Prologue to The Broken Heart

By Algernon Charles Swinburne

Elegy
    The mightiest choir of song that memory hears     Gave England voice for fifty lustrous years.     Sunrise and thunder fired and shook the skies     That saw the sun-god Marlowe's opening eyes.     The morn's own music, answered of the sea,     Spake, when his living lips bade Shakespeare be,     And England, made by Shakespeare's quickening breath     Divine and deathless even till life be death,     Brought forth to time such godlike sons of men     That shamefaced love grows pride, and now seems then.     Shame that their day so shone, so sang, so died,     Remembering, finds remembrance one with pride.     That day was clouding toward a stormlit close     When Ford's red sphere upon the twilight rose.     Sublime with stars and sunset fire, the sky     Glowed as though day, nigh dead, should never die.     Sorrow supreme and strange as chance or doom     Shone, spake, and shuddered through the lustrous gloom.     Tears lit with love made all the darkening air     Bright as though death's dim sunrise thrilled it there     And life re-risen took comfort. Stern and still     As hours and years that change and anguish fill,     The strong secluded spirit, ere it woke,     Dwelt dumb till power possessed it, and it spoke.     Strange, calm, and sure as sense of beast or bird,     Came forth from night the thought that breathed the word;     That chilled and thrilled with passion-stricken breath     Halls where Calantha trod the dance of death.     A strength of soul too passionately pure     To change for aught that horror bids endure,     To quail and wail and weep faint life away     Ere sovereign sorrow smite, relent, and slay,     Sustained her silent, till her bridal bloom     Changed, smiled, and waned in rapture toward the tomb.     Terror twin-born with pity kissed and thrilled     The lips that Shakespeare's word or Webster's filled:     Here both, cast out, fell silent: pity shrank,     Rebuked, and terror, spirit-stricken, sank:     The soul assailed arose afar above     All reach of all but only death and love.

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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 tribute to the literary giants of England, specifically dramatists such as Marlowe, Shakespeare, and Ford. The poem’s theme revolves around the power of their words and the enduring impact they have had on English literature and culture. The poet uses grand and expressive language, creating a tone of reverence and awe that is fitting for the subject matter.

The poem is structured in a way that introduces each dramatist in turn, starting with the "sun-god Marlowe" and his powerful impact on England's literary landscape. The metaphor of the sunrise signifies Marlowe's birth and the beginning of a golden era of literature. Shakespeare's influence is portrayed as divine, breathing life into England and giving birth to "godlike sons of men." The poet’s use of personification and metaphor is particularly noteworthy, as it elevates these literary figures to a quasi-divine status.

The tone shifts towards a more somber note with the introduction of Ford, indicated by the imagery of a "day clouding toward a stormlit close." The use of color imagery, particularly red and dark tones, highlights the tragic themes in Ford's works. The poem ends with a powerful evocation of the emotional impact of these works, emphasizing their power to elicit strong emotions of pity and terror, which further underscores the enduring influence of these playwrights on the collective consciousness. The poem, then, is not only a tribute to these literary figures, but also an exploration of the power of literature itself.

Understanding Elegy

An elegy is a form of poetry that expresses sorrow or lamentation, often for someone who has died. This type of poetry serves as a tribute to the deceased, reflecting on their life and the grief left behind.

Elegies are deeply emotional and personal, exploring themes of loss, mourning, and remembrance. Here are some defining characteristics:

  • Mournful Tone: Elegies are characterized by a tone of sadness and reflection, as the poet grapples with the pain of loss.
  • Tribute to the Deceased: The subject of an elegy is often someone who has passed away, with the poem serving as a memorial that honors their life and legacy.
  • Personal Reflection: Elegies often include personal reflections on the impact of the deceased on the poet's life, as well as broader musings on mortality and the human condition.
  • Structure and Form: While elegies can vary in form, they often follow a traditional structure that includes an expression of grief, praise for the deceased, and a sense of consolation or acceptance.

From ancient times to the present, elegies have provided a way for poets to navigate the complexities of grief and loss, offering solace and a means of preserving the memory of those who have passed.