Sweet nymph, come to thy lover

Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a picture of a clandestine romantic encounter, set against a backdrop of nature's own amorous expressions. The speaker directly addresses a "sweet nymph," urging her to join him in solitude where their "loves we may discover." This immediate plea establishes a tone of eager anticipation and intimacy, suggesting a desire for privacy to explore their affection. The central tension arises from the contrast between the speaker's urgent desire and the implied need for secrecy. The presence of the "sweet nightingale" serves as a parallel, its own "love too disclos[ing]" with "wanton glows." This natural, uninhibited display of affection mirrors the speaker's own longing, yet it also highlights the potentially forbidden or at least private nature of their own love. The craft here lies in the evocative imagery and the subtle comparison to nature. The "wanton glows" of the nightingale suggest a natural, perhaps even unrestrained, expression of love. The speaker seems to be drawing a parallel, implying that their own love, though perhaps needing to be discovered in private, is equally natural and passionate. The repetition of "sweet" – "sweet nymph" and "sweet nightingale" – links the human and natural worlds, suggesting a shared, inherent beauty in their affections. This lyrical passage is effective because it creates a sense of tender, urgent romance grounded in a natural setting. The gentle, almost pastoral imagery, combined with the direct address and the hint of secrecy, conjures a mood of intimate longing. The comparison to the nightingale subtly validates the speaker's desire, framing it as a natural, beautiful impulse.