--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Nae man can tether time or tide; The hour…" description: "\"Nae man can tether time or tide; The hour approachesTam maun ride; That hour, o'night's black arch the key-stane, That dreary hourTam mounts his beast ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/586/robert-burns-1511_arches_nae-man-can-tether-time-or-tide-the-hour_1459629.png" --- # Nae man can tether time or tide; The hour approachesTam… ![“Nae man can tether time or tide; The hour approachesTam maun ride; That hour, o'night's black arch the key-stane, That dreary hourTam mounts his beast in.” quote by Robert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/586/robert-burns-1511_arches_nae-man-can-tether-time-or-tide-the-hour_1459629.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/586/robert-burns-1511_arches_nae-man-can-tether-time-or-tide-the-hour_1459629.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/586/robert-burns-1511_arches_nae-man-can-tether-time-or-tide-the-hour_1459629.png) > “Nae man can tether time or tide; The hour approachesTam maun ride; That hour, o'night's black arch the key-stane, That dreary hourTam mounts his beast in.” [Robert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-burns/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The poem speaks of an inevitable, ominous moment when time and fate converge, urging readiness for a looming challenge. **In simple terms:** A dark hour approaches, demanding preparedness. Key Takeaway Prepare for inevitable challenges. Themes fate time inevitability challenge preparation Mood somber urgent Type poetic philosophical When to use this quote - warfare - personal crisis - natural disasters - career turning points Key Concepts Stoicism existential dread temporal cycles Questions to Reflect On - What personal “dark hour” are you facing? - How does acknowledging fate affect your actions? A Different Perspective The cryptic language may obscure practical application for modern readers. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Beast](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/beast/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Night](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/night/) [Tides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tides/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [Nae man can tether time or tide.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-burns/nae-man-can-tether-time-or-tide/) [Robert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-burns/) > [Nae man can tether time nor tide.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bunyan/nae-man-can-tether-time-nor-tide/) [John Bunyan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bunyan/) > [In order to be not bound by the tether of time, we must have a relationship with the timeless.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/in-order-to-be-not-bound-by-the-tether-of-time-we-must-have-a/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [That hour o' night's black arch the keystane.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-burns/that-hour-o-night-s-black-arch-the-keystane/) [Robert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-burns/) > [The greatest sin is appearing naive or old-fashioned so that somebody can give you a sort of a very cool arch smile and devastate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-foster-wallace/the-greatest-sin-is-appearing-naive-or-old-fashioned-so-that-somebody/) [David Foster Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-foster-wallace/) > [Dianetics is a milestone for man comparable to his discovery of fire and superior to his invention of the wheel and the arch.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-ron-hubbard/dianetics-is-a-milestone-for-man-comparable-to-his-discovery-of-fire/) [L. Ron Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-ron-hubbard/) > [Suddenly the clouds seem high above us. They’re moving over us in an arch, circling the planet. They have seen abysmal oceans and charred,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-destefano/suddenly-the-clouds-seem-high-above-us-they-re-moving-over-us-in-an/) [Lauren DeStefano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-destefano/) > [The Golden Arches of McDonald's rise, glorious across the landscape, contempo-monolithic, simple in concept as Stonehenge if we could but see it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maureen-howard/the-golden-arches-of-mcdonald-s-rise-glorious-across-the-landscape/) [Maureen Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maureen-howard/) > [History fades into fable; fact becomes clouded with doubt and controversy; the inscription molders from the tablet: the statue falls from the pedestal. Columns,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/washington-irving/history-fades-into-fable-fact-becomes-clouded-with-doubt-and/) [Washington Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/washington-irving/) > [If architects want to strengthen a decrepit arch, they increase the load which is laid upon it, for thereby the parts are joined more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viktor-e-frankl/if-architects-want-to-strengthen-a-decrepit-arch-they-increase-the/) [Viktor E. Frankl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viktor-e-frankl/) > [The Golden Arches are now more widely recognized than the Christian cross.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-schlosser/the-golden-arches-are-now-more-widely-recognized-than-the-christian/) [Eric Schlosser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-schlosser/) > [If I'm ever feeling uninspired, all I have to do is go see Exodus or Arch Enemy, and think 'Oh yeah, that's what we're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kerry-king/if-i-m-ever-feeling-uninspired-all-i-have-to-do-is-go-see-exodus-or/) [Kerry King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kerry-king/) > [An arch consists of two weaknesses which, leaning one against the other, make a strength.