March 18, 2022 • 12 mins
View our full collection of podcasts at our website: https://www.solgoodmedia.com or YouTube channel: www.solgood.org/subscribe
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
Chapter seventeen. A week later,Dorrian Gray was sitting in the conservatory at
Selby Royal talking to the pretty Duchessof Monmouth, who, with her husband,
a jaded looking man of sixty,was amongst his guests. It was
(00:21):
tea time, and the mellow lightof the huge lace covered lamp that stood
on the table lit up the delicatechina and hammered silver of the service at
which the Duchess was presiding. Herwhite hands were moving daintily among the cups,
and her full red lips were smilingat something that Dorian had whispered to
(00:46):
her. Lord Henry was lying backin a silk draped wicker chair, looking
at them. On a peach coloreddivan sat Lady Narborough, pretending to listen
to the Duke's description of the lastBrazilian beetle that he had added to his
collection. Three young men in elaboratesmoking suits were handing tea cakes to some
(01:14):
of the women. The house partyconsisted of twelve people, and there were
more expected to arrive on the nextday. What are you two talking about,
said Lord Henry, strolling over tothe table and putting his cup down.
I hope Dorian has told you aboutmy plan for rechristening everything, Gladis.
(01:36):
It is a delightful idea, butI don't want to be rechristened.
Harry rejoined the duchess, looking upat him with her wonderful eyes. I
am quite satisfied with my own name, and I am sure mister Gray should
be satisfied with his, My dearglad Us, I would not alter either
name for the world. They areboth perfect. I was thinking chiefly of
(02:00):
flowers yesterday. I cut an orchidfor my buttonhole. It was a marvelous
spotted thing, as effective as theseven deadly sins. In a thoughtless moment,
I asked one of the gardeners whatit was called. He told me
it was a fine specimen of Robinsoniana, or something dreadful of that kind.
(02:23):
It is a sad truth, butwe have lost the faculty of giving lovely
names to things. Names are everything. I never quarrel with actions. My
one quarrel is with words. Thatis the reason I hate vulgar realism in
literature. The man who could calla spade a spade should be compelled to
(02:46):
use one. It is the onlything he is fit for. Then what
should we call you? Harry,she asked, his name is Prince Paradox,
said Dorian. I recognize him ina flash, claimed the Duchess.
I won't hear of it, laughedLord Henry, sinking into a chair from
(03:08):
a label. There is no escape. I refuse the title. Royalties may
not abdicate fellows a warning from prettylips. You wish me to defend my
throne, then yes, I givethe truths of tomorrow. I prefer the
mistakes of to day, she answered. You disarm me, gladys, he
(03:31):
cried, catching the wilfulness of hermood. Of your shield, Harry,
not of your spear. I nevertilt against beauty, he said, with
a wave of his hand. Thatis your era, Harry. Believe me,
your value beauty far too much.How can you say that? I
admit that I think that it isbetter to be beautiful than to be good.
(03:54):
But on the other hand, noone is more ready than I am
to acknowledge that it is better tobe good than to be ugly. Ugliness
is one of the seven deadly scenes, then, cried the Duchess. What
becomes of your simile about your kids? Ugliness is one of the seven deadly
virtues. Gladys, you, asa good Tory, must not underrate them.
(04:16):
Beer, the Bible, and theseven deadly virtues have made our England
what she is. You don't likeyour country, then, she asked,
I live in it, that youmay censor it the better. Would you
have me take the verdict of Europeon it? He inquired, What do
they say of us that Tartufe hasemigrated to England and opened a shop?
(04:40):
Is that yours, Harry? Igive it to you. I could not
use it. It is too true. You need not be afraid. Our
countrymen never recognize a description. Theyare practical. They are more cunning than
practical when they make up their ledger. They balance stupidity by wealth and vice
by hypocrisy. Still we have donegreat things. Great things have been thrust
(05:03):
on us, gladys. We havecarried their burden only as far as the
stock exchange. She shook her head. I believe in the race, she
cried. It represents the survival ofthe pushing the test. Development decay fascinates
me more. What of art,she asked, It is a malady,
(05:25):
Love an illusion. Religion the fashionablesubstitute for belief. You are a skeptic.
