The Ruin
by Anonymous, Translated by Matthew Hollis
Rare is this wrought work, pulled down by design.
Civilities collapse; even giants must die.
The roofs unroofed, the towers are down,
their beams unburdened and frost locked.
All that was raised has fallen,
all in time undermined. Grasped
gripped in the harsh ground: the makers and masons,
their centuries’ kin. Time and again,
bone grey and blooded, this wall
saw storms and stood; no more.
The mind knew what must be done:
bind the ties, secure the rings, a foundation of chains; it knew wonders:
such space to move in, such waters to draw,
such far sight and venture that voices would sing,
having seen their own tale to sing about.
And then came the change.
And the wrecking was absolute. The end of days.
An end takes even the brave.
Defence gave way to wasteland,
strongholds knelt in the rubble.
Those who might have repaired
were nowhere to be found.
And now these halls lie empty,
no shade afforded by the
bare roofs, where company once had cause,
something in which to believe:
plans of purpose, the splendour of tomorrow,
vine ripe and war shined;
so much of value to look upon, so precious,
the sheer stones of the earth
and all that came from them:
an unshakable house, a hot spring,
a garden walled on three sides,
some place to bathe,
to heat the heart. That was a moment.
Summary of The Ruin
- What is “The Ruin”? “The Ruin” is an Old English poem preserved in the Exeter Book. Translated by Matthew Hollis, it portrays a ruined building and reflects on how time erodes even the greatest achievements.
- Central Idea: The poem focuses on the inevitable decay of even the most magnificent creations. It contrasts a vibrant past filled with skilled craftsmanship and a thriving community with the present of crumbling stone and fading memories.
- Notable Points: “The Ruin” is notable for its blend of detailed description and philosophical reflection. Its fragmented structure mirrors the broken state of the ruins it describes.
In-Depth Analysis of The Ruin
The Poem’s Opening: A Vision of Decay
The poem immediately sets its theme with the striking line, “Rare is this wrought work, pulled down by design.” The word “rare” highlights the exceptional quality of the building in its prime, while “pulled down by design” suggests a deliberate dismantling, possibly through neglect or conflict. The following lines, “Civilities collapse; even giants must die,” reinforce the idea that nothing, not even the most imposing creations, can withstand the relentless march of time. The poem is not about a natural disaster but about the end of a civilization.
Imagery of Ruin: A Landscape of Loss
The poem is rich in visual imagery that depicts the ruined structure. Phrases such as “The roofs unroofed, the towers are down, their beams unburdened and frost locked” create a sense of violent disruption and a slow, insidious decay. Repeated references to things being “down” and “fallen” emphasize the completeness of the destruction. The image of beams being “unburdened” is especially striking – they once supported a roof, a community, a life, and now they stand empty and exposed.
The Makers and the Made: Remembering the Past
Rather than simply describing the ruins, the poem reflects on the people who built them. The line “gripped in the harsh ground: the makers and masons, their centuries’ kin” connects the physical remains to the human lives that created them. “Centuries’ kin” highlights the long tradition of craftsmanship and community that the ruins represent. The image of the makers being “gripped” in the ground reminds readers that both buildings and their creators share the same fate.
A Contrast of Past and Present
The poem shifts focus to celebrate the skills and ingenuity that went into creating the building. The lines “The mind knew what must be done: bind the ties, secure the rings, a foundation of chains; it knew wonders” portray a vivid vision of skilled craftsmen at work, planning and constructing a magnificent structure. This section heightens the sense of loss when the later verses describe the ruin.
The Inevitability of Change: “And then came the change”
The phrase “And then came the change” marks a turning point in the poem. It signals the inevitable decline that awaits all things. The following lines, “And the wrecking was absolute. The end of days,” emphasize the completeness of the destruction. The poem presents a sudden, catastrophic collapse rather than a gradual decline.
Loss and Remembrance
The final stanzas lament the loss of the vibrant community that once thrived within the building’s walls. Lines such as “no shade afforded by the bare roofs, where company once had cause, something in which to believe” paint a poignant picture of emptiness and despair. The descriptions of the “hot spring” and “garden walled on three sides” evoke luxury and abundance, underscoring the loss of a once-thriving civilization.
Literary and Poetic Devices in The Ruin
Alliteration and Consonance
The poem uses alliteration and consonance to create a musical effect and emphasize certain words and phrases. For example, the repetition of the “s” sound in “strongholds knelt” creates a sense of solemnity and despair. The repetition of the “r” sound in “rare wrought work” emphasizes the exceptional quality of the building.
Imagery
“The Ruin” is filled with vivid imagery that appeals to the reader’s senses. The descriptions of crumbling walls, frost locked beams, and empty halls create a powerful visual impression. For example, the phrase “vine ripe and war shined” creates a striking contrast between natural beauty and the harsh reality of conflict.
Kenning
Although subtle, the poem uses figurative language similar to a kenning, a common feature of Old English poetry. For instance, the phrase “bone grey and blooded” describes the wall, evoking images of battle and loss and adding layers of meaning.
Juxtaposition
The poem masterfully uses juxtaposition to highlight the contrast between the past and the present. Descriptions of the building in its prime are placed next to descriptions of its ruined state, emphasizing the tragedy of its decline.
Symbolism
The ruin itself symbolizes the impermanence of all things. Crumbling walls and empty halls represent the fragility of civilization and the inevitability of decay. The “hot spring” and “garden” symbolize life and abundance, which have been lost.
Quotes to Remember
And the wrecking was absolute. The end of days.
An end takes even the brave.
Defence gave way to wasteland, strongholds knelt in the rubble.
These lines capture the poem’s central theme of the inevitability of decay and the fragility of human civilization. They serve as a poignant reminder that even the most magnificent creations are ultimately subject to the forces of time and destruction.