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonardo-da-vinci/an-arch-consists-of-two-weaknesses-which-leaning-one-against-the/) [Leonardo da Vinci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonardo-da-vinci/) > [Concord's little arch does not span all our fate, nor is what transpires under it law for the universe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/concord-s-little-arch-does-not-span-all-our-fate-nor-is-what/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [There was only the broad square with the scattered dim moons of the street lamps and with the monumental stone arch which receded into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-maria-remarque/there-was-only-the-broad-square-with-the-scattered-dim-moons-of-the/) [Erich Maria Remarque](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-maria-remarque/) ## More by Robert Burns > [Some wee short hour ayont the twal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-burns/some-wee-short-hour-ayont-the-twal/) [Robert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-burns/) > [The snowdrop and primrose our woodlands adorn, and violets bathe in the wet o' the morn.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-burns/the-snowdrop-and-primrose-our-woodlands-adorn-and-violets-bathe-in/) [Robert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-burns/) > [Oh my luve's like a red, red rose, That's newly sprung in June; Oh my luve's like the melodie That's sweetly played in tune.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-burns/oh-my-luve-s-like-a-red-red-rose-that-s-newly-sprung-in-june-oh-my/) [Robert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-burns/) > [Again rejoicing Nature sees Her robe assume its vernal hues Her leafy locks wave in the breeze, All freshly steep'd in the morning dews.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-burns/again-rejoicing-nature-sees-her-robe-assume-its-vernal-hues-her-leafy/) [Robert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-burns/) > [Gin a body meet a body Coming thro' the rye, Gin a body kiss a body— Need a body cry?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-burns/gin-a-body-meet-a-body-coming-thro-the-rye-gin-a-body-kiss-a-body/) [Robert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-burns/) > [“O wad some Power the giftie gie us To see oursels as ithers see us!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-burns/o-wad-some-power-the-giftie-gie-us-to-see-oursels-as-ithers-see-us/) [Robert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-burns/) > [Liberty's in every blow! Let us do or die.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-burns/liberty-s-in-every-blow-let-us-do-or-die/) [Robert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-burns/) > [Dare to be honest and fear no labor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-burns/dare-to-be-honest-and-fear-no-labor/) [Robert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-burns/) > [Look abroad through Nature's range, Nature's mighty law is change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-burns/look-abroad-through-nature-s-range-nature-s-mighty-law-is-change/) [Robert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-burns/) > [ “All-cheering Plenty, with her flowing horn, Led yellow Autumn, wreath'd with nodding corn." \[ Brigs of Ayr \]” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-burns/all-cheering-plenty-with-her-flowing-horn-led-yellow-autumn-wreath-d/) [Robert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-burns/) > [To make three guineas do the work of five.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-burns/to-make-three-guineas-do-the-work-of-five/) [Robert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-burns/) > [Some books are lies frae end to end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-burns/some-books-are-lies-frae-end-to-end/) [Robert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-burns/) > [Who made the heart, 'tis He alone Decidedly can try us](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-burns/who-made-the-heart-tis-he-alone-decidedly-can-try-us/) [Robert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-burns/) > [Nursing her wrath to keep it warm.--Robert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-burns/nursing-her-wrath-to-keep-it-warm-robert-burns/) [Robert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-burns/) > [It is cruelty to be humane to rebels, and humanity is cruelty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-burns/it-is-cruelty-to-be-humane-to-rebels-and-humanity-is-cruelty/) [Robert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-burns/) [Explore all 233 Robert Burns quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-burns/) ## More Arches quotes > [There was only the broad square with the scattered dim moons of the street lamps and with the monumental stone arch which receded into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-maria-remarque/there-was-only-the-broad-square-with-the-scattered-dim-moons-of-the/) [Erich Maria Remarque](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-maria-remarque/) > [Concord's little arch does not span all our fate, nor is what transpires under it law for the universe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/concord-s-little-arch-does-not-span-all-our-fate-nor-is-what/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [An arch consists of two weaknesses which, leaning one against the other, make a strength.