Purification

p. 96

PURIFICATION

There you are! Undo your bandelettes, your clasps and tunic. Undress right to your sandals, down to the ribbons twined about your legs, down to the cincture bound about your breast.

Sponge the black from your brows and the rouge from your lips. Wash the whiting from your shoulders and unroll your knotted tresses in the water.

For I want you pure, such as you were born upon the bed, at the feet of your fertile mother and before your noble sire.

So chaste that my hand within your hand will make you blush to the lips, and a whispered word of mine within your ear will madden your rolling eyes.

Click to enlarge