To Chloe: Who wish'd herself young enough for me...
by William Cartwright (1611-1643)
Chloe, why wish that your years
Would backwards run, till they meet mine,
That perfect Likeness, which endears
Things unto things, might us Combine?
Our Ages so in date agree,
That Twins do differ more than we.
There are two Births, the one when Light
First strikes the new awak'ned sense;
The Other when two Souls unite,
And we must count our life from thence:
When you lov'd me, and I lov'd you
Then both of us were born anew.
Love then to us did new Souls give,
And in those Souls did plant new pow'rs;
Since when another life we live,
The Breath we breathe is his, not ours:
Love makes those young whom Age doth Chill,
And whom he finds young, keeps young still.
Painting: 'Daphnis and Chloe'
Baron Francoise Gerard
1770-1837
15 comments:
i've known four chloe's all extraordinary people. steven
Steven...four! I've known one and have the lovely Chloe print by Lefebvre hanging in my ensuite!
that is just lovely!
Betsy...thank you..:)
alaine - i'm leaving in about twenty minutes to ride for a couple of hours with one actually - chloe black - a national level cycling racer! the print by the way is superb!!! steven
Super poem, Alaine. I love the rhyming and the language!
This is breathtaking in its beauty. I love this passage best:
here are two Births, the one when Light
First strikes the new awak'ned sense;
The Other when two Souls unite..
Pairing the poem with this painting gives both new light. Thank you for all this beauty!
On a side note, is this a new background? It too is very beautiful!
Steven...thanks! I trust you enjoyed your ride with Chloe!
Derrick...funnily enough I'd hadn't noticed the rhyming so much as the story within!
Marion...thank you. Not that the story has anything to do with Daphnis and Chloe but they're both love stories.
I've had this template a couple of weeks now...I love the soft rose pattern and the shadows thrown across the post.
Wow. Beautiful!
Very beautiful poem Alaine. We have a little puppy in our family named Chloe and she is a love....somehow that name Chloe and love just seem to go together. I love your blog background. And I think I'm going to check out the Nancy Milford book.
Have a wonderful weekend. xo
MG..Karen, thank you for visiting. I'm slowly reading Milford's book...if I only had more time! I should be reading rather than getting secretary spread here at the computer! You have a peaceful weekend too, my friend. xa
What a beautiful poem, there is certainly a profound and poignant philosophy suffused into Cartwright's magical words. And the painting is amazing, thank you for sharing it. Marvellous post, Alaine :)
Forever young..in our souls..life after life..what a gift!!
This was also a beautiful gift..thanks...
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