Come to the sunset tree! The day is past and gone; The woodman's axe lies free, And the reaper's work is done.
Interpretation
The quote invites one to reflect on the passage of time and the peaceful conclusion of a day.
John Milton's quote evokes a serene imagery of the day's end, symbolized by the sunset tree, where the day's labor ceases and nature takes a moment to rest. It reflects on the tranquility that follows a busy day, encouraging individuals to pause, appreciate the beauty around them, and recognize the importance of both work and rest.
In practice
In a speech about the importance of taking breaks, one might say, 'As John Milton reminds us, come to the sunset tree and appreciate the conclusion of our daily efforts.'
They, looking back, all the eastern side beheld Of Paradise, so late their happy seat, Waved over by that flaming brand, the gate With dreadful faces thronged and fiery arms: Some natural tears they dropped, but wiped them soon; The world was all before them, where to choose Their place of rest, and Providence their guide; They, hand in hand, with wandering steps and slow, Through Eden took their solitary way.
The stars, that nature hung in heaven, and filled their lamps with everlasting oil, give due light to the misled and lonely traveller.
Ev'n them who kept thy truth so pure of old, When all our fathers worshipp'd stocks and stones.
Abashed the devil stood and felt how awful goodness is and saw Virtue in her shape how lovely: and pined his loss
The end of all learning is to know God, and out of that knowledge to love and imitate Him.
Apt words have power to suage the tumors of a troubled mind.
I'll tell you how the sun rose, a ribbon at a time. The steeples swam in amethyst, The news like squirrels ran. The hills untied their bonnets, The bobolinks begun. Then I said softly to myself, "That must have been the sun!
When the green woods laugh with the voice of joy, And the dimpling stream runs laughing by; When the air does laugh with our merry wit, And the green hill laughs with the noise of it.
The question is, are we happy to suppose that our grandchildren may never be able to see an elephant except in a picture book?
And the secret garden bloomed and bloomed and every morning revealed new miracles.
Human subtlety will never devise an invention more beautiful, more simple or more direct than does nature because in her inventions nothing is lacking, and nothing is superfluous.
It was an overcast late November morning, the grass splintered by hoarfrost, and winter grinning through the gaps in the clouds like a bad clown peering through the curtains before the show begins.
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