Fig. 1. Anonymous - Portrait of Prince Friedrich Ludwig von Württemberg, c. 1699
'Beauty in art is often nothing but ugliness subdued.'
'Beauty in art is often nothing but ugliness subdued.'
Jean Rostand
Addendum: Katie (thanks!) and ESVM's poetry corner ...
Prince FLVW might have a hint of subdued ugliness, but that rug is sure stunning. I'll have to remember this regal interior in case I ever live in a place where I can decorate a room fit for a Queen.
FLVW meet poor old ESVM, who just couldn't let beauty be beauty for beauty's sake:
Spring
To what purpose, April, do you return again?
Beauty is not enough.
You can no longer quiet me with the redness
Of little leaves opening stickily.
I know what I know.
The sun is hot on my neck as I observe
The spikes of the crocus.
The smell of the earth is good.
It is apparent that there is no death.
But what does that signify?
Not only under ground are the brains of men
Eaten by maggots.
Life in itself
Is nothing,
An empty cup, a flight of uncarpeted stairs.
It is not enough that yearly, down this hill,
April
Comes like an idiot, babbling and strewing flowers.