To Ruin
written in 1786
To Ruin - meaning Summary
Death as Desired Release
The poem presents a speaker who addresses Death ("To Ruin") as an inevitable, even welcome force. Worn by loss and suffering, the speaker shifts from fear to resigned pleading, asking the grim power to end life’s pains. Imagery of storms, darts, and a heart cut by a lost tie underlines emotional exhaustion. The tone combines despair with a desire for peace: death is framed not only as destructive but as a release that will end tears and weariness and provide the final quiet the speaker seeks.
Read Complete AnalysesAll hail! inexorable lord! At whose destruction-breathing word, The mightiest empires fall! Thy cruel, woe-delighted train, The ministers of grief and pain, A sullen welcome, all! With stern-resolv'd, despairing eye, I see each aimed dart; For one has cut my dearest tie, And quivers in my heart. Then low'ring, and pouring, The storm no more I dread; Tho' thick'ning, and black'ning, Round my devoted head. And thou grim Pow'r by life abhorr'd, While life a pleasure can afford, Oh! hear a wretch's pray'r! Nor more I shrink appall'd, afraid; I court, I beg thy friendly aid, To close this scene of care! When shall my soul, in silent peace, Resign life's joyless day - My weary heart is throbbing cease, Cold mould'ring in the clay? No fear more, no tear more, To stain my lifeless face, Enclasped, and grasped, Within thy cold embrace!
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