There yet remains but one concluding tale, And then this chronicle of mine is ended- Fulfilled, the duty God ordained to me, A sinner. Not without purpose did the Lord Put me to witness much for many years And educate me in the love of books. One day some indefatigable monk Will find my conscientious, unsigned work; Like me, he will light up his ikon-lamp And, shaking from the scroll the age-old dust, He will transcribe these tales in all their truth.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The poet sees his life as a divine duty, hoping future scholars will preserve and illuminate his work.
- In plain terms
- He believes his writing serves God’s purpose and will be transcribed by future monks.
- What can you take from it?
- Purposeful work may outlive its creator through preservation.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What motivates someone to view their work as a divine mission?
- How does preservation affect the meaning of a text?
Another view
Religious framing may not resonate with secular audiences.
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