He passed the flaming bounds of place and time: The living throne, the sapphire-blaze, Where angels tremble, while they gaze, He saw; but blasted with excess of light, Closed his eyes in endless night.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- A figure witnesses divine radiance beyond time and space, but the intensity overwhelms him.
- In plain terms
- Confronting absolute power can blind or overwhelm a person.
- What can you take from it?
- Some truths are too intense for mortal capacity.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What truths feel too overwhelming?
- How do you handle powerful revelations?
Another view
It assumes humans cannot handle divine knowledge.
More from Thomas Gray
Far from the sun and summer-gale, In thy green lap was Nature's Darling laid.
Permalink to quote #5 Now my weary lips I close; Leave me, leave me to repose!
Permalink to quote #7 O'er her warm cheek and rising bosom move The bloom of young Desire and purple light of Love.
Permalink to quote #4
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