Liber Martis - Chapter 25

Verses

Verse 36

Ares, I loved you first for the obvious reasons: the red mouth, the bad judgment, the magnificent entrances.

Verse 37

Then Aphrodite came laughing through the camp and every spear forgot which direction was forward.

Verse 38

Love and war share one vulgar habit: both insist that this particular thing matters more than the whole world.

Verse 39

I have watched lovers negotiate like generals and generals sulk like abandoned lovers.

Verse 40

Desire advances without supply lines.

Verse 41

Jealousy is merely cavalry wearing perfume.

Verse 42

Aphrodite kissed the scar on Ares' shoulder and called it ugly. He loved her for the accuracy.

Verse 43

From their quarrel came Fear and Dread, which is how most romances acquire children.

Verse 44

Yet Harmony also followed them, late as usual.

Verse 45

Do not ask whether passion is peaceful. Ask whether peace without passion is alive.

Verse 46

I once conquered a city for someone who had already forgotten my name. This improved my theology.

Verse 47

Mars teaches pursuit; Venus teaches attraction. Between them, mortals invent nearly every regrettable evening.

Verse 48

The wise demon keeps one flower in the helmet and one helmet near the bed.

Verse 49

Love does not abolish violence. Sometimes it merely chooses what we are willing to bleed for.

Verse 50

If you must worship Ares, do not imitate him when he is jealous.

Verse 51

If you must worship Aphrodite, remember that even beauty has started wars.