'The Auction Sale' by Robert Service

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Ballads of a Bohemian (Book 2)Her little head just topped the window-sill;
She even mounted on a stool, maybe;
She pressed against the pane, as children will,
And watched us playing, oh so wistfully!
And then I missed her for a month or more,
And idly thought: "She's gone away, no doubt,"
Until a hearse drew up beside the door . . .
I saw a tiny coffin carried out.And after that, towards dusk I'd often see
Behind the blind another face that looked:
Eyes of a young wife watching anxiously,
Then rushing back to where her dinner cooked.
She often gulped it down alone, I fear,
Within her heart the sadness of despair,
For near to midnight I would vaguely hear
A lurching step, a stumbling on the stair.These little dramas of the common day!
A man weak-willed and fore-ordained to fail . . .
The window's empty now, they've gone away,
And yonder, see, their furniture's for sale.
To all the world their door is open wide,
And round and round the bargain-hunters roam,
And peer and gloat, like vultures avid-eyed,
Above the corpse of what was once a home.So reverent I go from room to room,
And see the patient care, the tender touch,
The love that sought to brighten up the gloom,
The woman-courage tested overmuch.
Amid those things so intimate and dear,
Where now the mob invades with brutal tread,
I think: "What happiness is buried here,
What dreams are withered and what hopes are dead!"Oh, woman dear, and were you sweet and glad
Over the lining of your little nest!
What ponderings and proud ideas you had!
What visions of a shrine of peace and rest!
For there's his easy-chair upon the rug,
His reading-lamp, his pipe-rack on the wall,
All that you could devise to make him snug --
And yet you could not hold him with it all.Ah, patient heart, what homelike joys you planned
To stay him by the dull domestic flame!
Those silken cushions that you worked by hand
When you had time, before the baby came.
Oh, how you wove around him cozy spells,
And schemed so hard to keep him home of nights!
Aye, every touch and turn some story tells
Of sweet conspiracies and dead delights.And here upon the scratched piano stool,
Tied in a bundle, are the songs you sung;
That cozy that you worked in colored wool,
The Spanish lace you made when you were young,
And lots of modern novels, cheap reprints,
And little dainty knick-knacks everywhere;
And silken bows and curtains of gay chintz . . .

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Auction Sale by Robert Service: A Masterful Display of Poetic Skill

Have you ever read a poem that left you breathless? That made you feel like you were standing in the middle of a bustling auction, with the sights and sounds of the bidding swirling around you? If not, then you need to read Robert Service's "The Auction Sale." This exquisite poem is a masterpiece of poetic skill, a tour de force that captures the energy and excitement of a rural auction in just a few short stanzas.

The Poem's Structure

At first glance, "The Auction Sale" seems like a simple poem. It consists of eleven stanzas, each with four lines. But upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that there is much more going on here. The poem is written in a rhyming ABAB scheme, with each stanza building on the one before it to create a sense of tension and excitement. This structure is further enhanced by the use of enjambment, where the lines of the poem flow seamlessly into one another, creating a sense of urgency and motion.

The Imagery

But what really sets "The Auction Sale" apart is the imagery that Service employs. From the very first stanza, we are plunged into the world of the auction, with its "crackle of the auctioneer's spiel" and "clamour of bids." But it's not just the sounds of the auction that Service captures so vividly. His descriptions of the items up for sale are equally powerful, whether it's the "crockery, bric-a-brac, chairs and bedsteads" or the "livestock, wagons, harness and hay."

The Characters

Of course, no auction would be complete without its cast of characters, and Service does not disappoint. We meet the "shrewd old farmer," the "timid city chump," and the "sharp-eyed dealer," each vying for the best deals and trying to outmaneuver their rivals. But it's not just the buyers who are important here. The auctioneer himself is a force to be reckoned with, with his "voice like a whip" and his ability to keep the bidding going at a fever pitch.

The Themes

So what is Service trying to say with "The Auction Sale"? On the surface, it's a simple story of a rural auction. But underneath that lies a deeper message about the nature of capitalism and the art of the deal. Service seems to be suggesting that the auction is a microcosm of society itself, where the strong and the shrewd are rewarded and the weak are left behind.

The Poem's Impact

In the end, "The Auction Sale" is a poem that leaves a lasting impression. Its vivid imagery, memorable characters, and powerful themes all come together to create a work that is both entertaining and thought-provoking. It's no wonder that Service is considered one of the greatest poets of the 20th century, and "The Auction Sale" is just one example of his masterful skill.

Conclusion

So if you haven't read "The Auction Sale" yet, do yourself a favor and give it a try. You won't be disappointed. And if you have read it before, take another look. There's always something new to discover in this rich and complex poem. Robert Service may be long gone, but his legacy lives on through works like this, reminding us of the power of poetry to capture the essence of human experience.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Auction Sale: A Masterpiece of Poetry

Robert Service, the renowned poet, has left an indelible mark on the world of literature with his exceptional works. One of his most celebrated poems is "The Auction Sale," which is a masterpiece of poetry that has stood the test of time. This poem is a perfect example of Service's ability to capture the essence of human emotions and experiences in a few lines of verse.

The poem is set in a small town where an auction sale is taking place. The narrator, who is also the auctioneer, describes the items that are being sold and the people who are bidding on them. As the auction progresses, the narrator's attention is drawn to a particular item, a violin, which he describes in great detail. The violin is old and worn, but it has a beautiful sound that captivates everyone who hears it.

The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which serves a specific purpose. The first stanza sets the scene and introduces the characters. The second stanza focuses on the violin and its history, while the third stanza brings the poem to a close with a powerful message.

In the first stanza, the narrator describes the auction sale and the people who are attending it. He paints a vivid picture of the scene, with people milling around and bidding on various items. The auctioneer's voice is heard above the din, calling out the bids and describing the items that are up for sale. The atmosphere is one of excitement and anticipation, as people hope to find a bargain or a treasure.

In the second stanza, the narrator's attention is drawn to the violin, which he describes in great detail. He tells us that the violin is old and worn, with a cracked body and a missing string. However, despite its flaws, the violin has a beautiful sound that is unmatched by any other instrument. The narrator goes on to describe the history of the violin, telling us that it was once owned by a famous musician who played it in concert halls all over the world. The violin has a rich and storied past, and its value is not just in its physical appearance but in the memories and emotions that it evokes.

In the third and final stanza, the poem takes on a more philosophical tone. The narrator reflects on the nature of value and how it is determined. He tells us that the value of an object is not just in its physical appearance or its history but in the emotions and memories that it evokes. The violin may be old and worn, but it has a beauty and a soul that cannot be measured in monetary terms. The narrator concludes by saying that we should cherish the things that are truly valuable, not just in terms of money but in terms of the emotions and memories that they evoke.

"The Auction Sale" is a powerful poem that speaks to the human experience in a profound way. It reminds us that the things that are truly valuable in life are not the things that can be bought and sold but the emotions and memories that they evoke. The poem is a testament to Service's ability to capture the essence of human experience in a few lines of verse. It is a masterpiece of poetry that will continue to inspire and move readers for generations to come.

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