Literary notes about Swart (AI summary)
In many literary works, "swart" is employed as a richly evocative adjective that conveys not only a literal darkness of color but also an atmosphere of mystery or foreboding. It appears in descriptions of human complexions—often accentuating a character's dark, brooding features, as in the depiction of persons with swart, sinister attributes [1, 2]—and in settings that evoke gloom or the starkness of night [3]. The term also adorns objects and landscapes—whether referring to the swart leaves that bruise hope [4] or the swart iron of ancient artifacts [5]—imparting a weight and depth to the narrative. Both ancient and modern texts use "swart" to enhance characters or scenes with an elemental quality, sometimes suggesting moral ambiguity or latent menace, as seen in portrayals of formidable figures [6, 7] and even as a moniker for individuals [8, 9].
- A touch of Mexican blood had given him coarse black hair, a swart complexion, and sinister mental attributes.
— from The Mesa Trail by H. (Henry) Bedford-Jones - The most striking physical characteristics of the African Ethiopians were their swart complexions, and their crisp or frizzled hair.
— from The Seven Great Monarchies Of The Ancient Eastern World, Vol 1: Chaldaea The History, Geography, And Antiquities Of Chaldaea, Assyria, Babylon, Media, Persia, Parthia, And Sassanian or New Persian Empire; With Maps and Illustrations. by George Rawlinson - Swart was hys dresse as the blacke, blacke nyghte Whenne the moon dothe not lyghte uppe the waye, And hys voice was hoarse as the gruffe
— from The Life of Francis Thompson by Everard Meynell - There it all lay; the "ragged thistle stalk," with its head chopped off; "the dock's harsh swart leaves bruised as to balk all hope of greenness."
— from The Martial Adventures of Henry and Me by William Allen White - He brought prizes from the ships—cauldrons, tripods, horses and mules, noble oxen, women with fair girdles, and swart iron.
— from The Iliad by Homer - Destiny has work for that swart burly-headed Mirabeau; Destiny has watched over him, prepared him from afar.
— from The French Revolution: A History by Thomas Carlyle - And she, the swart Egyptian—she cursed me by her gods.
— from She by H. Rider Haggard - There was a man named Swart; he was Njal's and Bergthora's housecarle; they were very fond of him.
— from The Story of Burnt Njal: The Great Icelandic Tribune, Jurist, and Counsellor by Unknown - I did as she bade me, and then it was that on looking upwards I saw Ralph and Swart Piet struggling together.
— from Swallow: A Tale of the Great Trek by H. Rider (Henry Rider) Haggard
