside, plucking flowers to deck her little -déjeuner. He kissed her lightly upon the neck. - -"I'm just going to feed Adolphe," she said, pointing to a little -reticule of buns that hung from her arm. Adolphe was her pet unicorn. -"He is such a dear," she continued; "milk-white all over excepting his -black eyes, rose mouth and nostrils, and scarlet John." - -The unicorn had a very pretty palace of its own, made of green foliage -and golden bars--a fitting home for such a delicate and dainty beast. -Ah, it was indeed a splendid thing to watch the white creature roaming -in its artful cage, proud and beautiful, and knowing no mate except the -Queen herself. - -As Venus and Tannhäuser approached the wicket, Adolphe began prancing -and curvetting, pawing the soft turf with his ivory hoofs, and -flaunting his tail like a gonfalon. Venus raised the latch and entered. - -"You mustn't come in with me--Adolphe is so jealous," she said, turning -to the Chevalier who was following her; "but you can stand outside and -look on; Adolphe likes an audience." Then in her delicious fingers she -broke the spicy buns, and with affectionate niceness, breakfasted her -ardent pet. When the last crumbs had been scattered, Venus brushed her -hands together and pretended to leave the cage, without taking any more -notice of Adolphe. Every morning she went through this piece of play, -and every morning the amorous unicorn was cheated into a distressing -agony lest that day should have proved the last of Venus's love. Not -for long, though, would she leave him in that doubtful, piteous state, -but running back passionately to where he stood, make adorable amends -for her unkindness. - -Poor Adolphe! How happy he was, touching the Queen's breasts with his -quick tongue-tip. I have no doubt that the keener scent of animals must -make women much more attractive to them than to men; for the gorgeous -odour that but faintly fills our nostrils must be revealed to the brute -creation in divine fulness. Anyhow, Adolphe sniffed as never a man did -around the skirts of Venus. After the first charming interchange of -affectionate delicacies was over, the unicorn lay down upon his side, -and, closing his eyes, beat his stomach wildly with the mark of manhood! - -Venus caught that stunning member in her hands and lay her cheek -along it; but few touches were wanted to consummate the creature's -pleasure. The Queen bared her left arm to the elbow, and with the -soft underneath of it made amazing movements horizontally upon the -tight-strung instrument. When the melody began to flow, the unicorn -offered up an astonishing vocal accompaniment. Tannhäuser was amused to -learn that the etiquette of the Venusberg compelled everybody to await -the outburst of these venereal sounds before they could sit down to -déjeuner. - -Adolphe had been quite profuse that morning. - -Venus knelt where it had fallen, and lapped her little apéritif! - - - - -CHAPTER IX - - -HOW VENUS AND TANNHÄUSER BREAKFASTED AND THEN DROVE THROUGH THE PALACE -GARDENS - - -The breakfasters were scattered over the gardens in têtes-à-têtes and -tiny parties. Venus and Tannhäuser sat together upon the lawn that lay -in front of the Casino, and made havoc of a ravishing déjeuner. The -Chevalier was feeling very happy. Everything around him seemed so white -and light and matinal; the floating frocks of the ladies, the scarce -robed boys and satyrs stepping hither and thither elegantly, with meats -and wines and fruits; the damask tablecloths, the delicate talk and -laughter that rose everywhere; the flowers' colour and the flowers' -scent; the shady trees, the wind's cool voice, and the sky above that -was as fresh and pastoral as a perfect fifth. And Venus looked so -beautiful. Not at all like the lady in Lemprière. - -"You're such a dear!" murmured Tannhäuser, holding her hand. - -At the further end of the lawn, and a little hidden by a rose-tree, a -young man was breakfasting alone. He toyed nervously with his food now -and then, but for the most part leant back in his chair with unemployed -hands, and gazed stupidly at Venus. - -"That's Felix," said the Goddess, in answer to an enquiry from the -Chevalier; and she went on to explain his attitude. Felix always -attended Venus upon her little latrinal excursions, holding her, -serving her, and making much of all she did. To undo her things, to -lift her skirts, to wait and watch the coming, to dip a lip or finger -in the royal output, to stain himself deliciously with it, to lie -beneath her as the favours fell, to carry off the crumpled, crotted -paper--these were the pleasures of that young man's life. Truly there -never was a queen so beloved by her subjects as Venus. Everything -she wore had its lover. Heavens! how her handkerchiefs were filched, -her stockings stolen! Daily, what intrigues, what countless ruses -to possess her merest frippery! Every scrap of her body was adored. -Never, for Savaral, could her ear yield sufficient wax! Never, for -Pradon, could she spit prodigally enough! And Saphius found a month an -interminable time. - -After breakfast was over, and Felix's fears lest Tannhäuser should have -robbed him of his capricious rights had been dispelled, Venus invited -the Chevalier to take a more extensive view of the gardens, parks, -pavilions, and ornamental waters. The carriage was ordered. It was a -delicate, shell-like affair, with billowy cushions and a light canopy, -and was drawn by ten satyrs, dressed as finely as the coach-men of the -Empress Pauline the First. - -The drive proved interesting and various, and Tännhauser was quite -delighted with almost everything he saw. - -And who is not pleased when