Exceeding fair she was not; and yet fair
In that she never studied to be fairer
Than read more

Exceeding fair she was not; and yet fair
In that she never studied to be fairer
Than Nature made her; her beauty cost her nothing,
Her virtues were so rare.

Beauty is an outward gift which is seldom despised, except by those to whom it has been refused.

Beauty is an outward gift which is seldom despised, except by those to whom it has been refused.

Truth exists for the wise, beauty for the feeling heart.

Truth exists for the wise, beauty for the feeling heart.

All kinds of beauty do not inspire love; there is a kind which
only pleases the sight, but does read more

All kinds of beauty do not inspire love; there is a kind which
only pleases the sight, but does not captivate the affections.
[Sp., No todas hermosuras enamoran, que algunas alegran la vista,
y no rinden la voluntad.]

It sometimes happens that a woman is handsomer at twenty-nine than she was ten years before

It sometimes happens that a woman is handsomer at twenty-nine than she was ten years before

Ye Gods! but she is wondrous fair!
For me her constant flame appears;
The garland she hath read more

Ye Gods! but she is wondrous fair!
For me her constant flame appears;
The garland she hath culled, I wear
On brows bald since my thirty years.
Ye veils that deck my loved one rare,
Fall, for the crowning triumph's nigh.
Ye Gods! but she is wondrous fair!
And I, so plain a man am I!

I would warn you that I do not attribute to nature either beauty or deformity, order or confusion. Only in read more

I would warn you that I do not attribute to nature either beauty or deformity, order or confusion. Only in relation to our imagination can things be called beautiful or ugly, well-ordered or confused.

Beauties in vain their pretty eyes may roll; charms strike the sight, but merit wins the soul.

Beauties in vain their pretty eyes may roll; charms strike the sight, but merit wins the soul.

When beauty fires the blood, how love exalts the mind!

When beauty fires the blood, how love exalts the mind!