Be Not Dismayed

By Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Sonnet
    Be not dismayed, be not dismayed when death     Sets its white seal upon some worshipped face.     Poor human nature for a little space     Must suffer anguish, when that last drawn breath     Leaves such long silence; but let not thy faith          Fail for a moment in God's boundless grace.          But know, oh know, He has prepared a place     Fairer for our dear dead than worlds beneath,     Yet not beneath; for those entrancing spheres          Surround our earth as seas a barren isle.     Ours is the region of eternal fears;          Theirs is the region where God's radiant smile     Shines outward from the centre, and gives hope     Even to those who in the shadows grope.     They are not far from us.    At first though long          And lone may seem the paths that intervene,          If ever on the staff of prayer we lean     The silence will grow eloquent with song     And our weak faith with certitude wax strong.          Intense, yet tranquil; fervent, yet serene,          He must be who would contact World Unseen     And comrade with their Amaranthine throng;     Not through the tossing waves of surging grief          Come spirit-ships to port.    When storms subside,     Then with their precious cargoes of relief          Into the harbour of the heart they glide.     For him who will believe and trust and wait     Death's austere silence grows articulate.

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This is a deeply spiritual and profound poem that grapples with the themes of death, faith, and the afterlife. The tone is one of solemn reassurance, offering comfort in face of the inevitable loss that death brings. The structure of the poem, a sonnet-like form, adds a rhythmic flow to the contemplation, providing a thoughtful and measured approach to the topic.

The poem employs several standout literary devices, including personification of death, which is described as setting a 'white seal' on a 'worshipped face.' This creates a stark and powerful image of death's finality. Meanwhile, the use of metaphor -- comparing earth to a 'barren isle' surrounded by 'entrancing spheres' -- emphasizes the idea of the afterlife as an infinite and more beautiful existence.

The second half of the poem transitions from mourning to hope, suggesting that those who have passed on are not truly distant but can be reached through prayer and faith, which are depicted as a 'staff' and a 'harbour.' The final lines encapsulate the poem's message: that death is not the end, but rather a transition to a different existence, and that faith can provide understanding and solace. The tone here is one of quiet conviction, encouraging the reader to 'believe and trust and wait.'

Overall, this poem is a profound exploration of human grappling with mortality and faith, and offers a comforting perspective on death and loss.

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.