Children Quote by William Butler Yeats
“The Danaan children laugh, in cradles of wrought gold, And clap their hands together, and half close their eyes, For they will ride the North when the ger-eagle flies, With heavy whitening wings, and a heart fallen cold.”
About This Quote
Source Poem: The Stolen Child (excerpt), 1914
The verses depict mythic children in golden cradles, anticipating a northward journey with an eagle, symbolizing a cold, heroic destiny.
In simple terms: Children await a fateful, heroic ride north.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the call to destiny.
Themes
myth
destiny
Mood
melancholic
reflective
Type
poetic
mythic
When to use this quote
- literary analysis
- creative writing
- personal meditation
Key Concepts
Eagle
golden cradles
cold heart
Questions to Reflect On
- What does the north symbolize for you?
- How do you confront a ‘cold heart’?
A Different Perspective
Romantic idealism may overlook harsh realities.
