It is almost enough to destroy one's faith in the uniqueness of love to
see from how narrow a circle of acquaintances men and women choose their
spouses. Were Plato's two half-souls separated by the diameter of the
globe--that were lamentable.

* * *

The man often argues that esteem will grow into passion. The woman knows
that the argument is utterly fallacious. Yet
Unless passion is guarded by esteem,--as the calyx ensheaths the
corolla, the former is prone to wither.

In youthful love, as in the enfolded bud, esteem and passion--like calyx
and corolla---seem one and identical;

It is only the full-blown flower that displays its constituent parts.

Would that love could remain ever in bud!

* * *

To some love comes like a flash; to others as the burning of tinder.

In all, when real love is kindled, it devours all that is combustible.
But

All love, like all fire, needs, not only ventilation but replenishing:

Unless the primal spark is nourished, it will not glow;