When a daffadill I see, Hanging down his head towards me, Guess I may, what I must be: First, I shall decline my head; Secondly, I shall be dead: Lastly, safely buryed.
Robert HerrickRead
I dare not ask a kiss;_x000D_ _x000D_ I dare not beg a smile;_x000D_ _x000D_ Lest having that or this,_x000D_ _x000D_ I might grow proud the while._x000D_ _x000D_ No, no, the utmost share_x000D_ _x000D_ Of my desire shall be_x000D_ _x000D_ Only to kiss that air,_x000D_ _x000D_ That lately kissed thee.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote expresses a humble longing for affection without the presumption of entitlement.
In this quote, the speaker conveys a deep yearning for a kiss and smile from a beloved, yet acknowledges a sense of pride and humility that comes with such desires. They are willing to settle for the mere air that their lover has breathed, illustrating a romantic ideal where love is cherished without a demand for possession or expectation.
Themes
LoveAffectionHumilityDesireRomance
In practice
Example use cases
In a romantic letter to express feelings of love.
More from Robert Herrick
All quotes →Lord, 'tis Thy plenty-dropping hand_x000D_ _x000D_ That soils my land, _x000D_ _x000D_ And giv'st me for my bushel sowne_x000D_ _x000D_ Twice ten for one. _x000D_ _x000D_ All this, and better, Thou dost send_x000D_ _x000D_ Me, to this end, _x000D_ _x000D_ That I should render, for my part, _x000D_ _x000D_ A thankful heart.
Robert HerrickRead
Tears are the noble language of the eye.
Robert HerrickRead
The May-pole is up,_x000D_ _x000D_ Now give me the cup;_x000D_ _x000D_ I'll drink to the garlands around it;_x000D_ _x000D_ But first unto those_x000D_ _x000D_ Whose hands did compose_x000D_ _x000D_ The glory of flowers that crown'd it.
Robert HerrickRead
Drink wine, and live here blitheful while ye may;_x000D_ _x000D_ The morrow's life too late is; live to-day.
Robert HerrickRead
You say to me-wards your affection's strong;_x000D_ _x000D_ Pray love me little, so you love me long.
Robert HerrickRead
Similar quotes
We got quiet. The garden was combing her hair and putting on earrings. The house was full of dancing creatures, not male and female but both, two lovers in one body. The books downstairs were reciting their poetry to each other, rubbing together, whispering through the leather covers. Wine was flowing through the water pipes. You had caught my leaping heart in your hand like a fish.
Francesca Lia BlockRead
Our vision is so limited we can hardly imagine a love that does not show itself in protection from suffering.... The love of God did not protect His own Son.... He will not necessarily protect us - not from anything it takes to make us like His Son. A lot of hammering and chiseling and purifying by fire will have to go into the process.
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The garden of love is green without limit and yields many fruits other than sorrow or joy. Love is beyond either condition: without spring, without autumn, it is always fresh.
RumiRead
SHE is neither pink nor pale, And she never will be all mine; She learned her hands in a fairy-tale, And her mouth on a valentine. She has more hair than she needs; In the sun ’tis a woe to me! And her voice is a string of colored beads, Or steps leading into the sea. She loves me all that she can, And her ways to my ways resign; But she was not made for any man, And she never will be all mine.
Edna St. Vincent MillayRead
For you see, each day I love you more. Today more than yesterday and less than tomorrow.
Rosemonde GerardRead
No man more truly loves God than he that is most fearful to offend Him.
Thomas AdamsRead