The hunter is rejoicing, but he should think carefully about whether I myself have been caught in the net, or merely my shadow.
In this couplet, the poet confronts his captor with a quiet, graceful defiance. The hunter is celebrating thinking he has finally trapped his prey, but the prey gently asks him to look again—has he caught the real bird, or merely a passing shadow? It is a profound metaphor for inner freedom, reminding us that worldly powers or circumstances may capture our physical form, but our true spirit remains eternally out of their reach.
Interpretation note: meanings and explanations may be AI-assisted and should not replace a primary text or scholarly edition. See the editorial policy.
Audio
Free — just your email. You'll come right back here.
No comments yet. Be the first.