Author: Algernon Charles Swinburne

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    Ad generem Cereris sine cde et vulnere pauci
    Descendunt reges, aut sicc morte tyranni.


    By no dry death another king goes down
    The way of kings. Yet may no free mans voice,
    For stern compassion and deep awe, rejoice
    That one sign more is given against the crown,
    That one more head those dark red waters drown
    Which rise round thrones whose trembling equipoise
    Is propped on sand and bloodshed and such toys
    As human hearts that shrink at human frown.
    The name writ red on Polish earth, the star
    That was to outshine our Englands in the far
    East heaven of empire where is one that saith
    Proud words now, prophesying of this White Czar?
    In bloodless pangs few kings yield up their breath,
    Few tyrants perish by no violent death,

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Type of Poem: Sonnet

Date Written:

Date Published:

Language: English

Keywords: Public Domain

Source: Public Domain Collection

Publisher:

Rights/Permissions: Public Domain

Comments/Notes: This poem employs a rich tapestry of imagery and metaphor to explore themes of power, mortality, and the transient nature of human dominion. There is a sustained sense of inevitability and fatalism throughout the poem, suggesting that all rulers, regardless of their power or cruelty, ultimately meet the same fate. This is reflected in the repeated motif of "kings" and "tyrants" falling, which serves as a potent reminder of the fleeting nature of life and authority.

The tone of the poem is somber and contemplative, with a subtle undercurrent of critique against the violence and instability that often accompany political power. This is particularly evident in the imagery of "dark red waters," "thrones whose trembling equipoise is propped on sand and bloodshed," and "human hearts that shrink at human frown." These images masterfully capture the precariousness and inherent fragility of power.

The poem's structure, consisting of two stanzas, effectively mirrors its central themes. The first stanza sets the scene and introduces the theme of the fall of kings and tyrants. The second stanza deepens this theme, offering a critique of the vanity of power and the inevitability of death. The use of enjambment throughout the poem creates a sense of fluidity and continuity, reinforcing the cyclical nature of power and death.

In conclusion, this poem offers a profound meditation on the transient nature of power, the inevitability of death, and the often-violent consequences of political ambition. Its rich imagery, thoughtful structure, and somber tone serve to heighten its thematic depth and emotional resonance.