Ye distant spires, ye antique towers, That crown the wat'ry glade.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The speaker addresses old buildings and steeples across the water, noting their distance and age.
- In plain terms
- Old towers and steeples far across the water are called out to.
- What can you take from it?
- Distance and age make old structures feel distant and grand.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What landmarks do you remember?
- How does distance change memory?
Another view
The line lacks clear emotion without more context.
More from Thomas Gray
Sweet is the breath of vernal shower, The bee's collected treasures sweet, Sweet music's melting fall, but sweeter yet The still small voice of gratitude.
Permalink to quote #11 Still as they run they look behind, They hear a voice in every wind, And snatch a fearful joy.
Permalink to quote #13 I shall be but a shrimp of an author.
Permalink to quote #10
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