The days are gone
This poem reflects on the fleeting nature of worldly power and the enduring presence of divine authority. It begins by lamenting the loss of the glorious days when kingdoms thrived and rulers were generous. The poet observes that those powers and pleasures have vanished, leaving behind a world driven by toil and aging honor. The imagery of pale faces and withered beards evokes the passage of time and the inevitability of death. The poem contrasts earthly treasures with divine judgment, emphasizing that material wealth cannot sway God's wrath against sin. It underscores the importance of humility, faith, and moral conduct, suggesting that those who live humbly are supported by heavenly forces. The poem concludes with a call to focus on the eternal joy and love of God, praising the divine creator's unchanging grace. Themes of mortality, divine justice, and spiritual aspiration are woven throughout, with literary devices such as imagery, contrast, and personification enriching the text.
| Word | In English | Plain (English) | Pron. |
|---|---|---|---|
| flourished | thrived | grew and developed successfully | flur-ishd |
| magnificence | splendor | great beauty and grandeur | mag-nif-i-sens |
| vanished | disappeared | ceased to exist | van-isht |
| tarnished | faded | lost its shine or beauty | tar-nisht |
| honor | respect | high respect or esteem | on-er |
| mourn | grieve | feel sorrow for the loss | morn |
| strewing | scattering | spreading things around | stroo-ing |
| wrath | anger | extreme anger | rath |
| chaste | pure | morally pure or modest | chayst |
| scorch | burn | burn or damage with heat | skorch |
| eternal | everlasting | lasting forever | ee-tur-nal |
| unchanging | constant | not changing or varying | un-chayng-ing |
| creator | maker | one who creates or makes | kree-ay-tor |
The poet's identity and era are not determined from the available information.