One day I wrote her name upon the strand, But came the waves and washèd it away: Again I wrote it with a second hand, But came the tide, and made my pains his prey.
Interpretation
The ephemerality of love is highlighted, showing how fleeting moments can be swept away by time.
This quote by Edmund Spenser reflects on the transitory nature of love and life. It portrays the struggle between the desire to immortalize something beautiful, like a loved one's name on the shore, against the relentless force of nature that erases these efforts. The poet laments the futility of trying to capture love in a permanent way when external circumstances can so easily take it away, illustrating the fragility of human emotions and experiences.
In practice
This quote can be shared during a wedding ceremony to symbolize the fleeting moments of love.
But O the exceeding grace_x000D_ Of highest God, that loves his creatures so,_x000D_ And all his works with mercy doth embrace,_x000D_ That blessed angels, he sends to and fro,_x000D_ To serve to wicked man, to serve his wicked foe.
The noblest mind the best contentment has
What though the sea with waves continuall Doe eate the earth, it is no more at all ; Ne is the earth the lesse, or loseth ought : For whatsoever from one place doth fall Is with the tyde unto another brought : For there is nothing lost, that may be found if sought.
No daintie flowre or herbe that growes on grownd, No arborett with painted blossoms drest And smelling sweete, but there it might be fownd To bud out faire, and throwe her sweete smels al arownd.
I hate the day, because it lendeth light_x000D_ _x000D_ To see all things, but not my love to see.
For of the soule the bodie forme doth take; _x000D_ For the soule is forme, and doth the bodie make.
No, no thought to the winnings. One loves because one loves.
A nun of winter's sisterhood kisses not more religiously; the very ice of chastity is in them.
Twice or thrice had I loved thee before I knew thy face or name, so in a voice, so in a shapeless flame, angels affect us oft, and worshiped be.
Then there is the usual scene when lovers are excited with each other, quarrels, entreaties, reproaches, and then fondling reconcilement.
Jesus has made Himself the Bread of Life to give us life. Night and day, He is there. If you really want to grow in love, come back to the Eucharist, come back to that Adoration.
Man reaches the highest point of lovableness at 12 to 17 - to get it back, in a second flowering, at the age of 70 to 90
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