I saw a comic giantess At a tremendous feast alone, Striving to eat some gorgeous mess That formed a hard whole, as a stone. But for her mouth it was too much That, her avidity being such, It doubled her void wish's hell; And her mouth's wide, impotent clutch Would have made laugh, did it not quell Laughter with being horrible. At her impossible, void feast I saw her and, seeing her despair, «What's that too large thing that to eat You idly strive?» I asked of her ; And I laughed out serene and rude. She wept wild tears and said, «This meat That by its greatness doth elude My constant gaping, wild and sore, Is Beauty whole and complete.» I looked at her and laughed no more, But I wept, for I understood.
