But precisely in this work my organ for beauty has become blunt rather than keen.

I tell you that the beginning of things is not more attractive to contemplate than their death and decomposition." Pentaur looked at the physician enquiringly.
"I also for once," continued Nebsecht, "will speak in figures.

Look at this wine, how pure it is, how fragrant; and yet it was trodden from the grape by the brawny feet of the vintagers.

And those full ears of corn! They gleam golden yellow, and will yield us snow-white meal when they are ground, and yet they grew from a rotting seed.

Lately you were praising to me the beauty of the great Hall of Columns nearly completed in the Temple of Amon over yonder in Thebes.
[Begun by Rameses I.continued by Seti I., completed by Rameses II.
The remains of this immense hall, with its 134 columns, have not their equal in the world.] How posterity will admire it! I saw that Hall arise.