Hard Eyes Quote by Algernon Charles Swinburne
““Cold eyelids that hide like a jewel Hard eyes that grow soft for an hour; The heavy white limbs, and the cruel Red mouth like a venomous flower; When these have gone by with their glories, What shall rest of thee then, what remain, O mystic and somber Delores, Our Lady of Pain?””
About This Quote
Source Poem: “The Lady of Pain”, 1866
The poet portrays a mysterious, suffering figure whose beauty and agony intertwine, questioning the nature of pain and allure.
In simple terms: A beautiful yet painful figure embodies paradoxical suffering.
Key Takeaway
Embrace both beauty and pain in life.
Themes
beauty
pain
myth
romance
duality
Mood
melancholic
enigmatic
Type
poetic
philosophical
When to use this quote
- art appreciation
- grief counseling
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
suffering
aesthetic
existentialism
Questions to Reflect On
- What does the “Lady of Pain” symbolize for you?
- How do we find meaning in suffering?
A Different Perspective
Poetry can romanticize suffering.
