Re: me and oscar

The fact of my having been the common prisoner of a common gaol I must frankly accept, and, curious as it may seem, one of the things I shall have to teach myself is not to be ashamed of it. I must accept it as a punishment, and if one is ashamed of having been punished, one might just as well never have been punished at all. Of course there are many things of which I was convicted that I had not done, but then there are many things of which I was convicted that I had done, and a still greater number of things in my life for which I was never indicted at all. And as the gods are strange, and punish us for what is good and humane in us as much as for what is evil and perverse, I must accept the fact that one is punished for the good as well as for the evil that one does. I have no doubt that it is quite right one should be. It helps one, or should help one, to realise both, and not to be too conceited about either. And if I then am not ashamed of my punishment, as I hope not to be, I shall be able to think, and walk, and live with freedom.

And if with that comment you arc turned at one in conviction of the wrong i have done, no deeper sense of remorse avails, and you are set free for the price is paid ten fold. And let it be known that thee caused great pain and sorrow, the depth of which was never expressed for only when spirited is it understood.

Now an orchid stands in the midsummers night naked in the ocean of eternal bliss And there I find thee