This quote by Robert Graves poetically portrays love not as a mere blissful emotion but as a complex, almost agonizing experience that profoundly affects one's perception and judgment. Describing love as a "universal migraine" encapsulates its intense, sometimes painful intrusion into the mind, disrupting clarity like a persistent headache. The image of love as a "bright stain on the vision" further reinforces the idea that love distorts reality — it is vivid, undeniable, but also obstructive, making it difficult to see the rational world around.

The description of "symptoms of true love" including leanness and jealousy highlights the corporeal and emotional toll love can impose. It’s not just a mental state but one that takes a physical and psychological grip, triggering restless nights (laggard dawns), anxiety (omens and nightmares), and watchful waiting for a sign or touch. The anticipation and yearning are palpable, emphasizing love’s power to captivate and haunt simultaneously.

Interestingly, the final call to "Take courage, lover" imparts a message of resilience. Despite love’s challenges—its migraines, its distortions, its sleepless anxieties—it is a path worth braving. This duality reflects a mature, nuanced understanding of love, recognizing both its beauty and its burdens. It reminds us that courage is essential in love because embracing it fully means accepting both joy and pain, hope and fear. This quote invites reflection on love’s profound impact on human experience, urging a brave embrace of its complexities.