After Sunset - Sonnets

By Algernon Charles Swinburne

    Si quis piorum Manibus locus. I.     Straight from the suns grave in the deep clear west     A sweet strong wind blows, glad of life: and I,     Under the soft keen stardawn whence the sky     Takes life renewed, and all nights godlike breast     Palpitates, gradually revealed at rest     By growth and change of ardours felt on high,     Make onward, till the last flame fall and die     And all the world by nights broad hand lie blest.     Haply, meseems, as from that edge of death,     Whereon the day lies dark, a brightening breath     Blows more of benediction than the morn,     So from the graves whereon grief gazing saith     That half our heart of life there lies forlorn     May light or breath at least of hope be born. II.     The wind was soft before the sunset fled:     Now, while the cloud-enshrouded corpse of day     Is lowered along a red funereal way     Down to the dark that knows not white from red,     A clear sheer breeze against the night makes head,     Serene, but sure of life as ere a ray     Springs, or the dusk of dawn knows red from grey,     Being as a soul that knows not quick from dead.     From far beyond the sunset, far above,     Full toward the starry soundless east it blows     Bright as a childs breath breathing on a rose,     Smooth to the sense as plume of any dove;     Till more and more as darkness grows and glows     Silence and night seem likest life and love. III.     If light of life outlive the set of sun     That men call death and end of all things, then     How should not that which life held best for men     And proved most precious, though it seem undone     By force of death and woful victory won,     Be first and surest of revival, when     Death shall bow down to life arisen again?     So shall the soul seen be the self-same one     That looked and spake with even such lips and eyes     As love shall doubt not then to recognise,     And all bright thoughts and smiles of all time past     Revive, transfigured, but in spirit and sense     None other than we knew, for evidence     That loves last mortal word was not his last

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain

Analysis & Notes:
This poem is a profound meditation on the themes of death, life, renewal, and love. The poet uses the natural cycle of day and night, sunset and sunrise, as a metaphor for the cycle of life and death, with the suggestion of an afterlife or rebirth following physical death.

The poem is set in a tone of quiet introspection, and the imagery used is richly evocative and atmospheric. The poet skillfully employs personification, imbuing entities like the wind, night, and the sky with human-like characteristics and emotions. This serves to create a sense of unity and interconnectivity between humanity and the natural world.

In terms of structure, the poem is split into three stanzas, each presenting a different stage or perspective within the overall theme. The first stanza introduces the theme of renewal with the dawn, the second stanza examines the boundary between life and death, and the final stanza contemplates the concept of an afterlife.

The standout literary device in this poem is the skilful use of metaphor, particularly the symbolic correlation between the natural world and human experiences. The poet's contemplation of the sunset and the dawn, the force of the wind and the silence of the night, all serve to reflect on the human condition, particularly our shared experiences of life, death, and the hope of rebirth or continuation.

In conclusion, this poem is a deeply reflective and philosophical exploration of life's biggest questions, presented through beautiful and evocative language. The interplay of natural imagery and human emotion creates a poignant and resonant piece of poetry that encourages the reader to contemplate their own life and mortality.

Understanding the Sonnet

The sonnet is one of the most enduring and celebrated forms of poetry, known for its strict structure and profound themes. With a history spanning centuries, sonnets have been used to explore love, beauty, politics, and mortality, all within the confines of just 14 lines.


Sonnets are characterized by their precise form and rhyme scheme, which vary depending on the type of sonnet. Here’s a closer look:

  • Shakespearean (English) Sonnet: Composed of three quatrains followed by a final couplet, with a rhyme scheme of ABABCDCDEFEFGG. This form often builds a complex argument or narrative, culminating in a powerful closing statement.
  • Petrarchan (Italian) Sonnet: Divided into an octave (eight lines) and a sestet (six lines), with a typical rhyme scheme of ABBAABBA for the octave, followed by various patterns in the sestet such as CDECDE or CDCDCD. The octave usually presents a problem, with the sestet providing a resolution.
  • Meter: Sonnets are traditionally written in iambic pentameter, which gives the poem a rhythmic and melodic quality that enhances its emotional impact.

The sonnet’s enduring appeal lies in its ability to condense complex emotions and ideas into a small but potent package, making it a favorite form for poets seeking to explore profound themes with precision and elegance.