Romantic love is an illusion. Most of us discover this truth at the end of a love affair or else when the sweet emotions of love lead us into marriage and then turn down their flames.

No, there's nothing half so sweet in life as love's young dream.

Came but for friendship, and took away love.

A friendship that like love is warm; A love like friendship, steady.

Bastard Freedom waves Her fustian flag in mockery over slaves.

Romantic love is an illusion. Most of us discover this truth at the end of a love affair or else when the sweet emotions of love lead us into marriage and then turn down their flames.

Fond memory brings the light of other days around me.

What though youth gave love and roses, Age still leaves us friends and wine.

From plants that wake when others sleep, from timid jasmine buds that keep their odour to themselves all day, but when the sunlight dies away let the delicious secret out to every breeze that roams about.

Disguise our bondage as we will, 'Tis woman, woman, rules us still.

Here bring your wounded hearts, here tell your anguish; Earth has no sorrow that Heaven cannot heal.