What though it be?

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Marius Hancu - 14 May 2009 07:24 GMT

Hello:

Does:
"what though it be?"
mean
"what could it be (but (a new) day)?"

----
'TIS true, 'tis day ; what though it be?
O, wilt thou therefore rise from me?
Why should we rise because 'tis light?
Did we lie down because 'twas night?

BREAK OF DAY.
by John Donne (p. 84)
http://www.luminarium.org/sevenlit/donne/breake.htm
-----

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Thanks.
Marius Hancu

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James Hogg - 14 May 2009 11:31 GMT

>Hello:
>
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
>by John Donne (p. 84)
>http://www.luminarium.org/sevenlit/donne/breake.htm

It means, very roughly, "So what?"

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James

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Marius.Hancu@gmail.com - 14 May 2009 11:43 GMT

> >Does:
> >"what though it be?"
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
>
> It means, very roughly, "So what?"

Works well in the context:-)

Thanks.
Marius Hancu

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Pat Durkin - 14 May 2009 15:25 GMT

>>> Does:
>>> "what though it be?"
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
>
> Works well in the context:-)

http://www.cduniverse.com/lyrics.asp?id=196449
Modern usage. This is from "Dancing in the Dark".
I know there is another song about skies being blue (or gray), etc. but
only a few lines come to mind. I agree with the "So what", but think
that "so, what if it is (they are)," or "even though, even so" serve
better. But only because "So what?" in UStalk is a very impertinent and
snotty remark, nowadays expressed with a sneer and a shrug and a turning
away of the head and "WHATever-r-r".

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Amethyst Deceiver - 15 May 2009 12:51 GMT

> Hello:
>
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> ----
> 'TIS true, 'tis day ; what though it be?

"What if it is?" - why should it matter to us?

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Linz
Wet Yorks via Cambridge, York, London and Watford
My accent may vary

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Mike Lyle - 15 May 2009 21:31 GMT

>> Hello:
>>
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>
> "What if it is?" - why should it matter to us?

I rather think the first time I became conscious of the structure was in
the measured tread of:

"What though in solemn silence all
Move round the dark terrestrial ball?
In Reason's ear they all rejoice,
And utter forth a glorious voice:
'The hand that made us is Divine!
The hand that made us is Divine!'"

Dear old Addison!

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Mike.

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Marius.Hancu@gmail.com - 16 May 2009 10:47 GMT

On May 15, 7:51 am, Amethyst Deceiver <s...@lindsayendell.co.uk>
wrote:

> > Does:
> > "what though it be?"
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>
> "What if it is?" - why should it matter to us?

This might be a closer one.

Thanks.
Marius Hancu

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Discussion Groups / English Usage / May 2009

What though it be?