Lines to an Old Sweetheart
written in 1786
Lines to an Old Sweetheart - meaning Summary
Affection Reduced to Friendship
The poem addresses a former sweetheart with warm but restrained tenderness. The speaker acknowledges past romantic vows but offers only "friendship" now, framing affection as sincere yet limited by circumstance or social constraint. He asks for a single sympathetic sigh as he describes himself as far away — either living in a “flaming torrid” climate or lost beneath the Atlantic — suggesting separation by distance or possible death. The short lyric mixes personal memory, resignation, and a plea for human sympathy rather than rekindled love.
Read Complete AnalysesOnce fondly lov'd, and still rememb'red dear, Sweet early Object of my youthful vows, Accept this mark of friendship, warm, sincere, Friendship - 'tis all cold duty now allows. And while you read the simple, artless rhymes, One friendly sigh for him - he asks no more, Who, distant, burns in flaming torrid climes, Or haply lies beneath th' Atlantic roar.
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