# The Valentine explained — Magnolia Leaves

> Chapter companion for Magnolia Leaves by Mary Weston Fordham.

## What happens

A poetic valentine addressed to a beloved lady, praising her physical and spiritual beauty, expressing deep emotional longing and a desire for eternal union.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Friendship

The poem is a declaration of romantic love, emphasizing the lady's beauty and the speaker's desire for eternal companionship.

## Character check-ins

### Erin

The beloved lady addressed in the poem, praised for her beauty and spiritual charm.

### Unknown Narrator

The speaker of the poem, expressing love and longing for the lady.

## Key lines

> Lady with thine eyes of beauty Rivaling cerulean flowers

Lady, your beautiful eyes rival blue flowers.

_The speaker compares the lady's eyes to blue flowers, emphasizing their beauty._

> Like an exile who hath wandered Far from kindred and from home, Pants and longs once more to greet them

Like a homesick exile longing to return to family and home.

_The speaker uses the metaphor of an exile to express his deep longing for the lady._

> And when time with us is ended, Spend eternity with thee.

And when our time on earth is over, I want to spend eternity with you.

_The speaker expresses a desire for eternal union with the lady beyond death._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/magnolia_leaves_se/chapters/the-valentine
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/magnolia_leaves_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/magnolia_leaves_se/chapters