Quote#Love
Though I never get possession
Quote byMary Wortley Montagu · 1689–1762
Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: "The Answer".
English (original)
Though I never get possession, ’Tis a pleasure to adore; Hope, the wretch’s only blessing, May, in time, procure me more.Constant courtship may obtain her, Where both wealth and merit fail; And the lucky minute gain her— Fate and fancy must prevail.At Diana’s shrine, aloud, By the bow and by the quiver, Thrice she bowed, and thrice she vowed, Once to love—and that forever.
— Mary Wortley Montagu
More from Mary Wortley Montagu
Satire should, like a polished razor keen, Wound with a touch that's scarcely felt or seen.
Be plain in dress, and sober in your diet; In short, my deary, kiss me, and be quiet.
Let this great maxim be my virtue’s guide,— In part she is to blame that has been tried: He comes too near that comes to be denied.
Cease, fond shepherd! Cease desiring What you never must enjoy; She derides your vain aspiring, She, to all your sex is coy.Cunning Damon once pursued her, Yet she never would incline; Strephon too, as vainly wooed her,
Civility costs nothing and buys everything.
But the fruit that can fall without shaking Indeed is too mellow for me.