'Destruction of Sennacherib, The' by George Gordon, Lord Byron

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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 pass'd,
And the eyes of the sleepers wax'd 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 roll'd 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 trumpets 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!

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Destruction of Sennacherib: A Masterpiece of Romantic Poetry

**"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."

These are the opening lines of "The Destruction of Sennacherib", a poem that has captured the imagination of generations of readers. Written by George Gordon, Lord Byron in 1815, this poem tells the story of the destruction of the Assyrian army by the Angel of Death. Though it is just over thirty lines long, it is a masterpiece of Romantic poetry that is rich in meaning and filled with powerful imagery.

The Historical Context

Before delving into the poem itself, it is important to understand the historical context in which it was written. In the early 19th century, Europe was a continent in turmoil. The French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars had transformed the political landscape, and Romantic poets like Byron were responding to the upheaval with their own brand of individualism and emotion.

Byron was also deeply interested in the history of the ancient world, and he drew on this interest in "The Destruction of Sennacherib". The poem is based on the biblical story of the Assyrian siege of Jerusalem in 701 BCE, which is recounted in the Old Testament book of 2 Kings. According to the biblical account, the Assyrian king Sennacherib sent his army to conquer Jerusalem, but the Angel of Death struck down his soldiers in the night, leaving the city unscathed.

Byron takes this story as his inspiration but transforms it into a work of Romantic poetry that is more concerned with emotion and imagination than with historical accuracy. In doing so, he creates a timeless work of art that speaks to readers across the centuries.

The Poem Itself

"The Destruction of Sennacherib" is composed in four stanzas, each of which has four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, and the meter is largely iambic, with some variations. The opening stanza sets the scene for the poem and establishes the basic conflict between the Assyrian army and the defenders of Jerusalem.

**"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."**

These lines are rich in sensory detail, and they create a vivid picture of the Assyrian army as a fierce and menacing force. The use of simile to describe the spears as stars on the sea is particularly effective, as it creates a sense of both beauty and danger.

The second stanza shifts the focus to the defenders of Jerusalem and their fear in the face of the Assyrian army. The imagery in this stanza is even more powerful than in the first, as the language becomes more visceral and immediate.

**"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."**

The comparison of the defenders to leaves of the forest is a powerful one, as it suggests their vulnerability and their transience. The image of the host with their banners at sunset is particularly poignant, as it suggests the beauty and pride of the defenders as they prepare for battle, only to be struck down in the night.

The third stanza is the heart of the poem, as it describes the Angel of Death as he strikes down the Assyrian army. The language here is both powerful and ambiguous, as the Angel is described in mystical terms that suggest both terror and awe.

**"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 forever grew still!"**

The use of personification to describe the Angel of Death as spreading his wings on the blast is particularly effective, as it creates a sense of both physical movement and mystical power. The phrase "their hearts but once heaved, and forever grew still" is chilling in its simplicity, as it suggests the finality of death and the powerlessness of the Assyrian army in the face of divine intervention.

The final stanza brings the poem to a close and offers a moral lesson for the reader. The language here is more reflective and more philosophical than in the previous stanzas, as Byron considers the fleeting nature of human power and the ultimate triumph of divine justice.

**"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."**

These lines offer a powerful image of the aftermath of the battle, as the steed that had once carried the Assyrian army is now dead and beaten. The use of metaphor to describe the foam of his gasping as "cold as the spray of the rock-beating surf" is particularly effective, as it suggests the power of nature and the ultimate futility of human ambition.

Interpretation

So what does "The Destruction of Sennacherib" mean? Like all great works of art, it resists easy interpretation, and different readers will find different meanings in it. However, there are several key themes and motifs that emerge from the poem.

One of the most obvious themes is the power of nature and the divine. Byron portrays the Assyrian army as a mighty force, but ultimately it is no match for the Angel of Death, who strikes it down with ease. This suggests that human power is ultimately insignificant in the face of divine justice, which will always prevail.

Another theme is the fleeting nature of human power and the transience of life itself. The defenders of Jerusalem are like leaves in the wind, and the steed of the Assyrian army is reduced to nothing but foam on the ground. This suggests that all human achievements are ultimately temporary and that death is the great equalizer.

Finally, there is a sense of moral judgment in the poem. The Assyrian army is portrayed as an aggressor, and its defeat is seen as a just retribution for its sins. This suggests that there is a moral order to the universe and that justice will always be served in the end.

Conclusion

"The Destruction of Sennacherib" is a masterpiece of Romantic poetry that is rich in meaning and filled with powerful imagery. It is a testament to Byron's skill as a poet that he is able to take a biblical story and transform it into a work of art that speaks to readers across the centuries. Whether read as a meditation on the power of nature, a reflection on the transience of human life, or a moral judgment on human behavior, this poem is a timeless masterpiece that continues to inspire and captivate readers today.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Destruction of Sennacherib by George Gordon, Lord Byron is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a powerful and evocative piece of literature that tells the story of the Assyrian king Sennacherib and his army's defeat at the hands of the Hebrews. The poem is a masterpiece of storytelling, and its vivid imagery and powerful language make it a must-read for anyone interested in poetry.

The poem begins with a description of the Assyrian army as it marches towards the city of Jerusalem. The army is described as being "like the leaves of the forest when summer is green," and the imagery is powerful and evocative. The reader can almost feel the ground shaking as the army approaches, and the tension is palpable.

As the army approaches the city, the Hebrews pray for deliverance, and their prayers are answered. The poem describes how an angel of the Lord comes down and strikes the Assyrian army, causing them to fall to the ground. The imagery here is particularly powerful, with the angel described as being "like the breath of the morning that scatters the dew."

The poem then goes on to describe the aftermath of the battle. The Assyrian army is decimated, and Sennacherib himself is killed. The Hebrews are victorious, and the city of Jerusalem is saved. The poem ends with a powerful message of hope and faith, as the Hebrews thank God for their deliverance.

One of the things that makes The Destruction of Sennacherib such a powerful poem is its use of language. Lord Byron was a master of language, and his use of imagery and metaphor is particularly effective in this poem. The imagery of the Assyrian army being like the leaves of the forest is a perfect example of this. It creates a vivid picture in the reader's mind and helps to build tension and anticipation.

Another thing that makes the poem so powerful is its use of rhythm and rhyme. The poem is written in iambic tetrameter, which means that each line has four iambs, or stressed and unstressed syllables. This creates a rhythm that is both powerful and evocative, and it helps to draw the reader in and keep them engaged.

The poem also makes use of rhyme, with each stanza following an ABAB rhyme scheme. This helps to create a sense of unity and cohesion throughout the poem, and it also helps to make the poem more memorable.

The theme of the poem is one of faith and hope in the face of adversity. The Hebrews are facing an overwhelming enemy, but they do not lose hope. They pray for deliverance, and their prayers are answered. This message of hope and faith is one that is still relevant today, and it is one of the reasons why the poem has stood the test of time.

In conclusion, The Destruction of Sennacherib by George Gordon, Lord Byron is a classic poem that is still relevant today. Its powerful language, vivid imagery, and message of hope and faith make it a must-read for anyone interested in poetry. Whether you are a fan of Lord Byron or simply a lover of great literature, this poem is sure to leave a lasting impression.

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