But say That death be not one stroke, as I supposed…
“But say That death be not one stroke, as I supposed, Bereaving sense, but endless misery From this day onward, which I feel begun Both in me, and without me, and so last To perpetuity; ay me, that fear Comes thund'ring back with dreadful revolution On my defenceless head; both Death and I Am found eternal, and incorporate both, Nor I on my part single, in me all Paradise Lost Posterity stands cursed: fair patrimony That I must leave ye, sons; O were I able To waste it all myself, and leave ye none!”
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 laments an endless cycle of suffering and fear, feeling trapped between death and eternity.
In simple terms: Endless suffering and fear grip the speaker.
Key Takeaway
Acknowledge and confront inner turmoil.
Themes
suffering
fear
eternity
existential
despair
Mood
melancholic
introspective
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal reflection
- therapy
- literary analysis
- spiritual counseling
Key Concepts
nihilism
psychological torment
existential dread
Questions to Reflect On
- What does this reveal about human resilience?
- Can despair be transformed?
A Different Perspective
The perspective may overlook hope or agency.