Author: Algernon Charles Swinburne

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    Est-ce qu'il n'est pas temps que la foudre se prouve,
    Cieux profonds, en broyant ce chien, fils de la louve?
    La Lgende des Sicles: - Ratbert.

1


    By the dead body of Hope, the spotless lamb
    Thou threwest into the high priest's slaughtering-room,
    And by the child Despair born red therefrom
    As, thank the secret sire picked out to cram
    With spurious spawn thy misconceiving dam,
    Thou, like a worm from a town's common tomb,
    Didst creep from forth the kennel of her womb,
    Born to break down with catapult and ram
    Man's builded towers of promise, and with breath
    And tongue to track and hunt his hopes to death:
    O, by that sweet dead body abused and slain,
    And by that child mismothered,--dog, by all
    Thy curses thou hast cursed mankind withal,
    With what curse shall man curse thee back again?


2

    By the brute soul that made man's soul its food;
    By time grown poisonous with it; by the hate
    And horror of all souls not miscreate;
    By the hour of power that evil hath on good;
    And by the incognizable fatherhood
    Which made a whorish womb the shameful gate
    That opening let out loose to fawn on fate
    A hound half-blooded ravening for man's blood;
    (What prayer but this for thee should any say,
    Thou dog of hell, but this that Shakespeare said?)
    By night deflowered and desecrated day,
    That fall as one curse on one cursed head,
    "Cancel his bond of life, dear God, I pray,
    That I may live to say, The dog is dead!"

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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 powerful and intense poem is marked by a dark and dramatic tone, exploring themes such as despair, curse, hatred, and the struggle between good and evil. The poet employs a highly emotional and vivid language to portray a struggle against a demonic figure, represented metaphorically as a 'dog.' This 'dog' seems to symbolize a destructive force that threatens to annihilate man's hope and aspirations, thus introducing an element of conflict.

The poem is divided into two parts, each employing an intricate rhyme scheme that enhances the rhythmic quality of the lines. The first part is a harsh indictment of the destructive 'dog,' while the second offers a desperate plea for its annihilation. Literary devices such as metaphors, similes, personification, and allusion are used effectively to convey the poet's strong emotions and messages. Notably, the poem's language is dense and layered, requiring careful reading to fully appreciate its complexities. The imagery is potent and striking, painting a vivid picture of the struggle between hope and despair, good and evil.

Overall, this poem is a powerful expression of human despair and a desperate plea for salvation. It showcases the poet's ability to evoke strong emotions and provoke deep thought through intricate language and compelling imagery. The poem's dark tone, complex structure, and deep themes make it a challenging, yet rewarding read.