Before the beginning of yearsThere came to the making of manTime, with a gift of tears; Grief, with a glass that ran; Pleasure, with pain for leaven; Summer, with flowers that fell; Remembrance, fallen from heaven, And madness risen from hell; Strength without hands to smite; Love that endures for a breath; Night, the shadow of light, And Life, the shadow of death.

Summary

This quote highlights the contrast and duality of the human experience. It suggests that when we were created, we were bestowed with various elements that shape our lives. Time brings both tears and joy, while grief and pleasure intertwine. Summer brings the beauty of flowers that inevitably wither away, as Remembrance, having once been heavenly, now feels distant. Madness, representing turmoil, contrastingly emerges from hell. Strength is described as lacking physical power, while love is transient. Night represents darkness and sorrow, shadowed by the light of day. Ultimately, life itself is described as a shadow, embodying the inevitable connection to death.

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