The One remains, the many change and pass; Heaven's light forever shines, Earth's shadows fly; Life, like a dome of many-coloured glass, Stains the white radiance of Eternity, Until Death tramples it to fragments.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Shelley says life is stained by change and death, while eternity remains pure.
- In plain terms
- Life changes and ends, but eternity stays pure.
- What can you take from it?
- Accept that life changes and ends while truth remains.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What remains after death?
- Can we know eternity?
Another view
The view assumes eternity is purely radiant.
More from Percy Bysshe Shelley
He is a portion of the loveliness Which once he made more lovely.
Permalink to quote #153 The soul of Adonais, like a star, Beacons from the abode where the Eternal are.
Permalink to quote #155 He is made one with Nature: there is heard His voice in all her music, from the moan Of thunder, to the song of night's sweet bird.
Permalink to quote #152
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