NPQiYBM

[cahn]

Had we but world enough, and time,
This coyness, Lady, were no crime.
We would sit down and think which way
To walk and pass our long love's day.
Thou by the Indian Ganges' side
Shouldst rubies find: I by the tide
Of Humber would complain. I would
Love you ten years before the Flood,
And you should, if you please, refuse
Till the conversion of the Jews.
My vegetable love should grow
Vaster than empires, and more slow...

-Andrew Marvell, "To His Coy Mistress"

I am ashamed to admit that this came into my head today because, well, my old boyfriend S. once had to read the LeGuin story "Vaster Than Empires, And More Slow," the title of which, not knowing the Marvell poem, he immediately assumed must refer to the post office... Anyway, I went to the post office today, and no guesses as to the relative swiftness of the transaction.

Comments

[luzula]

Okay, "my vegetable love" is making me giggle. I am assuming that came off diffently back then, because now I am picturing big shiny squashes and aubergines, slowly growing more vast and gigantic over the years... *g*

[cahn]

Hee - have you read the Bunnicula books? Now I'm starting to get a little freaked out... :)

I read this in my senior English class, at which point I was still able to be talked into my (utterly brilliant) English teacher's point of view, but yes, I agree, it's a rather unfortunate metaphor in modern times...