deluge
by Chesterton · Cluster: Faith · Providence · Divine Love
Abstract
Ballad-like lyric of a lone tattered man standing up amid the biblical flood to drink defiantly to God — gratitude, defiance and faith against cosmic catastrophe.
Testo / Text
Connections
Archetypes: Common Man (2)
Topoi: Last Stand, Sublime in Nature
Motifs: Storm, Water, Wine and Drink, Swords and Weapons Themes & Concepts: Faith, Wonder and Gratitude, Humility, Courage, Apocalypse, Sublime, Providence, Wonder and Terror Forms & Genres: Lyric, Ballad Ballade Historical References: Bible
Testo integrale / Full text
The Deluge
G. K. Chesterton
Though giant rains put out the sun,
Here stand I for a sign.
Though earth be filled with waters dark,
My cup is filled with wine.
Tell to the trembling priests that here
Under the deluge rod,
One nameless, tattered, broken man
Stood up, and drank to God.
Sun has been where the rain is now,
Bees in the heat to hum,
Haply a humming maiden came,
Now let the deluge come:
Brown of aureole, green of garb,
Straight as a golden rod,
Drink to the throne of thunder now!
Drink to the wrath of God.
High in the wreck I held the cup,
I clutched my rusty sword,
I cocked my tattered feather
To the glory of the Lord.
Not undone were the heaven and earth,
This hollow world thrown up,
Before one man had stood up straight,
And drained it like a cup.