To His Coy Mistress
Poetry
|
Andrew Marvell
To His Coy Mistress Full Poem
"To His Coy Mistress" is a metaphysical poem written by the English author and politician Andrew Marvell (1621–1678). It is one of Marvell's finest poems. Read the full poem here.
To His Coy Mistress
BY ANDREW MARVELL
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 I...
Read To His Coy Mistress Full Poem
To His Coy Mistress Summary
Andrew Marvell’s poem “To His Coy Mistress” is a “carpe diem” poem. Here, the speaker tries to convince his beloved to stop being shy and enjoy love before time runs out.
Part 1: If There Were Enough Time
In the first part, the speaker says that if they had unlimited time and space in the world, his beloved’s shyness (or “coyness”) would not be a problem. They could sit together, take their...
Expand To His Coy Mistress Summary
To His Coy Mistress Themes
Love and Death: In “To His Coy Mistress,” the speaker talks about love, beauty, and desire—but also about death. He wishes he had unlimited time to love the lady slowly and respectfully. He imagines spending thousands of years praising her. But he knows that life is short, and death is coming closer every moment. The second part of the poem shows his fear of death. He says that after death, beauty...
Expand To His Coy Mistress Themes
To His Coy Mistress Key Facts
Title: To His Coy Mistress
Poet: Andrew Marvell (1621-1678)
Written Date: Around 1650s
Publication Date: Posthumous in 1681
Form: Metaphysical Love Poem (a passionate and witty argument for love)
Meter: Iambic Tetrameter (four beats per line; it means 8 syllables)
Rhyme Scheme: Rhyming couplets (AABBCC...) throughout the poem (every two lines rhyme together)
Total Lines: 46 lines
Tone: Passionate,...
Expand To His Coy Mistress Key Facts
To His Coy Mistress Literary Device
Figures of Speech
Simile
A simile is a comparison using the words “like” or “as.”
Example:
“Sits on thy skin like morning dew”
The speaker compares the freshness of the lady’s youth to morning dew on her skin. This shows her beauty and purity. This comparison also suggests that her beauty will fade away quickly, like the morning dew.
Metaphor
A metaphor is a direct comparison between two di...
Expand To His Coy Mistress Literary Device
To His Coy Mistress Quotations
“Had we but world enough and time,
This coyness, lady, were no crime.”
In these very first lines, the speaker is setting the tone for the poem. He says they do not have enough time, because youth will fade away and death will come soon. So, he urges his coy mistress to consume love without any delay.
“My vegetable love should grow
Vaster than empires and more slow;”
The speaker says he wo...
Expand To His Coy Mistress Quotations
Notes
Explore 3 detailed notes related to To His Coy Mistress. Each note provides in-depth analysis, explanations, and critical insights.