, Death be not proud
Explanation of original text
Lines 1–4:
Death, be not proud, though some have called thee
Mighty and dreadful, for thou art not so;
For those whom thou think’st thou dost overthrow
Die not, poor Death, nor yet canst thou kill me.
Explanation:
When the poet says “Death, be not proud”, he means Death should not think
of itself as strong and important. People may say“some have called thee
mighty and dreadful”, which means some believe Death is powerful and
terrifying — but the poet rejects that and says “for thou art not so” (you are not
actually powerful).
Explanation of original text
Lines 1–4:
Death, be not proud, though some have called thee
Mighty and dreadful, for thou art not so;
For those whom thou think’st thou dost overthrow
Die not, poor Death, nor yet canst thou kill me.
Explanation:
When the poet says “Death, be not proud”, he means Death should not think
of itself as strong and important. People may say“some have called thee
mighty and dreadful”, which means some believe Death is powerful and
terrifying — but the poet rejects that and says “for thou art not so” (you are not
actually powerful).
