...I have always believed I cd diagnose this state of which they regard as as inspired by one pair of black eyes or indifferent blue, one graceful attitude of body or mind, one female history of some twenty-two years from, shall we say, 1821-1844--I have always believed this to be something of the masking itself under the particular forms of both lover and beloved. And Poet, who assumes and informs both. I wd have told you--no, I do tell you--friendship is rarer, more idiosyncratic, more individual and in every way more durable than this Love.
The speaker expresses a belief that the emotional state people often associate with love can actually be diagnosed or understood in a broader context. They suggest that this perception of love is influenced by physical traits, behaviors, and personal histories of the individuals involved. The complexity of love is framed as a mask that conceals deeper truths about the connections between lovers and poets.
Furthermore, the speaker emphasizes the rarity and uniqueness of friendship compared to romantic love. They argue that friendship is not only more individualistic but also more enduring, offering a sense of stability that romantic relationships may lack. This distinction highlights the importance of different types of connections in human experience, elevating friendship as a more resilient bond than love.