Never, skepticism is the beginning offaith. What are you to define
is to limit? Give me aclue, threads snap, you would lose
your way in the labyrinth. Youbewilder me. Let us talk of someone
(05:47):
else. Our host is a delightfultopic. Years ago he was christened Prince
Charming. Ah, don't remind meof that, cried Dorian Gray. Our
host is rather horrid this evening,answered the duchess, coloring. I believe
he thinks that Monmouth married me onpurely scientific principles as the best specimen he
(06:10):
could find of a modern butterfly.Well, I hope that he won't stick
pins into you, duchess, laughedDorian. Oh, my maid does that
already, mister Gray, when sheis annoyed with me? And what did
she get annoyed with you about?Duchess for the most trivial things, mister
Gray, I assure you, usuallybecause I come in at ten minutes to
(06:30):
nine and tell her that I mustbe dressed by half past eight. How
unreasonable of her you should give hera warning. I daren't, mister Gray,
why she invents hats for me?You remember the one I wore at
Lady Hillstone's garden party. You don't, but it is nice of you to
pretend that you do well. Shemade it out of nothing. All good
(06:53):
hats are made out of nothing,like all good reputations, Gladys interrupted,
Lord Henry. Every effect that oneproduces gives one an enemy. To be
popular, one must be a mediocrity. Not with women, said the Duchess,
shaking her head. And women rulethe worlds, I assure you we
can't bear mediocrates. We women,as someone says, love with our ears,
(07:18):
just as you men love with youreyes. If you ever love at
all, it seems to me wenever do anything else, murmured Dorian.
Ah, then you never really love, mister Gray, answered the Duchess with
mock sadness. My dear Gladys,cried Lord Henry, how can you say
(07:41):
that romance lives by repetition, andrepetition converts an appetite into an art.
Besides, each time that one lovesis the only time one has ever loved.
Difference of object does not alter asingleness of passion. It merely ten
suffice it. We can have inlife but one great experience at best,
(08:05):
And the secret of life is toreproduce that experience as often as possible,
even when one has been wounded byit, Terry asked the Duchess, after
a pause, especially when one hasbeen wounded by it, answered Lord Henry.
The Duchess turned and looked at DorianGray with a curious expression in her
(08:26):
eyes. What do you say tothat, mister Gray, she inquired.
Dorian hesitated for a moment, thenhe threw his head back and laughed.
I always agree with Harry, Duchess, even when he is wrong. Harry
is never wrong, Duchess. Anddoes his philosophy make you happy? I've
(08:48):
never searched for happiness. Who wantshappiness? I have searched for pleasure and
found it, mister Gray, oftentoo often, the Duchess sigh. I
am searching for peace, she said, and if I don't go and dress,
I shall have none this evening.Let me get you some orchards,
(09:09):
Duchess, cried Dorian, starting tohis feet and walking down the conservatory.
You are floating disgracefully with him,said Lord Henry to his cousin. You
had better take care. He isvery fascinating. If you were not,
there would be no battle. Greekmeets Greek. Then I am on the
sides of the Trojans. They foughtfor a woman. They were defeated.
(09:33):
There are worse things than capture,she answered, You gallop with a loose
rein pace gives life? Was therepast? I shall write it in my
diary tonight. What that a burntchild loves the fire? I am not
even singed. My wings are untouched. You use them for everything except flight.
(09:54):
Courage has passed from men to women. It is a new experience for
us. Arrival who he laughed,Lady Narborough, he whispered. She perfectly
adores him. You fill me withapprehension. The appeal to antiquity is fatal
to us who are romanticists. Romanticists, you have all the methods of science.
