Death of the Prince Imperial

By Abram Joseph Ryan

Elegy
    Waileth a woman, "O my God!"     A breaking heart in a broken breath,     A hopeless cry o'er her heart-hope's death!     Can words catch the chords of the winds that wail,     When love's last lily lies dead in the vale!          Let her alone,             Under the rod          With the infinite moan             Of her soul for God.     Ah! song! you may echo the sound of pain,          But you never may shrine,          In verse or line,     The pang of the heart that breaks in twain.     Waileth a woman, "O my God!"     Wind-driven waves with no hearts that ache,     Why do your passionate pulses throb?     No lips that speak -- have ye souls that sob?     We carry the cross -- ye wear the crest,      We have our God -- and ye, your shore,     Whither ye rush in the storm to rest;     We have the havens of holy prayer --     And we have a hope -- have ye despair?      For storm-rocked waves ye break evermore,     Adown the shores and along the years,     In the whitest foam of the saddest tears,     And we, as ye, O waves, gray waves!     Drift over a sea more deep and wide,     For we have sorrow and we have death;     And ye have only the tempest's breath;     But we have God when heart-oppressed,     As a calm and beautiful shore of rest.     O waves! sad waves! how you flowed between     The crownless Prince and the exiled Queen!     Waileth a woman, "O my God!"      Her hopes are withered, her heart is crushed,     For the love of her love is cold and dead,     The joy of her joy hath forever fled;      A starless and pitiless night hath rushed     On the light of her life -- and far away     In Afric wild lies her poor dead child,     Lies the heart of her heart -- let her alone          Under the rod             With her infinite moan,          O my God!     He was beautiful, pure, and brave,          The brightest grace          Of a royal race;     Only his throne is but a grave;          Is there fate in fame?          Is there doom in names?     Ah! what did the cruel Zulu spears     Care for the prince or his mother's tears?     What did the Zulu's ruthless lance     Care for the hope of the future France?     Crieth the Empress, "O my son!"     He was her own and her only one,     She had nothing to give him but her love.     'Twas kingdom enough on earth -- above     She gave him an infinite faith in God;      Let her cry her cry     Over her own and only one,     All the glory is gone -- is gone,      Into her broken-hearted sigh.     Moaneth a mother, "O my child!"      And who can sound that depth of woe?     Homeless, throneless, crownless -- now     She bows her sorrow-wreathed brow --      (So fame and all its grandeurs go)          Let her alone             Beneath the rod          With her infinite moan,             "O my God!"

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This poignant poem is a profound exploration of grief, loss, and the enduring human capacity for faith and resilience. Thematically, it traverses the vast landscapes of human sorrow, focusing on the despair of a woman and mother mourning profound personal losses. The repeated line, "Waileth a woman, 'O my God!'" sets a tone of desperation and anguish, establishing a mournful refrain that echoes throughout the poem. The prayer-like repetition serves to underscore both the depth of her pain and her reliance on faith amidst tragedy.

The poem utilizes powerful contrasts, juxtaposing the turbulence of the natural world with the inner turmoil of the grieving woman. Waves and storms symbolize her internal emotional upheaval, their relentless, uncaring power reflecting the indiscriminate nature of loss. The woman's sorrow is likened to a tempestuous sea, her grief as ceaseless as the crashing waves. This metaphor culminates in the hope of a "calm and beautiful shore of rest," suggesting a faith-driven hope for serenity and resolution.

Despite the pervading sense of despair, the poem is not entirely bereft of hope. The woman's steadfast faith is a beacon amidst her suffering, symbolizing her resilience. The motif of God's presence—whether in her sorrowful pleas or in the promise of a peaceful shore—suggests a deep-rooted belief in divine solace amidst worldly suffering.

The poem's structure, with its rhythmic ebb and flow and repeated refrains, mirrors the relentless waves it describes, creating an immersive reading experience that draws the reader into the woman's experience of sorrow. The use of questions and exclamations adds to the emotional intensity, while the vivid imagery and poignant metaphors ensure a lasting emotional impact. This poem, in its exploration of universal human experiences—grief, loss, faith, and resilience—offers a moving testament to the enduring spirit of humanity.

Understanding Elegy

An elegy is a form of poetry that expresses sorrow or lamentation, often for someone who has died. This type of poetry serves as a tribute to the deceased, reflecting on their life and the grief left behind.

Elegies are deeply emotional and personal, exploring themes of loss, mourning, and remembrance. Here are some defining characteristics:

  • Mournful Tone: Elegies are characterized by a tone of sadness and reflection, as the poet grapples with the pain of loss.
  • Tribute to the Deceased: The subject of an elegy is often someone who has passed away, with the poem serving as a memorial that honors their life and legacy.
  • Personal Reflection: Elegies often include personal reflections on the impact of the deceased on the poet's life, as well as broader musings on mortality and the human condition.
  • Structure and Form: While elegies can vary in form, they often follow a traditional structure that includes an expression of grief, praise for the deceased, and a sense of consolation or acceptance.

From ancient times to the present, elegies have provided a way for poets to navigate the complexities of grief and loss, offering solace and a means of preserving the memory of those who have passed.