London Types - V. Sandwich-Man

By William Ernest Henley

Sonnet
    An ill March noon; the flagstones gray with dust;     An all-round east wind volleying straws and grit;     ST. MARTIN'S STEPS, where every venomous gust     Lingers to buffet, or sneap, the passing cit;     And in the gutter, squelching a rotten boot,     Draped in a wrap that, modish ten-year syne,     Partners, obscene with sweat and grease and soot,     A horrible hat, that once was just as fine;     The drunkard's mouth a-wash for something drinkable,     The drunkard's eye alert for casual toppers,     The drunkard's neck stooped to a lot scarce thinkable,     A living, crawling blazoning of Hot-Coppers,     He trails his mildews towards a Kingdom-Come     Compact of sausage-and-mash and two-o'-rum!

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This poem makes powerful use of imagery and language to depict a scene of urban decay and despair, focusing on a destitute drunkard as its central figure. The poem's bleak setting is vividly portrayed through descriptions of a harsh March noon, an aggressive east wind, and the grime of the city streets. The poem's use of specific details, such as the "rotten boot", the "obscene" hat, and the drunkard's craving for alcohol, further intensifies the sense of squalor and degradation.

At the heart of the poem is a profound examination of human despair and degradation. The drunkard, reduced to a state of near-destitution, becomes a symbol of the destructive effects of poverty and addiction. The poem's tone is unflinchingly grim, reflecting its dark subject matter. The poem concludes with an ironic twist on the idea of a heavenly "Kingdom-Come", suggesting instead a bleak and sordid future for the poem's protagonist. The structure of the poem, with its tightly controlled rhyming couplets, contrasts sharply with the chaotic and disordered world it describes, perhaps suggesting the harsh discipline of life on the street.

Understanding the Sonnet

The sonnet is one of the most enduring and celebrated forms of poetry, known for its strict structure and profound themes. With a history spanning centuries, sonnets have been used to explore love, beauty, politics, and mortality, all within the confines of just 14 lines.

Sonnets are characterized by their precise form and rhyme scheme, which vary depending on the type of sonnet. Here’s a closer look:

  • Shakespearean (English) Sonnet: Composed of three quatrains followed by a final couplet, with a rhyme scheme of ABABCDCDEFEFGG. This form often builds a complex argument or narrative, culminating in a powerful closing statement.
  • Petrarchan (Italian) Sonnet: Divided into an octave (eight lines) and a sestet (six lines), with a typical rhyme scheme of ABBAABBA for the octave, followed by various patterns in the sestet such as CDECDE or CDCDCD. The octave usually presents a problem, with the sestet providing a resolution.
  • Meter: Sonnets are traditionally written in iambic pentameter, which gives the poem a rhythmic and melodic quality that enhances its emotional impact.

The sonnet’s enduring appeal lies in its ability to condense complex emotions and ideas into a small but potent package, making it a favorite form for poets seeking to explore profound themes with precision and elegance.