All things were known eternally and were poignant in their transiency .

世间万物都是永恒可知的，即使稍纵即逝。

The poet , confined to his bed with a serious illness , hears the bells of the church adjoining , and is thereby reminded of death and the transiency of human life .

诗人因为重疾卧病在床，听到附近教堂丧钟声，因此联想到死亡及生命的短暂。