When the lamp is shattered,
The light in the dust lies dead;
When the cloud is scattered,
The rainbow's glory is shed.
When the lute is broken,
Sweet tones are remembered not;
When the lips have spoken,
Loved accents are soon forgot.

This passage from Percy Bysshe Shelley's poem "When the Lamp is Shattered" explores the ephemeral nature of beauty and emotion. By using metaphors of a shattered lamp, a scattered cloud, and a broken lute, Shelley illustrates how once-vibrant sources of light, color, and sound can quickly dissolve into oblivion. The imagery emphasizes the fragility of experiences and the transience of life’s joys. Once the foundation is lost, as with the lamp or the lute, the beauty it supported cannot be preserved. Similarly, heartfelt words and emotions lose their impact over time, highlighting the theme of impermanence. Shelley's work invites reflection on the fleeting quality of love and the inevitability of change, urging a deeper appreciation for those moments before they fade away.