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England's sun was slowly setting o'er the hill-tops far away, Filling all the land with beauty at the close of one sad day; And its last rays kissed the forehead of a man and maiden fair,- He with footsteps slow and weary; she with sunny, floating hair; He with bowed head, sad and thoughtful; she with lips so cold and white, Struggled to keep back the murmur, 'Curfew must not ring to-night.'

Rose Hartwick Thorpe#1

BeautyHistoryLoveNature

About this quote

What does it mean?
The setting sun casts a beautiful, melancholy light over England, while a couple feels the weight of curfew.
In plain terms
Sunset makes the landscape beautiful and sad as a couple worries about the curfew.
What can you take from it?
Even beauty can coexist with sorrow and restriction.

Where it applies

  • poetic description
  • romantic scene

Putting it to work

  • use vivid imagery to evoke mixed emotions

Questions to consider

  • How does setting influence mood?
  • What does the curfew symbolize?

Another view

Interpretation is subjective; some may not feel melancholy.

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