"If all the world and love were young,
And truth in every Shepherd’s tongue,
These pretty pleasures might me move,
To live with thee, and be thy love.
Time drives the flocks from field to fold,
When Rivers rage and Rocks grow cold,
And Philomel becometh dumb,
The rest complains of cares to come.
The flowers do fade, and wanton fields,
To wayward winter reckoning yields,
A honey tongue, a heart of gall,
Is fancy’s spring, but sorrow’s fall.
Thy gowns, thy shoes, thy beds of Roses,
Thy cap, thy kirtle, and thy posies
Soon break, soon wither, soon forgotten:
In folly ripe, in reason rotten.
Thy belt of straw and Ivy buds,
The Coral clasps and amber studs,
All these in me no means can move
To come to thee and be thy love.
But could youth last, and love still breed,
Had joys no date, nor age no need,
Then these delights my mind might move
To live with thee, and be thy love."
Sir Walter Ralegh
I meant to post the full poem to The Nymphs Reply when my set went live, but it's never too late right? ;)
It's kind of a sad poem really, nostalgic for youth and pining for fresh loves. Yet also to me sings of appreciation for this moment here and now. We will never be in this moment again, so enjoy the richness of it all.
It's one of my favorite poems. I hope you enjoy it.
💙💙💙
VIEW 5 of 5 COMMENTS
steeldog:
I will think of you! 💓
fietsbel:
@nubia It is a beautiful poem. Perhaps because English isn't my first language I read it very optimistic. I love looking forward, now I am getting older but enjoy every day (and yes had some bad ones also, but who hasn't). Thank you and have a very nice day!!