Pagina 518 di 734

Well, in all the Friendships the parties to which are dissimilar

it is the proportionate which equalises and preserves the

Friendship, as has been already stated: I mean, in the Social

Friendship the cobbler, for instance, gets an equivalent for his

shoes after a certain rate; and the weaver, and all others in

like manner. Now in this case a common measure has been provided

in money, and to this accordingly all things are referred and by

this are measured: but in the Friendship of Love the complaint is

sometimes from the lover that, though he loves exceedingly, his

love is not requited; he having perhaps all the time nothing that

can be the object of Friendship: again, oftentimes from the

object of love that he who as a suitor promised any and every

thing now performs nothing.