A glowing feather hangs inside a golden birdcage surrounded by small flowers against reflective lavender twilight.

Original artwork, not a still

The Palace of Art · 1832

Alfred Tennyson

I built my soul a lordly pleasure-house, Wherein at ease for aye to dwell. I said, “O Soul, make merry and carouse, Dear soul, for all is well.”

Behind the line

What it means

Our interpretation.

The speaker describes building a magnificent dwelling for the soul, meant to be lived in comfortably forever. They tell it to celebrate and feast because everything is well, expressing confident satisfaction that may sound self-assured, even complacent.

Context reviewed

Share this quote