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The unpurged images of day recede; The Emperor's drunken soldiery are abed; Night resonance recedes, night-walkers' song After great cathedral gong.
William Butler Yeats
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Interpretation

What this quote means

This quote reflects the transition from day to night and the fading of vivid memories into silence.

In this excerpt from his poem, Yeats captures the end of the day as life’s chaos gives way to night’s calm. The imagery of unpurged images fading into darkness symbolizes how intense experiences can become distant and muted, and the reference to the Emperor's soldiers suggests a connection to both the beauty and turmoil of life, culminating in the stillness that comes with night. It evokes a sense of reflection and the passage of time, where memories wane and tranquility takes over.

Themes

NightMemorySilenceTransitionReflection

In practice

Example use cases

This quote can be used during a poetry reading to illustrate the beauty of night.

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Quote by William Butler Yeats | QuoteProject