A Litany

By Algernon Charles Swinburne

Reflective Poem
FIRST ANTIPHONE.     All the bright lights of heaven     I will make dark over thee;     One night shall be as seven     That its skirts may cover thee;     I will send on thy strong men a sword,     On thy remnant a rod;     Ye shall know that I am the Lord,     Saith the Lord God. SECOND ANTIPHONE.     All the bright lights of heaven     Thou hast made dark over us;     One night has been as seven     That its skirt might cover us;     Thou hast sent on our strong men a sword,     On our remnant a rod;     We know that thou art the Lord,     O Lord our God. THIRD ANTIPHONE.     As the tresses and wings of the wind     Are scattered and shaken,     I will scatter all them that have sinned,     There shall none be taken;     As a sower that scattereth seed,     So will I scatter them;     As one breaketh and shattereth a reed,     I will break and shatter them. FOURTH ANTIPHONE.     As the wings and the locks of the wind     Are scattered and shaken,     Thou hast scattered all them that have sinned,     There was no man taken;     As a sower that scattereth seed,     So hast thou scattered us;     As one breaketh and shattereth a reed,     Thou hast broken and shattered us. FIFTH ANTIPHONE.     From all thy lovers that love thee     I God will sunder thee;     I will make darkness above thee,     And thick darkness under thee;     Before me goeth a light,     Behind me a sword;     Shall a remnant find grace in my sight?     I am the Lord. SIXTH ANTIPHONE.     From all our lovers that love us     Thou God didst sunder us;     Thou madest darkness above us,     And thick darkness under us;     Thou hast kindled thy wrath for a light,     And made ready thy sword;     Let a remnant find grace in thy sight,     We beseech thee, O Lord. SEVENTH ANTIPHONE.     Wilt thou bring fine gold for a payment     For sins on this wise?     For the glittering of raiment     And the shining of eyes,     For the painting of faces     And the sundering of trust,     For the sins of thine high places     And delight of thy lust?     For your high things ye shall have lowly,     Lamentation for song;     For, behold, I God am holy,     I the Lord am strong;     Ye shall seek me and shall not reach me     Till the wine-press be trod;     In that hour ye shall turn and beseech me,     Saith the Lord God. EIGHTH ANTIPHONE.     Not with fine gold for a payment,     But with coin of sighs,     But with rending of raiment     And with weeping of eyes,     But with shame of stricken faces     And with strewing of dust,     For the sin of stately places     And lordship of lust;     With voices of men made lowly,     Made empty of song,     O Lord God most holy,     O God most strong,     We reach out hands to reach thee     Ere the wine-press be trod;     We beseech thee, O Lord, we beseech thee,     O Lord our God. NINTH ANTIPHONE.     In that hour thou shalt say to the night,     Come down and cover us;     To the cloud on thy left and thy right,     Be thou spread over us;     A snare shall be as thy mother,     And a curse thy bride;     Thou shalt put her away, and another     Shall lie by thy side.     Thou shalt neither rise up by day     Nor lie down by night;     Would God it were dark! thou shalt say;     Would God it were light!     And the sight of thine eyes shall be made     As the burning of fire;     And thy soul shall be sorely afraid     For thy souls desire.     Ye whom your lords loved well,     Putting silver and gold on you,     The inevitable hell     Shall surely take hold on you;     Your gold shall be for a token,     Your staff for a rod;     With the breaking of bands ye are broken,     Saith the Lord God. TENTH ANTIPHONE.     In our sorrow we said to the night,     Fall down and cover us;     To the darkness at left and at right,     Be thou shed over us;     We had breaking of spirit to mother     And cursing to bride;     And one was slain, and another     Stood up at our side.     We could not arise by day,     Nor lie down by night;     Thy sword was sharp in our way,     Thy word in our sight;     The delight of our eyelids was made     As the burning of fire;     And our souls became sorely afraid     For our souls desire.     We whom the world loved well,     Laying silver and gold on us,     The kingdom of death and of hell     Riseth up to take hold on us;     Our gold is turned to a token,     Our staff to a rod;     Yet shalt thou bind them up that were broken,     O Lord our God.

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This highly religious poem explores themes of divine judgment, human sinfulness, and the hope for mercy. The structure is designed as a series of antiphones, reflecting a liturgical style often found in Christian worship where verses are sung or spoken in response to one another. This technique creates a dynamic dialogue between the God figure and the human collective, emphasizing the spiritual tension and drama.

The first half of each antiphone is God's voice, delivering stern warnings and judgments; the second half is the collective human response, recognizing their transgressions and pleading for mercy. This back-and-forth dynamic vividly portrays a sense of divine wrath and human repentance. The language is rich in biblical imagery and symbolism, such as darkness representing sin and a sword symbolizing divine judgment, further deepening the spiritual context.

The poem's tone fluctuates between the stern, authoritative tone of God's words and the desperate, pleading tone of the human responses. This fluctuation helps to reinforce the themes of divine judgment and human repentance. Despite the grim imagery and the somewhat harsh tone of God's warnings, the poem ends on a hopeful note, with the human collective expressing their belief in God's capacity for mercy and healing. This shift in tone suggests that the poem, while acknowledging human sinfulness and divine judgment, ultimately affirms the possibility of redemption and divine mercy.

Understanding Reflective Poetry

Reflective poetry is a form of verse that explores the thoughts, emotions, and meditations of the poet. It often delves into personal experiences, memories, and philosophical musings, offering a window into the poet's inner world.

Reflective poems are characterized by their introspective nature, allowing readers to connect with the poet’s contemplations on life, existence, and the human condition. Here are some defining characteristics:

  • Personal Reflection: These poems often center on the poet's own thoughts and feelings, offering a deep dive into their emotional or intellectual state.
  • Philosophical Musings: Reflective poetry frequently addresses larger existential questions, providing a space for the poet to ponder life’s meaning, purpose, and the nature of reality.
  • Imagery and Symbolism: Poets use vivid imagery and rich symbolism to convey their reflections, often drawing on nature, art, or personal experiences to express complex ideas.
  • Quiet and Contemplative Tone: Reflective poems typically have a calm, meditative tone, inviting readers to pause and reflect alongside the poet.

Reflective poetry provides a unique avenue for exploring the poet’s inner world, inviting readers to engage in their own reflections as they journey through the verses.