But The Earth Abideth - A Verse-Sequence

Sep 28, 2026

But The Earth Abideth is a collection of poetry by William Soutar, published by Andrew Dakers Limited. This verse-sequence explores themes of universal law, the brutality of war, and the persistence of nature amidst human conflict. Written with a focus on simple, ballad-like forms, the work serves as a reflection on the moral and spiritual implications of tyranny, sacrifice, and survival. Through forty-four distinct sections, the poet examines the cycle of destruction, the nature of obedience, and the hope for ultimate reconciliation and peace. The text provides a somber yet contemplative critique of societal violence, contrasting fleeting human aggression with the enduring presence of the natural world. It stands as an influential piece of literature that critiques the intellectual atmosphere of its time while offering a profound meditation on the human condition during periods of global strife.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLiterature

FormatPDF

Pages72

Reading Time1 h 51 min

AccessFree to download

I. Destruction

II. Dispensation

III. Spring

IV. Sacrifice

V. April

VI. Easter

VII. Inheritance

VIII. Obedience

IX. The Bruise Upon the Mind

X. The Ultimate Allegiance

XI. Life's Government

XII. Darkness

XIII. Affirmation

XIV. Doom

XV. Reconciliation

XVI. Moloch

XVII. The Hollow in the Heart

XVIII. Alienation

XIX. Nakedness

XX. The Stain

XXI. The Answer

XXII. The Abiding Peace

XXIII. Witness

XXIV. Who Is Our Enemy?

XXV. Promised Land

XXVI. The Accusers

XXVII. False Witness

XXVIII. Carnage

XXIX. The Earth Abides

XXX. The Choice

XXXI. The Secret

XXXII. The Dead

XXXIII. The Chain

XXXIV. Slaughter

XXXV. The Monster

XXXVI. The Sickness

XXXVII. Testimony

XXXVIII. The Faithfulness of Flesh

XXXIX. Purpose

XL. Where the World Begins

XLI. Freedom

XLII. The Wraith

XLIII. Commonweal

XLIV. The Blood's Obedience

FAQs

What is the central theme of William Soutar's But The Earth Abideth?

The collection explores universal law and how the compulsions of war reveal human obedience to necessity, contrasted against the enduring nature of the earth.

Why did the author choose a simple verse-form for this collection?

The author chose a simple verse-form to break away from the prevailing intellectual modes of the decade and to utilize the ballad, which he believed was most appropriate for contemporary poetry.

How many poems or sections are included in this verse-sequence?

The collection contains forty-four distinct sections or poems, as indicated by the table of contents.

Sep 28, 2026

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