What could be the theme of this poem?(The Hourglass)?

Question

"The Hourglass"
Ben Jonson

Do but consider this small dust
Here running in the glass,
By atoms moved;
Could you believe that this
The body was
Of one that loved?
And in his mistress’ flame, playing like a fly,
Turned to cinders by her eye?
Yes; and in death, as life, unblessed,
To have’t expressed,
Even ashes of lovers find no rest.

Answer 1

First, be really, really glad that they didn't give you:

Doe but consider this small dust
that runneth in the glasse
by Autumnes mov'd
would you beleeve that it the body ere was
of one that lov'd
who in his Mrs flame playing like a Fly
burnt to Cinders by her eye,
Yes and in death as life vnblest
to have it exprest
Even ashes of lovers finde no rest.

--which is how it was printed the first time around.

Second, let me clear away a little underbrush by translating it into more-or-less modern English:

Consider this small dust running here in the hourglass, moved by atoms [of air??].
Could you believe that this was the body of a lover who, playing like a fly in his girlfriend’s [candle] flame, was burned to cinders by her glance?
Well, it is!
And lovers' ashes being unfortunate [or actually 'unblessed'?] in death as well as life, they still find no rest.

If you can't get a theme out of THAT, either you need an explanation of "theme" or you don't belong in the class.

In case it's the former: Look at http://www.answers.com/topic/theme-literature, which not only gives a good definition, but also some context and a LOT of examples.

P.S. The next time they throw a difficult text at you, first try to make your own translation. If among the classwork, the notes in your textbook, and a middle-sized dictionary (probably labeled "collegiate") you CAN'T . . . well, then perhaps they're asking you to work without adequate tools. In that case, the class should spend some time working on understanding Early Modern English before they expect you to work with material in what is pretty much a foreign language, though closely related to Modern English!

Answer 2

Hourglass Poem

Answer 3

wow! I honestly have no idea but i feel sry that u have 2 actually find out.