Poetry · Chapter
A Prophet of Peace explained
A prophet chants a poem lamenting the wickedness of the world—where hate, greed, and war prevail—but expresses hope for a future golden dawn of peace and brotherhood.
What happens
A prophet chants a poem lamenting the wickedness of the world—where hate, greed, and war prevail—but expresses hope for a future golden dawn of peace and brotherhood. The narrative places this prophet in ancient times, around the era of Tubal-cain.
Themes in this chapter
Hypocrisy and Corruption
The prophet decries the corruption of kings, presidents, priests, and politicians who serve ambition and foment war.
Political Satire
The poem satirizes leaders and institutions that perpetuate violence and greed while claiming virtue.
Characters to notice
- Unknown
The narrator presents the prophet's chant and contextualizes his era.
Key passages
“The world is young, perverse, and bad, The virtues all are wanting; The gods are dead and men are mad And wickedness is haunting The human heart, an honored guest, As robbers of the night infest A wayside inn in Camilhad.”
The world is immature, corrupt, and lacking in virtue; the gods are dead, humanity is insane, and evil dwells comfortably in people's hearts like thieves in a roadside inn.
The prophet opens with a bleak assessment of human nature and society.
“But I shall live to see the day Whose golden dawn is breaking! The reign of war no more shall lay Our dust, nor hearts be aching. Lo! all mankind in brotherhood Shall study only to be good, And fling the sword of self away!”
Yet I will witness the coming golden dawn when war ends, hearts no longer ache, and all humanity lives in brotherhood, striving for goodness and abandoning selfish conflict.
The prophet expresses hope for a future utopia of peace and moral renewal.