How we cite our quotes: (Line)
Quote #1
Remember me when I am gone away,
Gone far away into the silent land;
When you can no more hold me by the hand,
Nor I half turn to go yet turning stay. (1-4)
Love and death are actually very closely related. The rhyme on "hand" and "land" pretty much makes us think of the silent "land" of death and holding hands (an act of love) as one and the same. Hmm. Bizarre.
Quote #2
Remember me when no more, day by day,
You tell me of our future that you plann'd: (5-6)
Well this is odd. She describes "our future" but the beloved ("you") plans the whole thing. Either he loves her more and wants to do all the planning, or this is a one-sided relationship. That's worth considering if we do say so ourselves.
Quote #3
Only remember me; you understand
It will be late to counsel then or pray. (7-8)
Okay now the speaker is getting little possessive of her lover. That "only" is very sneaky. It could be like "all I want is for you to remember me" or, and this is key, "remember me only and nobody else." Everybody better keep their hands off the speaker's man.
Quote #4
Yet if you should forget me for a while
And afterwards remember, do not grieve: (9-10)
These are perhaps the most tender lines in the whole, something about "do not grieve" just exudes love. We must confess, we went "Aww" when we read it.
Quote #5
Better by far you should forget and smile
Than that you should remember and be sad. (13-14)
Well, this is true love right here. The speaker would rather her beloved completely forget about her than think of her and be sad. She is willing to sacrifice herself for him, if only because she would rather he never think of her again than feel any pain.