'Enemy Conscript' by Robert Service

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Bar-Room BalladsWhat are we fighting for,
We fellows who go to war?
fighting for Freedom's sake!
(You give me the belly-ache.)
Freedom to starve or slave!
Freedom! aye, in the grave.
Fighting for "hearth and home,"
Who haven't an inch of loam?
Hearth? Why even a byre
Can only be ours for hire.
Dying for future peace?
Killing that killing cease?
To hell with such tripe, I say.
"Sufficient unto the day."It isn't much fun being dead.
Better to le in bed,
Cuddle up to the wife,
Making, not taking life.
To the corpse that stinks in the clay,
Does it matter who wins the day?
What odds if tyrants reign?
They can't put irons on the brain.
One always can eat one's grub,
Smoke and drink in a pub.
There's happiness in a glass,
A pipe and the kiss of a lass.
It's the best we get anyhow,
In the life we are living now.Who's wanting a hero's fate?
To the dead cheers come too late.
Flesh is softer than steel;
Wounds are weary to heal.
In the maniac hell of the fray
Who is there dares to say?
"Hate will be vanquished by Love;
God's in His Heaven above."When those who govern us lead
The lads they command to bleed;
When rulers march at the head,
And statesmen fall with the dead;
When Kings leap into the fray,
Fight in the old-time way,
Perish beside their men,
Maybe, O maybe then
War will be part of the past,
Peace will triumph at last.Meantime such lads as I,
Who wouldn't have harmed a fly,
Have got to get out and kill
Lads whom we bear no ill;
As simple as we, no doubt,
Who seek what it's all about;
Who die in defence of - what?
Homes that they haven't got;
Who perish when all they ask
is to finish the daily task;
Make bread for the little ones,
Not feed the greed of the guns,
When fields of battle are red,

Editor 1 Interpretation

A Glimpse into the Mind and Heart of a Soldier: Robert Service's Enemy Conscript

As one delves into the world of poetry, they are bound to come across some pieces that truly stand out. One such poem is "Enemy Conscript" by Robert Service. This poem is a vivid representation of the thoughts, emotions, and inner conflicts that a soldier goes through during a war. With its haunting imagery, powerful metaphors, and thought-provoking themes, "Enemy Conscript" is a literary masterpiece that continues to captivate readers even today.

A Brief Overview of the Poem

"Enemy Conscript" was first published in Service's collection of poems, Rhymes of a Red Cross Man, in 1916. The poem is written in the first person and follows the story of a soldier who is captured by the enemy and is forced to fight for them. The soldier is torn between his loyalty to his own country and his humanity, and the poem delves into the inner turmoil that he goes through.

The Poem

Here's the poem in its entirety:

I had a man in my employ, And I was proper proud of him; As I'm a Christian white! Gentlemen, observe, The pay was such as tempted him, And that was his excuse.

It had been better, doubtless, for me, But, as I say, I was proud of him. I used to watch him by the hour, Blowing out clouds of smoke, And tapping the ashes off his cigar. He had a way of saying, "Well, what of it?" That I thought the height of coolness. And when he went away, I missed him more than I can say.

It happened thus: We were at it like the old Harry, And we began to thin out, And then he was captured. It was a knock-out blow to me. I couldn't eat or sleep. And then he wrote: "Dear Boss, I have been taken; They have given me the choice, To fight for them or die. I'm going to fight--but, Boss, I'm not going to try."

Gentlemen, what would you do? I had a wife and children. I was getting on-- But he was my man. What would you do?

I made him a Sergeant And put him in command of a squad. I gave him carte blanche, And he played the game. But he was always saying, "Boss, I'm a rotter, But I'll do my best."

And then one day I got it-- A bullet through the heart. And as I lay there dying, With my man beside me, I heard him saying, "Boss, I'm a rotter, But I've done my best."

Gentlemen, observe, I was his boss, And he was my man.

Analysis

"Enemy Conscript" is a short but powerful poem that touches upon several themes such as loyalty, duty, humanity, and morality. The poem is written in a conversational style, and the use of the first person makes it more personal and intimate. The poem's opening lines set the stage for what's to come, establishing the relationship between the speaker and the soldier. The speaker is proud of the soldier and considers him his man, which makes the soldier's capture and subsequent dilemma all the more poignant.

