Welcome to Poem of the Day – The Destruction of Sennacherib by Lord Byron.
“The Destruction of Sennacherib” is a poem written by Lord Byron in 1815, which forms part of his collection Hebrew Melodies. The poem tells the biblical story of the Assyrian king Sennacherib, who attempted to conquer Jerusalem but was thwarted by divine intervention. Through vivid imagery and a steady, rhythmic form, Byron captures the sudden and dramatic defeat of the once-powerful army. The poem reflects on the power of divine forces, the fleeting nature of human glory, and the themes of destruction and divine justice.
The Destruction of Sennacherib Poem
The Assyrian came down like the wolf on the fold,
And his cohorts were gleaming in purple and gold;
And the sheen of their spears was like stars on the sea,
When the blue wave rolls nightly on deep Galilee.
Like the leaves of the forest when Summer is green,
That host with their banners at sunset were seen:
Like the leaves of the forest when Autumn hath blown,
That host on the morrow lay withered and strown.
For the Angel of Death spread his wings on the blast,
And breathed in the face of the foe as he passed;
And the eyes of the sleepers waxed deadly and chill,
And their hearts but once heaved, and for ever grew still!
And there lay the steed with his nostril all wide,
But through it there rolled not the breath of his pride;
And the foam of his gasping lay white on the turf,
And cold as the spray of the rock-beating surf.
And there lay the rider distorted and pale,
With the dew on his brow, and the rust on his mail:
And the tents were all silent, the banners alone,
The lances unlifted, the trumpet unblown.
And the widows of Ashur are loud in their wail,
And the idols are broke in the temple of Baal;
And the might of the Gentile, unsmote by the sword,
Hath melted like snow in the glance of the Lord!
The Destruction of Sennacherib Poem Explanation
The poem recounts the biblical event in which King Sennacherib of Assyria, leading his mighty army, marches toward Jerusalem with the intention of conquering it. However, despite the strength and grandeur of his forces, they are struck down by the “Angel of Death” sent by God. This supernatural intervention results in the sudden and total destruction of Sennacherib’s army.
Mighty Army: The poem opens by describing the Assyrian army as powerful and formidable, likening them to wolves attacking sheep. The comparison emphasizes the might and fearsome nature of the invading force as they advance toward Jerusalem.
Divine Intervention: At the height of the army’s power, divine intervention occurs. The “Angel of Death” sweeps through the Assyrian camp, and the once-mighty warriors fall lifeless, “like the leaves of the forest when Autumn hath blown.” This simile highlights the abrupt and overwhelming destruction brought upon them.
Aftermath: The poem concludes by describing the aftermath of the destruction. The tents stand still, the banners hang limply, and the horses are left silent and cold. The power of Sennacherib has been entirely erased, his soldiers are dead, and his might is nothing before the will of God. The destruction is complete, and the once-proud Assyrians have been brought low by a higher power.
Themes in “The Destruction of Sennacherib”
Divine Power and Justice: One of the central themes of the poem is the power of God to deliver justice. Despite the might and arrogance of Sennacherib, he is powerless against the divine forces that protect Jerusalem. The poem underscores the idea that human strength and ambition are nothing compared to the will of God.
Mortality and the Fleeting Nature of Power: Byron explores the impermanence of human glory and military power. Sennacherib’s army, described as invincible, is wiped out in an instant. This highlights the fragility of life and the ease with which power can be stripped away.
War and Destruction: The poem vividly describes the horrors of war, even though the Assyrian army is the aggressor. Byron’s use of imagery such as “the widows of Ashur” weeping for their lost husbands evokes the personal cost of destruction and loss on both sides of the conflict.
Structure and Form
Form: The poem consists of six quatrains (four-line stanzas), and each line follows an AABB rhyme scheme. This regular structure and rhyme pattern give the poem a steady, almost rhythmic feel, echoing the advance of the Assyrian army and the suddenness of their defeat.
Meter: The poem is written in anapestic tetrameter. This means that each line contains four anapestic feet (two unstressed syllables followed by a stressed syllable). The anapestic meter creates a swift, galloping rhythm, mimicking the march of the army and the drama of their destruction.
Imagery and Symbolism
Assyrian Army as Wolves: Byron likens the Assyrian army to a pack of wolves attacking a flock of sheep. This metaphor conveys the army’s ferocity and the threat they pose to Jerusalem, yet it also foreshadows their downfall, as wolves are ultimately mortal and vulnerable to greater forces.
Angel of Death: The “Angel of Death” is a key symbol in the poem, representing divine intervention and the swift, decisive nature of God’s justice. The angel is not described in detail, which adds to its mystical and fearsome presence as an unstoppable force.
Autumn Leaves: Byron uses the simile “like the leaves of the forest when Autumn hath blown” to describe the falling Assyrian soldiers. This comparison evokes both the suddenness and the natural inevitability of death, as autumn leaves fall without resistance, much like the soldiers fall without a fight.
Silent Aftermath: The aftermath of the battle is described in vivid detail, with tents standing silent and lifeless, horses lying cold, and banners drooping. This imagery emphasizes the totality of the destruction, where life, movement, and noise have all been extinguished.
Tone and Language
Tone: The tone of the poem is solemn and dramatic, reflecting both the grandeur of the Assyrian army and the awe-inspiring power of divine justice. Byron’s descriptions convey a sense of inevitability and the sheer magnitude of the destruction wrought by the Angel of Death.
Language: Byron uses vivid, descriptive language to bring the scenes to life. His use of simile and metaphor enhances the emotional impact of the poem, making the destruction feel both dramatic and natural. The language is elevated and grand, fitting the epic nature of the subject matter.
Biblical Influence: The language of the poem has a biblical quality, both in its subject matter and its tone. Byron draws on the biblical story of Sennacherib’s defeat, and his language reflects the solemnity and majesty often associated with scripture.
Conclusion
“The Destruction of Sennacherib” is a powerful narrative poem that explores themes of divine justice, the fleeting nature of human power, and the devastation of war. Through its regular structure, rhythmic meter, and vivid imagery, Lord Byron captures the sudden downfall of a once-mighty army, illustrating the idea that no human force can stand against the will of God. The poem serves as a reminder of the limitations of human ambition and the ultimate authority of divine power over earthly events.
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