"As though there were a tie And obligation to posterity. We get them, bear them, breed, and nurse: What has posterity done for us. That we, lest they their rights should lose, Should trust our necks to gripe of noose?"

In this quote from John Trumbull, the poet assesses the relationship between generations, particularly the responsibilities we hold toward future ones. The text begins by contemplating a viewed "tie and responsibility to posterity", recommending that society often feels a duty to ensure the well-being and rights of future generations. This is a common sentiment, reflecting the concept that our actions today will impact the lives of those who follow us.

However, the poet rapidly challenges this idea with an intriguing concern: "What has posterity provided for us?" This rhetorical concern casts doubt on the fairness of this obligation. Given that posterity, by its nature, can not give anything back to the present generation (as it does not exist yet), Trumbull welcomes the reader to consider why we must prioritize their needs over our own.

The text continues with the idea that individuals "get them, bear them, type, and nurse", which succinctly catches the cycle of human life and the efforts involved in raising the next generation. In spite of the fundamental worth in these activities, the poem recommends suspicion about whether such efforts are justified when thinking about the sacrifices they need, consisting of the ultimate rate of possibly running the risk of one's life or flexibility ("trust our necks to gripe of noose").

The images of the noose presents a plain and potentially hyperbolic representation of the dangers or challenges intrinsic in ensuring the welfare of future generations. This starkly illustrates the tension between self-preservation and the societal expectation to act for the advantage of those yet to come.

In general, Trumbull's quote acts as a philosophical musing on intergenerational obligation, questioning the extent and nature of our duties to posterity. It motivates readers to critically evaluate why we make sacrifices for the future and whether such sacrifices are naturally virtuous or necessary.