Then fresh tears stood on her cheeks, as doth the honeydew upon a gather'd lily almost wither'd

Then fresh tears stood on her cheeks, as doth the honeydew upon a gather'd lily almost wither'd

The line "Then fresh tears stood on her cheeks, as doth the honeydew upon a gather'd lily almost wither'd" is a beautiful and poignant example of William Shakespeare's mastery of language and imagery. In this line, Shakespeare uses a simile to compare the tears on a woman's cheeks to the honeydew on a lily that is almost withered. This comparison not only evokes a vivid image in the reader's mind but also conveys a sense of fragility and beauty.

The use of the word "fresh" to describe the tears emphasizes the rawness and immediacy of the woman's emotions. The tears are not old or dried up, but new and still flowing. This suggests that the woman is experiencing intense and overwhelming feelings, perhaps of sadness or grief. The image of tears standing on her cheeks also conveys a sense of vulnerability and delicacy, as if the tears are precious jewels that must be handled with care.

The comparison to the honeydew on a lily adds another layer of meaning to the line. The honeydew is a sweet and sticky substance that is often associated with freshness and vitality. However, the fact that it is on a lily that is almost withered suggests that this freshness is fleeting and temporary. The lily, a symbol of beauty and purity, is on the verge of fading away, much like the woman's tears.

Overall, this line captures the transient nature of human emotions and experiences. Just as the honeydew on a lily will eventually dry up and disappear, so too will the woman's tears. However, in the moment captured by this line, the tears are still fresh and poignant, standing out on her cheeks like glistening dewdrops. Shakespeare's use of imagery and language in this line is both evocative and powerful, drawing the reader into the emotional world of the characters and reminding us of the beauty and fragility of life.