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Cities Quote by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

“White swan of cities slumbering in thy nest . . . White phantom city, whose untrodden streets Are rivers, and whose pavements are the shifting Shadows of the palaces and strips of sky.” quote by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
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“White swan of cities slumbering in thy nest . . . White phantom city, whose untrodden streets Are rivers, and whose pavements are the shifting Shadows of the palaces and strips of sky.”

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

About This Quote

Source Poem: “The City of the White Swan”, 1855, literary anthology

The poem paints a surreal city where streets become rivers and shadows shift like palaces, evoking mystery.

In simple terms: Imaginary city blurs reality and dream.

Key Takeaway

Explore hidden layers of place.

Themes

imagination urban fantasy transformation

Mood

dreamy enigmatic

Type

poetic literary

When to use this quote

  • travel writing
  • visual arts
  • urban planning
  • dream analysis

Key Concepts

surrealism metaphor spatial perception

Questions to Reflect On

  • What does the city symbolize for you?
  • How do you perceive hidden dimensions in everyday life?
A Different Perspective

May be too abstract for concrete insight.

4.5 out of 5 (7 ratings)

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