Author: Algernon Charles Swinburne

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    An hour ere sudden sunset fired the west,
    Arose two stars upon the pale deep east.
    The hall of heaven was clear for nights high feast,
    Yet was not yet days fiery heart at rest
    Love leapt up from his mothers burning breast
    To see those warm twin lights, as day decreased,
    Wax wider, till when all the sun had ceased
    As suns they shone from evenings kindled crest
    Across them and between, a quickening fire,
    Flamed Venus, laughing with appeased desire.
    Their dawn, scarce lovelier for the gleam of tears,
    Filled half the hollow shell twixt heaven and earth
    With sound like moonlight, mingling moan and mirth,
    Which rings and glitters down the darkling years.

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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 leverages the motifs of celestial bodies and natural elements to explore themes of love, time, and the interplay of darkness and light. The hour before sunset, the rising stars, and the flaming Venus symbolize shifts in time and emotional states, creating a sense of dynamism and cyclical progression. The tone is both reflective and anticipatory, capturing the tension between the ending of the day and the inception of the night, a metaphorical transition from known to unknown, comfort to mystery.

The poem's structure is marked by its regular rhythm and rhyme scheme, contributing to the overall musicality and flow of the piece. The poet utilizes evocative imagery and personification, notably in lines such as "Love leapt up from his mother's burning breast," giving abstract concepts like love a tangible, human-like presence. The final two lines resonate with a profound sense of melancholy and beauty, suggesting an intermingling of joy and sorrow that echoes down the years. This juxtaposition of contrasting emotions is a testament to the complexity of human experience. The poem, in essence, is a poignant reflection on the passage of time, the constancy of change, and the enduring power of love.