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Consent in virtue knit your hearts so fast, That still the knot, in spite of death, does last; For as your tears, and sorrow-wounded soul, Prove well that on your part this bond is whole, So all we know of what they do above, Is that they happy are, and that they love. Let dark oblivion, and the hollow grave, Content themselves our frailer thoughts to have; Well-chosen love is never taught to die, But with our nobler part invades the sky. Then grieve no more that one so heavenly shaped The crooked hand of trembling age escaped; Rather, since we beheld her not decay, But that she vanish'd so entire away, Her wondrous beauty, and her goodness, merit We should suppose that some propitious spirit In that celestial form frequented here, And is not dead, but ceases to appear.

Edmund Waller#9

LoveDeathImmortalityMemorySadnessSpirituality

About this quote

What does it mean?
True love is presented as immortal and spiritual, surviving death and the physical decay of age.
In plain terms
Love that is chosen well lasts forever and continues beyond death.
What can you take from it?
True love survives even death and time.

Where it applies

  • bereavement
  • marriage
  • spiritual belief

Putting it to work

  • comforting grief
  • honoring the dead
  • valuing commitment

Questions to consider

  • What survives after we die?
  • How do you measure love?

Another view

The idea of spiritual continuation is a matter of faith, not fact.

More from Edmund Waller

  1. How small a part of time they share That are so wondrous sweet and fair!

    Permalink to quote #8
  2. Poets that lasting marble seek Must come in Latin or in Greek.

    Permalink to quote #10
  3. Go, lovely rose! Tell her that wastes her time and me That now she knows, When I resemble her to thee, How sweet and fair she seems to be.

    Permalink to quote #7

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