The laureate of Courts and cities saturated with licentiousness knew well that Coan vestments are more provocative than nudity.

It was his object to flatter the senses and seduce the understanding rather than to stimulate coarse appetite.

Refinement was the aphrodisiac of a sated society, and millinery formed a main ingredient in its love-philters.[190] Marino, therefore, took the carnal instincts for granted, and played upon them as a lutist plays the strings of some lax thrilling instrument.

Of moral judgment, of antipathy to this or that form of lust, of prejudice or preference in the material of pleasure, there is no trace.

He shows himself equally indulgent to the passion of Mirra for her father, of Jove for Ganymede, of Bacchus for Pampinus, of Venus for Adonis, of Apollo for Hyacinth.