Bohemiens En Voyage (French)

By Charles Baudelaire

Sonnet
    La tribu prophtique aux prunelles ardentes     Hier sest mise en route, emportant ses petits     Sur son dos, ou livrant leurs fiers apptits     Le trsor toujours prt des mamelles pendantes.     Les hommes vont pied sous leurs armes luisantes     Le long des chariots ou les leurs sont blottis,     Promenant sur le ciel des yeux appesantis     Par le morne regret des chimres absentes.     Du fond de son rduit sablonneux, le grillon,     Les regardant passer, redouble sa chanson;     Cyble, qui les aime, augmente ses verdures,     Fait couler le rocher et fleurir le dsert     Devant ces voyageurs, pour lesquels est ouvert     Lempire familier des tnbres futures.

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This poem, written in French, is a rich tapestry of emotions and themes, displaying a vivid journey of a tribe as they traverse through life’s unpredictable landscapes. The journey serves as a metaphor for life's struggles, with the tribe symbolizing the human collective navigating the world. This is a poem steeped in symbolism and imbued with a sense of relentless motion and change.

The tone of the poem is solemn and reflective, underscored by a sense of melancholy and longing, especially when it refers to "morne regret des chimres absentes" - the mournful regret of absent fantasies. The structure of the poem, consistent and rhythmic, in combination with vivid imagery, creates a compelling narrative and enhances the feeling of a persistent journey.

The use of natural elements - the tribe, their young, the desert, the cricket's song - imbues the poem with a sense of interconnectedness, suggesting a deep bond between humans and nature. The poem also leans on the use of various literary devices like personification (Cybele, the deity of nature, actively aiding the travelers) and metaphor (the 'always ready treasure of pendulous breasts' representing sustenance and survival). This captivating piece evokes not just the physical journey of the tribe, but also the emotional and spiritual journey of mankind, culminating in the acceptance of the impending darkness, a metaphor for the unknown future.

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.