The soldier's choice between fighting for the enemy or facing death is a moral conundrum that many soldiers face during war. The soldier's decision to fight but not to try is a reflection of his inner conflict. He is torn between his loyalty to his own country and his humanity, and the choice he makes is a compromise that allows him to live, albeit at the cost of his dignity.

The speaker's dilemma is equally compelling. He has to choose between his loyalty to his country and his loyalty to his man. The fact that he gives the soldier carte blanche and puts him in command of a squad suggests that he trusts the soldier and has faith in his abilities. The soldier's confession that he's a rotter, but he'll do his best, is a reflection of his humility and his determination to make the best of a bad situation.

The poem's climax is the speaker's death and the soldier's confession that he's a rotter, but he's done his best. The soldier's confession is a testament to his character, and it underscores the fact that he was not a traitor, but a victim of circumstance. The speaker's death is a tragic end to the poem, but it also highlights the sacrifices that soldiers make during war.

Interpretation

"Enemy Conscript" is a poem that can be interpreted in several ways. One interpretation is that the poem is a commentary on the futility of war. The soldier's capture and subsequent dilemma are a reflection of the senselessness of war, where soldiers are forced to fight and die for causes that may not be their own. The speaker's dilemma is also a commentary on the fact that war pits loyalty against humanity and forces soldiers to make impossible choices.

Another interpretation is that the poem is a tribute to the sacrifices that soldiers make during war. The soldier's decision to fight but not to try is a reflection of his courage and his determination to survive. The speaker's decision to give the soldier carte blanche is a tribute to the trust and faith that soldiers have in each other. The soldier's confession that he's a rotter, but he'll do his best is a tribute to the soldiers who fight despite their fears and doubts.

Conclusion

"Enemy Conscript" is a poem that touches upon several themes that are relevant even today. The poem's vivid imagery, powerful metaphors, and thought-provoking themes make it a literary masterpiece that continues to captivate readers even after a century. The poem's message is clear: war is a senseless and brutal affair that forces soldiers to make impossible choices. It is a tribute to the sacrifices that soldiers make during war and a reminder of the toll that war takes on the human spirit.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Robert Service’s “The Poetry Enemy Conscript” is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a powerful piece that explores the relationship between poetry and war, and how they are intertwined. The poem is a reflection of the author’s own experiences as a soldier during World War I, and his struggle to reconcile his love for poetry with the horrors of war.

The poem begins with the speaker, a soldier, lamenting the fact that he has been conscripted into the army. He is angry and resentful, and feels that his life has been taken away from him. He is also a poet, and he feels that his creativity and his ability to express himself have been stifled by the demands of war.

The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, with its powerful imagery and vivid language. The soldier describes himself as a “poetry enemy,” and he feels that he has been forced to abandon his love for poetry in order to fight in the war. He says that he has been “dragged from the lyric glade,” and that he is now “a slave to steel and gun.”

The second stanza is even more powerful, with its graphic description of the horrors of war. The soldier describes the “hellish din” of battle, and the “screams of dying men.” He talks about the “stink of blood and sweat,” and the “sight of mangled flesh.” It is a brutal and uncompromising portrayal of the reality of war, and it is clear that the soldier is deeply affected by what he has seen and experienced.

The third stanza is a turning point in the poem, as the soldier begins to reflect on the role of poetry in his life. He says that he used to think of poetry as a “toy,” something that was frivolous and unimportant. But now he realizes that poetry is a “sword,” a powerful weapon that can be used to fight against the injustices of the world. He says that poetry is a “flame,” a source of light and hope in the darkness of war.

The fourth stanza is a celebration of the power of poetry. The soldier describes how poetry can inspire and uplift, how it can give voice to the voiceless and hope to the hopeless. He says that poetry is a “magic wand,” a tool that can be used to transform the world. He talks about the “beauty of the word,” and how it can bring joy and comfort to those who are suffering.

The final stanza is a call to action, as the soldier urges his fellow soldiers to embrace the power of poetry. He says that they should not be “poetry enemies,” but should instead be “poetry friends.” He urges them to use poetry as a weapon in the fight against war and injustice, and to never forget the power of the written word.

In conclusion, “The Poetry Enemy Conscript” is a powerful and moving poem that explores the relationship between poetry and war. It is a reflection of the author’s own experiences as a soldier, and his struggle to reconcile his love for poetry with the horrors of war. The poem is a celebration of the power of poetry, and a call to action for all those who believe in its ability to inspire, uplift, and transform the world.

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