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Shawords

Quote#Politics & Power

We agree in principle. That's clear. But take

Quote byWallace Stevens · 1879–1955

Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: Harmonium (1923), "A High-Toned Old Christian Woman", l. 6.

English (original)

We agree in principle. That's clear. But take The opposing law and make a peristyle, And from the peristyle project a masque Beyond the planets. Thus, our bawdiness, Unpurged by epitaph, indulged at last, Is equally converted into palms, Squiggling like saxophones. And palm for palm, Madame, we are where we began.

— Wallace Stevens

570

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