on either side of him rich lawns are spread -with lovely frocks and white limbs,--and upon flower-beds the dearest -ladies are implicated in a glory of underclothing,--when he can see -in the deep cool shadows of the trees warm boys entwined, here at the -base, there in the branch,--when in the fountain's wave Love holds his -court, and the insistent water burrows in every delicious crease and -crevice? - -A pretty sight, too, was little Rosalie, perched like a postilion upon -the painted phallus of the god of all gardens. Her eyes were closed -and she was smiling as the carriage passed. Round her neck and slender -girlish shoulders there was a cloud of complex dress, over which bulged -her wig-like flaxen tresses. Her legs and feet were bare, and the toes -twisted in an amorous style. At the foot of the statue lay her shoes -and stockings and a few other things. - -Tannhäuser was singularly moved at this spectacle, and rose out of -all proportion. Venus slipped the fingers of comfort under the lace -flounces of his trousers, saying, "Is it all mine? Is it all mine?" and -doing fascinating things. In the end, the carriage was only prevented -from being overturned by the happy interposition of Priapusa, who -stepped out from somewhere or other just in time to preserve its -balance. - -How the old lady's eye glistened as Tannhäuser withdrew his panting -blade! In her sincere admiration for fine things, she quite forgot -and forgave the shock she had received from the falling of the gay -equipage. Venus and Tannhäuser were profuse with apology and thanks, -and quite a crowd of loving courtiers gathered round, consoling and -congratulating in a breath. - -The Chevalier vowed he would never go in the carriage again, and -was really quite upset about it. However, after he had had a little -support from the smelling-salts, he recovered his self possession, and -consented to drive on further. - -The landscape grew rather mysterious. The park, no longer troubled and -adorned with figures, was full of grey echoes and mysterious sounds; -the leaves whispered a little sadly, and there was a grotto that -murmured like the voice that haunts the silence of a deserted oracle. -Tannhäuser became a little triste. In the distance, through the trees, -gleamed a still, argent lake--a reticent, romantic water that must have -held the subtlest fish that ever were. Around its marge the trees and -flags and fleurs de luce were unbreakably asleep. - -The Chevalier fell into a strange mood, as he looked at the lake. It -seemed to him that the thing would speak, reveal some curious secret, -say some beautiful word, if he should dare wrinkle its pale face with a -pebble. - -"I should be frightened to do that, though," he said to himself. Then -he wondered what there might be upon the other side; other gardens, -other gods? A thousand drowsy fancies passed through his brain. -Sometimes the lake took fantastic shapes, or grew to twenty times its -size, or shrunk into a miniature of itself, without ever once losing -its unruffled calm, its deathly reserve. When the water increased, the -Chevalier was very frightened, for he thought how huge the frogs must -have become. He thought of their big eyes and monstrous wet feet, but -when the water lessened, he laughed to himself, whilst thinking how -tiny the frogs must have grown. He thought of their legs that must -look thinner than spiders', and of their dwindled croaking that never -could be heard. Perhaps the lake was only painted, after all. He had -seen things like it at the theatre. Anyhow, it was a wonderful lake, a -beautiful lake, and he would love to bathe in it, but he was sure he -would be drowned if he did. - - - - -CHAPTER X - - -OF THE STABAT MATER, SPIRIDION, AND DE LA PINE - - -When he woke up from his day-dream, he noticed that the carriage was -on its way back to the palace. They stopped at the Casino first, and -stepped out to join the players at petits chevaux. Tannhäuser preferred -to watch the game rather than play himself, and stood behind Venus, who -slipped into a vacant chair and cast gold pieces upon lucky numbers. -The first thing that Tannhäuser noticed was the grace and charm, the -gaiety and beauty of the croupiers. They were quite adorable even -when they raked in one's little losings. Dressed in black silk, and -wearing white kid gloves, loose yellow wigs and feathered toques: -with faces oval and young, bodies lithe and quick, voices silvery -and affectionate, they made amends for all the hateful arrogance, -disgusting aplomb, and shameful ugliness of the rest of their kind. - -The dear fellow who proclaimed the winner was really quite delightful. -He took a passionate interest in the horses, and had licked all the -paint off their petits couillons! - -You will ask me, no doubt, "Is that all he did?" I will answer, "Not -quite," as the merest glance at their petits derrières would prove. - -In the afternoon light that came through the great silken-blinded -windows of the Casino, all the gilded decorations, all the chandeliers, -the mirrors, the polished floor, the painted ceiling, the horses -galloping round their green meadow, the fat rouleaux of gold and -silver, the ivory rakes, the fanned and strange frocked crowd of dandy -gamesters looked magnificently rich and warm. Tea was being served. -It was so pretty to see some plushed little lady sipping nervously, -and keeping her eyes over the cup's edge intently upon the slackening -horses. The more indifferent left the tables and took their tea in -parties here and there. - -Tannhäuser found a great deal to amuse him at the Casino. Ponchon was -the manager, and a person of extra-ordinary