Quote#Love
Ah, yet, ere I descend to th' grave
Quote byAbraham Cowley · 1618–1667
Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: The Mistress (1647), The Wish, st. 2.
English (original)
Ah, yet, ere I descend to th' grave May I a small house, and large garden have! And a few friends, and many books, both true, Both wise, and both delightful too! And since Love ne'er will from mee flee, A mistress moderately fair, And good as guardian angels are, Only belov'd, and loving me!
— Abraham Cowley
More from Abraham Cowley
Lukewarmness I account a sin As great in love as in religion.
Who lets slip Fortune, her shall never find, Occasion once passed by, is bald behind.
The world's a scene of changes, and to be Constant, in Nature were inconstancy.
Love in her sunny eyes does basking play; Love walks the pleasant mazes of her hair; Love does on both her lips for ever stray; And sows and reaps a thousand kisses there. In all her outward parts Love's always seen; But, oh, he never went …
Nothing so soon the drooping spirits can raise As praises from the men, whom all men praise.
Well then; I now do plainly see This busy world and I shall ne'er agree; The very honey of all earthly joy Does of all meats the soonest cloy, And they (methinks) deserve my pity, Who for it can endure the stings,