How we cite our quotes: (Line)
Quote #4
Who did the whole world's soul contract, and drove
Into the glasses of your eyes; (40-41)
Being a saint comes with super-powers, apparently. The lover-saints are able to distill "the whole world's soul" and reflect it in their eyes. In other words, they're taking it all in—and by "all," we mean the entire world.
Quote #5
"Countries, towns, courts beg from above
A pattern of your love." (44-45)
In the poem's conclusion, the lover-saints are being prayed to directly. It looks like the rest of us stuck down here on Earth sure could use some advice on how to properly love. Does this strike you as patronizing? After all, how do these lovers know that we're all doing it wrong? What makes them so special? At the same time, who hasn't been in love and felt that the experience was something so unique that, yes, it did make them special?