Author: Madison Julius Cawein

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    Here I have heard on hills the battle clash
     Roar to the windy sea that roared again:
     When, drunk with wrath, upon the clanking plain
    Barbaric kings did meet in war and dash
    Their maild thousands down, heard onset crash
     Like crags contending 'gainst the battering main.
     Torrents of helms, beaming like streams of rain,
    Blue-billowing 'neath the pale moon's fitful flash;
    Saw the scared moon hang over the black wood
     Like a pale wreath of foam; shields, spears, and swords
    Shoot green as meteors thro' the steely flood,
     Or shine like ripples 'round their heathen lords
    Standing like stubborn rocks, whence the wild wave
    Of war circled in steel and foamed out brave on brave.

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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: The poem presents a vivid and intense portrayal of a historical battlefield, set against a backdrop of harsh nature. The primary theme revolves around war and conflict, capturing the raw power, chaos, and violence associated with it. The author's use of powerful and dynamic imagery paints a picture of intense battles, where "Barbaric kings" clash, and their forces, described as "maild thousands", fall.

The tone of the poem is dramatic and somber, highlighting the futility and destructiveness of war. The poet utilizes nature as a metaphor for the battlefield, comparing the clash of armies to a stormy sea and the moonlight to the glint of weapons. The language is filled with metaphors and similes, such as "Torrents of helms, beaming like streams of rain," which add to the atmospheric quality of the poem. The structure of the poem, with its consistent rhythm, creates a sense of the relentless pace of war. The final lines depict the resilience of the "heathen lords" amidst the tumultuous sea of war, encapsulating the tragic heroism often associated with such conflicts. The poem offers a poignant commentary on the brutality and grandeur of warfare, effectively engaging the reader with its vivid imagery and emotional resonance.