I find no peace, and all my war is done, I fear and hope…
““I find no peace, and all my war is done, I fear and hope; I burn and freeze like ice; I fly above the wind yet can I not arise; And naught I have and all the world I seize on. That looseth nor locketh holdeth me in prison, And holdeth me not, yet can I scape nowise; Nor letteth me live nor die at my devise, And yet of death it giveth none occasion. Without eyen I see, and without tongue I plain; I desire to perish, and yet I ask health; I love another, and thus I hate myself; I feed me in sorrow, and laugh in all my pain. Likewise displeaseth me both death and life And my delight is causer of this strife.””
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 expresses inner conflict, oscillating between despair and desire for life, feeling trapped yet yearning for freedom, and confronting self‑hate and love.
In simple terms: A tormented soul struggles between death, life, love, and self‑hate.
Key Takeaway
Seek balance and self‑compassion amid inner turmoil.
Themes
conflict
self‑hate
despair
hope
identity
Mood
melancholic
introspective
Type
poetic
philosophical
When to use this quote
- therapy sessions
- personal journaling
- meditation
- support groups
Key Concepts
existential crisis
paradoxes
self‑reflection
Questions to Reflect On
- What does “without eyen” symbolize?
- How can one reconcile love and self‑hate?
A Different Perspective
The archaic language may obscure meaning for modern readers.