What hope is here for modern rhyme To him, who turns a…
““What hope is here for modern rhyme To him, who turns a musing eye On songs, and deeds, and lives, that lie Foreshorten'd in the tract of time? These mortal lullabies of pain May bind a book, may line a box, May serve to curl a maiden's locks; Or when a thousand moons shall wane A man upon a stall may find, And, passing, turn the page that tells A grief, then changed to something else, Sung by a long-forgotten mind. But what of that? My darken'd ways Shall ring with music all the same; To breathe my loss is more than fame, To utter love more sweet than praise.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The poet reflects on the fleeting nature of time and art, suggesting that even in darkness, music and love persist beyond fame and loss.
In simple terms: Even in dark times, music and love endure.
Key Takeaway
Find solace in creative expression.
Themes
mortality
art
time
love
loss
Mood
melancholic
hopeful
Type
poetic
reflective
When to use this quote
- grieving
- writing
- listening to music
- creating art
- reflecting on legacy
Key Concepts
existentialism
romanticism
transcendence
Questions to Reflect On
- How does art help you process loss?
- Can love outweigh the desire for fame?
A Different Perspective
Art may not fully capture the depth of personal grief.