All is Vanity, Saith the Preacher
The poem explores themes of mortality and the fleeting nature of human existence. It critiques societal values that prioritize material wealth and status over spiritual pursuits. The speaker reflects on the transience of life and the inevitability of death, urging readers to reevaluate their priorities and seek a deeper connection with the divine.
By Lord Byron · First published 1817 · Genre: Poetry, Philosophical, Romantic · 262 words
First lines
I Fame, Wisdom, Love, and Power were mine, And Health and Youth possessed me; My goblets blushed from every vine, And lovely forms caressed me; I sunned my heart in Beauty's eyes, And felt my soul grow tender; All Earth can give, or mortal prize, Was mine of regal splendour.
II I strive to number o'er what days Remembrance can discover, Which all that Life or Earth displays Would lure me to live over. There rose no day, there rolled no hour Of pleasure unembittered; And not a trapping decked my Power That galled not while it glittered.
What this Textopian page supports
All is Vanity, Saith the Preacher is listed on Textopian as a poem by Lord Byron, dated 1817 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Lord Byron
- Date: 1817 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Philosophical, Romantic, Satire
- Length: 262 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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Similar titles
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form with stanzas and rhyme, characteristic of poetry.
- Philosophical — The themes explore existential questions about the value of fame, wisdom, love, and power, reflecting on the transient nature of life.
- Romantic — The emphasis on beauty, emotion, and introspection aligns with Romantic literary themes.
- Satire — The title and content suggest a critique of human pursuits and the futility of worldly achievements.
Tags
Philosophical · Poetic · Meditative · Existential · Nihilistic · Satirical · Social Commentary · Critique of Society · Morality · Ethics · Religion · Spirituality