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
Pale sunlight, pale the wall. Love moves away. The light changes I need more grace than I thought.
RumiRead
The God of love my shepherd is, And he that doth me feed: While he is mine, and I am his, What can I want or need?
George HerbertRead
I wanted so badly to lie down next to her on the couch, to wrap my arms around her and sleep... Just sleep together, in the most innocent sense of the phrase. But I lacked the courage and she had a boyfriend and I was gawky and she was gorgeous and I was boring and she was endlessly fascinating. So I walked back to my room and collapsed on the bottom bunk, thinking that if people were rain, I was drizzle and she was a hurricane.
John GreenRead
Love rules the court, the camp, the grove, And men below, and saints above: For love is heaven, and heaven is love.
Walter ScottRead
Those who love you are not fooled by mistakes you have made or dark images you hold about yourself. They remember your beauty when you feel ugly; your wholeness when you are broken; your innocence when you feel guilty; and your purpose when you are confused.
Alan CohenRead
I don't want learning, or dignity, or respectability. I want this music, and this dawn, and the warmth of your cheek against mine.
RumiRead