Eye without lid, mind without any dream - These are of minstrels lacking minstrelsy, Of an earth in which the first leaf is the tale Of leaves, in which the sparrow is a bird Of stone, that never changes. Bethou him, you And you, bethou him and bethou. It is A sound like any other. It will end.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The mind without dreams is like an earth where leaves and birds are fixed and unchanging. This reality will end.
- In plain terms
- A world without dreams is fixed and will eventually end.
- What can you take from it?
- Dreams prevent reality from becoming static.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What happens if we stop dreaming?
- Is change necessary for life?
Another view
It treats dreams as essential to life.
More from Wallace Stevens
There was such idiot minstrelsy in rain, So many clappers going without bells, That these bethous compose a heavenly gong. One voice repeating, one tireless ch…
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Permalink to quote #138 Bethou me, said sparrow, to the crackled blade, And you, and you, bethou me as you blow, When in my coppice you behold me be.
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