Cor Cordium

Author: Algernon Charles Swinburne

    O heart of hearts, the chalice of loves fire,
    Hid round with flowers and all the bounty of bloom;
    O wonderful and perfect heart, for whom
    The lyrist liberty made life a lyre;
    O heavenly heart, at whose most dear desire
    Dead love, living and singing, cleft his tomb,
    And with him risen and regent in deaths room
    All day thy choral pulses rang full choir;
    O heart whose beating blood was running song,
    O sole thing sweeter than thine own songs were,
    Help us for thy free loves sake to be free,
    True for thy truths sake, for thy strengths sake strong,
    Till very liberty make clean and fair
    The nursing earth as the sepulchral sea.
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Type of Poem: Sonnet

Date Written:

Date Published:

Language: English

Keywords: Public Domain

Source: Public Domain Collection

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Rights/Permissions: Public Domain

Comments/Notes: This poem is a passionate ode to the heart, symbolizing both love and the innermost depths of human emotion. It is rich in metaphorical language and beautifully woven imagery. The heart is personified as a vessel of love's fire, a choral choir, and a source of life-giving song, which underlines the central theme of the poem: the transformative and liberating power of love and emotional integrity.

The structure of the poem, a single sonnet, effectively contains the depth of the poet's feelings and allows the theme to unfold in a controlled yet intense manner. The poet employs powerful images of life, death, and resurrection, indicating the heart's capacity to endure pain and yet revive with even stronger resolve. The tone of the poem is at once both celebratory of the heart's capabilities and pleading for its strength. The final lines call for freedom, truth, and strength, asserting that these virtues, embodied in the heart, can purify the world. This poem, thus, serves as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of love.

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.