# The Broken Sword explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by Henry van Dyke Jr..

## What happens

The speaker laments being surrounded by enemies and abandoned by friends, yet offers his broken sword to God in surrender, finding victory in defeat and glory in death for the divine cause.

## Themes in this chapter

### Faith and Doubt

The speaker's unwavering faith in God despite defeat and abandonment.

### Love and Sacrifice

The offering of the broken sword and the acceptance of death for God's glory.

## Character check-ins

### Unknown

The speaker who has been led into ambush and whose sword is broken.

### Jesus

Addressed as 'O God' and 'my King', the one to whom the sword is surrendered.

## Key lines

> The sword which was broken in thy service.

The sword that shattered while I was fighting for you.

_The speaker acknowledges that his failure occurred in the line of duty to God._

> By my defeat thy will is victorious.

Through my loss, your purpose triumphs.

_The speaker finds meaning in his defeat as part of God's greater plan._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_10_se/chapters/the-broken-sword
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_10_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_10_se/chapters