The Triumphal Chariot of Antimony. 191 



diseases, some of which so weaken and 

 impair his vitality that he cannot be re- 

 restored to perfect health by any means. 

 But love is a disease to w r hich no other 

 disease can be compared, which can be 

 cured only by the production of its 

 counterpart ; nor is either of the two 

 natures satisfied until the desire of both 

 parts has met with fruition. Love assails 

 the young as well as the old, the poor as 

 well as the rich, the woman as well as 

 the man, and will take no denial. Those 

 whom it attacks it pervades, body, soul, 

 and spirit. In the heart it kindles a 

 torch, whose fire is diffused through the 

 veins, the arteries, and all the limbs of 

 the body. Where love once has struck 

 root it enslaves the whole man, and he 

 forgets God, heaven, hell, honour, the 

 present life and the life to come, in the 

 frenzied pursuit of his desire. Such a 

 person tramples underfoot the wise and 

 sober counsel of parents, and breaks loose 

 from all restraint. Love renders a man 

 blind, deaf, and dulls all other feelings 

 and thoughts ; it robs him of his sleep, 



