John Gower > Quotes

“There is no deception on the part of the woman, where a man bewilders himself: if he deludes his own wits, I can certainly acquit the women. Whatever man allows his mind to dwell upon the imprint his imagination has foolishly taken of women, is fanning the flames within himself -- and, since the woman knows nothing about it, she is not to blame. For if a man incites himself to drown, and will not restrain himself, it is not the water's fault.”
― John Gower, Confessio Amantis, Volume 1

“. . . in a strange land, on the borders of Chymerie . . . the god of sleep made his house . . . which of the sun may naught have, so no man may know aright the point between day and night. . . Round about there is growing on the ground, poppy which is the seed of sleep . . . a still water . . . runs upon the small stones . . . which gives great appetite for sleep. And thus full of delight the god of sleep has his house.”
― John Gower