Tis Sweet To Think

By Thomas Moore

    'Tis sweet to think, that, where'er we rove,         We are sure to find something blissful and dear.     And that, when we're far from the lips we love,         We've but to make love to the lips, we are near.     The heart, like a tendril, accustomed to cling,         Let it grow where it will, can not flourish alone,     But will lean to the nearest and loveliest thing         It can twine with itself and make closely its own.     Then oh! what pleasure, where'er we rove,         To be sure to find something still that is dear,     And to know, when far from the lips we love,         We've but to make love to the lips we are near.     'Twere a shame, when flowers around us rise.         To make light of the rest, if the rose isn't there;     And the world's so rich in resplendent eyes,         'Twere a pity to limit one's love to a pair.     Love's wing and the peacock's are nearly alike,         They are both of them bright, but they're changeable too,     And, wherever a new beam of beauty can strike,         It will tincture Love's plume with a different hue.     Then oh! what pleasure, where'er we rove,         To be sure to find something still that is dear,     And to know, when far from the lips we love,         We've but to make love to the lips we are near.

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain

Analysis & Notes:
This poem is a lyrical exploration of love's adaptability, flexibility, and capacity for change. It presents love not as a fixed, singular emotion tied to one individual, but as a fluid, ever-changing force that can find joy and connection in various forms and places. The tone is one of gentle persuasion, encouraging the reader to embrace an open, receptive view of love, rather than a rigid, exclusive one.

The structure of the poem, with its repeated verses, emphasizes the universality and constancy of the theme. It uses a variety of metaphors and similes, such as comparing the heart to a tendril and love's wing to a peacock's, to illustrate the adaptability and mutable nature of love. The poem suggests that love, like a tendril, will lean towards and intermingle with the nearest and loveliest thing, and like a peacock's plume, will take on different hues depending on where beauty strikes. This serves to reinforce the idea that love isn't limited to one person or place but can be found and cultivated wherever we rove.

The underlying theme is a celebration of love's omnipresence and mutability, urging us not to limit our love to one person or place but to be open to finding and experiencing love in its many forms and manifestations. The poem encourages us to appreciate the rich diversity of the world's 'resplendent eyes' and not to 'make light of the rest' just because a particular 'rose' isn't present. This is a refreshing, liberating perspective on love that invites us to be adaptable, open-minded, and appreciative of love's many different expressions.

Exploring Lyric Poetry

Lyric poetry is a powerful and intimate form of expression, characterized by its focus on the personal emotions and thoughts of the poet. Often musical in nature, lyric poems resonate with readers through their vivid language and rhythmic flow, capturing moments of intense feeling.


Here are some key characteristics that define lyric poetry:

  • Expressive Language: Lyric poems use rich and evocative language to convey deep emotions, often painting a vivid picture of the poet's inner world.
  • Personal Perspective: Typically written in the first person, these poems offer a window into the poet's personal experiences, thoughts, and reflections.
  • Musicality: Lyric poems often feature a rhythmic structure, with meter and rhyme that give them a song-like quality, enhancing the emotional impact.

From ancient odes to contemporary free verse, lyric poetry remains a beloved and enduring form, celebrated for its ability to articulate the nuances of human emotion in a way that resonates deeply with readers.