Author: Algernon Charles Swinburne

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    For the four hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the Foundation of the College


I
    Four hundred summers and fifty have shone on the meadows of Thames and died
    Since Eton arose in an age that was darkness, and shone by his radiant side
    As a star that the spell of a wise man's word bade live and ascend and abide.
    And ever as time's flow brightened, a river more dark than the storm-clothed sea,
    And age upon age rose fairer and larger in promise of hope set free,
    With England Eton her child kept pace as a fostress of men to be.
    And ever as earth waxed wiser, and softer the beating of time's wide wings,
    Since fate fell dark on her father, most hapless and gentlest of star-crossed kings,
    Her praise has increased as the chant of the dawn that the choir of the noon outsings.

II
    Storm and cloud in the skies were loud, and lightning mocked at the blind sun's light;
    War and woe on the land below shed heavier shadow than falls from night;
    Dark was earth at her dawn of birth as here her record of praise is bright.
    Clear and fair through her morning air the light first laugh of the sunlit stage
    Rose and rang as a fount that sprang from depths yet dark with a spent storm's rage,
    Loud and glad as a boy's, and bade the sunrise open on Shakespeare's age.
    Lords of state and of war, whom fate found strong in battle, in counsel strong,
    Here, ere fate had approved them great, abode their season, and thought not long:
    Here too first was the lark's note nursed that filled and flooded the skies with song.

III
    Shelley, lyric lord of England's lordliest singers, here first heard
    Ring from lips of poets crowned and dead the Promethean word
    Whence his soul took fire, and power to outsoar the sunward-soaring bird.
    Still the reaches of the river, still the light on field and hill,
    Still the memories held aloft as lamps for hope's young fire to fill,
    Shine, and while the light of England lives shall shine for England still.
    When four hundred more and fifty years have risen and shone and set,
    Bright with names that men remember, loud with names that men forget,
    Haply here shall Eton's record be what England finds it yet.

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Type of Poem: Lyric Poem

Date Written:

Date Published:

Language: English

Keywords: Public Domain

Source: Public Domain Collection

Publisher:

Rights/Permissions: Public Domain

Comments/Notes: This poem is a vibrant tribute to the enduring legacy and influence of Eton College. It employs a rich tapestry of imagery and symbolism, especially related to light and darkness, to illustrate the institution's steadfast presence across centuries. The poet adopts a tone of reverence, manifesting in a grand narrative that aligns Eton's journey with the broader arc of England's history.

The poem is structured in three sections, each focusing on different aspects of Eton's legacy: its establishment, its influence in the age of Shakespeare, and its role in shaping notable figures like Shelley. The poet's allusion to key historical events bolsters the sense of Eton's significance in England's cultural and intellectual progress. The recurrent reference to 'light' functions as a persistent metaphor for knowledge, hope, and resilience, while 'darkness' signifies ignorance and adversity - positions that Eton stands against.

The poem's language is characterized by a powerful lyricism and a rhythm that echoes the passing of time, reflecting the institution's longevity. The narrative ends on a hopeful note, anticipating Eton's continued relevance in centuries to come. Thus, the poet skillfully weaves a narrative that maintains a balance between historical reflection and forward-looking optimism.