---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: How sweetly she looks! O, but there's a…"
description: "\"“How sweetly she looks! O, but there's a wrinkle in her brow as deep as philosophy. - Anacreon, drink to my mistress' health, I'll pledge it. Stay, sta..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/363/thomas-middleton-26710_health_how-sweetly-she-looks-o-but-there-s-a-wr_1794474.jpg"
---

#  How sweetly she looks! O, but there's a wrinkle in her…

![“How sweetly she looks! O, but there's a wrinkle in her brow as deep as philosophy. - Anacreon, drink to my mistress' health, I'll pledge it. Stay, stay, there's a spider in the cup! No, 'tis but a grape-stone; swallow it, fear nothing, poet. So, so; lift higher.” quote by Thomas Middleton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/363/thomas-middleton-26710_health_how-sweetly-she-looks-o-but-there-s-a-wr_1794474.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/363/thomas-middleton-26710_health_how-sweetly-she-looks-o-but-there-s-a-wr_1794474.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/363/thomas-middleton-26710_health_how-sweetly-she-looks-o-but-there-s-a-wr_1794474.jpg)

> ““How sweetly she looks! O, but there's a wrinkle in her brow as deep as philosophy. - Anacreon, drink to my mistress' health, I'll pledge it. Stay, stay, there's a spider in the cup! No, 'tis but a grape-stone; swallow it, fear nothing, poet. So, so; lift higher.””

[Thomas Middleton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-middleton/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

A poet admires beauty but notes a hidden flaw, then urges courage despite fear, ending with a call to elevate oneself.

**In simple terms:** Admire beauty, notice flaws, stay brave, aim higher.

Key Takeaway

Embrace both admiration and doubt, then rise.

Themes

beauty flaw courage aspiration

Mood

reflective hopeful

Type

literary motivational

When to use this quote

- art critique
- personal motivation
- overcoming fear
- creative inspiration

Key Concepts

Poetry philosophy self‑elevation

Questions to Reflect On

- What hidden flaw do you ignore in admiration?
- How can you turn fear into higher purpose?

A Different Perspective

The line about a spider may be literal, not metaphorical.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Health](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/health/) [Philosophy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy/) [Poetry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poetry/)

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> [“Obediently, I squash into a corner with a glass of cider. A chalkboard menu declares that the special of the day is stargazy pie.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-madeleine/obediently-i-squash-into-a-corner-with-a-glass-of-cider-a-chalkboard/)

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> [“Never date a man who can’t out-drink you in tequila.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gina-l-maxwell/never-date-a-man-who-can-t-out-drink-you-in-tequila/)

[Gina L. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gina-l-maxwell/)

> [I do a lot of vocal exercises and drink hot tea, which I hate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darci-lynne-farmer/i-do-a-lot-of-vocal-exercises-and-drink-hot-tea-which-i-hate/)

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Chinese Proverbs

## More by Thomas Middleton

> [“I much applaud thy judgement; thou art well-read in a fellow. And 'tis the deepest art to study man.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-middleton/i-much-applaud-thy-judgement-thou-art-well-read-in-a-fellow-and-tis/)

[Thomas Middleton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-middleton/)

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[Thomas Middleton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-middleton/)

> [“Money! Ho, ho! 'T'as been my want so long, 'tis now my scoff. I've e'en forgot what colour silver's of.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-middleton/money-ho-ho-t-as-been-my-want-so-long-tis-now-my-scoff-i-ve-e-en/)

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> [“Castiza: "False! I defy you both! I have endured you with an ear of fire; Your tongues have struck hot irons on my face!…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-middleton/castiza-false-i-defy-you-both-i-have-endured-you-with-an-ear-of-fire/)

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> [A little too wise, they say, do ne'er live long.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-middleton/a-little-too-wise-they-say-do-ne-er-live-long/)

[Thomas Middleton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-middleton/)

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> [When affection only speaks, truth is not always there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-middleton/when-affection-only-speaks-truth-is-not-always-there/)

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[Explore all 21 Thomas Middleton quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-middleton/)

## More Drink quotes

> [When you drink from the stream remember the spring.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chinese-proverbs/when-you-drink-from-the-stream-remember-the-spring/)

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Browse all 5,653 Drink quotes

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