--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A gulf profound as that Serbonian bog…" description: "\"A gulf profound as that Serbonian bog Betwixt Damiata and Mount Casius old, Where armies whole have sunk: the parching air Burns frore, and cold perfor..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/395/john-milton-191_air_a-gulf-profound-as-that-serbonian-bog-be_2199333.jpg" --- # A gulf profound as that Serbonian bog Betwixt Damiata and… ![“A gulf profound as that Serbonian bog Betwixt Damiata and Mount Casius old, Where armies whole have sunk: the parching air Burns frore, and cold performs th' effect of fire. Thither by harpy-footed Furies hal'd, At certain revolutions all the damn'd Are brought, and feel by turns the bitter change…” quote by John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/395/john-milton-191_air_a-gulf-profound-as-that-serbonian-bog-be_2199333.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/395/john-milton-191_air_a-gulf-profound-as-that-serbonian-bog-be_2199333.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/395/john-milton-191_air_a-gulf-profound-as-that-serbonian-bog-be_2199333.jpg) > “A gulf profound as that Serbonian bog Betwixt Damiata and Mount Casius old, Where armies whole have sunk: the parching air Burns frore, and cold performs th' effect of fire. Thither by harpy-footed Furies hal'd, At certain revolutions all the damn'd Are brought, and feel by turns the bitter change Of fierce extremes,-extremes by change more fierce; From beds of raging fire to starve in ice Their soft ethereal warmth, and there to pine Immovable, infix'd, and frozen round, Periods of time; thence hurried back to fire.” [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) ## 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 describes extreme, and cycles of suffering and relief, illustrating the harshness of war and nature. **In simple terms:** Extreme changes bring both pain and relief. Key Takeaway Recognize that hardship often alternates with ease. Themes war nature extremes Mood somber reflective Type literary philosophical When to use this quote - military campaigns - survival training - climate adaptation - psychological resilience - historical analysis Key Concepts suffering relief cyclical change human endurance Questions to Reflect On - What can modern societies learn from such extreme contrasts? - How do we prepare for sudden shifts in conditions? A Different Perspective The poetic language may obscure practical lessons. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Air](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/air/) [Army](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/army/) [Bed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bed/) [Bitter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bitter/) [Bitter Change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bitter-change-4696644/) [Bitterness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bitterness/) [Bogs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bogs/) [Certain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/certain/) [Cold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cold/) [Damn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/damn/) [Effects](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/effects/) [Ethereal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ethereal/) [Ethereal Warmth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ethereal-warmth-4823824/) [Extremes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/extremes/) [Extremes Change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/extremes-change-4783326/) [Feels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feels/) [Fierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fierce/) [Fire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fire/) [Frozen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/frozen/) [Fury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fury/) [Gulf Profound](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gulf-profound-4823825/) [Harpies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/harpies/) [Ice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ice/) [Paradise lost book 2](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/paradise-lost-book-2/) [Periods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/periods/) [Profound](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/profound/) [Rage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rage/) [Revolution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/revolution/) [Rounds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rounds/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Turns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/turns/) [Warmth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/warmth/) [Whole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/whole/) ## Related quotes > [And feel by turns the bitter change Of fierce extremes, extremes by change more fierce.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/and-feel-by-turns-the-bitter-change-of-fierce-extremes-extremes-by/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [Never let an ex make you bitter, change who you are, make you give up on love or make you have have trust issues.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonya-parker/never-let-an-ex-make-you-bitter-change-who-you-are-make-you-give-up/) [SONYA PARKER](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonya-parker/) > [Which, if not victory, is yet revenge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/which-if-not-victory-is-yet-revenge/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [Live while ye may, Yet happy pair.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/live-while-ye-may-yet-happy-pair/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [Meanwhile the Adversary of God and man, Satan with thoughts inflamed of highest design, Puts on swift wings, and towards the gates of hell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/meanwhile-the-adversary-of-god-and-man-satan-with-thoughts-inflamed/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [Death Grinn'd horrible a ghastly smile, to hear His famine should be fill'd.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/death-grinn-d-horrible-a-ghastly-smile-to-hear-his-famine-should-be/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [Into this wild abyss, The womb of Nature and perhaps her grave.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/into-this-wild-abyss-the-womb-of-nature-and-perhaps-her-grave/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [Sweet is the breath of morn, her rising sweet, With charm of earliest birds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/sweet-is-the-breath-of-morn-her-rising-sweet-with-charm-of-earliest/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [The spirits perverse with easy intercourse pass to and fro, to tempt or punish mortals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/the-spirits-perverse-with-easy-intercourse-pass-to-and-fro-to-tempt/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [Where eldest Night And Chaos, ancestors of Nature, hold Eternal anarchy amidst the noise Of endless wars, and by confusion stand; For hot, cold,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/where-eldest-night-and-chaos-ancestors-of-nature-hold-eternal-anarchy/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [Th' ethereal mould Incapable of stain would soon expel Her mischief, and purge off the baser fire, Victorious. Thus repuls'd, our final hope Is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/th-ethereal-mould-incapable-of-stain-would-soon-expel-her-mischief/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [God is thy law, thou mine: to know no more Is woman's happiest knowledge and her praise. With thee conversing I forget all time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/god-is-thy-law-thou-mine-to-know-no-more-is-woman-s-happiest/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [Better to reign in hell than serve in heav'n.