The unpurged images of day recede; The Emperor's drunken soldiery are abed; Night resonance recedes, night walkers' song After great cathedral gong; A starlit or a moonlit dome disdains All that man is, All mere complexities, The fury and the mire of human veins.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Yeats contrasts human complexity with the cold, indifferent dome of the night sky after day images recede.
- In plain terms
- At night the stars seem to care nothing for human trouble.
- What can you take from it?
- The universe ignores human problems.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Does the universe care?
- How small do you feel?
Another view
It assumes the cosmos is indifferent rather than neutral.
More from William Butler Yeats
The intellect of man is forced to choose Perfection of the life, or of the work, And if it take the second must refuse A heavenly mansion, raging in the dark.
Permalink to quote #129 At midnight on the Emperor's pavement flit Flames that no faggot feeds, nor steel has lit, Nor storm disturbs, flames begotten of flame, Where blood-begotten s…
Permalink to quote #131 Swift has sailed into his rest; Savage indignation there Cannot lacerate his breast. Imitate him if you dare, World-besotted traveller; he Served human liberty.
Permalink to quote #128
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