Here are three quotes from “A book of love poetry”, a 1974 anthology edited by Oxford Professor of English Jon Stallworthy and including work from over 190 poets. This set of quotes does not do justice to the breadth of poets, eras, and cultures represented in the book. But these are simply three of my favorite excerpts.

1. From “Two lips” by Thomas Hardy (1840-1928):

I kissed them in fancy as I came

Away in the morning glow:

I kissed them through the glass of her picture-frame:

She did not know.

*

2. From “First love” by John Clare (1793-1864):

I ne’er was struck before that hour

With love so sudden and so sweet,

Her face it bloomed like a sweet flower

And stole my heart away complete.

*

3. From “Dialogue after enjoyment” by Abraham Cowley (1618-1667):

SHE: What have we done? What cruel passion moved thee,

Thus to ruin her that loved thee?

Me thou hast robbed, but what art thou

Thyself the richer now?

Shame succeeds the short-lived pleasure;

So soon is spent, and gone, this thy ill-gotten treasure.

HE: We have done no harm; nor was it theft in me,

But noblest charity in thee.

I’ll the well-gotten pleasure

Safe in my memory treasure;

What though the flower itself do waste,

The essence from it drawn does long and sweeter last.