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Tho' veiled in spires of myrtle wreath, Love is a sword…

“Tho' veiled in spires of myrtle wreath, Love is a sword that cuts its sheath, And thro' the clefts, itself has made, We spy the flashes of the Blade! But thro' the clefts, itself has made, We likewise see Love's flashing blade, By rust consumed or snapt in twain: And only Hilt and Stump remain…” quote by Samuel Taylor Coleridge
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““Tho' veiled in spires of myrtle wreath, Love is a sword that cuts its sheath, And thro' the clefts, itself has made, We spy the flashes of the Blade! But thro' the clefts, itself has made, We likewise see Love's flashing blade, By rust consumed or snapt in twain: And only Hilt and Stump remain. - Song ””

Samuel Taylor Coleridge

About This Quote

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

Love is portrayed as a weapon that once shines bright but, with time, loses its edge, leaving only a broken hilt and stump, symbolizing love’s inevitable decay and loss of vitality.

In simple terms: Love starts bright but fades, leaving emptiness.

Key Takeaway

Recognize love’s fleeting nature.

Themes

love impermanence loss reflection

Mood

melancholic contemplative

Type

poetic philosophical

When to use this quote

  • romantic relationships
  • friendships
  • creative collaborations
  • personal growth

Key Concepts

metaphor transience decay

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you keep love vibrant?
  • Can love be renewed after loss?
A Different Perspective

Love’s intensity can be sustained through conscious effort and renewal.

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