Love seldom haunts the breast where learning lies,
And Venus sets ere Mercury can rise.
Alexander Pope on Anniversary
1688–1744 England
← All quotes by Alexander Pope
24 quotes
Say, is not absence death to those who love?
Pastorals (1709)
They dream in Courtship, but in Wedlock wake.
Judges and senates have been bought for gold;
Esteem and love were never to be sold.
The garlands fade, the vows are worn away;
So dies her love, and so my hopes decay.
Pastorals (1709)
Ye Gods! annihilate but space and time,
And make two lovers happy.
Let such, such only tread this sacred floor,
Who dare to love their country and be poor.
Curse on all laws but those which love has made.
Eloisa to Abelard (1717)
There swims no goose so gray, but soon or late
She finds some honest gander for her mate.
All other goods by fortune's hand are given,
A wife is the peculiar gift of heaven.
Time conquers all, and we must time obey.
Fame, wealth, and honour! what are you to Love?
Eloisa to Abelard (1717)
Of all affliction taught a lover yet,
'Tis true the hardest science to forget.
Eloisa to Abelard (1717)
Love, free as air, at sight of human ties,
Spreads his light wings, and in a moment flies.
Years following years steal something ev'ry day.
At last they steal us from ourselves away.
Grave authors say, and witty poets sing,
That honest wedlock is a glorious thing.
Ah! what avails it me the flocks to keep,
Who lost my heart while I preserv'd my sheep.
One thought of thee puts all the pomp to flight;
Priests, tapers, temples, swim before my sight.
Eloisa to Abelard (1717)
Not grace, or zeal, love only was my call,
And if I lose thy love, I lose my all.
Eloisa to Abelard (1717)
Attribution
Quotes and notes from Wikiquote: Alexander Pope (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0.