LXXIII.

Or say they are like virtuous mermaids, whose

Beginnings are fair faces, ends mere fishes;—

Not that there's not a quantity of those

Who have a due respect for their own wishes.

Like Russians rushing from hot baths to snows[642]Are they, at bottom virtuous even when vicious:

They warm into a scrape, but keep of course,

As a reserve, a plunge into remorse.

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