Author: Algernon Charles Swinburne

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    O strong Republic of the nobler years
    Whose white feet shine beside time's fairer flood
    That shall flow on the clearer for our blood
    Now shed, and the less brackish for our tears;
    When time and truth have put out hopes and fears
    With certitude, and love has burst the bud,
    If these whose powers then down the wind shall scud
    Still live to feel thee smite their eyes and ears,
    When thy foot's tread hath crushed their crowns and creeds,
    Care thou not then to crush the beast that bleeds,
    The snake whose belly cleaveth to the sod,
    Nor set thine heel on men as on their deeds;
    But let the worm Napoleon crawl untrod,
    Nor grant Mastai the gallows of his God.

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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, at its core, is a powerful commentary on the impermanence of power, the inevitability of change, and the enduring nature of truth. The poet uses vivid, evocative imagery and employs metaphoric language to deliver a compelling piece of political criticism.

The poem opens with a tribute to the 'strong Republic of the nobler years', an idealised vision of a society built on truth and justice. The use of 'white feet' and 'fairer flood' suggests purity and righteousness, qualities that the poet implies are often threatened by the tumultuous waves of power and politics. The references to 'blood' and 'tears' further intensify the underlying theme of sacrifice and struggle.

The poet employs a striking metaphor in the form of the 'snake whose belly cleaveth to the sod', which could symbolize those who cling to earthly power and wealth. The final two lines, with their explicit political references, suggest the poet's disdain for those who misuse their power. However, the poet advocates for mercy and understanding, a call to treat individuals separately from their actions.

The poem's tone is both hopeful and critical, embodying the poet's belief in the potential for societal improvement and his critique of those who hinder such progress. The structure of the poem, with its complex, interwoven rhyme scheme, lends a rhythmic momentum that echoes the relentless march of time and change highlighted in the poem's content. Overall, the poem is a profound exploration of power, truth, and the human capacity for resilience and reform.