Quite the ugliest face I ever saw was that of a woman whom the world called beautiful. Through its silver veil the evil and ungentle passions looked out, hideous and hateful.

Round the boles of the pine-wood the ground-laurel creeps, Unkissed of the sunshine, unbaptized of showers, With buds scarcely swelled, which should burst into flowers!

For all sad words of tongue and pen, The saddest are these, 'It might have been'.

Nothing before, nothing behind; The steps of faith Fall on the seeming void, and find The Rock beneath.

And step by step, since time began, I see the steady gain of man.

Peace hath higher tests of manhood, than battle ever knew.

Nature eschews regular lines; she does not shape her lines by a common model. Not one of Eve's numerous progeny in all respects resembles her who first culled the flowers of Eden. To the infinite variety and picturesque inequality of nature we owe the great charm of her uncloying beauty.