Author: Madison Julius Cawein

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There is a legend of an old Hartz tower
 That tells of one, a noble, who had sold
 His soul unto the Fiend; who grew not old
 On this condition: That the demon's power
 Cease every midnight for a single hour,
 And in that hour his body should be cold,
 His limbs grow shriveled, and his face, behold!
 Become a death's-head in the taper's glower.
 So unto Sin Life gives his best. Her arts
 Make all his outward seeming beautiful
 Before the world; but in his heart of hearts
 Abides an hour when her strength is null;
 When he shall feel the death through all his parts
 Strike, and his countenance become a skull.

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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 appears to be a chilling exploration of themes such as the pursuit of immortality, the consequences of making deals with the devil, and the underlying horror that accompanies such choices. The imagery is dark and striking, invoking a sense of cautionary dread. The primary character, a nobleman who has sold his soul for agelessness, is depicted as outwardly beautiful but internally tormented, a stark reminder of the often-hidden costs of vanity and ambition.

The poem's structure, a sonnet, is a classic form often used to explore deep emotional states or moral quandaries, reinforcing the gravity of its subject matter. The abab rhyme scheme lends a rhythmic predictability that contrasts with the unsettling subject matter. The use of metaphor is particularly effective, with the nobleman's transformation into a death's-head serving as a potent symbol of mortality and the inevitable decay of the human body. The consequent juxtaposition of physical beauty and internal decay underscores the poem's warning against the deceptive allure of power and immortality. The tone is somber and ominous, creating an atmosphere of impending doom that pervades the entire poem, culminating in the grim revelation of the nobleman's true, deathly countenance.