Drink to me only with thine eyes,<br />
And I will pledge with mine:<br />
Or leave a kiss but in a cup,<br />
And I'll not look for wine<br />
The thirst that from the soul doth rise,<br />
Doth ask a drink divine:<br />
But might I of Jove's nectar sup,<br />
I would not change for thine.<br />
<br />
I sent thee, late, a rosy wreath,<br />
Not so much honoring thee,<br />
As giving it a hope that there<br />
It could not withered be;<br />
But thou thereon didst only breath,<br />
And sent'st it back to me;<br />
Since when it grows, and smells, I swear,<br />
Not of itself, but thee.<br />
I just started studying English literature, so I hardly understand this song. I have a few questions about it.
- What does the speaker mean by "dringking" and "pledging" with one's eyes?
- Why did he sent her a rosy wreath?
Thank you for your answer