Age

By William Lisle Bowles

    Age, thou the loss of health and friends shalt mourn!     But thou art passing to that night-still bourne,     Where labour sleeps. The linnet, chattering loud     To the May morn, shall sing; thou, in thy shroud,     Forgetful and forgotten, sink to rest;     And grass-green be the sod upon thy breast!

Share & Analyze This Poem

Spread the beauty of poetry or dive deeper into analysis

Analyze This Poem

Discover the literary devices, structure, and deeper meaning

Create Image

Transform this poem into a beautiful shareable image

Copy to Clipboard

Save this poem for personal use or sharing offline


Share the Love of Poetry

Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain

Analysis & Notes:
This poem is a contemplative exploration of the themes of aging, death, and nature. The speaker engages directly with "Age," personifying it as a harbinger of loss and inevitable mortality. Yet, the tone of the poem is not wholly bleak. The poet skillfully employs the metaphor of the "night-still bourne," or peaceful final resting place, to encapsulate the tranquility and release from toil that death may offer.

The structure of the poem, a six-line stanza, effectively supports the development of these themes. The first line ominously introduces the topic of loss, and the following lines gradually transition from the human experience of aging to the undisturbed continuity of the natural world, represented by the "linnet" and the "May morn." This juxtaposition suggests a poignant contrast between human mortality and nature's timeless cycle. The usage of vivid imagery, such as the linnet singing in the morning, contributes to the overall serene atmosphere, despite the solemn subject matter.

The final two lines underscore the oblivion that follows death — "Forgetful and forgotten" — yet, this is tempered by the image of a "grass-green sod" on the speaker's breast, symbolizing nature's comforting embrace. All in all, the poem beautifully intertwines the inevitable progression of age and death with nature's enduring cycle, offering a serene, if somewhat melancholic, perspective on mortality.

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.