"The Passionate Shepherd to His
Love" is a lyrical
poem written by the English playwright and
poet Christopher Marlowe. This poem invites the loved one to share a life in an idyllic environment. It was first published in an anthology
entitled "The Passionate Pilgrim" in 1599.
Here's the first stanza (I've quoted from Bartleby. For the complete poem, please refer to the Bartleby link below):
"COME live with me and be my Love,
And we will all the pleasures prove
That hills and valleys, dale and field,
And all the craggy mountains yield."
It is heartwarming to note that the English poet and explorer Sir Walter Raleigh wrote a witty counter to this poem which he entitled "The Nymph's Reply to the Shepherd" and is equally known. Both are often quoted by
lovers.