Women know the way to rear up children (to be just). They know a simple, merry, tender knack of tying sashes, fitting baby-shoes, and stringing pretty words that make no sense. And kissing full sense into empty words.
Elizabeth Barrett BrowningRead
O rose, who dares to name thee?_x000D_ _x000D_ No longer roseate now, nor soft, nor sweet,_x000D_ _x000D_ But pale, and hard, and dry, as stubblewheat,_x000D_ _x000D_ Kept seven years in a drawer, thy titles shame thee.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote reflects on the lost beauty and essence of love over time.
In this poignant excerpt, Elizabeth Barrett Browning personifies a rose to symbolize love and desire, expressing that over the course of seven years, the once-vibrant and fragrant affection has faded into something lifeless and diminished. The imagery of the rose becoming pale and hard suggests a profound loss of passion and softness, indicating that love can decay if left untouched and uncherished.
Themes
LoveLossBeautyChangeTime
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used in a speech about the importance of nurturing relationships.
More from Elizabeth Barrett Browning
All quotes →She has seen the mystery hid Under Egypt's pyramid: By those eyelids pale and close Now she knows what Rhamses knows.
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First time he kissed me, he but only kissed The fingers of this hand wherewith I write; And, ever since, it grew more clean and white.
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Earth's crammed with heaven, And every common bush afire with God: But only he who sees takes off his shoes.
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Our Euripides the human, With his droppings of warm tears, and his touchings of things common Till they rose to meet the spheres.
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Love me sweet With all thou art Feeling, thinking, seeing; Love me in the Lightest part, Love me in full Being.
Elizabeth Barrett BrowningRead
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