How we cite our quotes: (Line)
Quote #1
Wash, dress, be brief in praying:
Few beads are best when once we go a-Maying. (27-28)
Lust is the engine that drives this impatient poem. Notice how every word in these two lines (except for "praying" and "a-Maying") is one syllable, hurrying her out of bed and prayers and into the pagan fun outside.
Quote #2
Come, we'll abroad; and let's obey
The proclamation made for May:
And sin no more, as we have done, by staying;
But, my Corinna, come, let's go a-Maying. (39-42)
Our speaker wants to celebrate May Day right, with some al fresco lovin'. To stay in bed is to sin, since this holiday basically proclaims that everyone needs to get out, find a shady grove, and do it. Like Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus, May Day celebrates the naturalness of sex and love.
Quote #3
There's not a budding boy or girl this day
But is got up, and gone to bring in May (43-44)
Every adolescent in the town is out celebrating May, letting those hormonal urges get out in the open, renewing life right along with the spring. And could they be more like flowers? These youngsters are actually "budding."
Quote #4
And some have wept, and woo'd, and plighted troth,
And chose their priest, ere we can cast off sloth:
Many a green-gown has been given;
Many a kiss, both odd and even:
Many a glance too has been sent
From out the eye, love's firmament;
Just look at all the shenanigans going on around this maypole! We've got full-fledged dating and engagements, with churches booked and wedding cakes ordered. The less committed ones have been flirting, making out, and having sex.
Quote #5
Many a jest told of the keys betraying
This night, and locks pick'd (55-56)
But lest you think this is just innocent spin-the-bottle stuff, the speaker slaps on a line or two of winking innuendo. Yeah, this morning you might be exchanging glances and kisses, but we know what things you were up to last night. We'll just say this: that locks and keys metaphor is about a lot more than opening doors.
Quote #6
So when you or I are made
A fable, song, or fleeting shade,
All love, all liking, all delight
Lies drowned with us in endless night. (65-68)
Nothing kills lust like death. Using a carpe diem argument, the speaker insists that by the time they've bit the dust, the fun will be over. "All love, all liking, all delight" will go out like a candle flame. But this is about more than sexy fun times. There's no lust in the coffin, yeah, but there's also no cakes and cream, no village concerts, and no maypole dancing. Everything great about life will vanish. The take-home point? Let's live (and have sex) right now.