invention. Never a day but -he was ready with a new show--a novel attraction. A glance through the -old Casino programmes would give you a very considerable idea of his -talent. What countless ballets, comedies, comedy-ballets, concerts, -masques, charades, proverbs, pantomimes, tableaux-magiques, and -peep-shows excentriques; what troupes of marionettes, what burlesques! - -Ponchon had an astonishing flair for new talent, and many of the -principal comedians and singers at the Queen's Theatre and Opera House -had made their first appearance and reputation at the Casino. - -This afternoon the pièce de résistance was a performance of Rossini's -Stabat Mater, an adorable masterpiece. It was given in the beautiful -Salle des Printemps Parfumés. Ah! what a stunning rendering of the -delicious demodé pièce de décadence. There is a subtle quality about -the music, like the unhealthy bloom upon wax fruit, that both orchestra -and singer contrived to emphasize with consummate delicacy. - -The Virgin was sung by Spiridion, that soft incomparable alto. A -miraculous virgin, too, he made of her. To begin with, he dressed -the rôle most effectively. His plump legs up to the feminine hips of -him, were in very white stockings, clocked with a false pink. He wore -brown kid boots, buttoned to mid-calf, and his whorish thighs had thin -scarlet garters round them. His jacket was cut like a jockey's, only -the sleeves ended in manifold frills, and round the neck, and just upon -the shoulders, there was a black cape. His hair, dyed green, was curled -into ringlets, such as the smooth Madonnas of Morales are made lovely -with, and fell over his high egg-shaped creamy forehead, and about his -ears and cheeks and back. - -The alto's face was fearful and wonderful--a dream face. The eyes -were full and black, with puffy blue rimmed hemispheres beneath them, -the cheeks, inclining to fatness, powdered and dimpled, the mouth was -purple and curved painfully, the chin tiny, and exquisitely modelled, -the expression cruel and womanish. Heavens! how splendid he looked and -sounded. - -An exquisite piece of phrasing was accompanied with some curly gesture -of the hand, some delightful undulation of the stomach, some nervous -movement of the thigh, or glorious rising of the bosom. - -The performance provoked enthusiasm--thunders of applause. Claude and -Clair pelted the thing with roses, and carried him off in triumph to -the tables. His costume was declared ravishing. The men almost pulled -him to bits, and mouthed at his great quivering bottom! The little -horses were quite forgotten for the moment. - -Sup, the penetrating, burst through his silk fleshings, and thrust -in bravely up to the hilt, whilst the alto's legs were feasted upon -by Pudex, Cyril, Anquetin, and some others. Ballice, Corvo, Quadra, -Senillé, Mellefont, Theodore, Le Vit, and Matta, all of the egoistic -cult, stood and crouched round, saturating the lovers with warm douches. - -Later in the afternoon, Venus and Tannhäuser paid a little visit to -De La Pine's studio, as the Chevalier was very anxious to have his -portrait painted. De La Pine's glory as a painter was hugely increased -by his reputation as a fouteur, for ladies that had pleasant memories -of him looked with a biassed eye upon his fêtes galantes merveilleuses, -portraits and folies bergères. - -Yes, he was a bawdy creature, and his workshop a regular brothel. -However, his great talent stood in no need of such meretricious and -phallic support, and he was every whit as strong and facile with his -brush as with his tool! - -When Venus and the Chevalier entered his studio, he was standing amid a -group of friends and connoisseurs who were liking his latest picture. -It was a small canvas, one of his delightful morning pieces. Upon an -Italian balcony stood a lady in a white frock, reading a letter. She -wore brown stockings, straw-coloured petticoats, white shoes, and a -Leghorn hat. Her hair was red and in a chignon. At her feet lay a tiny -Japanese dog, painted from the Queen's favourite "Fanny," and upon the -balustrade stood an open empty bird cage. The background was a stretch -of Gallic country, clusters of trees cresting the ridges of low hills, -a bit of river, a chateau, and the morning sky. - -De La Pine hastened to kiss the moist and scented hand of Venus. -Tannhäuser bowed profoundly and begged to have some pictures shown him. -The gracious painter took him round his studio. - -Cosmé was one of the party, for De La Pine just then was painting his -portrait--a portrait, by the way, which promised to be a veritable chef -d'oeuvre, Cosmé was loved and admired by everybody. To begin with, he -was pastmaster in his art, that fine, relevant art of coiffing; then -he was really modest and obliging, and was only seen and heard when he -was wanted. He was useful; he was decorative in his white apron, black -mask, and silver suit; he was discreet. - -The painter was giving Venus and Tannhäuser a little dinner that -evening, and he insisted on Cosmé joining them. The barber vowed he -would be de trop, and required a world of pressing before he would -accept the invitation. Venus added her voice, and he consented. - -Ah I what a delightful little partie carré it turned out. The painter -was in purple and full dress, all tassels and grand folds. His hair -magnificently curled, his heavy eye-lids painted, his gestures large -and romantic, he reminded one a little of Maurel playing Wolfram in the -second act of the Opera of Wagner. - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Story of Venus and Tannhäuser, by -Aubrey Beardsley - - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 50210 *** |