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About this quote

What does it mean?
The speaker asks their lover not to think they are unkind for leaving them to go to war.
In plain terms
Don't be sad that I am leaving you for battle.
What can you take from it?
Love and duty can conflict.

Where it applies

  • parting for duty
  • military service

Putting it to work

  • explaining absence
  • justifying choices

Questions to consider

  • How do you balance love and duty?
  • Is absence a form of unkindness?

Another view

It assumes the lover understands the necessity of war.

More from Richard Lovelace

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  2. Yet this inconstancy is such As you too shall adore; I could not love thee, dear, so much, Loved I not honor more.

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  3. If to be absent were to be Away from thee; Or that when I am gone, You and I were alone; Then, my Lucasta, might I crave Pity from blust'ring wind, or swallowi…

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