The Burden of Austria

By Algernon Charles Swinburne

Sonnet
    O daughter of pride, wasted with misery,     With all the glory that thy shame put on     Stripped off thy shame, O daughter of Babylon,     Yea, whoso be it, yea, happy shall he be     That as thou hast served us hath rewarded thee.     Blessed, who throweth against war's boundary stone     Thy warrior brood, and breaketh bone by bone     Misrule thy son, thy daughter Tyranny.     That landmark shalt thou not remove for shame,     But sitting down there in a widow's weed     Wail; for what fruit is now of thy red fame?     Have thy sons too and daughters learnt indeed     What thing it is to weep, what thing to bleed?     Is it not thou that now art but a name?1

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This piece is a poignant critique of the destructive consequences of pride and tyranny. The poem's primary subject, the "daughter of Babylon," symbolizes powerful societies that have fallen due to their arrogance and misuse of power. The poem employs vivid, often brutal imagery, such as "breaketh bone by bone," to depict the harsh and inevitable downfall of such societies.

The poet uses a consistent and rhythmic structure to deliver a solemn and resolute tone, which underscores the urgent warning against unbridled power and the resulting desolation. The repeated use of rhetorical questions in the closing lines intensifies the theme of regret and the lost grandeur of a once mighty entity. The poem employs the literary device of personification, portraying 'Misrule' and 'Tyranny' as the ill-fated children of the 'daughter of Babylon,' further emphasizing the disastrous consequences of excessive pride and authoritarianism. This work, with its vivid imagery and solemn tone, serves as a timeless reminder of the tragic downfall that can follow unchecked power and hubris.

Understanding the Sonnet

The sonnet is one of the most enduring and celebrated forms of poetry, known for its strict structure and profound themes. With a history spanning centuries, sonnets have been used to explore love, beauty, politics, and mortality, all within the confines of just 14 lines.

Sonnets are characterized by their precise form and rhyme scheme, which vary depending on the type of sonnet. Here’s a closer look:

  • Shakespearean (English) Sonnet: Composed of three quatrains followed by a final couplet, with a rhyme scheme of ABABCDCDEFEFGG. This form often builds a complex argument or narrative, culminating in a powerful closing statement.
  • Petrarchan (Italian) Sonnet: Divided into an octave (eight lines) and a sestet (six lines), with a typical rhyme scheme of ABBAABBA for the octave, followed by various patterns in the sestet such as CDECDE or CDCDCD. The octave usually presents a problem, with the sestet providing a resolution.
  • Meter: Sonnets are traditionally written in iambic pentameter, which gives the poem a rhythmic and melodic quality that enhances its emotional impact.

The sonnet’s enduring appeal lies in its ability to condense complex emotions and ideas into a small but potent package, making it a favorite form for poets seeking to explore profound themes with precision and elegance.