The stranger had visited this factory some time ago, and the craftsmen had been happy to tell him all about the object produced there. The thread in question was used to weave passions, to tie up loves, and sometimes to reveal lovers’ plots.
WIVIWIC:
EN: feeling
FR: sentiment
ZH: 感觉 (gǎnjué)
JA: 気持ち (kimochi)
IT: sentimento
DE: Gefühl
ES: sentimiento
RU: чу́вство (chúvstvo)
EO: sento
BASICS
- anger
- attention
- balance
- beauty
- calm (2)
- courage
- culpability
- desire
- dignity
- enthusiasm
- excuse
- fairness
- fear
- friendship
- greetings
- hello
- thank you
- happiness
- hope
- kindness
- laugh
- like
- love
- manner
- mood
- pleasure
- pride
- quiet
- regret
- respect
- satisfaction
- serious
- surprise
- trust
- violence
DERIVATIVES
MORE
Everywhere else radiated a common satisfaction, made up of understanding and tacit acquiescence. The man took his turn to speak: “I, divine council, am deeply honored by such a majestic gift. If I am to believe the records consulted, we could count on the fingers of one hand those among my fellow men who have had access to such an honor.”
WIVIWIC:… However, visitor, by virtue of the friendship you cannot reject a second time, and by the powers vested in me, I expect you to tell us what present you wish to take with you.” This overture seemed excessive to many members of the audience, but the visitor hardly gave them time to think about it, for his answer was clear-cut and unambiguous:
WIVIWIC:“I would like to receive some divine lengths of what I believe you call “The thread of love”…” The head of the Council was taken aback: “The thread of love, seriously?!” “The thread of love!” was heard from both sides. “The thread of love”, repeated the man, subject to all eyes.
WIVIWIC:From the highest point of his observatory, the man contemplated the City for many days and nights. While the most exquisite sweets and attentions drowned him in their intoxicating presence, he seemed lost in a dream whose secret no one hastened to steal. Then he came out of it with those inexplicable changes of which the human race here was known to be capable.
WIVIWIC:Leaving this haven of peace, the man began to explore the grounds. The alleys were five times wider than in the most majestic city he had ever visited. The residences vied with each other in marvels. A scent of myrrh, mingled with jasmine, disturbed his every step.
WIVIWIC:… Toutefois, visiteur, en qualité de l’amitié que tu ne saurais une seconde fois rejeter et en vertu des pouvoirs dont j’ai la charge, j’attends que tu nous dises quel présent tu souhaites emporter avec toi. » Cette ouverture parut excessive à bien des membres de l’assistance, mais le visiteur ne leur laissa guère le temps d’y songer car sa réponse fut tranchée et sans appel:
WIVIWIC:L’étranger avait voici quelque temps visité cette fabrique, et les artisans s’étaient plu à l’instruire de l’objet qu’on y produisait. Le fil en question servait en effet à tisser les passions, à nouer les amours, parfois aussi à dévoiler le complot des amants.
WIVIWIC:Partout ailleurs rayonnait une satisfaction commune, faite d’entendement et de tacite acquiescement. L’homme prit à son tour la parole : « Je suis, divin conseil, honoré au plus haut point d’un présent si majestueux. Nous pourrions si j’en crois les registres consultés, compter sur les doigts d’une seule main ceux qui parmi mes semblables eurent accès à un tel honneur. »
WIVIWIC:« Je désirerais haut représentant du conseil, et noble assemblée, recevoir quelques longueurs divines de ce que vous nommez je crois, le fil d’amour. » « Le fil d’amour, vraiment?! reprit le chef du Conseil interloqué ». « Le fil d’amour?! entendit-on de part et d’autre. » « Le fil d’amour, répéta l’homme, sujet à tous les regards. »
WIVIWIC: