We danced our youth
In a dreamed-of city
Venice, paradise,
Proud and pretty
We lived for lust and love and beauty
Pleasure then our only duty
Floating then ‘twixt heaven and earth
And drunk on plenty’s blessed mirth
We thought ourselves eternal then
Our glory sealed with God’s own pen
But paradise we found is always frail
Against man’s fear will always fail.

(from Dangerous Beauty)