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, the tangible and numerable petals, so the spirit perceives that its fleshy vesture is not a thing apart, to be donned or doffed at will, to b e contemned or left out of regards, but indeed at integral and inseparable portion of itself; for
In the very woof and warp of flesh, sprit is immanent and enmeshed.
Indeed—though in a mystic sense—
Vesture and wearer are mutually one. And yet
Love ever essays the task of seeking out the psychic wearer beneath the corporeal vesture—often with plaintive strife.
When seeker and sought make a mutual search—the starkest strife is condoned. But alack!
The mystic unity of the human soul is never wholly divulged—not even to love—not even to love.
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VIII. On Courtship