Author: Algernon Charles Swinburne

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    To Joseph Mazzini.


    Prim dicte mihi, summ dicende Camen.

1.
    The shadows fallen of years are nine
    Since heaven grew seven times more divine
    With thy soul entering, and the dearth
    Of souls on earth
    Grew sevenfold sadder, wanting One
    Whose light of life, quenched here and done,
    Burns there eternal as the sun.

2.
    Beyond all word, beyond all deed,
    Beyond all thought beloved, what need
    Has death or love that speech should be,
    Hast thou of me?
    I had no word, no prayer, no cry,
    To praise or hail or mourn thee by,
    As when thou too wast man as I.

3.
    Nay, never, nor as any born
    Save one whose name priests turn to scorn,
    Who haply, though we know not now,
    Was man as thou,
    A wanderer branded with men's blame,
    Loved past man's utterance: yea, the same,
    Perchance, and as his name thy name.

4.
    Thou wast as very Christnot he
    Degraded into Deity,
    And priest-polluted by such prayer
    As poisons air,
    Tongue-worship of the tongue that slays,
    False faith and parricidal praise:
    But the man crowned with suffering days.

5.
    God only, being of all mankind
    Most manlike, of most equal mind
    And heart most perfect, more than can
    Be heart of man
    Once in ten ages, born to be
    As haply Christ was, and as we
    Knew surely, seeing, and worshipped thee.

6.
    To know theethis at least was ours,
    God, clothed upon with human hours,
    O face beloved, O spirit adored,
    Saviour and lord!
    That wast not only for thine own
    Redeemernot of these alone
    But all to whom thy word was known.

7.
    Ten years have wrought their will with me
    Since last my words took wing for thee
    Who then wast even as now above
    Me, and my love.
    As then thou knewest not scorn, so now
    With that beloved benignant brow
    Take these of him whose light wast thou.

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Type of Poem: Elegy

Date Written:

Date Published:

Language: English

Keywords: Public Domain

Source: Public Domain Collection

Publisher:

Rights/Permissions: Public Domain

Comments/Notes: The poem is a profound tribute to a revered figure, Joseph Mazzini, and is characterized by a deep reverence and a sense of melancholic longing. Its central themes revolve around death, remembrance, divine love, and the transcendence of the human spirit. The structure of the poem follows a consistent rhythm and rhyme scheme, imbuing it with a musical quality that enhances the emotionally charged narrative.

The poet employs the literary device of metaphoric comparisons, likening Mazzini to Christ—not the deified figure, but the human embodiment of love, suffering, and sacrifice. This not only elevates Mazzini's stature but also emphasizes the poet's message of the human capacity for divinity. The tone oscillates between reverence, sadness, and a subdued sense of hope, creating a poignant atmosphere.

The poet also uses powerful imagery to convey the absence left by Mazzini's death, describing it as a "dearth of souls on earth" that burns "eternal as the sun." This vivid image highlights the enduring influence and impact of Mazzini. The recurring use of the number "seven" could be interpreted as a reference to biblical symbolism, adding another layer of depth to the poem.

In conclusion, this poem is a moving tribute to a beloved figure, employing a variety of literary devices to create evocative imagery and emotional depth. Its themes of divine love, human potential, and the power of remembrance resonate deeply, making it an engaging and thought-provoking piece.