Belgium

By Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Sonnet
    Ruined? destroyed?    Ah, no; though blood in rivers ran     Down all her ancient streets; though treasures manifold     Love-wrought, Time-mellowed, and beyond the price of gold     Are lost, yet Belgium's star shines still in God's vast plan.     Rarely have Kings been great, since kingdoms first began;     Rarely have great kings been great men, when all was told.     But, by the lighted torch in mailed hands, behold,     Immortal Belgium's immortal king, and Man.

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
The poem is a powerful exploration of destruction, resilience, and the enduring power of humanity in times of crisis. It opens with an immediate confrontation of desolation, leveraging evocative imagery of "blood in rivers" and lost, priceless treasures to underscore the severity of Belgium's devastation. It appears to reference a specific historical period, likely a war, further grounding its themes in reality.

Despite the initial tone of despair, the poem quickly shifts to a more hopeful, almost defiant stance. The idea that "Belgium's star shines still in God's vast plan" suggests a belief in divine providence and the resilience of the human spirit. The second stanza contrasts the rarity of greatness in kings with the magnified nobility found in adversity, embodied by "Belgium's immortal king." This figure symbolizes not just a leader, but essentially the indomitable spirit of humanity.

Structured in two quatrains with a rhymed couplet at the end of each, the poem's form mirrors its content—two contrasting ideas bound together by a unifying theme. The use of personification and powerful imagery further enhances the emotional impact. Overall, the poem is a testament to human endurance and the potential for greatness even amidst devastation, offering a poignant, hopeful perspective on historical tragedy.

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.