But oh! as to embrace me she inclin'd, I wak'd, she fled, and day brought back my night.
Interpretation
The quote expresses the fleeting nature of love and desire, where a moment of connection is quickly lost.
In this quote by John Milton, the speaker reflects on a moment of intimacy that is abruptly interrupted. The imagery suggests an emotional awakening upon the approach of love, only to have it vanish with the morning light, symbolizing the impermanence of romantic encounters and the longing that can accompany such transient moments.
In practice
In a romantic speech at a wedding, to highlight the unpredictability of love.
They, looking back, all the eastern side beheld Of Paradise, so late their happy seat, Waved over by that flaming brand, the gate With dreadful faces thronged and fiery arms: Some natural tears they dropped, but wiped them soon; The world was all before them, where to choose Their place of rest, and Providence their guide; They, hand in hand, with wandering steps and slow, Through Eden took their solitary way.
The stars, that nature hung in heaven, and filled their lamps with everlasting oil, give due light to the misled and lonely traveller.
Ev'n them who kept thy truth so pure of old, When all our fathers worshipp'd stocks and stones.
Abashed the devil stood and felt how awful goodness is and saw Virtue in her shape how lovely: and pined his loss
The end of all learning is to know God, and out of that knowledge to love and imitate Him.
Apt words have power to suage the tumors of a troubled mind.
i know someday you'll have a beautiful life. I know you'll be a sun in somebody else's sky. But why can't it be mine?
You will always go into that tent. You will see her scar and wonder where she got it. You will always be amazed at how one woman can have so much black hair. You will always fall in love, and it will always be like having your throat cut, just that fast. You will always run away with her. You will always lose her. You will always be a fool. You will always be dead, in a city of ice, snow falling into your ear. You have already done all of this and will do it again.
I wonder by my troth, what thou, and I Did, till we loved? were we not weaned till then? But sucked on country pleasures, childishly? Or snorted we in the seven sleepers' den?
To pay compliments to the one we love is the first method of caressing, a demi-audacity venturing. A compliment is something like a kiss through a veil.
When you've married someone who's been at war, there is nothing you can do that compares to that level of selflessness and bravery.
Happiness is in your ability to love others.
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