Dante Gabriel Rosetti

Sonnet 23: Love's Baubles

I stood where Love in brimming armfuls bore
   Slight wanton flowers and foolish toys of fruit:
   And round him ladies thronged in warm pursuit,
Fingered and lipped and proffered the strange store.
And from one hand the petal and the core
   Savoured of sleep; and cluster and curled shoot
   Seemed from another hand like shame's salute,-
Gifts that I felt my cheek was blushing for.

At last Love bade my Lady give the same:
   And as I looked, the dew was light thereon;
   And as I took them, at her touch they shone
With inmost heaven-hue of the heart of flame.
And then Love said: "Lo! when the hand is hers,
Follies of love are love's true ministers."

Love, romance and relationship quotes for your soul

• 'The greatest thing you'll ever learn
  Is to love and be loved in return.'
  ~ From 'Unforgettable with Love' Natalie Cole
• 'Other men said they have seen angels,
  But I have seen thee
  And thou art enough.'
  ~ G. Moore
• 'A fastidious person in the throes of love is a rich source of mirth.'
  ~ Martha Duffy