Devouring Famine, Plague, and War, Each able to undo mankind, Death's servile emissaries are; Nor to these alone confined, He hath at will More quaint and subtle ways to kill; A smile or kiss, as he will use the art, Shall have the cunning skill to break a heart.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Death uses various methods to end life, including subtle emotional ones like a smile or kiss.
- In plain terms
- Death can kill through war and plague or through emotional means.
- What can you take from it?
- Be aware that danger can come in subtle forms.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Is love dangerous?
- What are the subtle ways to die?
Another view
Poetic hyperbole may overstate the lethality of ordinary affection.
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