The Poem:
O mistress mine, where are you roaming?
O, stay and hear; your true love’s coming,
That can sing both high and low.
Trip no further, pretty sweeting;
Journeys end in lovers meeting,
Every wise man’s son doth know.
What is love? ’tis not hereafter;
Present mirth hath present laughter;
What’s to come is still unsure.
In delay there lies no plenty;
Then come kiss me, sweet-and-twenty,
Youth’s a stuff will not endure.
Explanation:
“O Mistress Mine” is a charming poem that celebrates the joys of love and the fleeting nature of youth. The speaker, a young man, addresses his mistress and expresses his ardent desire for her to stop roaming and stay with him. He entices her with his musical talent, promising to sing both high and low, a metaphor for his versatility and devotion.
The speaker further tempts his beloved by highlighting that journeys always find their end when lovers reunite, a universally acknowledged truth that “every wise man’s son” understands. He emphasizes the importance of living in the present and not waiting for an uncertain future, urging her to embrace the present joy and laughter that love offers rather than dwelling on what may come.
Acknowledging that life is short and time flies, the speaker underscores that there’s no abundance or benefit in delaying their connection. He refers to his mistress as “sweet-and-twenty,” a common expression in Shakespeare’s time that signifies her as being young and beautiful, thereby adding urgency to seize the fleeting opportunities of youth before it fades.
In a passionate plea, the speaker appeals to his mistress’s heart and urges her to kiss him. The repetition of the word “come,” along with the soft “k” sound throughout the poem (“kiss,” “sweet,” and “twenty”) creates a gentle and irresistible tone, further conveying the speaker’s heartfelt desire for their union.
Overall, “O Mistress Mine” is a graceful and lighthearted expression of love, longing, and the call to cherish the present moment, reflecting Shakespeare’s skill in capturing the complexities and passions of human relationships.