--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Rarely, rarely comest thou, Spirit of…" description: "\"“Rarely, rarely comest thou, Spirit of Delight! Wherefore hast thou left me now Many a day and night? Many a weary night and day 'Tis since thou art fl..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/664/percy-bysshe-shelley-476_art-love_rarely-rarely-comest-thou-spirit-of-deli_579500.jpg" --- # Rarely, rarely comest thou, Spirit of Delight! Wherefore… ![“Rarely, rarely comest thou, Spirit of Delight! Wherefore hast thou left me now Many a day and night? Many a weary night and day 'Tis since thou art fled away. How shall ever one like me Win thee back again? With the joyous and the free Thou wilt scoff at pain. Spirit false! thou hast forgot All…” quote by Percy Bysshe Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/664/percy-bysshe-shelley-476_art-love_rarely-rarely-comest-thou-spirit-of-deli_579500.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/664/percy-bysshe-shelley-476_art-love_rarely-rarely-comest-thou-spirit-of-deli_579500.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/664/percy-bysshe-shelley-476_art-love_rarely-rarely-comest-thou-spirit-of-deli_579500.jpg) > ““Rarely, rarely comest thou, Spirit of Delight! Wherefore hast thou left me now Many a day and night? Many a weary night and day 'Tis since thou art fled away. How shall ever one like me Win thee back again? With the joyous and the free Thou wilt scoff at pain. Spirit false! thou hast forgot All but those who need thee not. As a lizard with the shade Of a trembling leaf, Thou with sorrow art dismayed; Even the sighs of grief Reproach thee, that thou art not near, And reproach thou wilt not hear. Let me set my mournful ditty To a merry measure;-- Thou wilt never come for pity, Thou wilt come for pleasure; Pity then will cut away Those cruel wings, and thou wilt stay. I love all that thou lovest, Spirit of Delight! The fresh Earth in new leaves dressed, And the starry night; Autumn evening, and the morn When the golden mists are born. I love snow and all the forms Of the radiant frost; I love waves, and winds, and storms, Everything almost Which is Nature's, and may be Untainted by man's misery. I love tranquil solitude, And such society As is quiet, wise, and good; Between thee and me What difference? but thou dost possess The things I seek, not love them less. I love Love--though he has wings, And like light can flee, But above all other things, Spirit, I love thee-- Thou art love and life! O come! Make once more my heart thy home!”” [Percy Bysshe Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/percy-bysshe-shelley/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The poet longs for joy and nature, lamenting its absence while celebrating its beauty and purity. **In simple terms:** He yearns for joy and nature. Key Takeaway Seek and cherish natural beauty. Themes nature joy longing spirituality contrast Mood contemplative hopeful Type poetic philosophical When to use this quote - writing poetry - meditating in nature - artistic inspiration Key Concepts the pursuit of happiness the fleeting nature of delight Questions to Reflect On - What brings you true delight? - How do you find balance between longing and appreciation? A Different Perspective Joy can be elusive and fragile. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Day and night](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/day-and-night/) [Joy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/joy/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Love and life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love-and-life/) [Love Snow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love-snow/) [Starry night](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/starry-night/) ## Related quotes > [“Thy's bleeding heart confides in the With one's thoughts and troubles Let the kiss thy's lips To ease thou's pain Thy am thou's comfort…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solange-nicole/thy-s-bleeding-heart-confides-in-the-with-one-s-thoughts-and-troubles/) [Solange nicole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solange-nicole/) > [He that is thy friend indeed, - He will help thee in thy need: - If thou sorrow, he will weep; - If you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-barnfield/he-that-is-thy-friend-indeed-he-will-help-thee-in-thy-need-if-thou-2/) [Richard Barnfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-barnfield/) > [Thou O Spirit, that dost prefer Before all Temples th' upright heart and pure, Instruct me, for Thou know'st; Thou from the first Wast…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/thou-o-spirit-that-dost-prefer-before-all-temples-th-upright-heart/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [He that is thy friend indeed, He will help thee in thy need: If thou sorrow, he will weep; If thou wake, he cannot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/he-that-is-thy-friend-indeed-he-will-help-thee-in-thy-need-if-thou/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [Angels and ministers of grace defend us! Be thou a spirit of health, or goblin damn'd, Bring with thee airs from heaven, or blasts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/angels-and-ministers-of-grace-defend-us-be-thou-a-spirit-of-health-or/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [“And chiefly thou, O spirit, that dost prefer Before all temples the upright heart and pure, Instruct me, for thou know'st. Thou from the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/and-chiefly-thou-o-spirit-that-dost-prefer-before-all-temples-the/) [JOHN MILTON](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [I love snow, snow, and all the forms of radiant frost.