Page:Familiar letters of Henry David Thoreau.djvu/264

 240 FRIENDS AND FOLLOWERS. [1852,

Perhaps an instinct survives through the in- tensest actual love, which prevents entire aban donment and devotion, and makes the most ar dent lover a little reserved. It is the anticipation of change. For the most ardent lover is not the less practically wise, and seeks a love which will last forever.

Considering how few poetical friendships there are, it is remarkable that so many are married. It would seem as if men yielded too easy an obedience to nature without consulting their ge nius. One may be drunk with love without being any nearer to finding his mate. There is more of good nature than of good sense at the bottom of most marriages. But the good nature must have the counsel of the good spirit or In telligence. If common sense had been consulted, how many marriages would never have taken place ; if uncommon or divine sense, how few marriages such as we witness would ever have taken place!

Our love may be ascending or descending. What is its character, if it may be said of it,

&quot; We must respect the souls above But only those below we love.&quot;

Love is a severe critic. Hate can pardon more than love. They who aspire to love worthily, subject themselves to an ordeal more rigid than any other.