I leave a white and turbid wake; pale waters, paler…
““I leave a white and turbid wake; pale waters, paler cheeks, where'er I sail. The envious billows sidelong swell to whelm my track; let them; but first I pass. Yonder, by the ever-brimming goblet's rim, the warm waves blush like wine. The gold brow plumbs the blue. The diver sun --slow dived from noon, --goes down; my soul mounts up! she wearies with her endless hill. Is, then, the crown too heavy that I wear? this Iron Crown of Lombardy. Yet is it bright with many a gem; i, the wearer, see not its far flashings; but darkly feel that i wear that, that dazzlingly confounds. 'Tis iron --that I know--not gold. 'Tis split, too --that I feel; the jagged edge galls me so, my brain seems to beat against the solid metal; aye, steel skull, mine; the sort that needs no helmet in the most brain-battering fight!””
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 the heavy, deceptive allure of power, recognizing its false brilliance and the pain it brings.
In simple terms: Power can seem beautiful but is burdensome.
Key Takeaway
Question the true cost of ambition.
Themes
power
illusion
burden
Mood
melancholic
contemplative
Type
poetic
philosophical
When to use this quote
- leadership
- personal ambition
- creative writing
- philosophical contemplation
Key Concepts
symbolism
self‑reflection
existential dread
Questions to Reflect On
- What does the “iron crown” symbolize for you?
- How do you balance ambition with personal well‑being?
A Different Perspective
Power may also provide security and purpose, complicating its rejection.