274.
What dost thou think most humane?—To spare a person shame.
275.
What is the Seal of Attained Liberty?—To be no longer ashamed of oneself.
[BOOK FOURTH]
SANCTUS JANUARIUS
Thou who with cleaving fiery lances
The stream of my soul from
its ice dost free,
Till with a rush and a roar it advances
To enter with glorious hoping the sea:
Brighter to see and purer ever,
Free in the bonds of thy sweet constraint,—
So it praises thy wondrous endeavour,
January, thou beauteous saint!
Genoa, January 1882.