The Necklace

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  “SHE WAS one of those pretty, charming young ladies, born, as if through an error of destiny, into a family of clerks. She had no dowry, no hopes, no means of becoming known, appreciated, loved, and married by a man either rich or distinguished; and she allowed herself to marry a petty clerk in the office of the Board of Education. . . .  She had neither frocks nor jewels, nothing. And she loved only those things. She felt that she was made for them. She had such a desire to please, to be sought after, to be clever, and courted.” —THE NECKLACE Guy de Maupassant    France, 1884 (pic by Grok) Read this short story here:  https://americanliterature.com/author/guy-de-maupassant/short-story/the-necklace

Marked red with many an eager kiss

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ANTONY: I thought how those white arms would fold me in, 

And strain me close, and melt me into love; 

So pleased with that sweet image, I sprung forwards, 

And added all my strength to every blow. 


CLEOPATRA: Come to me, come, my soldier, to my arms! 

You’ve been too long away from my embraces; 

But, when I have you fast, and all my own,

With broken murmurs, and with amorous sighs, 

I’ll say, you were unkind, and punish you, 

And mark you red with many an eager kiss.


John Dryden (1631–1700).  “All for Love.” Act 3

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