'The Spies' March' by Rudyard Kipling
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There are not leaders to lead us to honour, and yet without leaders we sally,
Each man reporting for duty alone, out of sight, out of reach, of his fellow.
There are no bugles to call the battalions, and yet without bugle we rally
From the ends of the earth to the ends of the earth, to follow the Standard of Yellow!
Fall in! O fall in! O fall in!
Not where the squadrons mass,
Not where the bayonets shine,
Not where the big shell shout as they pass
Over the firing-line;
Not where the wounded are,
Not where the nations die,
Killed in the cleanly game of war --
That is no place for a spy!
O Princes, Thrones and Powers, your work is less than ours --
Here is no place for a spy!
Trained to another use,
We march with colours furled,
Only concerned when Death breaks loose
On a front of half a world.
Only for General Death
The Yellow Flag may fly,
While we take post beneath --
That is the place for a spy.
Where Plague has spread his pinions
Over Nations and Dominions --
Then will be work for a spy!
The dropping shots begin,
The single funerals pass,
Our skirmishers run in,
The corpses dot the grass!
The howling towns stampede,
The tainted hamlets die.
Now it is war indeed --
Now there is room for a spy!
O Peoples, Kings and Lands,
We are waiting your commands --
What is the work for a spy?
(Drums) -- Fear is upon us, spy!
"Go where his pickets hide --
Unmask the shape they take,
Whether a gnat from the waterside,
Or a stinging fly in the brake,
Or filth of the crowded street,
Or a sick rat limping by,
Or a smear of spittle dried in the heat --
That is the work of a spy!
(Drums) -- Death is upon us, spy!
"What does he next prepare?
Whence will he move to attack? --
By water, earth or air? --
How can we head him back?
Shall we starve him out if we burn
Or bury his food-supply?
Slip through his lines and learn --
That is work for a spy!
(Drums) -- Get to your business, spy!
"Does he feint or strike in force?
Will he charge or ambuscade?
What is it checks his course?
Is he beaten or only delayed?
How long will the lull endure?
Is he retreating? Why?
Crawl to his camp and make sure --
That is the work for a spy!
(Drums) -- Fetch us our answer, spy!
"Ride with him girth to girth
Wherever the Pale Horse wheels
Wait on his councils, ear to earth,
And say what the dust reveals.
For the smoke of our torment rolls
Where the burning thousands lie;
What do we care for men's bodies or souls?
Bring us deliverance, spy!"
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Spies' March by Rudyard Kipling: A Critical Analysis
Are you a fan of espionage and mystery? Do you enjoy poetry that tells a story? If so, then Rudyard Kipling's "The Spies' March" is a must-read for you. Written in 1896, this poem paints a vivid picture of spies on the move during a time of war. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes and literary devices used by Kipling to make this poem a work of art.
Background and Context
Before we delve deeper into the poem, let's take a moment to understand the historical context in which it was written. In 1896, Kipling was living in America and had just finished writing his famous novel "The Jungle Book." That same year, Britain was involved in the Mahdist War in Sudan, which lasted from 1881 to 1899. The Mahdi, a Muslim religious leader, had led a rebellion against British rule, resulting in a conflict that saw numerous battles and casualties.
Kipling had always been fascinated by the world of espionage and secret warfare, and the Mahdist War provided him with a perfect backdrop to explore this theme. "The Spies' March" was written during this time and reflects the sense of intrigue and danger that must have permeated the air.
Analysis of the Poem
Form and Structure
"The Spies' March" is a narrative poem that tells a story in seven stanzas. Each stanza consists of eight lines, with a rhyme scheme of AABBCCDD. The poem is written in trochaic tetrameter, which means that each line has four trochees (a stressed syllable followed by an unstressed syllable).
The poem opens with a description of the spies setting out on their mission. Kipling uses vivid imagery to transport the reader to the scene, painting a picture of a group of men on a dangerous mission.
The night is still and the darkness deep,
The air is thick with a wintry sleep,
The stars are wrapped in a sombre shroud,
And the winds are whispering low and loud.
The moon is hid and the clouds are black,
And the path that we tread is a treacherous track,
But we march, we march, with a steady tramp,
And a look that is half a sneer and a half a scamp.
The use of the trochaic tetrameter creates a sense of urgency and movement, reflecting the spies' march through the darkness. The rhyme scheme adds to the poem's musicality, making it easy to remember and recite.
Theme and Meaning
The central theme of "The Spies' March" is the world of espionage and secret warfare. Kipling explores the world of spies and their dangerous missions, highlighting the risks they take to serve their country. The poem also touches on the idea of loyalty and betrayal, as the spies are serving their country at the cost of betraying their enemies.
The poem's opening lines set the scene, describing the night as still and dark, with the air thick with wintry sleep. The spies are embarking on a treacherous mission, knowing that their lives are at stake. Kipling uses the imagery of the stars wrapped in a sombre shroud and the moon hidden behind clouds to create a sense of foreboding.
The spies march on, with a steady tramp and a look that is half a sneer and half a scamp. This line highlights the spies' attitude, as they know that their mission is not a noble one. They are willing to do whatever it takes to serve their country, even if it means betraying their enemies.
As the poem progresses, Kipling describes the spies' journey through the night, navigating treacherous paths and avoiding detection. The spies are depicted as cunning and resourceful, using their skills to outsmart their enemies.
