A weed from Catholic Europe, it took root
Between the yellow mountains and the sea,
And bore these gay stone houses like a fruit,
And grew on China imperceptibly.
Rococo images of Saint and Saviour
Promise her gamblers fortunes when they die;
Churches beside the brothels testify
That faith can pardon natural behaviour.
This city of indulgence need not fear
The major sins by which the heart is killed,
And governments and men are torn to pieces:
Religious clocks will strike; the childish vices
Will safeguard the low virtues of the child;
And nothing serious can happen here.
W. H. Auden (1907-1973)
Escrito em finais dos anos 30 quando o escritor visitou a região. Tantos anos e ainda tudo igual.
