LANGUAGE AND THE EMOTIONS.
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"Einer Welt von Lebenstrieben,
Die, in ihrer Fülle Drang,
Ahneten schon Bulbuls Lieben,
Seeleregenden Gesang.
"Sollte jene Qual uns quälen,
Da sie unsre Lust vermehrt?
Hat nicht Myriaden Seelen
Timur's Herrschaft aufgezehrt?"
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It is true, the word Lust in English is not exclusively used in the lowest animal sense, but has been applied in a more intellectual connection; so we speak of the "lust of empire," the "lust of power," etc. But there is undoubtedly always an admixture of evil and of disapproval, and some hidden analogy to animal desire. With Chaucer, still, "luste" is used both as a noun and verb to signify wish, desire, pleasure, enjoyment, without an evil connotation.[1] The causes of this degeneration are numerous. But two seem to me most worthy of notice. It is a well-known fact that, after the Norman Conquest, the language of the conqueror, French, became the language of the aristocracy. This
- ↑ In the "Canterbury Tales:"
"To do hir lust" (will, pleasure) is very common, and originally lust was used in the sense of list (the opposite sense, listless, still obtains), to do anything with pleasure, enjoyment. The word lusty Chaucer also uses like the German lustig, meaning merry, jovial (the lusty playne, the lusty somer, etc.). The noun lustiheed (joviality), corresponding to the German Lustigkeit, is also used:
Clerkes Tale.
"His lustes were al lawe in his decree
For fortune as his friend wolde him obeye.
Right as yon lust governe the matter.
Wherefore I yow preye
Doth your plesaunce, I wol your lust obeye.
But on his lust present was al his thought
As for to hauke and hunt on every syde."
Squyeres Tale.
"But thus Ilete in lust and iolitee
This Cambyskam his lordes festeyinge
Til wel ny the day began to springe.
The knotte why that every tale is told
If it be taried til the lust is cold.
If hir lust it for to were
Upon hir thombe."
Man of Lawes Tale.
"Al his lust and al his busy care
Was for to love hir while his lyf may dure."
"Therefore I passe of al this lustiheed."(Squyeres Tale.)