How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Line).
Quote #7
All is the earth-realm laden with hardship,
fate of creation turns world under heaven.
Here goldhoard passes, here friendship passes,
here mankind passes, here kinsman passes:
all does this earth-frame turn worthless!
(107-111)
Here the fate, or destiny, of creation seems to be to disappear from the earth. As was true of the abandoned buildings in lines 79-88, the absence of men from the world turns the earth-frame "worthless." This perspective reflects a view of the earth as simply the dwelling-place for mankind, rather than a place with value all on its own.