Sir Philip Sydney

from Astrophil and Stella

Queen Virtue's court, which some call Stella's face,
Prepar'd by Nature's choicest furniture,
Hath his front built of alabaster pure;
Gold in the covering of that stately place.

The door by which sometimes comes forth her Grace
Red porphir is, which lock of pearl makes sure,
Whose porches rich (which name of cheeks endure)
Marble mix'd red and white do interlace.

The windows now through which this heav'nly guest
Looks o'er the world, and can find nothing such,
Which dare claim from those lights the name of best,

Of touch they are that without touch doth touch,
Which Cupid's self from Beauty's mine did draw:
Of touch they are, and poor I am their straw.

Love, romance and relationship quotes for your soul

• 'Life without love is like a tree
  Without blossom and fruit.'
  ~ Kahlil Gibran
• 'Bitterness imprisons life; love releases it. Bitterness paralyzes life; love empowers it. Bitterness sours life; love sweetens it. Bitterness sickens life; love heals it. Bitterness blinds life; love anoints its eyes.'
  ~ Harry Emerson Fosdick
• 'To live is like to love -
  all reason is against it,
  and all healthy instinct for it.'
  ~ Samuel Butler, Life and love