Unlike that of the Shepherd, the Nymph views love pragmatically, as well as in a long-term aspect. “If all the world and love were young, and truth in every Shepherd’s tongue, these pretty pleasures might me move, to live with thee, and be thy love” (Nymph’s Reply L. 1-4), suggests that the Nymph only felt love was possible if everything lasted forever. The Poem suggests that the nymph’s hopes and expectations towards love can best be viewed as pragmatic and emotion-centered, while the shepherd’s hopes and expectations towards love are considered unrealistic. When the shepherd offers the nymph his items such as a “gown made of the finest wool” (Passionate Shepherd L. 16), the nymph denies his offer by stating “Thy gowns, thy shoes, thy bed of Roses, thy cap, thy kirtle, and thy posies soon break, soon wither, soon forgotten” (Nymph’s Reply L. 16-17). As the nymph continuously denies the Shepherd’s offers, the reader begins to interpret that she is disinterested and dispassionate about harnessing love with the Shepherd, because again, nothing lasts
Unlike that of the Shepherd, the Nymph views love pragmatically, as well as in a long-term aspect. “If all the world and love were young, and truth in every Shepherd’s tongue, these pretty pleasures might me move, to live with thee, and be thy love” (Nymph’s Reply L. 1-4), suggests that the Nymph only felt love was possible if everything lasted forever. The Poem suggests that the nymph’s hopes and expectations towards love can best be viewed as pragmatic and emotion-centered, while the shepherd’s hopes and expectations towards love are considered unrealistic. When the shepherd offers the nymph his items such as a “gown made of the finest wool” (Passionate Shepherd L. 16), the nymph denies his offer by stating “Thy gowns, thy shoes, thy bed of Roses, thy cap, thy kirtle, and thy posies soon break, soon wither, soon forgotten” (Nymph’s Reply L. 16-17). As the nymph continuously denies the Shepherd’s offers, the reader begins to interpret that she is disinterested and dispassionate about harnessing love with the Shepherd, because again, nothing lasts