He would not use such language nowadays, unless
alluding to its violence rather than its prevalence. Once I thought of
translating Petronius. But I discovered certain passages in the book
which are almost improper. I don't think the public ought to be put
into possession of such stuff. I am rather sorry; I like Petronius--the
poetical fragments, I mean; they make me regret that I was not born
under the Roman Empire. People are leaving," he added. "I have said
good-bye to about fifty. I shall be able to get a drink soon."
"So you were born out of time and out of place, like many of us,"
laughed the Bishop.
Count Caloveglia said:
"It is an academic problem, and therefore a problem which does not
exist for me, and therefore a problem dear to your own metaphysical
heart, to enquire whether a man is ever born at an inopportune moment.
We use the phrase. If we took thought we would discard it. For what is
the truth of the matter? The truth is that a man, of whom we say this,
is born at exactly the right moment; that those with whose customs and
aspirations he seems to be in discord have urgent need of him at that
particular time.
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