"
BOOK VI
[1736]
Hoc erat in votis: Modus agri non ita magnus
Hortus ubi, et tecto vicinus jugis aquae fons;
Et paulum sylvae super his foret.
I CANNOT add: auctius atque di melius fecere. But no matter, the
former is enough for my purpose; I had no occasion to have any
property there, it was sufficient that I enjoyed it; for I have long
since both said and felt, that the proprietor and possessor are two
very different people, even leaving husbands and lovers out of the
question.
At this moment began the short happiness of my life, those
peaceful and rapid moments, which have given me a right to say, I have
lived. Precious and ever-regretted moments! Ah! recommence your
delightful course; pass more slowly through my memory, if possible,
than you actually did in your fugitive succession. How shall I
prolong, according to my inclination, this recital at once so pleasing
and simple? How shall I continue to relate the same occurrences,
without wearying my readers with the repetition, any more than I was
satiated with the enjoyment? Again, if all this consisted of facts,
actions, or words, I could somehow or other convey an idea of it;
but how shall I describe what was neither said nor done, nor even
thought, but enjoyed, felt, without being able to particularize any
other object of my happiness than the bare idea? I rose with the
sun, and was happy; I walked, and was happy; I saw Madam de Warrens,
and was happy; I quitted her, and still was happy!- Whether I
rambled through the woods, over the hills, or strolled along the
valley; read, was idle, worked in the garden, or gathered fruits,
happiness continually accompanied me; it was fixed on no particular
object, it was within me, nor could I depart from it a single moment.
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