The Nymph's Reply to the Shepherd

"The Nymph's Reply to the Shepherd" by Sir Walter Raleigh responds to Christopher Marlowe's poem praising rural love and idyllic nature. The nymph, representing a realistic perspective, rejects the shepherd's romantic notions, emphasizing that love based solely on beauty and seasonal pleasures is fleeting. She points out that nature’s gifts—such as flowers and youth—are temporary and unpredictable. Instead, she suggests that true love requires more depth, commitment, and permanence. Essentially, she declines the shepherd’s invitation to indulge in fleeting pleasures, advocating for a love grounded in reality and lasting values.