The Countess Cathleen in Paradise
The Countess Cathleen in Paradise - meaning Summary
Death as Peaceful Elevation
The poem depicts a woman’s peaceful passage from earthly life to heavenly rest. Earthly pride and bodily display are surrendered for humble, devotional grace; religious imagery—Mary, angels, flaming founts—frames her transformation. The speaker emphasizes calm dignity and a mournful beauty carried into paradise, where she becomes a radiant dancer among angels. The tone is reverent, presenting death as sanctification and gentle elevation rather than loss or terror.
Read Complete AnalysesAll the heavy days are over; Leave the body's coloured pride Underneath the grass and clover, With the feet laid side by side. Bathed in flaming founts of duty She'll not ask a haughty dress; Carry all that mournful beauty To the scented oaken press. Did the kiss of Mother Mary Put that music in her face? Yet she goes with footstep wary, Full of earth's old timid grace. 'Mong the feet of angels seven What a dancer glimmering! All the heavens bow down to Heaven, Flame to flame and wing to wing.
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