Herod's Lament for Mariamne
The poem is a lamentation of the death of Mariamne, wife of Herod the Great. It explores themes of love, loss and betrayal. The speaker expresses his grief and anger at her execution, while also acknowledging his own complicity in her downfall. The poem is written in a formal, classical style, with a focus on the emotional intensity of the speaker's words.
By Lord Byron · First published 1821 · Genre: Poetry, Tragedy, Romanticism · 273 words
First lines
I Oh, Mariamne! now for thee The heart for which thou bled'st is bleeding; Revenge is lost in Agony And wild Remorse to rage succeeding.
Oh, Mariamne! where art thou? Thou canst not hear my bitter pleading: Ah! could'st thou-thou would'st pardon now, Though Heaven were to my prayer unheeding.
II And is she dead? -and did they dare Obey my Frenzy's jealous raving? My Wrath but doomed my own despair: The sword that smote her's o'er me waving. - But thou art cold, my murdered Love! And this dark heart is vainly craving For he who soars alone above, And leaves my soul unworthy saving.
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Herod's Lament for Mariamne is listed on Textopian as a poem by Lord Byron, dated 1821 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Lord Byron
- Date: 1821 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Tragedy, Romanticism, Historical, Drama
- Length: 273 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form, utilizing rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Tragedy — The themes of loss, remorse, and despair align with the elements of a tragic narrative.
- Romanticism — The focus on intense emotion and personal turmoil reflects the Romantic literary movement.
- Historical — The reference to historical figures and events provides a historical context to the narrative.
Tags
Tragic Poem · Historical Fiction · Ancient History · Jewish History · Roman Empire · Poetic Drama · Monologue · Lamentation · Grief · Loss · Betrayal · Power Struggle