Page 308 - Revelation

Svetlana de Rohan-Levashova. Revelation

Titian. Venus from Urbino. The model is a famous courtesan, a poetess, Veronica Franco
To the contrary, the courtesans usually spoke several languages, played musical
instruments, read (and sometimes wrote!) verses, perfectly knew philosophers,
understood politics, splendidly sang and danced... In short, they knew everything that,
in my opinion, any noble woman must know. I always honestly thought that should the
wives of the nobility know even a bit of what the courtesans knew, then loyalty and
love would reign forever in our wonderful city...

I disapproved of infidelity, but also could not respect women who did not know
(and did not wish to know!) further than what was inside the Venetian walls. Probably
that was the voice of my Florentine blood that spoke, but I hated ignorance! And I
disliked people who had unlimited resources to KNOW, but did not want to use it for
that sake.
But let us come back into my beloved Venice, which, as I knew, should be
preparing for the usual annual festival this evening...

Effortlessly I appeared on the main square of the city.
It seemed that everything was as it had been before. As usual Venice was
splendidly decorated, but this time it was almost empty. I walked along lonely channels
unable to believe my eyes! It was not late yet, and usually it was the time when the city
buzzed like a beehive, anticipating the favourite holiday, but that evening beautiful
Venice was empty... I could not understand where all happy faces were! What had
happened to my wonderful city in those several short years???
I slowly went onto the deserted wharf and inhaled the so familiar, warm and soft
salt air, unable to hold back happy and at the same time sad tears... This was my home,

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