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I could not love thee...

Posted by Bob on June 22, 2007

In Reply to: I could not love thee... posted by lonphillips on June 22, 2007

: I could not love thee half so well if I loved not honor more.

: Supposedly a phrase from Richard Lovelace. And the meaning is?


Well, yes, it's Lovelace, but the wording's been butchered. Try:

To Lucasta, Going to the Wars


TELL me not, sweet, I am unkind
That from nunnery
Of thy chaste breast and quiet mind,
To war and arms I fly.

True, a mew mistress now I chase,
The first foe in the field;
And with a stronger faith embrace
A sword, a horse, a shield.

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

It's pretty straightforward once you get the words right. Right?

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