William Shakespeare

c. 1598 · England

I had rather hear my dog bark at a crow than a man swear he loves me.

Much Ado About Nothing, Act 1, scene 1, spoken by Beatrice

In the same thread

October 13, 1819 · England

I cannot exist without you. I am forgetful of everything but seeing you again—my Life seems to stop there—I see no further.

Letter to Fanny Brawne

c. 7th century BC · Zhou China

The one who went to gather mugwort: one day not seen is like three autumns!

彼采蕭兮，一日不見，如三秋兮！

"Gathering Kudzu" (Cai ge), Airs of Wang, in the Book of Songs

14th century · Shiraz, Persia

If that Turk of Shiraz would take my heart in hand, for the dark mole on that cheek I would give Samarkand and Bukhara.

اگر آن ترک شیرازی به دست آرد دل ما را به خال هندویش بخشم سمرقند و بخارا را

Divan of Hafez, a ghazal

1901 · Meiji–Showa Japan

Never once touching the hot tide of blood under this soft skin, are you not lonely, you who preach the Way?

やは肌のあつき血汐にふれも見でさびしからずや道を説く君

Tanka collection Tangled Hair (Midaregami)