As Christianity became prevalent, priests attempted to replace old heathen
practices. To Christianize the ancient pagan celebration of the Feast of
Lubercus, the church officials changed the name to St. Valentine's Day. To give the
celebration further meaning and eliminate pagan traditions, priests substituted the
drawing of Saints names for the names of the girls. On St. Valentine's Day the
priest placed saint's names into an urn or box. The young people then drew a name
from the container. In the following year, the youth was supposed to emulate the
life of the saint whose name he had drawn.
By the fourteenth century they reverted back to the use of girl's names. In the
sixteenth century they once again tried to have saintly valentines but it was as
unsuccessful as the first attempt.
While it can't be proved historically, there were seven men named Valentine who
were honored with feasts on February 14th. Of these men, two stories link
incidents that could have given our present day meaning to St. Valentine's Day.
One of these men named Valentine was a priest during the reign of Emperor
Claudius. Valentine was revered by the young and old, rich and poor, with people
of all walks of life attending his services. At this time Emperor Claudius was
heavily recruiting men to serve as soldiers for his wars without much success. The
men preferred not to leave their wives, families and sweethearts to fight in foreign
lands. Claudius became angry and declared that no more marriages could be
performed and all engagements were cancelled.
Valentine thought this to be unfair and secretly married several couples. When
Claudius found out, he threw Valentine in prison where he died. Friends of the
priest retrieved his body and buried it in a churchyard in Rome.
Another version had St. Valentine jailed for helping Christians. While Valentine was
in prison he cured a jailer's daughter of blindness. Claudius became enraged and
had Valentine clubbed and beheaded on February 14, 269 A.D.
Yet another story claims that Valentine fell in love with the jailer's daughter and
wrote her letters that were signed "From your Valentine."
All of the seven Valentines eventually evolved into one. In 496 Pope Gelasius
declared the day in honor of St. Valentine. Through the centuries the Christian
holiday became a time to exchange love messages and St. Valentine became the
patron saint of lovers. Lovers' quarrels come under his jurisdiction and, naturally,
he is the patron saint of engaged couples and of anyone wishing to marry.
How do I Love Thee
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.
I love thee to the level of every day's
Most quiet need; by sun and candle-light.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love thee with the passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints,--I love thee with the breath.
Smiles, tears, of all my life!--and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.
Elizabeth Barrnett Browning
If ever two were one, then surely we.
If ever man were lov'd by wife, then thee;
If ever wife was happy in a man,
Compare with me ye women you can
I prize thy love more than whole mines og Gold.
Or all the riches that the East doth hold.
My love is such that rivers cannot quench,
Nor ought but love from thee, give recompense.
Thy love is such I can no way repay,
The heavens reward thee manifold repay,
Then while we live, in love let's so persevere
That when we live no more, we may live ever.
Ann Bradstreet
She Walks In Beauty
She walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies,
And all that's best of dark and bright,
Meet in the aspect and her eyes;
Thus mellow'd to that tender light
Which heaven and gaudy day denies.
Lord Byron
It is almost here, that special time of year.
When hearts and flowers by the hours are
brought to all who seek; When kisses swirl
and words do peak into little tuffs of cotton
(candy) my sweet. So be my love and be my
own and call me on the telephone or send a
card, that is not hard, right to my waiting door,
and I'll be yours forevermore
- Unknown -
All love, at first, like generous wine,
Ferments and frets until 'tis fine,
But, when 'tis settled on the lee,
And from th' impurer matter free,
Becomes the richer still the older,
And Proves the pleasanter the colder
Samuel Butler
The Passionate Shepherd To His Love
Come live with me and be my love,
And we will all the pleasures prove
That valleys, groves, hills, and fields,
Woods, or steepy mountain yields.
And we will sit upon the rocks,
Seeing the shepherds feed their flocks,
By shallow rivers to whose falls
Melodious birds sing madrigals.
And I will make thee beds of roses
And a thousand fragrant posies,
A cap of flowers, and a kirtle
Embroidered all with leaves of myrtle
A gown made of the finest wool,
Which from our pretty lambs we pull;
Fair lined slippers for the cold,
With buckles of the purest gold:
A belt of straw and ivy buds,
With coral clasps and amber studs;
And if these pleasures may thee move,
Come live with me and be my love.
The shepherd swains shall dance and sing
For thy delight each May morning;
If these delights thy mind may move,
Then live with me and be my love.
Christopher Marlowe
Deare, when I from thee am gone,
Gone are all my joyes at once;
I loved thee, and thee alone,
In those love I joyed once,
And although your sights I leave,
Sight wherein my joyes do lie,
Till that death do sense bereave,
Never shall affection die.
John Downland