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Rh I am for those who believe in loose delights—I share
 * the midnight orgies of young men,

I dance with the dancers, and drink with the drinkers, The echoes ring with our indecent calls, I take for my love some prostitute—I pick out some
 * low person for my dearest friend,

He shall be lawless, rude, illiterate—he shall be one
 * condemned by others for deeds done;

I will play a part no longer—Why should I exile
 * myself from my companions?

O you shunned persons! I at least do not shun you, I come forthwith in your midst—I will be your poet, I will be more to you than to any of the rest.



I passed through a populous city, imprinting
 * my brain, for future use, with its shows, architecture,
 * customs, and traditions;

Yet now, of all that city, I remember only a woman
 * I casually met there, who detained me for love
 * of me,

Day by day and night by night we were together,—
 * All else has long been forgotten by me,

I remember I say only that woman who passionately
 * clung to me,

Again we wander—we love—we separate again, Again she holds me by the hand—I must not go! I see her close beside me, with silent lips, sad and
 * tremulous.