(10:18):
Men have educated us, but notexplained. You describe us as a
sex was her challenge. Sphinxes withoutsecrets. She looked at him, smiling.
How long mister Gray is, shesaid, Let us go and help
him. I have not yet toldhim the color of my frock. Ah,
(10:39):
you must suit your frock to hisflowers. Gladys, that would be
a premature surrender. Romantic art beginswith its climax. I must keep an
opportunity for retreat. In the Parthianmanner, they found safety in the desert.
I could not do that. Womenare not always allowed a choice,
(11:00):
he answered. But hardly had hefinished the sentence before from the far end
of the conservatory came a stifled groan, followed by the dull sound of a
heavy fall. Everybody started up.The Duchess stood motionless in horror and with
fear in his eyes. Lord Henryrushed through the flapping palms to find Dorian
(11:26):
Gray lying face downwards on the tiledfloor in a deathlike swoon. He was
carried at once into the blue drawingroom and laid upon one of the sofas.
After a short time, he cameto himself and looked round with a
(11:46):
dazed expression. What had happened,he asked, er, I remember?
Am I safe here? Henry?He began to tremble. My dear Dorian
answered, Lord Henry, you merelyfainted. That was all. You must
have overtired yourself. You'd better notcome down to dinner. I will take
your place. Na oh, comedown, he said, struggling to his
(12:11):
feet. I would rather come down. I must not be alone. He
went to his room and dressed.There was a wild recklessness of gaiety in
his manner as he sat at table. But now and then a thrill of
terror ran through him when he rememberedthat, pressed against the window of the
(12:33):
conservatory like a white handkerchief, hehad seen the face of James Vain watching
him. End of Chapter seventeen.
Chapter seventeen. A week later,Dorrian Gray was sitting in the conservatory at
Selby Royal talking to the pretty Duchessof Monmouth, who, with her husband,
a jaded looking man of sixty,was amongst his guests. It was
(00:21):
tea time, and the mellow lightof the huge lace covered lamp that stood
on the table lit up the delicatechina and hammered silver of the service at
which the Duchess was presiding. Herwhite hands were moving daintily among the cups,
and her full red lips were smilingat something that Dorian had whispered to
(00:46):
her. Lord Henry was lying backin a silk draped wicker chair, looking
at them. On a peach coloreddivan sat Lady Narborough, pretending to listen
to the Duke's description of the lastBrazilian beetle that he had added to his
collection. Three young men in elaboratesmoking suits were handing tea cakes to some
(01:14):
of the women. The house partyconsisted of twelve people, and there were
more expected to arrive on the nextday. What are you two talking about,
said Lord Henry, strolling over tothe table and putting his cup down.
I hope Dorian has told you aboutmy plan for rechristening everything, Gladis.
(01:36):
It is a delightful idea, butI don't want to be rechristened.
Harry rejoined the duchess, looking upat him with her wonderful eyes. I
am quite satisfied with my own name, and I am sure mister Gray should
be satisfied with his, My dearglad Us, I would not alter either
name for the world. They areboth perfect. I was thinking chiefly of
(02:00):
flowers yesterday. I cut an orchidfor my buttonhole. It was a marvelous
spotted thing, as effective as theseven deadly sins. In a thoughtless moment,
I asked one of the gardeners whatit was called. He told me
it was a fine specimen of Robinsoniana, or something dreadful of that kind.
(02:23):
It is a sad truth, butwe have lost the faculty of giving lovely
names to things. Names are everything. I never quarrel with actions. My
one quarrel is with words. Thatis the reason I hate vulgar realism in
literature. The man who could calla spade a spade should be compelled to
(02:46):
use one. It is the onlything he is fit for. Then what
should we call you? Harry,she asked, his name is Prince Paradox,
said Dorian. I recognize him ina flash, claimed the Duchess.
