Thou art a man God is no more Thy own humanity Learn to adore
William BlakeRead
How have you left the ancient love That bards of old enjoyed in you! The languid strings do scarcely move! The sound is forced, the notes are few!
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote expresses nostalgia for a profound, timeless love that has faded away.
In this quote, William Blake laments the loss of a deep and ancient love, suggesting that the love once celebrated by poets and bards has diminished in intensity for him. The imagery of the 'languid strings' and the 'forced' sound evokes a sense of melancholy, indicating that the current expression of love is lacking the richness and vibrancy that it used to possess.
Themes
LoveNostalgiaMelancholyEmotionMusic
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech at a wedding, one might reference this quote to illustrate the beauty and depth of enduring love.
More from William Blake
All quotes βIn seed time learn, in harvest teach, in winter enjoy.
William BlakeRead
O thou who passest through our valleys in Thy strength, curb thy fierce steeds, allay the heat That flames from their large nostrils! Thou, O Summer, Oft pitchest here thy golden tent, and oft Beneath our oaks hast slept, while we beheld With joy thy ruddy limbs and flourishing hair.
William BlakeRead
Every Night and every Morn Some to Misery are born. Every Morn and every Night Some are born to Sweet Delight, Some are born to Endless Night.
William BlakeRead
As the caterpillar chooses the fairest leaves to lay her eggs on, so the priest lays his curse on the fairest joys.
William BlakeRead
He who would do good to another must do it in minute particulars.
William BlakeRead
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