“Ah! I have kissed thy mouth, Iokanaan, I have kissed thy mouth. There was a bitter taste on t

“Ah! I have kissed thy mouth, Iokanaan, I have kissed thy mouth. There was a bitter taste on thy lips. Was it the taste of blood?… Nay; but perchance it was the taste of love… They say that love hath a bitter taste… But what matter? What matter? I have kissed thy mouth, Iokanaan, I have kissed thy mouth.”