I won't hear of it, laughedLord Henry, sinking into a chair from
(03:08):
a label. There is no escape. I refuse the title. Royalties may
not abdicate fellows a warning from prettylips. You wish me to defend my
throne, then yes, I givethe truths of tomorrow. I prefer the
mistakes of to day, she answered. You disarm me, gladys, he
(03:31):
cried, catching the wilfulness of hermood. Of your shield, Harry,
not of your spear. I nevertilt against beauty, he said, with
a wave of his hand. Thatis your era, Harry. Believe me,
your value beauty far too much.How can you say that? I
admit that I think that it isbetter to be beautiful than to be good.
(03:54):
But on the other hand, noone is more ready than I am
to acknowledge that it is better tobe good than to be ugly. Ugliness
is one of the seven deadly scenes, then, cried the Duchess. What
becomes of your simile about your kids? Ugliness is one of the seven deadly
virtues. Gladys, you, asa good Tory, must not underrate them.
(04:16):
Beer, the Bible, and theseven deadly virtues have made our England
what she is. You don't likeyour country, then, she asked,
I live in it, that youmay censor it the better. Would you
have me take the verdict of Europeon it? He inquired, What do
they say of us that Tartufe hasemigrated to England and opened a shop?
(04:40):
Is that yours, Harry? Igive it to you. I could not
use it. It is too true. You need not be afraid. Our
countrymen never recognize a description. Theyare practical. They are more cunning than
practical when they make up their ledger. They balance stupidity by wealth and vice
by hypocrisy. Still we have donegreat things. Great things have been thrust
(05:03):
on us, gladys. We havecarried their burden only as far as the
stock exchange. She shook her head. I believe in the race, she
cried. It represents the survival ofthe pushing the test. Development decay fascinates
me more. What of art,she asked, It is a malady,
(05:25):
Love an illusion. Religion the fashionablesubstitute for belief. You are a skeptic.
Never, skepticism is the beginning offaith. What are you to define
is to limit? Give me aclue, threads snap, you would lose
your way in the labyrinth. Youbewilder me. Let us talk of someone
(05:47):
else. Our host is a delightfultopic. Years ago he was christened Prince
Charming. Ah, don't remind meof that, cried Dorian Gray. Our
host is rather horrid this evening,answered the duchess, coloring. I believe
he thinks that Monmouth married me onpurely scientific principles as the best specimen he
(06:10):
could find of a modern butterfly.Well, I hope that he won't stick
pins into you, duchess, laughedDorian. Oh, my maid does that
already, mister Gray, when sheis annoyed with me? And what did
she get annoyed with you about?Duchess for the most trivial things, mister
Gray, I assure you, usuallybecause I come in at ten minutes to
(06:30):
nine and tell her that I mustbe dressed by half past eight. How
unreasonable of her you should give hera warning. I daren't, mister Gray,
why she invents hats for me?You remember the one I wore at
Lady Hillstone's garden party. You don't, but it is nice of you to
pretend that you do well. Shemade it out of nothing. All good
(06:53):
hats are made out of nothing,like all good reputations, Gladys interrupted,
Lord Henry. Every effect that oneproduces gives one an enemy. To be
popular, one must be a mediocrity. Not with women, said the Duchess,
shaking her head. And women rulethe worlds, I assure you we
can't bear mediocrates. We women,as someone says, love with our ears,
(07:18):
just as you men love with youreyes. If you ever love at
all, it seems to me wenever do anything else, murmured Dorian.
Ah, then you never really love, mister Gray, answered the Duchess with
mock sadness. My dear Gladys,cried Lord Henry, how can you say
(07:41):
that romance lives by repetition, andrepetition converts an appetite into an art.
Besides, each time that one lovesis the only time one has ever loved.
Difference of object does not alter asingleness of passion. It merely ten
suffice it. We can have inlife but one great experience at best,
(08:05):
And the secret of life is toreproduce that experience as often as possible,
even when one has been wounded byit, Terry asked the Duchess, after
a pause, especially when one hasbeen wounded by it, answered Lord Henry.
