The Passionate Shepherd to His Love Persuasion Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Line)

Quote #1

Come live with me, and be my love (1)

This line is the only phrase that is repeated in the poem, and it is also the first and last lines of the lyric. Hmm. Sounds an awful lot like a refrain to Shmoop. The emphasis placed on this line by the text should alert us that it's very important to Marlowe's overall intentions for the poem. This is what he wants—now he just has to convince you to give it to him.

Quote #2

And I will make thee beds of roses (9)

The speaker uses nature to be both seductive and persuasive in this poem. Why do you think he goes that route? Why not, "Come live with me and be my love and I'll set you up in a nice mansion with surround sound and a Jacuzzi?"

Quote #3

The shepherds's swains shall dance and sing,
For thy delight each May-morning (21-22)

As the speaker's promises become increasingly grand, does he gain or lose persuasiveness? We mean, does any woman actually want shepherds to sing to her every morning? We imagine that would get pretty annoying after a while.