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Sun 20 Apr, 2014 06:59 pm
Does "Would that my heart were pure as the moon in the sky" mean "Hope that my heart were pure as the moon in the sky"?
But the grammar of "hope that" is far easier to understand (verb + object). The grammar of "would that"? Hard! Does "would" serve as a verb? If so, why used the past tense of "will"?
Context:
Life in the world is but a speck of dust,
Karma ordains all mortals' destiny.
If Karma rules, they why repine?
Would that my heart were pure as the moon in the sky!
@oristarA,
Almost....it means I wish that my heart were as pure as the moon in the sky.
The moon used to be pure before the Apollo astronauts went there and left it looking like a junk yard including poop/pee bags..
"Would that" is a common poetic shortening of "I would that". "Would" is the subjunctive of "will" in its archaic meaning of "wish", and is used to imply a wishful or idealized alternative to an undesired reality.
@contrex,
And "were" is subjunctive of "was".
Mc(after the parade has passed)Tag
@oristarA,
Thank you guys.
There is a typo: they --->>> then:
Life in the world is but a speck of dust,
Karma ordains all mortals' destiny.
If Karma rules,
then why repine?
Would that my heart were pure as the moon in the sky!
@oristarA,
No, then in that context is not a typo.
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