Author: Algernon Charles Swinburne
The four boards of the coffin lid Heard all the dead man did. The first curse was in his mouth, Made of graves mould and deadly drouth. The next curse was in his head, Made of Gods work discomfited. The next curse was in his hands, Made out of two grave-bands. The next curse was in his feet, Made out of a grave-sheet. I had fair coins red and white, And my name was as great light; I had fair clothes green and red, And strong gold bound round my head. But no meat comes in my mouth, Now I fare as the worm doth; And no gold binds in my hair, Now I fare as the blind fare. My live thews were of great strength, Now am I waxen a spans length; My live sides were full of lust, Now are they dried with dust. The first board spake and said: Is it best eating flesh or bread? The second answered it: Is wine or honey the more sweet? The third board spake and said: Is red gold worth a girls gold head? The fourth made answer thus: All these things are as one with us. The dead man asked of them: Is the green land stained brown with flame? Have they hewn my son for beasts to eat, And my wifes body for beasts meat? Have they boiled my maid in a brass pan, And built a gallows to hang my man? The boards said to him: This is a lewd thing that ye deem. Your wife has gotten a golden bed, All the sheets are sewn with red. Your son has gotten a coat of silk, The sleeves are soft as curded milk. Your maid has gotten a kirtle new, All the skirt has braids of blue. Your man has gotten both ring and glove, Wrought well for eyes to love. The dead man answered thus: What good gift shall God give us? The boards answered him anon: Flesh to feed hells worm upon.
Type of Poem: Narrative Poem
Date Written:
Date Published:
Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Publisher:
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Comments/Notes: This eerie, macabre poem explores themes of mortality, the fleeting nature of material wealth, and the inevitable decay that accompanies death. The structure of the poem is almost conversational, with the dead man making inquiries and the four boards of his coffin responding, adding to the unsettling tone. The poet uses repetition and a stark, somber vocabulary to create a chilling atmosphere, reflecting the bleakness of death and the afterlife.
The poem is replete with vivid, dark imagery, such as the curses "made of graves mould and deadly drouth" and "made out of a grave-sheet". These images effectively underscore the sinister themes while emphasizing the inevitability of death and decay. The poet also employs irony to critique materialism; the dead man's past wealth and status are rendered meaningless in death. In the final response from the boards, there is a chilling reminder of the ultimate fate of mortal bodies, regardless of earthly possessions or status. The poem's haunting tone, its grim exploration of mortality, and its critique of materialism combine to create a powerful, memorable piece.
Narrative poetry is a form of poetry that tells a story, often making use of the voices of a narrator and characters as well. Unlike lyric poetry, which focuses on emotions and thoughts, narrative poetry is dedicated to storytelling, weaving tales that captivate readers through plot and character development.
Narrative poems are unique in their ability to combine the depth of storytelling with the expressive qualities of poetry. Here are some defining characteristics:
From ancient epics like "The Iliad" and "The Odyssey" to more modern narrative poems, this form continues to engage readers by blending the art of storytelling with the beauty and rhythm of poetry.