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About this quote

What does it mean?
The speaker feels intense fear while looking upward, feeling their vitality drain.
In plain terms
Looking up caused great fear and felt like losing life force.
What can you take from it?
Fear can feel physically draining.

Where it applies

  • facing danger
  • experiencing dread
  • physical stress

Putting it to work

  • expressing fear
  • describing physical sensation

Questions to consider

  • What is being looked at?
  • Why does it cause fear?

Another view

The metaphor of blood sipping is abstract.

More from Samuel Taylor Coleridge

  1. The Sun's rim dips; the stars rush out: At one stride comes the dark; With far-heard whisper, o'er the sea. Off shot the spectre-bark.

    Permalink to quote #51
  2. The horned Moon, with one bright star Within the nether tip.

    Permalink to quote #53
  3. 'The game is done! I've won, I've won!' Quoth she, and whistles thrice.

    Permalink to quote #50

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