MONTAIGNE
think, contradict me, if I speak of it thus: that the first fury, inspired by the son of Venus in the lover’s heart at sight of a flower of tender youth, to which they permit all the insolent and passionate efforts that immoderate ardour can produce, was founded simply on an outward beauty, false image of corporal generation; for it could not be founded on the intelligence, whose pattern was still hidden, and which was only in its birth and before the age of budding: that if this fury seized upon a low character, the means of his pursuit would be riches, gifts, help to advancement in office, and such other vile merchandise, which they reprehend; if it hit upon a nobler character, his methods were accordingly noble, philosophic instruction, lessons in the reverence for religion, obedience to the laws, death for the good of one’s country, examples of bravery, prudence, justice; the lover studying to make himself acceptable by the grace and beauty of his soul, that of his body being faded, and hoping through this mental intercourse, to establish a stronger and more lasting partnership.
When this pursuit attained its end in due time
(for whereas they do not require the lover to
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