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See! From the brake the whirring pheasant springs, And…

“See! From the brake the whirring pheasant springs, And mounts exulting on triumphant wings; Short is his joy! He feels the fiery wound, Flutters in blood, and panting beats the ground.” quote by Alexander Pope
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“See! From the brake the whirring pheasant springs, And mounts exulting on triumphant wings; Short is his joy! He feels the fiery wound, Flutters in blood, and panting beats the ground.”

Alexander Pope

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

A pheasant, wounded and frantic, bursts into flight, celebrating its brief triumph despite pain.

In simple terms: A wounded bird flies joyfully, reveling in its brief victory.

Key Takeaway

Find joy even in painful, fleeting moments.

Themes

nature war victory pain transience celebration

Mood

reflective poetic inspirational

Type

literary metaphorical

When to use this quote

  • battlefields
  • sports
  • personal setbacks
  • creative expression

Key Concepts

flight wound exultation impermanence

Questions to Reflect On

  • What moments of pain have you turned into celebration?
  • Can brief triumphs sustain long‑term happiness?
A Different Perspective

Joy may be fleeting and tied to suffering.

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