An Alliance

Author: Gilbert Keith Chesterton


    This is the weird of a world-old folk,
    That not till the last link breaks,
    Not till the night is blackest,
    The blood of Hengist wakes.
    When the sun is black in heaven,
    The moon as blood above,
    And the earth is full of hatred,
    This people tells its love.

    In change, eclipse, and peril,
    Under the whole world's scorn,
    By blood and death and darkness
    The Saxon peace is sworn;
    That all our fruit be gathered,
    And all our race take hands,
    And the sea be a Saxon river
    That runs through Saxon lands.

    Lo! not in vain we bore him;
    Behold it! not in vain,
    Four centuries' dooms of torture
    Choked in the throat of Spain,
    Ere priest or tyrant triumph--
    We know how well--we know--
    Bone of that bone can whiten,
    Blood of that blood can flow.

    Deep grows the hate of kindred,
    Its roots take hold on hell;
    No peace or praise can heal it,
    But a stranger heals it well.
    Seas shall be red as sunsets,
    And kings' bones float as foam,
    And heaven be dark with vultures,
    The night our son comes home.

Type of Poem: Ballad

Date Written:

Date Published:

Language: English

Keywords: Public Domain

Source: Public Domain Collection

Publisher:

Rights/Permissions: Public Domain

Comments/Notes: The poem presents an intense narrative of struggle, resilience, and ultimate unity, interweaving motifs of darkness, blood, and historical conflict. The consistent use of apocalyptic imagery, symbolized by the black sun and the blood moon, creates a haunting tone and speaks to an impending cataclysm. This grim tone, however, is countered by the recurring theme of hope and unity in the face of adversity, embodied in the "Saxon peace" that is sworn amid "blood and death and darkness." The reference to Hengist, a historical figure known as a conqueror, suggests a call to ancestral strength in times of peril.

The poem is structured in quatrains with an AABB rhyme scheme, which lends a rhythmic quality that reinforces its narrative flow. The poet also employs powerful literary devices such as hyperbole ("Seas shall be red as sunsets") and metaphor ("And the sea be a Saxon river") to intensify the emotional resonance of the poem. Furthermore, the use of repetition, particularly in the phrase "Not in vain," creates a sense of urgency and echoes the poem's central theme of historical struggle and ultimate redemption. The final lines, which hint at a grim but necessary resolution, leave a lasting impression of the sacrifices inherent in the pursuit of unity and peace.

Understanding Ballads

A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to music, that has been a cornerstone of storytelling across various cultures. Traditionally passed down orally, ballads are known for their rhythmic structure and often tell tales of love, adventure, and heroism.


Ballads are characterized by their strong rhythm and repetition, making them both memorable and engaging. Here are some defining features:

  • Narrative Structure: Ballads typically tell a story, often a dramatic or emotional tale that unfolds in a straightforward, chronological order.
  • Quatrain Stanzas: Most ballads are composed of quatrains (four-line stanzas) with a rhyme scheme of ABAB or ABCB, which adds to the musicality of the verse.
  • Repetition: Refrains or repeated lines are common in ballads, helping to emphasize key themes or emotions and making the ballad easier to remember.
  • Oral Tradition: Many ballads originated from oral traditions, which means they were passed down through generations by word of mouth before being written down.

From medieval minstrels to contemporary songwriters, ballads have continued to evolve, remaining a beloved form of expression that captures the human experience in a way that is both poetic and accessible.