There whil'st the world prov'd prodigal of breath, the…
“There whil'st the world prov'd prodigal of breath, the headless trunks lay prostrated in heaps; this field of funerals sacred unto death, did paint out horror in most hideous shapes: whil'st men unhors'd, horses unmast'red, stray'd, some call'd on those whom they most dearly lov'd, some rag'd, some groan'd, some sigh'd, roar'd, promis'd, pray'd, as blows, falls, faintness, pain, hope, anguish mov'd.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The passage depicts war's devastation, describing dead bodies and suffering, evoking horror and grief
In simple terms: War brings death and anguish, leaving chaos and sorrow
Remember the cost of conflict and seek peace
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- battlefields
- memorials
- historical studies
- peace activism
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How does witnessing horror change one’s values?
- What responsibilities arise from remembering past wars?
The vivid imagery may romanticize tragedy, obscuring nuanced causes