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.
In creating the silkpunk aesthetic, I was influenced by the ideas of W. Brian Arthur, who articulates a vision of technology as a language.
Life is an art we are required to practice without preparation, a score that we play at sight even before we have mastered our instruments.
When I listen to music these days, and I hear Pro Tools and drums that sound like a machine - it kinda sucks the life out of music.
The sound of colors is so definite that it would be hard to find anyone who would express bright yellow with base notes, or dark lake with the treble.
I'll go to the movies and hear 'Angel From Montgomery' in some film, and nobody ever even told me about it. They don't tell you your stuff is going to be in a movie. They don't have to, so they don't tell you. You get paid eventually.
Music embodies feeling without forcing it to contend and combine with thought, as it is forced in most arts and especially in the art of words.
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