Lullaby Death Quotes

This is the beginning of the speaker's focus on death. He notes that nothing lasts forever: children grow up and lose their beauty, and everyone dies eventually.

By referring to his sleeping beloved as a "living creature," we're reminded of the fact that, one day, he will not be living. The speaker then goes on to call him "mortal;" just another reminder that we will all die some day.

Here the speaker includes symbols of time passing – a clock and a bell – which have the effect of reminding us that time is always passing.

Nothing lasts forever in this poem or in the world. It's not just human beings who die. Beauty doesn't last forever, nor do our visions. Even midnight "dies" every night.

The speaker asks his sleeping beloved to be satisfied with their earthly life. He says that their world and their love are enough for both of them; they don't need a god or supernatural powers.