The Iron Age

By Madison Julius Cawein

Sonnet
    And these are Christians! God! the horror of it!     How long, O Lord! how long, O Lord! how long     Wilt Thou endure this crime? and there, above it,     Look down on Earth nor sweep away the wrong!     Are these Thy teachings? Where is then that pity,     Which bade the weary, suffering come to Thee?     War takes its toll of life in field and City,     And Thou must see! O Christianity!     And then the children! Oh, Thou art another!     Not God! but Fiend, whom God has given release!     Will prayer avail naught? tears of father, mother?     To give at last the weary world surcease     From butchery? that back again hath brought her     Into that age barbarian that priced     Hate above Love; and, shod with steel and slaughter,     Stamped on the Cross and on the face of Christ.

Share & Analyze This Poem

Spread the beauty of poetry or dive deeper into analysis

Analyze This Poem

Discover the literary devices, structure, and deeper meaning

Copy to Clipboard

Save this poem for personal use or sharing offline

Share the Love of Poetry
More Poems
More Sonnets
Daily Poem

Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This poem presents a profound exploration of faith, disillusionment, and the moral paradoxes of war, as seen through a Christian lens. The poet employs a tone of anguish and pleading, calling upon God to intervene in the atrocities of war. The repeated question, "how long, O Lord! how long," accentuates the speaker's despair and impatience with divine inaction, while the violent imagery of "butchery," "steel and slaughter" underscores the grim realities of conflict.

The poem is notable for its effective use of rhetorical questions and exclamation, creating a sense of urgency and emotional intensity. The stark contrast drawn between love and hate, alongside the invocation of Christian concepts like the Cross and Christ, underscores the discrepancy between religious teachings and the brutality of war. This tension is further enhanced by the dramatic accusation leveled against God, whom the speaker labels a "Fiend," suggesting a deeply conflicted relationship with faith. In terms of structure, the poem follows a consistent rhyme scheme, lending a rhythmic quality to the verse that underscores its impassioned plea. Overall, this poem presents a powerful critique of war and challenges the reader to examine the complex intersections of faith, morality, and violence.

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.