According to the speaker, absence from a lover is easiest to bear when the — a. couple have not known each other very long b. attraction is only on the surface c. two people are extremely close d. pair have been separated for a long time

B. attraction is only on the surface. Absence makes the heart grow fonder.

c. two people are extremely close

Explanation:

The author says to his beloved one that though he has to go and their bodies are far from each other, their souls are one. There will not be a gap, but an expansion of the love. The author compares their love with gold. This precious metal can be stretched and expanded by thinning it, and so their love will also expand and travel the entire distance between them and unite them in souls.

"Our two souls therefore, which are one,  

  Though I must go, endure not yet  

A breach, but an expansion,  

  Like gold to airy thinness beat."

can you provide the statments?

you need to post the passage so we know what you’re talking about