# Who Would Have Thought? explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by George MacDonald.

## What happens

The speaker reflects on the surprising holiness of even an idle song, contrasting it with the dark thoughts and low wishes that cling to the heart. They call for a divine breath to cleanse the inner poison and allow love and music to flow freely, connecting the earthly and celestial.

## Themes in this chapter

### Spiritual Struggle and Doubt

The speaker battles dark thoughts and low wishes, seeking divine cleansing.

### Love as Ultimate Strength

Love is portrayed as the life-giving force that sustains the earth and heavens.

## Character check-ins

### Unknown

The speaker who laments inner darkness and yearns for purification.

### Love

Personified as the green earth and celestial air, the source of life and music.

## Key lines

> Who would have thought that even an idle song Were such a holy and celestial thing

It is surprising that a casual song can be so sacred and heavenly.

_The speaker marvels at the inherent holiness of music._

> Love is the green earth, the celestial air, And music runs like dews and rivers there!

Love is the living earth and the sky, and music flows through it like dew and rivers.

_Love is the foundation of all life, with music as its natural expression._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/who-would-have-thought
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_8_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters