Bows Quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson
“Venus, when her son was lost, Cried him up and down the coast, In hamlets, palaces, and parks, And told the truant by his marks,- Golden curls, and quiver, and bow.”
About This Quote
Source Poem: Unidentified, possibly a 19th‑century lyrical work
A lament of a mother searching for her lost child, invoking natural and noble imagery to express grief and hope for return.
In simple terms: A mother mourns her lost child, calling out across places.
Key Takeaway
Seek and cherish what is lost.
Themes
grief
parenthood
search
hope
Mood
sorrowful
reflective
Type
lament
mythic
When to use this quote
- family tragedy
- search for missing persons
- public mourning
- cultural rituals
Key Concepts
mythology
symbolism
loss
Questions to Reflect On
- How does mythic language affect coping with loss?
- What practical actions accompany such lament?
A Different Perspective
May romanticize loss, overlooking practical steps to locate the child.
