Forth from his dark and lonely hiding place (Portentous-sight!) the owlet Atheism, Sailing an obscene wings athwart the noon, Drops his blue-fringed lids, and holds them close, And hooting at the glorious sun in Heaven, Cries out, 'Where is it?'
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Atheism is depicted as an owl hiding from the light of truth or divinity.
- In plain terms
- Atheism is shown avoiding the glorious sun.
- What can you take from it?
- Some view denying truth as hiding from light.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What do you hide from the light?
- How do you seek truth?
Another view
This metaphor assumes belief is inherently 'glorious' or true.
More from Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Or if the secret ministry of frost Shall hang them up in silent icicles, Quietly shining to the quiet moon.
Permalink to quote #5 And the Devil did grin, for his darling sin Is pride that apes humility.
Permalink to quote #7 The frost performs its secret ministry, Unhelped by any wind.
Permalink to quote #4
Related quotes
Loved once for ever loved: how surely sounds This gospel to me since I learned to list Truth from thy lips, mine own evangelist. What thought presumes to set n…
John Evelyn BarlasJohn Evelyn Barlas quote #1 Blest hour! it was a luxury - to be!
Samuel Taylor ColeridgeSamuel Taylor Coleridge quote #2 Acknowledgement, and celebration, of mystery probably constitutes the most consistent theme of my poetry from its very beginnings. Because it is a matter of wh…
Denise LevertovDenise Levertov quote #3