The Duchess turned and looked at DorianGray with a curious expression in her
(08:26):
eyes. What do you say tothat, mister Gray, she inquired.
Dorian hesitated for a moment, thenhe threw his head back and laughed.
I always agree with Harry, Duchess, even when he is wrong. Harry
is never wrong, Duchess. Anddoes his philosophy make you happy? I've
(08:48):
never searched for happiness. Who wantshappiness? I have searched for pleasure and
found it, mister Gray, oftentoo often, the Duchess sigh. I
am searching for peace, she said, and if I don't go and dress,
I shall have none this evening.Let me get you some orchards,
(09:09):
Duchess, cried Dorian, starting tohis feet and walking down the conservatory.
You are floating disgracefully with him,said Lord Henry to his cousin. You
had better take care. He isvery fascinating. If you were not,
there would be no battle. Greekmeets Greek. Then I am on the
sides of the Trojans. They foughtfor a woman. They were defeated.
(09:33):
There are worse things than capture,she answered, You gallop with a loose
rein pace gives life? Was therepast? I shall write it in my
diary tonight. What that a burntchild loves the fire? I am not
even singed. My wings are untouched. You use them for everything except flight.
(09:54):
Courage has passed from men to women. It is a new experience for
us. Arrival who he laughed,Lady Narborough, he whispered. She perfectly
adores him. You fill me withapprehension. The appeal to antiquity is fatal
to us who are romanticists. Romanticists, you have all the methods of science.
(10:18):
Men have educated us, but notexplained. You describe us as a
sex was her challenge. Sphinxes withoutsecrets. She looked at him, smiling.
How long mister Gray is, shesaid, Let us go and help
him. I have not yet toldhim the color of my frock. Ah,
(10:39):
you must suit your frock to hisflowers. Gladys, that would be
a premature surrender. Romantic art beginswith its climax. I must keep an
opportunity for retreat. In the Parthianmanner, they found safety in the desert.
I could not do that. Womenare not always allowed a choice,
(11:00):
he answered. But hardly had hefinished the sentence before from the far end
of the conservatory came a stifled groan, followed by the dull sound of a
heavy fall. Everybody started up.The Duchess stood motionless in horror and with
fear in his eyes. Lord Henryrushed through the flapping palms to find Dorian
(11:26):
Gray lying face downwards on the tiledfloor in a deathlike swoon. He was
carried at once into the blue drawingroom and laid upon one of the sofas.
After a short time, he cameto himself and looked round with a
(11:46):
dazed expression. What had happened,he asked, er, I remember?
Am I safe here? Henry?He began to tremble. My dear Dorian
answered, Lord Henry, you merelyfainted. That was all. You must
have overtired yourself. You'd better notcome down to dinner. I will take
your place. Na oh, comedown, he said, struggling to his
(12:11):
feet. I would rather come down. I must not be alone. He
went to his room and dressed.There was a wild recklessness of gaiety in
his manner as he sat at table. But now and then a thrill of
terror ran through him when he rememberedthat, pressed against the window of the
(12:33):
conservatory like a white handkerchief, hehad seen the face of James Vain watching
him. End of Chapter seventeen.
Popular Podcasts
New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce
Football’s funniest family duo — Jason Kelce of the Philadelphia Eagles and Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs — team up to provide next-level access to life in the league as it unfolds. The two brothers and Super Bowl champions drop weekly insights about the weekly slate of games and share their INSIDE perspectives on trending NFL news and sports headlines. They also endlessly rag on each other as brothers do, chat the latest in pop culture and welcome some very popular and well-known friends to chat with them. Check out new episodes every Wednesday. Follow New Heights on the Wondery App, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to new episodes early and ad-free, and get exclusive content on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. And join our new membership for a unique fan experience by going to the New Heights YouTube channel now!
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!