All Things Will Die

By Alfred Lord Tennyson

Elegy
All Things will Die Clearly the blue river chimes in its flowing Under my eye; Warmly and broadly the south winds are blowing Over the sky. One after another the white clouds are fleeting; Every heart this May morning in joyance is beating Full merrily; Yet all things must die. The stream will cease to flow; The wind will cease to blow; The clouds will cease to fleet; The heart will cease to beat; For all things must die. All things must die. Spring will come never more. O, vanity! Death waits at the door. See! our friends are all forsaking The wine and the merrymaking. We are calldwe must go. Laid low, very low, In the dark we must lie. The merry glees are still; The voice of the bird Shall no more be heard, Nor the wind on the hill. O, misery! Hark! death is calling While I speak to ye, The jaw is falling, The red cheek paling, The strong limbs failing; Ice with the warm blood mixing; The eyeballs fixing. Nine times goes the passing bell: Ye merry souls, farewell. The old earth Had a birth, As all men know, Long ago. And the old earth must die. So let the warm winds range, And the blue wave beat the shore; For even and morn Ye will never see Thro eternity. All things were born. Ye will come never more, For all things must die.

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This poem is a profound exploration of the inescapable cycle of life and death. The poet uses vivid and emotive imagery to express the fleeting nature of life, juxtaposing the beauty and vibrancy of the world ("Clearly the blue river chimes in its flowing...") with the inevitability of its end ("Yet all things must die."). The poet employs the elements of nature - the river, the winds, the white clouds - as metaphors, representing the flow of life and its eventual stillness.

The tone of the poem is melancholic, yet there is a sense of acceptance and resignation towards the end. The language becomes more stark and direct, moving from the gentle flow of life to the harsh reality of death. The repetition of the line "All things must die" serves as a powerful refrain, reinforcing the theme and adding to the overall gravity of the poem. The structure of the poem, with its fluctuation between longer and shorter stanzas, mirrors the unpredictability and irregularity of life itself. The poem is imbued with a sense of transience, a reminder of the fleeting nature of existence that is paradoxically beautiful and tragic.

Understanding Elegy

An elegy is a form of poetry that expresses sorrow or lamentation, often for someone who has died. This type of poetry serves as a tribute to the deceased, reflecting on their life and the grief left behind.

Elegies are deeply emotional and personal, exploring themes of loss, mourning, and remembrance. Here are some defining characteristics:

  • Mournful Tone: Elegies are characterized by a tone of sadness and reflection, as the poet grapples with the pain of loss.
  • Tribute to the Deceased: The subject of an elegy is often someone who has passed away, with the poem serving as a memorial that honors their life and legacy.
  • Personal Reflection: Elegies often include personal reflections on the impact of the deceased on the poet's life, as well as broader musings on mortality and the human condition.
  • Structure and Form: While elegies can vary in form, they often follow a traditional structure that includes an expression of grief, praise for the deceased, and a sense of consolation or acceptance.

From ancient times to the present, elegies have provided a way for poets to navigate the complexities of grief and loss, offering solace and a means of preserving the memory of those who have passed.