Which poem reflects themes of longing and love while questioning the nature of youth and time?

The poem that reflects themes of longing and love while questioning the nature of youth and time is "The Nymph's Reply to the Shepherd." This work serves as a response to Christopher Marlowe’s pastoral poem "The Passionate Shepherd to His Love." In it, the nymph expresses skepticism about the shepherd's idealistic promises of love and the transient nature of youth and beauty. The nymph's perspective highlights the fleeting qualities of life and love, emphasizing that material gifts and effusive expressions may not stand up against the inevitable passage of time. This ambivalence towards the idealism of youth and the reality of aging captures the essence of longing intertwined with a critical view on romantic promises.

In contrast, "The Faerie Queene," while rich in allegory and themes of virtue, does not primarily focus on personal longing or the ephemeral nature of youth. "The Wanderer" delves into themes of loss and solitude, reflecting a more somber view stemming from the experiences of a warrior in a changing world, rather than romantic love. "Beowulf," as an epic poem, is centered on heroism, glory, and fate, without an explicit focus on personal longing or the existential questioning of youth and love.