--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I lie waking all alone, Recounting…" description: "\"“When I lie waking all alone, Recounting what I have ill done, My thoughts on me then tyrannize, Fear and sorrow me surprise, Whether I tarry still or ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4c2/robert-burton-10069_fear_when-i-lie-waking-all-alone-recounting-w_1125305.jpg" --- # When I lie waking all alone, Recounting what I have ill… ![“When I lie waking all alone, Recounting what I have ill done, My thoughts on me then tyrannize, Fear and sorrow me surprise, Whether I tarry still or go, Methinks the time moves very slow, All my griefs to this are jolly, Naught so sad as melancholy. 'Tis my sole plague to be alone, I am a beast…” quote by Robert Burton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4c2/robert-burton-10069_fear_when-i-lie-waking-all-alone-recounting-w_1125305.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4c2/robert-burton-10069_fear_when-i-lie-waking-all-alone-recounting-w_1125305.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4c2/robert-burton-10069_fear_when-i-lie-waking-all-alone-recounting-w_1125305.jpg) > ““When I lie waking all alone, Recounting what I have ill done, My thoughts on me then tyrannize, Fear and sorrow me surprise, Whether I tarry still or go, Methinks the time moves very slow, All my griefs to this are jolly, Naught so sad as melancholy. 'Tis my sole plague to be alone, I am a beast, a monster grown, I will no light nor company, I find it now my misery. The scene is turn'd, my joys are gone, Fear, discontent, and sorrows come. All my griefs to this are folly, Naught so fierce as melancholy.”” [Robert Burton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-burton/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker describes deep loneliness and melancholy, feeling trapped by thoughts that intensify sorrow, yet recognizes the futility of dwelling on it. **In simple terms:** Loneliness fuels sorrow; acceptance is needed. Key Takeaway Recognize and move beyond melancholy. Themes loneliness melancholy self‑criticism Mood somber introspective Type poetic literary When to use this quote - nighttime reflection - creative writing - therapy sessions - personal journaling Key Concepts existentialism emotional turmoil Questions to Reflect On - What triggers your melancholy? - Can you find moments of light amid darkness? 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