Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Danube And The Euxine" published in 1854 by William Edmonstoune Aytoun is a dramatic and metaphorical piece presenting a dialogue between two major bodies of water, the Danube River and the Euxine (more commonly known as the Black Sea). This poem leverages the power of allegory and personification to comment on political, social, and historical contexts.

In terms of provenance and context, "Danube and the Euxine" is situated within a broader cultural and historical context. In the mid-19th century, Eastern Europe was undergoing significant political and social changes, including the rise of nationalism and the decline of the Ottoman Empire. Aytoun's poem can be seen as a celebration of the region's natural beauty and cultural heritage, as well as a call to action to preserve these important resources for future generations.

The poem begins with the Euxine asking why the Danube comes to it "Red and raging", bringing with it an unknown pollution. The pollution, as it unfolds in the dialogue, is not of physical debris but a metaphorical representation of the discord, bloodshed, and violence unfolding in the regions the Danube passes through.

The Danube explains that it brings "Glorious tokens" from its "distant channel-bed" - allusions to the historical conflicts it has witnessed. Its words express a lament over its past state as a "Christian river" where it had to bear the silence of peaceful but drab existence, "Dull and slow" and listen to "the laughter from the village and the town, and the church-bells, ever jangling, as the weary day went down".

It seems to express a perverse longing for the chaotic days of old when "the race of Thor and Odin" held their battles by its side, and it was coloured with "the blood of man." This could signify a romanticized view of past conflicts, reflecting a yearning for the drama and intensity that such violent histories brought.

As the Danube declares that the "old times are returning", we understand that new conflicts have erupted, and once again, it carries the blood of the fallen. This time, it's not the "heathen blood" of pagan times but the "gallant Christian gore". Here Aytoun might be pointing to internal conflicts within Christian communities or nations, thus presenting a critique of contemporary Christian society. The phrase "the Cross is broken down" further strengthens this interpretation.

The Danube mentions that "the glare of burning cities" will soon light its way, bringing to mind images of war and devastation. The references to the Rhine and Elbe, other major rivers in Europe, plunging "downward through their wild anarchic land" hints towards widespread chaos and anarchy.

Towards the end of the poem, the Danube reveals a kind of triumph in its return to a state of chaos, rejecting its past as a Christian river, announcing, "I am Christian stream no more". The poem finishes on a decidedly pessimistic note, implying a return to an era of violence, bloodshed, and conflict.

In terms of poetic devices, Aytoun uses powerful imagery and personification, giving human attributes to the Danube and Euxine, enabling a conversation between them. He also employs a steady rhythm and rhyme scheme (ABAB), which gives the poem a rhythmic quality and helps to convey the resounding declaration made by the Danube in the face of the devastation it narrates.

Overall, "Danube And The Euxine" serves as a critique of Christian Europe's internal conflicts during Aytoun's time, utilizing potent metaphors and powerful imagery to convey the scale and intensity of the upheaval. It also reveals Aytoun's perspective on history and conflict, examining the tension between periods of peace and turbulence. He also urges his readers to take responsibility for the health and well-being of these important bodies of water.

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...