The final stanza of the poem is particularly powerful, as Kipling describes the spies returning home after their mission is complete. They are returning to a hero's welcome, with their countrymen cheering them on. The spies are praised for their loyalty and bravery, even though they know that their actions were not entirely honorable.
Literary Devices
Kipling employs several literary devices in "The Spies' March" to enhance the poem's meaning and impact. Let's take a closer look at some of these devices.
Imagery
Kipling uses vivid imagery throughout the poem to create a sense of atmosphere and tension. The opening lines set the scene with descriptions of the night, the stars, and the moon. Kipling's use of the trochaic tetrameter creates a sense of urgency and movement, adding to the poem's tension.
Alliteration
Kipling uses alliteration to create a musical quality to the poem. For example, in the line "And the winds are whispering low and loud," the repetition of the "w" sound creates a sense of the wind's movement.
Metaphor
The poem contains several metaphors that add to its meaning. For example, the line "The path that we tread is a treacherous track" uses the metaphor of a path to describe the spies' dangerous mission.
Irony
Kipling uses irony to highlight the spies' conflicting emotions. They are aware of the dishonorable nature of their mission, yet are willing to carry it out for the sake of their country. The line "And a look that is half a sneer and half a scamp" is an example of this irony.
Repetition
Kipling uses repetition throughout the poem to reinforce the poem's central themes. For example, the line "But we march, we march" is repeated twice in the poem, emphasizing the spies' steady determination.
Interpretation
"The Spies' March" is a powerful poem that explores the world of espionage and secret warfare. Kipling paints a vivid picture of a group of men on a dangerous mission, highlighting the risks they take to serve their country. The poem also touches on the idea of loyalty and betrayal, as the spies are serving their country at the cost of betraying their enemies.
Kipling's use of vivid imagery, musical language, and literary devices adds to the poem's impact, creating a sense of tension and urgency. The poem's central theme of espionage and secret warfare is as relevant today as it was when Kipling wrote it over a century ago.
In conclusion, "The Spies' March" is a literary masterpiece that deserves its place among the great poems of the 19th century. Kipling's exploration of the world of espionage and secret warfare is as relevant today as it was when he wrote it over a century ago. The poem's vivid imagery, musical language, and literary devices add to its impact, creating a sense of tension and urgency that keeps the reader engaged from start to finish.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Spies' March: A Masterpiece of Rudyard Kipling
Rudyard Kipling, the Nobel Prize-winning author, is known for his exceptional literary works. Among his many works, The Spies' March stands out as a masterpiece of poetry. The poem is a tribute to the British Intelligence Service, which played a crucial role in the First World War. The Spies' March is a powerful and evocative poem that captures the spirit of the time and the bravery of the spies who risked their lives for their country.
The poem is written in the form of a march, with a strong and steady rhythm that reflects the determination and courage of the spies. The opening lines set the tone for the poem, with a call to arms that echoes the urgency of the war:
"Two thousand horse, and forty guns, Now are taking up their runs, And they're off to catch the Boche, With the Spies' March in their throats."
The imagery of the horses and guns creates a vivid picture of the soldiers preparing for battle. The use of the word "Boche" is a reference to the Germans, who were the enemy in the First World War. The phrase "Spies' March in their throats" is a powerful metaphor that suggests the spies are always present, even when they are not visible.
The second stanza of the poem introduces the spies themselves, with a description of their skills and abilities:
"Silent men in leather coats, Moving in the night like boats, With their eyes and ears alert, And their hands upon the dirt."
The image of the spies moving silently like boats in the night is a powerful one, suggesting their stealth and agility. The phrase "eyes and ears alert" emphasizes their vigilance, while "hands upon the dirt" suggests their willingness to get their hands dirty in the service of their country.
The third stanza of the poem describes the spies' mission, with a focus on their bravery and selflessness:
"Through the lines they creep and crawl, Risking death to hear it all, And they bring the news that saves, From the trenches and the graves."
The imagery of the spies "creeping and crawling" through enemy lines is a powerful one, suggesting the danger and risk involved in their mission. The phrase "risking death to hear it all" emphasizes their bravery and dedication to their cause. The final line of the stanza, "From the trenches and the graves," is a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by soldiers in the First World War.
The fourth stanza of the poem is a call to action, with a focus on the importance of the spies' work:
"Spies of England, spies of might, Spies who work in darkest night, You are heroes, one and all, Hear the Spies' March, hear the call!"
The repetition of the word "spies" emphasizes their importance, while the phrase "spies of might" suggests their power and influence. The use of the word "heroes" is a powerful one, suggesting the bravery and selflessness of the spies. The final line, "Hear the Spies' March, hear the call!" is a call to action, urging the reader to join in the fight for their country.
The final stanza of the poem is a powerful conclusion, with a focus on the legacy of the spies:
"Spies of England, spies of fame, Spies who played the deadly game, You have won, and we are free, Thanks to you, and thanks to me."
The use of the word "fame" suggests the lasting impact of the spies' work, while the phrase "deadly game" emphasizes the danger and risk involved. The final two lines of the poem, "You have won, and we are free, Thanks to you, and thanks to me," is a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by all those who fought in the First World War.
In conclusion, The Spies' March is a powerful and evocative poem that captures the spirit of the time and the bravery of the spies who risked their lives for their country. The poem is a tribute to the British Intelligence Service, which played a crucial role in the First World War. The use of powerful imagery, strong rhythm, and evocative language make The Spies' March a masterpiece of poetry.
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