Author: Madison Julius Cawein

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    Death rides black-masked to-night; and through the land
    Madness beside him brandishes a torch.
    The peaceful farmhouse with its vine-wreathed porch
    Lies in their way. Death lifts a bony hand
    And knocks, and Madness makes a wild demand
    Of fierce Defiance: then the night's deep arch
    Reverberates, and under beech and latch
    A dead face stares; shot where one took his stand.
    Then down the night wild hoofs; the darkness beats;
    And like a torrent through the startled town
    Destruction sweeps; high overhead a flame;
    And Violence that shoots amid the streets.
    A piercing whistle: one who gallops down:
    And Death and Madness go the way they came.

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Type of Poem: Sonnet

Date Written:

Date Published:

Language: English

Keywords: Public Domain

Source: Public Domain Collection

Publisher:

Rights/Permissions: Public Domain

Comments/Notes: This poem masterfully utilizes personification and vivid imagery to convey a chilling narrative of destruction and chaos. The central figures, Death and Madness, are personified as tangible, malevolent entities that wreak havoc in their path. The use of a black mask for Death and a torch for Madness imbue these characters with a sense of ominous purpose and uncontrollable fervor, respectively. The entire poem seems to unfold in a single, catastrophic night, enhancing the sense of urgency and terror.

Thematically, the poem explores pervasive fear, destruction, and the futility of resistance. The farmhouse that was once a symbol of peace is swiftly and mercilessly overtaken, signifying the indiscriminate nature of Death and Madness. This sense of indiscriminate terror is further emphasized by the "torrent through the startled town" and "Violence that shoots amid the streets". The poem's structure, composed of a single stanza, mirrors the relentless onslaught of the narrative, leaving no room for respite.

The tone of the poem is bleak and somber, intensified by the use of stark language and stark imagery. The poem concludes on a relentless note, with Death and Madness continuing on their destructive path, leaving devastation in their wake. This grim ending further illuminates the themes of inescapable chaos and despair. Despite its bleakness, the poem stands out for its compelling narrative, vivid imagery, and poignant exploration of universal fears.