Any particular message to send by him? any
statement which you had forgotten to make? - as if you could
forget anything. - No, it is much that you take his hand and say
Farewell; that you could easily omit; so far custom has
prevailed. It is even painful, if he is to go, that he should
linger so long. If he must go, let him go quickly. Have you any
_last_ words? Alas, it is only the word of words, which you have
so long sought and found not; _you_ have not a _first_ word yet.
There are few even whom I should venture to call earnestly by
their most proper names. A name pronounced is the recognition of
the individual to whom it belongs. He who can pronounce my name
aright, he can call me, and is entitled to my love and service.
Yet reserve is the freedom and abandonment of lovers. It is the
reserve of what is hostile or indifferent in their natures, to
give place to what is kindred and harmonious.
The violence of love is as much to be dreaded as that of hate.
When it is durable it is serene and equable. Even its famous
pains begin only with the ebb of love, for few are indeed lovers,
though all would fain be. It is one proof of a man's fitness for
Friendship that he is able to do without that which is cheap and
passionate.
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