17 Quotes & Sayings By Andrew Marvell

Andrew Marvell was born in London in 1621, the only son of a woman of independent means. He was educated at Merchant Taylors' School in London, and later at Magdalene College, Cambridge, where he graduated BA. He practised as a lawyer for a while before becoming a tutor to Edward Montagu, the young Earl of Manchester. His income was augmented by his marriage to his employer's step-daughter in 1658, and Marvell became known as the Earl's "literary familiar" Read more

He had already written several juvenile poems and did not expect to become a poet himself: "I never did dream that I should be so happy/As I have been of late, and yet I cannot find/A reason why it should be so."

The grave's a fine and private place, But none, I...
1
The grave's a fine and private place, But none, I think, do there embrace. Andrew Marvell
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But at my back I always hear Time’s wingèd chariot hurrying near; And yonder all before us lie Deserts of vast eternity. Thy beauty shall no more be found; Nor, in thy marble vault, shall sound My echoing song; then worms shall try That long-preserved virginity, And your quaint honour turn to dust, And into ashes all my lust; The grave’s a fine and private place, But none, I think, do there embrace. Andrew Marvell
But at my back I always hear Time’s wingèd chariot...
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But at my back I always hear Time’s wingèd chariot hurrying near Andrew Marvell
Had we but world enough and time, This coyness, lady,...
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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. Andrew Marvell
Thus, though we cannot make our sun Stand still, yet...
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Thus, though we cannot make our sun Stand still, yet we will make him run. Andrew Marvell
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Now therefore, while the youthful hue Sits on thy skin like morning dew, And while thy willing soul transpires At every pore with instant fires, Now let us sport us while we may, And now, like amorous birds of prey, Rather at once our time devour Than languish in his slow-chapped power. Let us roll all our strength and all Our sweetness up into one ball, And tear our pleasures with rough strife Thorough the iron gates of life: Thus, though we cannot make our sun Stand still, yet we will make him run. Andrew Marvell
Had we but world enough, and time
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Had we but world enough, and time Andrew Marvell
Thus, though we cannot make our sun Stand still, yet...
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Thus, though we cannot make our sun Stand still, yet we will make him run. Andrew Marvell
Had we but world enough, and time...
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Had we but world enough, and time... Andrew Marvell
10
Now therefore, while the youthful hue Sits on thy skin like morning dew, And while thy willing soul transpires At every pore with instant fires, Now let us sport us while we may, And now, like amorous birds of prey, Rather at once our time devour Than languish in his slow-chapt power. Andrew Marvell
My vegetable love will grow Vaster than empires, and more...
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My vegetable love will grow Vaster than empires, and more slow. Andrew Marvell
To wander solitary there: Two paradises ‘twere in one To...
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To wander solitary there: Two paradises ‘twere in one To live in paradise alone. Andrew Marvell
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But Fate does iron wedges drive, And always crowds itself betwixt. Andrew Marvell
14
As lines, so loves oblique may well Themselves in every angle greet; But ours so truly parallel, Though infinite, can never meet. Therefore the love which us doth bind, But Fate so enviously debars, Is the conjunction of the mind, And opposition of the stars. Andrew Marvell
15
My love is of a birth as rare As 'tis, for object, strange and high; It was begotten by DespairUpon Impossibility. Andrew Marvell
16
He nothing common did or mean Upon that memorable scene. Andrew Marvell