Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Mercian Hymns: 16" by Geoffrey Hill continues the poet's exploration of the convergence of history, myth, and the human condition, utilizing rich, evocative imagery and layered symbolism. The poem opens with the phrase "Clash of salutation," immediately suggesting both a meeting and a confrontation, perhaps echoing the historical encounters between different cultures and powers.

"As keels thrust into shingle. Ambassadors, pilgrims." The imagery of keels (the main structural element of a ship) thrusting into shingle (loose stones or pebbles on a shore) evokes the arrival of ships, symbolizing journeys, invasions, or diplomatic missions. The mention of "ambassadors" and "pilgrims" adds to this duality of conflict and diplomacy, representing both secular and spiritual quests.

"What is carried over? The Frankish gift, two-edged, regaled with slaughter." This line questions the nature of what is exchanged during these encounters. The "Frankish gift" refers to the cultural and martial exchanges between the Frankish Empire and other realms, particularly England. The "two-edged" gift, likely a sword, symbolizes both protection and violence, underscoring the dual nature of such exchanges—bringing both advancement and destruction.

"The sword is in the king’s hands; the crux a craftsman’s triumph. Metal effusing its own fragrance, a variety of balm. And other miracles, other exchanges." Here, the sword in the king’s hands represents power and authority. The crux, or cross, is described as a craftsman’s triumph, blending religious symbolism with the artistry of weapon-making. The "metal effusing its own fragrance" suggests the tangible and almost sacred quality of these crafted objects, which serve as both instruments of war and symbols of peace. The mention of "other miracles, other exchanges" hints at the broader scope of interactions, both mundane and extraordinary.

"Shafts from the winter sun homing upon earth’s rim. Christ’s mass: in the thick of a snowy forest the flickering evergreen fissured with light." This passage brings a serene, almost mystical atmosphere, contrasting with the earlier images of conflict. The winter sun's rays, Christ’s mass (Christmas), and the snowy forest create a scene of peaceful, sacred light breaking through the darkness, symbolizing hope and renewal.

"Attributes assumed, retribution entertained. What is borne amongst them? Too much or too little." These lines reflect on the nature of leadership and the burdens of power. "Attributes assumed" suggests the roles and responsibilities taken on by leaders, while "retribution entertained" implies the contemplation of justice or revenge. The question of what is "borne amongst them"—whether it is too much or too little—addresses the constant struggle to balance power and responsibility.

"Indulgences of bartered acclaim; an expenditure, a hissing. Wine, urine and ashes." The final lines bring a sense of decay and corruption. "Indulgences of bartered acclaim" suggests that praise and recognition can be bought and sold, undermining genuine achievement. "An expenditure, a hissing" conveys the waste and fleeting nature of such transactions. The imagery of "wine, urine and ashes" starkly juxtaposes the sacred (wine, often used in religious rites) with the profane (urine) and the remnants of destruction (ashes), capturing the complex, often contradictory essence of human endeavors and legacies.

Through this intricate weave of historical, mythical, and natural imagery, Hill’s poem meditates on the cyclical nature of human ambition and failure, the interplay of light and darkness, and the enduring tension between creation and destruction.

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