Author: Algernon Charles Swinburne

---

    There was a graven image of Desire
    Painted with red blood on a ground of gold
    Passing between the young men and the old,
    And by him Pain, whose body shone like fire,
    And Pleasure with gaunt hands that grasped their hire.
    Of his left wrist, with fingers clenched and cold,
    The insatiable Satiety kept hold,
    Walking with feet unshod that pashed the mire.
    The senses and the sorrows and the sins,
    And the strange loves that suck the breasts of Hate
    Till lips and teeth bite in their sharp indenture,
    Followed like beasts with flap of wings and fins.
    Death stood aloof behind a gaping grate,
    Upon whose lock was written Peradventure.

---

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 exhibits a profound exploration of human desire and its consequences, presenting a vivid tableau of intense metaphors and vivid imagery. The overarching theme appears to be the human condition's dualities - pleasure and pain, desire and satiety, love and hate - and the unending pursuit of satisfaction that often leads to despair.

The tone is sombre and contemplative, with an undercurrent of warning about the perils of unchecked desire. The structure of the poem supports this tone, with a steady rhythm reflecting the relentless march of human yearning and its aftermath. The inclusion of abstract concepts personified as tangible characters - Desire, Pain, Pleasure, Satiety - serves to create a surreal, almost nightmarish landscape, mirroring the often overwhelming and confusing nature of human emotions and desires.

The poet employs a number of striking literary devices. The use of vivid, visceral imagery - the "red blood on a ground of gold", the body of Pain that "shone like fire" - serves to engage the senses and evoke a strong emotional response. Metaphor and personification are used to great effect, transforming abstract concepts into tangible characters, while the language is rich and evocative, painting a vivid picture of the human struggle between desire and satisfaction. The poem closes on an ominous note with Death standing aloof, the word 'Peradventure' on its lock suggesting the uncertainty and potential danger that lies in succumbing to unbridled desires. Overall, the poem is a powerful exploration of human desire, its consequences, and the constant push and pull between our wants and needs.