Villanelle 5 [a Feast & Proposal]

V: come now, my darling, surely we grow weary of this language that besets the mind with all kinds of thoughts
Me: i never tire of Truth, to my own peril
V: and why should you perish? surely the body must be refreshed from time to time, as the mind needs be
Me: to be sure, yet I honor my mind far greater than my body
V: to what purpose? for as the mind is strengthened by Truth, so the body is strengthened by food
Me: in this you err, thou vile witch; for as the mind is brought into subjection by the investigation of Truth, so the body is brought into subjection by the want of nothing
V: oh, darling; (she said with a cunning smile) how can you be filled with Truth to fulfill your mind's desire, yet you starve your body to fulfill it's desire?
Me: just as I have said
V: and yet great queens throw extravagant banquets, full of wonderful kinds of foods, in order to bring her subjects to submission
Me: such is their custom
V: ah, yes, my dear; such is our custom; for we know that the fulfillment of the body is far greater than the eating and drinking of food; it is often...deeper

Me: and what is your proposal, seeing that I hunger and thirst
(she looks away, raises her hand toward me)
V: i propose a feast, in honor of Truth
Me: thou are the most vile of creatures to make a mockery of Truth in these halls of lies
V: oh darling, how oft' I have overlooked your petty insults; do not insult me further by denying my hospitality
(i look her over, once--twice)
Me: i shall rather starve in agony and live than have a share in the feast of fools
(she raises her hands again, immediately the doors open)
V: take him away, let him ponder the error of his ways