A Ballad Of Sark

Author: Algernon Charles Swinburne

    High beyond the granite portal arched across
    Like the gateway of some godlike giants hold
    Sweep and swell the billowy breasts of moor and moss
    East and westward, and the dell their slopes enfold
    Basks in purple, glows in green, exults in gold
    Glens that know the dove and fells that hear the lark
    Fill with joy the rapturous island, as an ark
    Full of spicery wrought from herb and flower and tree.
    None would dream that grief even here may disembark
    On the wrathful woful marge of earth and sea.
    Rocks emblazoned like the mid shields royal boss
    Take the sun with all their blossom broad and bold.
    None would dream that all this moorlands glow and gloss
    Could be dark as tombs that strike the spirit acold
    Even in eyes that opened here, and here behold
    Now no sun relume from hopes belated spark
    Any comfort, nor may ears of mourners hark
    Though the ripe woods ring with golden-throated glee,
    While the soul lies shattered, like a stranded bark
    On the wrathful woful marge of earth and sea.
    Death and doom are they whose crested triumphs toss
    On the proud plumed waves whence mourning notes are tolled.
    Wail of perfect woe and moan for utter loss
    Raise the bride-song through the graveyard on the wold
    Where the bride-bed keeps the bridegroom fast in mould,
    Where the bride, with death for priest and doom for clerk,
    Hears for choir the throats of waves like wolves that bark,
    Sore anhungered, off the drear Eperquerie,
    Fain to spoil the strongholds of the strength of Sark
    On the wrathful woful marge of earth and sea.
    Prince of storm and tempest, lord whose ways are dark,
    Wind whose wings are spread for flight that none may mark,
    Lightly dies the joy that lives by grace of thee.
    Love through thee lies bleeding, hope lies cold and stark,
    On the wrathful woful marge of earth and sea.
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Type of Poem: Ballad

Date Written:

Date Published:

Language: English

Keywords: Public Domain

Source: Public Domain Collection

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Rights/Permissions: Public Domain

Comments/Notes: This poem presents a vivid juxtaposition between the beauty of nature and the harsh realities of human life, particularly death and loss. The imagery is rich and detailed, creating an almost painterly landscape of "billowy breasts of moor and moss" and "rocks emblazoned like the mid shields royal boss." The use of color and light — purple, green, gold, glow, gloss — serves to enhance the lushness of the natural world, a seeming paradise "like the gateway of some godlike giants hold."

However, this idyllic scene is abruptly undercut by the introduction of grief and woe, effectively contrasting the timeless, unchanging beauty of nature with the transience and despair of human existence. The recurring phrase "On the wrathful woful marge of earth and sea" drives home the poem's underlying theme of mortality and the inevitability of death, even amidst the splendor of life. Symbolism is also employed, with the "stranded bark" and "thirsty wolves" symbolizing the shattered soul and the insatiable hunger of death.

The poem's structure, marked by the consistent end-rhyme scheme and the repetition of certain phrases, contributes to the overall somber tone. It also increases the dramatic tension, emphasizing the relentless onslaught of grief and despair. Despite the beauty and joy that fill the island, the poem insists, they cannot provide comfort or solace in the face of life's inevitable tragedies: "Love through thee lies bleeding, hope lies cold and stark."

Understanding Ballads

A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to music, that has been a cornerstone of storytelling across various cultures. Traditionally passed down orally, ballads are known for their rhythmic structure and often tell tales of love, adventure, and heroism.

Ballads are characterized by their strong rhythm and repetition, making them both memorable and engaging. Here are some defining features:

  • Narrative Structure: Ballads typically tell a story, often a dramatic or emotional tale that unfolds in a straightforward, chronological order.
  • Quatrain Stanzas: Most ballads are composed of quatrains (four-line stanzas) with a rhyme scheme of ABAB or ABCB, which adds to the musicality of the verse.
  • Repetition: Refrains or repeated lines are common in ballads, helping to emphasize key themes or emotions and making the ballad easier to remember.
  • Oral Tradition: Many ballads originated from oral traditions, which means they were passed down through generations by word of mouth before being written down.

From medieval minstrels to contemporary songwriters, ballads have continued to evolve, remaining a beloved form of expression that captures the human experience in a way that is both poetic and accessible.