Anguish Quote by William Alexander, 1st Earl of Stirling
“There whil'st the world prov'd prodigal of breath, the headless trunks lay prostrated in heaps; this field of funerals sacred unto death, did paint out horror in most hideous shapes: whil'st men unhors'd, horses unmast'red, stray'd, some call'd on those whom they most dearly lov'd, some rag'd, some groan'd, some sigh'd, roar'd, promis'd, pray'd, as blows, falls, faintness, pain, hope, anguish mov'd.”
About This Quote
Source Poem: Unknown, early 17th century verse
The passage depicts war's devastation, describing dead bodies and suffering, evoking horror and grief
In simple terms: War brings death and anguish, leaving chaos and sorrow
Key Takeaway
Remember the cost of conflict and seek peace
Themes
war
death
grief
chaos
Mood
somber
reflective
Type
historical
poetic
When to use this quote
- battlefields
- memorials
- historical studies
- peace activism
Key Concepts
human suffering
mortality
trauma
Questions to Reflect On
- How does witnessing horror change one’s values?
- What responsibilities arise from remembering past wars?
A Different Perspective
The vivid imagery may romanticize tragedy, obscuring nuanced causes