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/better-to-reign-in-hell-than-serve-in-heav-n/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [And on the Tree of Life, The middle tree and highest there that grew, Sat like a cormorant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/and-on-the-tree-of-life-the-middle-tree-and-highest-there-that-grew/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [Knowledge forbidden? Suspicious, reasonless. Why should their Lord Envy them that? Can it be sin to know, Can it be death? And do they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/knowledge-forbidden-suspicious-reasonless-why-should-their-lord-envy/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) ## More by John Milton > [Love-quarrels oft in pleasing concord end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/love-quarrels-oft-in-pleasing-concord-end/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [What better can we do than prostrate fall before Him reverent, and there confess humbly our faults, and pardon beg with tears watering the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/what-better-can-we-do-than-prostrate-fall-before-him-reverent-and/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [And, when night Darkens the streets, then wander forth the sons Of Belial, flown with insolence and wine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/and-when-night-darkens-the-streets-then-wander-forth-the-sons-of/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [And, re-assembling our afflicted powers, consult how we may henceforth most offend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/and-re-assembling-our-afflicted-powers-consult-how-we-may-henceforth/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [Yet hold it more humane, more heav'nly, first, By winning words to conquer willing hearts, And make persuasion do the work of fear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/yet-hold-it-more-humane-more-heav-nly-first-by-winning-words-to/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [O nightingale, that on yon bloomy spray Warblest at eve, when all the woods are still; Thou with fresh hope the lover's heart dost…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/o-nightingale-that-on-yon-bloomy-spray-warblest-at-eve-when-all-the/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [The debt immense of endless gratitude, So burthensome, still paying, still to owe; Forgetful what from him I still receivd, And understood not that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/the-debt-immense-of-endless-gratitude-so-burthensome-still-paying/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [Knowledge forbidden? Suspicious, reasonless. Why should their Lord Envy them that? Can it be sin to know, Can it be death? And do they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/knowledge-forbidden-suspicious-reasonless-why-should-their-lord-envy/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [There is no truth sure enough to justify persecution.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/there-is-no-truth-sure-enough-to-justify-persecution/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [These eyes, tho' clear To outward view of blemish or of spot, Bereft of light, their seeing have forgot, Nor to their idle orbs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/these-eyes-tho-clear-to-outward-view-of-blemish-or-of-spot-bereft-of/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [New Presbyter is but Old Priest writ Large.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/new-presbyter-is-but-old-priest-writ-large/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [And what is faith, love, virtue unassayed Alone, without exterior help sustained?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/and-what-is-faith-love-virtue-unassayed-alone-without-exterior-help/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [This is servitude, To serve th'unwise, or him who hath rebelled Against his worthier, as thine now serve thee, Thyself not free, but to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/this-is-servitude-to-serve-th-unwise-or-him-who-hath-rebelled-against/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [Let us seek Death, or he not found, supply With our own hands his office on ourselves; Why stand we longer shivering under fears,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/let-us-seek-death-or-he-not-found-supply-with-our-own-hands-his/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [They are the troublers, they are the dividers of unity, who neglect and don't permit others to unite those dissevered pieces which are yet…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/they-are-the-troublers-they-are-the-dividers-of-unity-who-neglect-and/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) [Explore all 966 John Milton quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) ## More Air quotes > [I will be a tireless advocate for our District's defense priorities including Sheppard Air Force Base, Pantex, Bell Helicopter, universities conducting important research, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronny-jackson/i-will-be-a-tireless-advocate-for-our-district-s-defense-priorities/) [Ronny Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronny-jackson/) > [I have lifted my plane . . . for perhaps a thousand flights and I have never felt her wheels glide from the Earth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beryl-markham/i-have-lifted-my-plane-for-perhaps-a-thousand-flights-and-i-have/) [Beryl Markham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beryl-markham/) > [If U.S. air, naval, missile, and ground forces were not in and around Korea, and if we were not treaty-bound to fight alongside South…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-buchanan/if-u-s-air-naval-missile-and-ground-forces-were-not-in-and-around/) [Pat Buchanan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-buchanan/) > [The cooler days have brought a wistful mood upon him. 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Thither by harpy-footed Furies hal'd, At certain revolutions all the damn'd Are brought, and feel by turns the bitter change Of fierce extremes,-extremes by change more fierce; From beds of raging fire to starve in ice Their soft ethereal warmth, and there to pine Immovable, infix'd, and frozen round, Periods of time; thence hurried back to fire.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "John Milton" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/a-gulf-profound-as-that-serbonian-bog-betwixt-damiata-and-mount/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Air" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/a-gulf-profound-as-that-serbonian-bog-betwixt-damiata-and-mount/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/395/john-milton-191_air_a-gulf-profound-as-that-serbonian-bog-be_2199333.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/395/john-milton-191_air_a-gulf-profound-as-that-serbonian-bog-be_2199333.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/395/john-milton-191_air_a-gulf-profound-as-that-serbonian-bog-be_2199333.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“A gulf profound as that Serbonian bog Betwixt Damiata and Mount Casius old, Where armies whole have sunk…” — John Milton", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "John Milton", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "A gulf profound as that Serbonian...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/a-gulf-profound-as-that-serbonian-bog-betwixt-damiata-and-mount/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/a-gulf-profound-as-that-serbonian-bog-betwixt-damiata-and-mount/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```