The Prisoner of Chillon: A Fable Man and the Natural World Quotes

How we cite our quotes: I cite by line number only in this module.

Quote #1

A sunbeam which hath lost its way,
And through the crevice and the cleft
Of the thick wall is fallen and left; (lines 31-3)

The small amount of sunlight that makes its way into the dungeon seems like it doesn't belong there – the speaker thinks it must have gotten "lost." Natural beauty has no place in a dungeon like his!

Quote #2

And truly might it be distress'd
To see such bird in such a nest; (lines 77-78)

The speaker might be banished from the natural world, but he still uses natural metaphors and similes to describe the people he loves.

Quote #3

A polar day, which will not see
A sunset till its summer's gone,
Its sleepless summer of long light (lines 82-84)

The speaker's youngest brother's goodness and beauty remind him of a "polar day" during the summer – a day with no sunset.