And when his hours are numbered, and the world Is all his own, retiring, as he were not, Leaves, when the sun appears, astonished Art To mimic in slow structures, stone by stone Built in an age, the mad wind's night-work, The frolic architecture of the snow.

Summary

This quote describes the fleeting nature of human existence and the wonders that arise from it. It suggests that when an individual's time on Earth is coming to an end, they withdraw from the world, as if they are not present anymore. As a result, nature and art are left to shine and amaze. The quote paints a vivid picture of the sun's arrival, which astonishes art in the form of man-made stone structures that mimic the whimsical and intricate patterns of snow built by the wild wind during a winter night.

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