THE ETHICS OF SEX 193 



soming of noble (that is, pure) individuality, 

 human and organic, into fulness, that is, of 

 love, of sex? What better symbol (that is, 

 sign) of these than the lily? And what 

 clearer word of literal revelation, what simpler 

 yet deeper word of initiation to both art and 

 science was ever spoken than in the ancient 

 counsel and command, " Consider the lilies, 

 how they grow " ? 



Consider then the lily; face its elemental 

 biologic-moral fact. " Pure as a lily " is not 

 really a phrase of hackneyed sham morals; 

 for it does not mean weak, bloodless, sexless. 

 Its purity lies in that it has something to be 

 pure ; its glory is in being the most frank and 

 open manifestation of sex in all the organic 

 world. Its magnificent array is to show 

 forth, not conceal : these wear their lucent 

 argent for the passion-fragrant night, and 

 these roll back their swart-stained robes of 

 scarlet-orange to the sun-rich day ; naked and 

 not ashamed, glowing, breathing, warm, each 

 flower showers forth its opulence of golden 

 dust, stretches forth to welcome it in return. 

 This, when we consider, is How they Grow. 



We must face then the elemental fact of 

 sex and love, making much not little of it, 

 entering into it as into a great possession by 

 which our own life and that of others may be 

 enriched. And if there be strong love, much 

 may be forgiven even when it sweeps men 

 and women off their feet. Through history, 

 love has covered even the bar-sinister with 

 its gold. 



For here primarily lies the secret of the 

 strength and courage of William the Conqueror, 



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