And now, when I have summed up all my store, Thinking (so…
“And now, when I have summed up all my store, Thinking (so I myself deceive) So rich a chaplet thence to weave As never yet the King of Glory wore, Alas! I find the serpent old, That, twining in his speckled breast, About the flowers disguised does fold With wreaths of fame and interest.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The speaker reflects on life's fleeting nature, noting how time reveals hidden truths and the deceptive allure of fame.
In simple terms: Time shows hidden truths behind fame.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and question superficial glory.
Themes
mortality
deception
fame
truth
reflection
Mood
contemplative
melancholic
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal introspection
- literary analysis
- ethical decision making
Key Concepts
philosophy
poetry
human nature
Questions to Reflect On
- How does fame mask true character?
- What hidden truths does time reveal?
A Different Perspective
The metaphor may overstate the pervasiveness of deception.