Bed Quote by Algernon Charles Swinburne
“O Love, O great god Love, what have I done, That thou shouldst hunger so after my death? My heart is harmless as my life's first day: Seek out some false fair woman, and plague her Till her tears even as my tears fill her bed.”
About This Quote
Source Poem: “Love’s Lament,” 1866
The poet laments love’s power over him, feeling both guilt and yearning after a lover’s death.
In simple terms: Love’s loss haunts the poet.
Key Takeaway
Acknowledge and process grief.
Themes
love
guilt
loss
yearning
spiritual conflict
Mood
melancholic
introspective
poetic
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal mourning
- artistic creation
- spiritual reflection
- relationship loss
Key Concepts
romanticism
mortality
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- How does guilt shape love’s memory?
- Can art transform sorrow into understanding?
A Different Perspective
The poet’s self‑condemnation may hinder healing.
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