If our two loves be one, or, thou and I Love so alike, that none doe slacken, none can die. These profound words represent the concluding lines of "The Good-Morrow", composed by John Donne, the most famous metaphysical poet, where the speaker logically draws the conclusion that their true love is completely eternal.
What is the Meaning of "If our two loves be one, or, thou and I Love so alike, that none doe slacken, none can die"?
The lovers greet their love as soon as they become aware that they are already in love without knowing it. Then they express their deep satisfaction. They feel that their small room gives them the pleasure of the whole world.
Their love is complete in itself. It is as good as the whole world. Therefore, they look for nothing else. The sea discoverers may try to find out new countries or islands. The cartographers (map makers) may add new and newer places in their maps. But their world is complete in itself. They do not need any other thing in their world.
How Does John Donne Argue the Eternity of Love?
The speaker argues that when different elements are not mixed in proper combination the production does not last long: it dies. Similarly, if in love, the passions of the lovers are not equally intense, the love between them does not last long.
But the passions of the lovers of the poem are equally intense, and so, their love will never die. These lines imply that the lovers love each other very intensely and they will continue to love each other in future, even after death. So, "The Good-Morrow" presents the power of spiritual love.
Key Takeaways
- These lines are the concluding verses of John Donne's famous metaphysical poem "The Good-Morrow".
- The speaker logically concludes that spiritual love characterized by equal passion will never die.
- The lovers find their entire universe within a small room, rejecting external worlds of sea discoverers and cartographers.
Quick Practice
Answer the following question in the comments below:
- What do the concluding lines of "The Good-Morrow" imply about the intensity of the lovers' passions?
Frequently Asked Questions
What poem do the lines "If our two loves be one, or, thou and I" belong to?
They belong to "The Good-Morrow", composed by the most known metaphysical poet John Donne.
What type of love is presented in "The Good-Morrow"?
The poem presents the supreme power of spiritual love, where the passions of the lovers are equally intense and eternal.