Books · 1832
There’s somewhat flows to us in life, But more is taken quite away. Pray, Alice, pray, my darling wife, That we may die the self-same day.
— Alfred Tennyson · The Miller's Daughter
Behind the line May contain spoilers.
Our reading
An editorial interpretation.
The verse reflects that life gives a little but takes away more. In response, the speaker asks a beloved wife to pray that the two of them die on the same day, a tender wish to be spared the grief of outliving the other.
Context reviewed