Dying-young Quote by Chidiock Tichborne
““My prime of youth is but a frost of cares, My feast of joy is but a dish of pain, My crop of corn is but a field of tares, And all my good is but vain hope of gain: The day is past, and yet I saw no sun, And now I live, and now my life is done. My tale was heard and yet it was not told, My fruit is fall'n, and yet my leaves are green, My youth is spent and yet I am not old, I saw the world and yet I was not seen: My thread is cut and yet it is not spun, And now I live, and now my life is done. I sought my death, and found it in my womb, I looked for life, and saw it was a shade, I trod the earth, and knew it was my tomb, And now I die, and now I was but made, My glass is full, and now my glass is run, And now I live, and now my life is done.””
About This Quote
Source Poem: The Masque of Love, 1584
The speaker reflects on life's fleeting joys and persistent sorrows, feeling trapped between hope and disillusionment.
In simple terms: Life feels full of contradictions and unfulfilled hopes.
Key Takeaway
Accept impermanence and seek meaning beyond paradox.
Themes
mortality
disillusionment
hope
paradox
Mood
melancholic
reflective
Type
poetic
philosophical
When to use this quote
- grief counseling
- creative writing
- philosophical reflection
- mental health support
Key Concepts
existentialism
nihilism
transience
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you reconcile hope with recurring disappointment?
- What actions can break the cycle of feeling unseen?
A Different Perspective
Life’s contradictions can lead to paralysis if not reconciled.
