Absence diminishes little passions and increases great ones, as
the wind extinguishes candles and fans a fire.
[Fr., read more

Absence diminishes little passions and increases great ones, as
the wind extinguishes candles and fans a fire.
[Fr., L'absence diminue les mediocres passions et augmente les
grandes, comme le vent eteint les bougies et allume le feu.]

Absence, that common cure of love.

Absence, that common cure of love.

In the hope to meet
Shortly again, and make our absence sweet.

In the hope to meet
Shortly again, and make our absence sweet.

Absence doth sharpen love, presence strengthens it; the one brings fuel, the other blows it till it burns clear.

Absence doth sharpen love, presence strengthens it; the one brings fuel, the other blows it till it burns clear.

What shall I do with all the days and hours
That must be counted ere I see thy face?
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What shall I do with all the days and hours
That must be counted ere I see thy face?
How shall I charm the interval that lowers
Between this time and that sweet time of grace?

All days are nights to see till I see thee,
And nights bright days when dreams do show thee read more

All days are nights to see till I see thee,
And nights bright days when dreams do show thee to me.

They are good that are away.

They are good that are away.

With what a deep devotedness of woe
I wept thy absence--o'er and o'er again
Thinking of thee, read more

With what a deep devotedness of woe
I wept thy absence--o'er and o'er again
Thinking of thee, still thee, till thought grew pain,
And memory, like a drop that, night and day,
Falls cold and ceaseless, wore my heart away!

Wives in their husbands' absences grow subtler,
And daughters sometimes run off with the butler.

Wives in their husbands' absences grow subtler,
And daughters sometimes run off with the butler.