And ever against eating cares Lap me in soft Lydian airs, Married to immortal verse
Interpretation
The quote speaks to the soothing and transcendent power of poetry and art in alleviating life's troubles.
In this quote, John Milton expresses the idea that through the beauty of poetry, represented as 'soft Lydian airs', one can escape the burdens and worries of life. The concept of being 'married to immortal verse' suggests that art has an enduring quality that connects us to something eternal and elevating, providing solace in challenging times.
In practice
During a poetry reading, one might quote Milton to highlight the impact of art on emotional well-being.
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.
We need a type of theatre which not only releases the feelings, insights and impulses possible within the particular historical field of human relations in which the action takes place, but employs and encourages those thoughts and feelings which help transform the field itself.
I have only one rule in acting - trust the director and give him heart and soul.
The job of the critic is to report to us his moods.
My own physicality, not an abstract idea, makes me a choreographer.
For me, the glory of my first 25 years as a writer was I could put things off as long as I wanted.
Who knows if the moon's / a balloon, coming out of a keen city / in the sky - filled with pretty people?
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