Good luck befriend thee, Son; for at thy birth The fairy ladies danced upon the hearth.
Interpretation
The quote expresses a wish for good fortune and happiness to accompany a person's life journey from birth.
In this quote, John Milton evokes the imagery of fairy ladies dancing at the birth of a child, symbolizing a blessing of good luck and happiness bestowed upon the newborn. It reflects the cultural belief that such auspicious events can shape a life filled with joy and fortune, emphasizing the hope that the child will be well-favored and supported throughout their journey in life.
In practice
A parent might share this quote at a baby shower to express their wishes for the child's future.
They, looking back, all the eastern side beheld Of Paradise, so late their happy seat, Waved over by that flaming brand, the gate With dreadful faces thronged and fiery arms: Some natural tears they dropped, but wiped them soon; The world was all before them, where to choose Their place of rest, and Providence their guide; They, hand in hand, with wandering steps and slow, Through Eden took their solitary way.
The stars, that nature hung in heaven, and filled their lamps with everlasting oil, give due light to the misled and lonely traveller.
Ev'n them who kept thy truth so pure of old, When all our fathers worshipp'd stocks and stones.
Abashed the devil stood and felt how awful goodness is and saw Virtue in her shape how lovely: and pined his loss
The end of all learning is to know God, and out of that knowledge to love and imitate Him.
Apt words have power to suage the tumors of a troubled mind.
My view is that, you know, life unfolds at its own rhythm. You know, I have never lived a life that I thought I could plan out. And I'm just trying to do the best I can every day. I find I have a lot to get done between the time I get up and the time I go to bed.
Life by the yard is hard; by the inch it's a cinch. Each of us can be true for just one day--and then one more and then one more after that--until we've lived a lifetime guided by the Spirit, a lifetime close to the Lord, a lifetime of good deeds and righteousness.
I want to live and feel all the shades, tones, and variations of mental and physical experience possible in my life. And I am horribly limited.
He needs to go rub his soul against life.
We only have so long to play in the dirt and ask questions of rivers.
If all life moves inevitably towards its end, then we must, during our own, colour it with our colours of love and hope.
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