TRTR(I.2) Playlist Addition: Extraordinary Popular Delusions

[Jed Kelestron]

http://bit.ly/gpsj02

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kqZAd7NbeU

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"Faithless to his wife, he [Raymond Lully] was always in the pursuit
of some new beauty, till his heart was fixed at last by the lovely,
but unkind Ambrosia de Castello. This lady, like her admirer, was
married; but, unlike him, was faithful to her vows, and treated all
his solicitations with disdain. Raymond was so enamoured, that repulse
only increased his flame; he lingered all night under her windows,
wrote passionate verses in her praise, neglected his affairs, and made
himself the butt of all the courtiers. One day, while watching under
her lattice, he by chance caught sight of her bosom, as her
neckerchief was blown aside by the wind. The fit of inspiration came
over him, and he sat down and composed some tender stanzas upon the
subject, and sent them to the lady. The fair Ambrosia had never before
condescended to answer his letters; but she replied to this. She told
him, that she could never listen to his suit; that it was unbecoming
in a wise man to fix his thoughts, as he had done, on any other than
his God; and entreated him to devote himself to a religious life, and
conquer the unworthy passion which he had suffered to consume him.
She, however, offered, if he wished it, to show him the fair bosom
which had so captivated him. Raymond was delighted. He thought the
latter part of this epistle but ill corresponded with the former, and
that Ambrosia, in spite of the good advice she gave him, had, at last,
relented, and would make him as happy as he desired. He followed her
about from place to place, entreating her to fulfil her promise: but
still Ambrosia was cold, and implored him with tears to importune her
no longer; for that she never could be his, and never would, if she
were free to-morrow. "What means your letter, then?" said the
despairing lover. "I will show you!" replied Ambrosia, who immediately
uncovered her bosom, and exposed to the eyes of her horror-stricken
admirer, a large cancer, which had extended to both breasts. She saw
that he was shocked; and, extending her hand to him, she prayed him
once more to lead a religious life, and set his heart upon the
Creator, and not upon the creature. He went home an altered man."
--from Extraordinary Popular Delusions And The Madness Of Crowds by
Charles Mackay [1841, 1852]
http://www.usagold.com/gildedopinion/mackay-alchemy.html