Beauty is much, and grace is much; but there is a charm more subtle and
potent than these.

* * *

Beauty without modesty is a rose without perfume: the petals may delight,
but they lack an ineffable savor. Like a flower, too,

Though the tangible petals are numbered and comptable, the subtle perfume
eludes the sense and is inexhaustible. For

Modesty is the exhalation of the soul: at once it enhances, as it
refines, the potency of beauty. Nay more,

The sacrosanct aureole of modesty beautifies all it surrounds: though it
diviner haze imperfection there is none. So,

Given a redolent balm, and the lowliest herb becomes treasured and
precious. And

Each human soul has its own individual essence;

What folly were the violet to envy the rose! Since

Beauty is much, and grace is much, and mien and demeanor and wit; but a
prepotent and psychic essence there is transcending the power of these.
And,

As the suave and subtle essence is not distinct from, but springs from,