Shakespeare’s Sonnet 116 – Love is not Love…

I find more and more I am drawn to the era of Victorian England and to the writings the people of Victorian England liked to read. Not all of it, mind you, but the romance and beauty portrayed draws me.

Admittedly, I am quite happy to NOT have to wear the corsets and petticoats that high society demanded, but the grace, proper speech and decorum sounds a bit refreshing. I find these to be nearly completely lacking in today’s attitudes and appearances.

I have yet to attempt the reading of one of Shakespeare’s dramas, but I do very much love this bit of poetry written by this man. Visions dance in my head of a dapper young Duke reading this bit to his lovely intended bride, portraying to her that his love was deep and abiding.

Let me not to the marriage of true minds

Admit impediments. Love is not love

Which alters when it alteration finds,

Or bends with the remover to remove.

O no! it is an ever-fixed mark

That looks on tempests and is never shaken;

It is the star to every wand’ring bark,

Whose worth’s unknown, although his height be taken.

Love’s not Time’s fool, though rosy lips and cheeks

Within his bending sickle’s compass come;

Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,

But bears it out even to the edge of doom.

If this be error and upon me prov’d,

I never writ, nor no man ever lov’d.

– William Shakespeare

I also find myself overwhelmingly enamored by my letter boards from LetterFolk.

Valentine’s Day seemed to be the perfect excuse to marry my new letter board and Shakespeare’s Love poem.

Shakespeare certainly speaks the truth, now doesn’t he? Love certainly cannot be truly called ‘love’ if it turns so easily away from the object of that love at the smallest provocation.

True love involves commitment, dedication, perseverance, loyalty, faithfulness and any number of nouns you want to include. Though nouns these words may be, I prefer to look upon them as verbs – because when put into practice they do, if fact, become action.

My black and white throw blankets are from Modern Burlap. Red and black buffalo check is from Urban Farmgirl.

Victorian England. When one stops to think of all the little conveniences we have today that they would not have had at their disposal, it’s easy to smile and be glad we live today. But the era lends itself splendidly to novels and movies, and they are among my favorites. Pride and Prejudice tops my list of favorite movies.

Wool balls are dryer balls made by For the Love of Wool. I found these too pretty to toss in my dryer, therefore, this batch was purchased solely for their beauty and decor qualities.

I would love to away to England. The idea of the countryside and the sights of London I find to be almost irresistible. It’s on my ‘someday’ list.

Along with France, Italy, Australia, Ireland, and Switzerland.

Do you long to travel? Would you like to just pack a bag and wing your way to exotic places you’ve only read about or dreamed of?

I tend to do a bit more dreaming of places unseen during the winter. The gloom and cold presses in upon me and I must find a way to somehow live through the days till Spring. A bit of dreaming is sometimes the necessary thing.

Valentine’s Day may be, to some, just a hallmark holiday. But I find the history of the day a bit fascinating, a bit romantic, and just a tad bit fun! It’s a good excuse to dress up and go off on an outlandish outing or to a lavish dinner if you so wish. It’s a great excuse to keep the red and black buffalo check out and prominent in decor for a few weeks longer. And if a spray of flowers or a box of chocolates were to show up in the mix that would be totally and wholly acceptable too! 😀

So you can put your nose in the air and declare Valentine’s Day all stuff and nonsense if you wish. Some will agree with you. Some will not. I will be among those who do not. I love the excuse to celebrate a little love!