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonardo-da-vinci/an-arch-consists-of-two-weaknesses-which-leaning-one-against-the/) [Leonardo da Vinci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonardo-da-vinci/) > [If I'm ever feeling uninspired, all I have to do is go see Exodus or Arch Enemy, and think 'Oh yeah, that's what we're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kerry-king/if-i-m-ever-feeling-uninspired-all-i-have-to-do-is-go-see-exodus-or/) [Kerry King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kerry-king/) > [The Golden Arches are now more widely recognized than the Christian cross.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-schlosser/the-golden-arches-are-now-more-widely-recognized-than-the-christian/) [Eric Schlosser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-schlosser/) > [If architects want to strengthen a decrepit arch, they increase the load which is laid upon it, for thereby the parts are joined more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viktor-e-frankl/if-architects-want-to-strengthen-a-decrepit-arch-they-increase-the/) [Viktor E. Frankl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viktor-e-frankl/) > [History fades into fable; fact becomes clouded with doubt and controversy; the inscription molders from the tablet: the statue falls from the pedestal. Columns,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/washington-irving/history-fades-into-fable-fact-becomes-clouded-with-doubt-and/) [Washington Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/washington-irving/) > [The Golden Arches of McDonald's rise, glorious across the landscape, contempo-monolithic, simple in concept as Stonehenge if we could but see it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maureen-howard/the-golden-arches-of-mcdonald-s-rise-glorious-across-the-landscape/) [Maureen Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maureen-howard/) > [Suddenly the clouds seem high above us. They’re moving over us in an arch, circling the planet. They have seen abysmal oceans and charred,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-destefano/suddenly-the-clouds-seem-high-above-us-they-re-moving-over-us-in-an/) [Lauren DeStefano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-destefano/) > [Dianetics is a milestone for man comparable to his discovery of fire and superior to his invention of the wheel and the arch.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-ron-hubbard/dianetics-is-a-milestone-for-man-comparable-to-his-discovery-of-fire/) [L. Ron Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-ron-hubbard/) > [The greatest sin is appearing naive or old-fashioned so that somebody can give you a sort of a very cool arch smile and devastate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-foster-wallace/the-greatest-sin-is-appearing-naive-or-old-fashioned-so-that-somebody/) [David Foster Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-foster-wallace/) > [Medicine is the keystone of the arch of socialism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/medicine-is-the-keystone-of-the-arch-of-socialism/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When the peacock has presented his back, the spectator will usually begin to walk around him to get a front view; but the peacock…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flannery-o-connor/when-the-peacock-has-presented-his-back-the-spectator-will-usually/) [Flannery O'Connor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/flannery-o-connor/) > [Polly Jean, I love you. I love the texture of your skin, the taste of your saliva, the softness of your ears. I love…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-cave/polly-jean-i-love-you-i-love-the-texture-of-your-skin-the-taste-of/) [Nick Cave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-cave/) > [It is frivolous to fix pedantically the date of particular inventions. They have all been invented over and over fifty times. Man is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/it-is-frivolous-to-fix-pedantically-the-date-of-particular-inventions/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) Browse all 190 Arches quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Nae man can tether time or tide; The hour approachesTam maun ride; That hour, o'night's black arch the key-stane, That dreary hourTam mounts his beast in.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Robert Burns" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-burns/nae-man-can-tether-time-or-tide-the-hour-approachestam-maun-ride-that/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Arches" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-burns/nae-man-can-tether-time-or-tide-the-hour-approachestam-maun-ride-that/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/586/robert-burns-1511_arches_nae-man-can-tether-time-or-tide-the-hour_1459629.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/586/robert-burns-1511_arches_nae-man-can-tether-time-or-tide-the-hour_1459629.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/586/robert-burns-1511_arches_nae-man-can-tether-time-or-tide-the-hour_1459629.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Nae man can tether time or tide; The hour approachesTam maun ride; That hour, o'night's black arch the…” — Robert Burns", "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": "Robert Burns", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-burns/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Nae man can tether time or...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-burns/nae-man-can-tether-time-or-tide-the-hour-approachestam-maun-ride-that/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-burns/nae-man-can-tether-time-or-tide-the-hour-approachestam-maun-ride-that/#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 } } ] } ```