"All things are subject to decay and when fate summons, monarchs must obey"

This quote by John Dryden talks to the idea of mortality and the inevitability of death. It recommends that no matter how powerful or influential an individual may be, they are still subject to the same laws of nature as everybody else. The quote indicates that even monarchs, who are typically viewed as powerful and untouchable, must ultimately succumb to fate and accept their mortality. This quote serves as a pointer that nobody is exempt from the laws of nature and that death is an inevitable part of life. It likewise serves as a pointer to live life to the fullest and value the time we have, as it is fleeting and can be taken away at any moment.