Half-buried to her flaming breast In this bright tree, she makes her nest, Hundred-sunned Phoenix! when she must Crumble at length to hoary dust!
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- A phoenix builds a nest in a bright tree but knows she must eventually burn and turn to dust.
- In plain terms
- The phoenix lives brightly for a time but must die and turn to dust eventually.
- What can you take from it?
- Even brilliant beings face inevitable death and decay.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Why must beauty end in dust?
- What does the phoenix symbolize?
Another view
Mythological creatures do not actually exist in reality.
More from George Darley
Give me, instead of beauty's bust, A tender heart, a loyal mind, Which with temptation I could trust, Yet never linked with error find.
Permalink to quote #2 O fast her amber blood doth flow From the heart-wounded Incense Tree, Fast as earth's deep-embosom'd woe In silent rivulets to the sea!
Permalink to quote #4 It is not Beauty I demand, A crystal brow, the moon's despair, Nor the snow's daughter, a white hand, Nor mermaid's yellow pride of hair.
Permalink to quote #1
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