His death which happened in his berth, At forty-odd befell: They went and told the sexton, and The sexton tolled the bell.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- A man died in his sleep and a sexton rang the bell.
- In plain terms
- A person died young and the church bell rang.
- What can you take from it?
- Death is marked simply by a bell tolling.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What marks a life ended?
Another view
It simplifies death into a mechanical event.
More from Thomas Hood
I remember, I remember The house where I was born, The little window where the sun Came peeping in at morn; He never came a wink too soon Nor brought too long …
Permalink to quote #2 I remember, I remember The fir-trees dark and high; I used to think their slender tops Were close against the sky: It was a childish ignorance, But now 'tis li…
Permalink to quote #3 And there is ev'n a happiness That makes the heart afraid!
Permalink to quote #4
Related quotes
Caballito negro. ?Donde llevas tu jinete muerto?
Federico Garcia LorcaFederico Garcia Lorca quote #1 They darted down and rose up like a wave Or buzzed impetuously as before; One would have thought the corpse was held a slave To living by the life it bore!
Allen TateAllen Tate quote #1 And there, a field rat, startled, squealing bleeds, His belly close to ground. I see the blade, Blood-stained, continue cutting weeds and shade
Jean ToomerJean Toomer quote #1