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/percy-bysshe-shelley/i-love-snow-snow-and-all-the-forms-of-radiant-frost/) [Percy Bysshe Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/percy-bysshe-shelley/) > [“Come, I know thou lovest me; and at night, when you come into your closet, you'll question this gentlewoman about me; and I know,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/come-i-know-thou-lovest-me-and-at-night-when-you-come-into-your/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [What thou lovest well remains,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-pound/what-thou-lovest-well-remains/) [Ezra Pound](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-pound/) > [“what thou lovest well is thy true heritage what thou lovest well shall not be reft from thee”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-pound/what-thou-lovest-well-is-thy-true-heritage-what-thou-lovest-well/) [Ezra Pound](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-pound/) > [Do anything but love; or if thou lovest and art a woman, hide thy love from him whom thou dost worship; never let him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/letitia-elizabeth-landon/do-anything-but-love-or-if-thou-lovest-and-art-a-woman-hide-thy-love/) [Letitia Elizabeth Landon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/letitia-elizabeth-landon/) > [If I love in thee, beloved, only what thou lovest most, do not be angry; for so one spirit is enamoured of another.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelangelo/if-i-love-in-thee-beloved-only-what-thou-lovest-most-do-not-be-angry/) [Michelangelo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelangelo/) > [Give of thy love, nor wait to know the worth Of what thou lovest; and ask no returning. And wheresoe'er thy pathway leads on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ella-wheeler-wilcox/give-of-thy-love-nor-wait-to-know-the-worth-of-what-thou-lovest-and/) [Ella Wheeler Wilcox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ella-wheeler-wilcox/) > [“O! I shall soon despair, when I shall see That Thou lovest mankind well, yet wilt not choose me, And Satan hates me, yet…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-donne/o-i-shall-soon-despair-when-i-shall-see-that-thou-lovest-mankind-well/) [John Donne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-donne/) > [What thou lovest well remains, the rest is dross What thou lov'st well shall not be reft from thee What thou lov'st well is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-pound/what-thou-lovest-well-remains-the-rest-is-dross-what-thou-lov-st-well/) [Ezra Pound](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-pound/) ## More by Percy Bysshe Shelley > [The everlasting universe of things Flows through the mind, and rolls its rapid waves, Now dark--now glittering--now reflecting gloom-- Now lending splendour, where from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/percy-bysshe-shelley/the-everlasting-universe-of-things-flows-through-the-mind-and-rolls/) [Percy Bysshe Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/percy-bysshe-shelley/) > [The quick Dreams, The passion-winged Ministers of thought.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/percy-bysshe-shelley/the-quick-dreams-the-passion-winged-ministers-of-thought/) [Percy Bysshe Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/percy-bysshe-shelley/) > [Hail to thee, blithe Spirit!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/percy-bysshe-shelley/hail-to-thee-blithe-spirit/) [Percy Bysshe Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/percy-bysshe-shelley/) > [The jealous keys of truth's eternal doors.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/percy-bysshe-shelley/the-jealous-keys-of-truth-s-eternal-doors/) [Percy Bysshe Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/percy-bysshe-shelley/) > [“Though we eat little flesh and drink no wine, Yet let's be merry; we'll have tea and toast; Custards for supper, and an endless…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/percy-bysshe-shelley/though-we-eat-little-flesh-and-drink-no-wine-yet-let-s-be-merry-we-ll/) [Percy Bysshe Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/percy-bysshe-shelley/) > [A dream has power to poison sleep.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/percy-bysshe-shelley/a-dream-has-power-to-poison-sleep/) [Percy Bysshe Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/percy-bysshe-shelley/) > [Titles are tinsel, power a corrupter, glorya bubble, and excessive wealth a libel on its possessor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/percy-bysshe-shelley/titles-are-tinsel-power-a-corrupter-glorya-bubble-and-excessive/) [Percy Bysshe Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/percy-bysshe-shelley/) > [“I fall upon the thorns of life! I bleed !”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/percy-bysshe-shelley/i-fall-upon-the-thorns-of-life-i-bleed/) [Percy Bysshe Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/percy-bysshe-shelley/) > [“Poets and philosophers are the unacknowledged legislators of the world.