To Celia

* Drink to me, only with thine eyes,
* And I will pledge with mine;
* Or leave a kiss but in the cup,
* And I'll not look for wine.
* The thirst, that from the soul doth rise,
* Doth ask a drink divine:
* But might I of Jove's nectar sup,
* I would not change for thine.
*
* I sent thee late a rosy wreath,
* Not so much honoring thee,
* As giving it a hope, that there
* It could not wither'd be.
* But thou thereon didst only breathe,
* And sent'st it back to me:
* Since when it grows, and smells, I swear,
* Not of itself, but thee.

- --oOo-- -

Please help me to understand the phrase "Jove's nectar sup" in the above poem. With gratitude.

Look up nectar and ambrosia. Food and drink of the gods.

Happy to!

In Greek and Roman mythology, NECTAR was the liquid food of the gods, what they lived on. It was supposed to be the most delicious thing in the universe, and it satisfied all their nutritional needs. One taste of it would spoil you for ordinary food.

ZEUS was the king of the Greek gods; JOVE was the king of the Roman gods. They are pretty much the same guy, but I think there are differences that only a classics major can explain.

* The thirst, that from the soul doth rise,
* Doth ask a drink divine:
* But might I of Jove's nectar sup,
* I would not change for thine.

In the common tongue: "When my soul feels THIRSTY for you, mere water won't quench that thirst. Only a divine (pun: fabulous and "of the gods") drink can quench that thirst. But even if I had a chance to drink nectar that was good enough for the king of the gods, I would prefer to drink from a cup where you had left a kiss."

He (like Elvis) must be a slow learner, the rose wreath being marked, 'Return to Sender'.

Love has that effect on people.

wassup with this nectar, Jove?