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The Two Coffins by Eugene Field

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Two men lie side by side in an old cathedral — a mighty king and a humble singer.

Poet
Eugene Field
Core theme
Art
The PoemFull text

The Two Coffins

Eugene Field

In yonder old cathedral Two lovely coffins lie; In one, the head of the state lies dead, And a singer sleeps hard by. Once had that King great power And proudly ruled the land-- His crown e'en now is on his brow And his sword is in his hand. How sweetly sleeps the singer With calmly folded eyes, And on the breast of the bard at rest The harp that he sounded lies. The castle walls are falling And war distracts the land, But the sword leaps not from that mildewed spot There in that dead king's hand. But with every grace of nature There seems to float along-- To cheer again the hearts of men The singer's deathless song.

Public domain

Sourced from Project Gutenberg

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§01Quick summary

What this poem is about

Two men lie side by side in an old cathedral — a mighty king and a humble singer. The king's sword rusts as his kingdom falls apart, while the singer's melodies continue to soothe people long after he’s gone. The poem subtly suggests that art always outlives power.

§02Themes

Recurring themes

§03Line by line

Stanza by stanza, with notes

  1. In yonder old cathedral / Two lovely coffins lie;

    Editor's note

    Field opens in an ancient cathedral, where two coffins rest side by side. Describing both coffins as "lovely" suggests that the king and the singer are equals right from the start — a subtle hint of the poem's direction.

  2. Once had that King great power / And proudly ruled the land--

    Editor's note

    The king is presented through the glory of his past: immense power, a proud reign, a crown still resting on his brow, a sword still in his hand. The word "once" carries significant weight here—it subtly signals that all of that is now over.

  3. How sweetly sleeps the singer / With calmly folded eyes,

    Editor's note

    The singer appears warmer and more peaceful compared to the king. While the king is associated with symbols of power like the crown and sword, the singer embodies calmness, with his harp resting on his chest—an image that represents harmony instead of dominance.

  4. The castle walls are falling / And war distracts the land,

    Editor's note

    Time has passed, and the kingdom is in turmoil. The sword that once symbolized the king's authority remains unchanged — it lies mildewed and useless. Field illustrates that power has an expiration date.

  5. But with every grace of nature / There seems to float along--

    Editor's note

    The final stanza captures the essence of the poem: the singer's songs flow through the world effortlessly, like a natural force, continually uplifting the hearts of those alive. The king's legacy amounts to rust and ruins, while the singer's legacy is a joy that constantly replenishes itself.

§04Tone & mood

How this poem feels

The tone is calm and reflective — Field doesn’t express anger towards the king or enthusiasm for the singer. He looks at both men with the same quiet, almost affectionate gaze, allowing the contrast to stand on its own. There's a quiet satisfaction in the final stanza, the sort of feeling one gets when a long-held belief is confirmed.

§05Symbols & metaphors

Symbols & metaphors

The sword
The king's sword symbolizes political and military power. By the end of the poem, it is mildewed and still — a vivid representation of how earthly might deteriorates and loses its significance.
The harp
The harp on the singer's chest symbolizes art and creativity. Unlike the sword, it’s never mentioned as rusting or failing — its music continues to resonate in the living world.
The cathedral
The cathedral stands as a symbol of permanence and remembrance. By placing both coffins there, the king and the singer are positioned as equals in death, highlighting the stark contrast between them even more.
The crown
Still resting on the dead king's brow, the crown is nothing more than an empty trophy. It signifies rank but gives nothing in return — the kingdom it once ruled is already crumbling around it.
The deathless song
The singer's song drifting through the world serves as the poem's main symbol of immortality. It's portrayed as something natural — akin to weather or light — implying that remarkable art can thrive without the support of institutions or armies.

§06Form & structure

Form & structure

Meter
ballad meter
Rhyme
ABCB ABCB ABCB ABCB ABCB

§07Historical context

Historical context

Eugene Field wrote this poem in the late nineteenth century, a time when American writers were engaged in discussions about the social value of art compared to political and economic power. Field was a newspaper columnist and poet known for his sentimental verse, and he had a deep appreciation for artists and musicians who created away from the public eye. This poem fits into the long Western tradition of *ubi sunt* — reflections on the fates of great figures from the past — but Field adds a democratic spin: the singer buried next to the king isn’t a famous composer or laureate, but simply a bard with a harp. The imagery of crumbling castle walls also reflects the Romantic-era interest in ruins as evidence that no empire endures, a concept Field likely picked up from poets like Shelley and Keats.

§08FAQ

Questions readers ask

What is the main message of 'The Two Coffins'?

The poem makes the case that art endures beyond power. While the king's kingdom crumbles and his sword gathers rust, the singer's songs continue to resonate and uplift people. Field's message is clear and straightforward: creative work lasts longer than political authority.

Who are the two people in the coffins?

They remain unnamed — Field categorizes them as types instead of specific historical figures. One represents a king, symbolizing political and military power. The other is a singer or bard, embodying art and poetry. This generic approach allows the poem's argument to resonate universally, rather than being confined to a specific historical moment.

What does 'deathless song' mean in the last stanza?

"Deathless" refers to the idea that the song endures — it continues to exist in the world even after the singer has passed away. Field suggests that a remarkable work of art develops its own identity and can thrive independently of its creator.

Why is the sword described as 'mildewed'?

Mildew forms on items that are left damp and unused for a long time. The sword has been resting in the dead king's hand for so long that it has actually rotted. Field uses this detail to illustrate that the king's power was always fleeting and material — vulnerable to decay just like everything else.

Is this poem a sonnet or does it follow a specific form?

It's not a sonnet. Field composed it in ballad stanzas — groups of four lines with a relaxed ABCB rhyme scheme (the second and fourth lines rhyme). This straightforward, song-like structure fits the theme perfectly, as the poem is all about the power of song.

What does the cathedral setting add to the poem?

Cathedrals are designed to endure, symbolizing memory, reverence, and a deep connection to history. By placing both men there, they are equal in death, which highlights the stark contrast between the rusting sword and the vibrant song even more.

Does this poem connect to any older literary tradition?

Yes — it reflects the ubi sunt tradition, a Latin phrase meaning "where are they?" that appears in medieval and Renaissance poetry. These poems ponder the fate of the great and powerful. Field addresses that question directly: while the powerful may be gone, the artists remain, alive in their creations.

How does Field feel about the king — is the poem unfair to him?

Field treats the king with respect, portraying him in a dignified light — crown atop his head, sword in hand, a once-proud ruler. The poem doesn’t ridicule him; it simply notes that his type of legacy doesn’t age gracefully. This contrast feels straightforward rather than harsh.

Citation

Cite this poem

MLA

Field, Eugene. "The Two Coffins." Storgy, https://storgy.com/poems/the-two-coffins-eugene-field/.

APA

Field, E. (n.d.). The two coffins. Storgy. https://storgy.com/poems/the-two-coffins-eugene-field/

TeacherAP Lit Q1 scaffold — preview

Row A — Thesis

1 pt

In 'The Two Coffins,' Eugene Field uses the sustained contrast between a dead king and a dead singer to argue that political power is inherently perishable while art achieves a kind of immortality, not because it transcends death, but …

  • Row B — Evidence + Commentary4 pts
  • Row C — Sophistication1 pt
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