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/percy-bysshe-shelley/poets-and-philosophers-are-the-unacknowledged-legislators-of-the-world/) [Percy Bysshe Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/percy-bysshe-shelley/) > [Dar'st thou amid the varied multitude To live alone, an isolated thing?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/percy-bysshe-shelley/dar-st-thou-amid-the-varied-multitude-to-live-alone-an-isolated-thing/) [Percy Bysshe Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/percy-bysshe-shelley/) > [Spirit of BEAUTY, that dost consecrate With thine own hues all thou dost shine upon Of human thought or form, where art thou gone?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/percy-bysshe-shelley/spirit-of-beauty-that-dost-consecrate-with-thine-own-hues-all-thou/) [Percy Bysshe Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/percy-bysshe-shelley/) > [I love tranquil solitude, And such society As is quiet, wise, and good; Between thee and me What difference? but thou dost possess The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/percy-bysshe-shelley/i-love-tranquil-solitude-and-such-society-as-is-quiet-wise-and-good/) [Percy Bysshe Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/percy-bysshe-shelley/) > [The practice of utter sincerity towards other men would avail to no good end, if they were incapable of practising it towards their own…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/percy-bysshe-shelley/the-practice-of-utter-sincerity-towards-other-men-would-avail-to-no/) [Percy Bysshe Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/percy-bysshe-shelley/) > [Thou shoreless flood, which in thy ebb and flow claspest the limits of mortality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/percy-bysshe-shelley/thou-shoreless-flood-which-in-thy-ebb-and-flow-claspest-the-limits-of/) [Percy Bysshe Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/percy-bysshe-shelley/) > [Senseless is the breast and cold Which relenting love would fold; Bloodless are the veins and chill Which the pulse of pain did fill;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/percy-bysshe-shelley/senseless-is-the-breast-and-cold-which-relenting-love-would-fold/) [Percy Bysshe Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/percy-bysshe-shelley/) [Explore all 533 Percy Bysshe Shelley quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/percy-bysshe-shelley/) ## More Art love quotes > [To me, the beauty of a quilt or a dress lies within the stitches and the thought of the person who made them. 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It is very depressing to see the lack of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claude-monet/despite-my-extremely-modest-prices-dealers-and-art-lovers-are-turning/) [Claude Monet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claude-monet/) > [“Write it. Just write it. Write it on receipts in the car while you wait for your kid to finish their piano lessons, scribble…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melodie-ramone/write-it-just-write-it-write-it-on-receipts-in-the-car-while-you-wait/) [Melodie Ramone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melodie-ramone/) > [The art of spirituality is learning to be happy in any condition and in any circumstance. This is the art of love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/the-art-of-spirituality-is-learning-to-be-happy-in-any-condition-and/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [I don't think it's about art being a career but it's about making sure that if art is something that you love, something that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-kay/i-don-t-think-it-s-about-art-being-a-career-but-it-s-about-making/) [Sarah Kay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-kay/) > [“Love transcends all barriers. Age, Gender, Caste et al are the diktats of society to thwart love, promote strait jacketed family life . .…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jayant-swamy/love-transcends-all-barriers-age-gender-caste-et-al-are-the-diktats/) [Jayant Swamy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jayant-swamy/) > [“Nothing is more hallowing than the union of kindred spirits in art. At the moment of meeting, the art lover transcends himself. 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Wherefore hast thou left me now Many a day and night? Many a weary night and day 'Tis since thou art fled away. How shall ever one like me Win thee back again? With the joyous and the free Thou wilt scoff at pain. Spirit false! thou hast forgot All but those who need thee not. As a lizard with the shade Of a trembling leaf, Thou with sorrow art dismayed; Even the sighs of grief Reproach thee, that thou art not near, And reproach thou wilt not hear. Let me set my mournful ditty To a merry measure;-- Thou wilt never come for pity, Thou wilt come for pleasure; Pity then will cut away Those cruel wings, and thou wilt stay. I love all that thou lovest, Spirit of Delight! The fresh Earth in new leaves dressed, And the starry night; Autumn evening, and the morn When the golden mists are born. I love snow and all the forms Of the radiant frost; I love waves, and winds, and storms, Everything almost Which is Nature's, and may be Untainted by man's misery. 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