'L'Envoi' by Robert Service
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My job is done; my rhymes are ranked and ready,
My word-battalions marching verse by verse;
Here stanza-companies are none too steady;
There print-platoons are weak, but might be worse.
And as in marshalled order I review them,
My type-brigades, unfearful of the fray,
My eyes that seek their faults are seeing through them
Immortal visions of an epic day.
It seems I'm in a giant bowling-alley;
The hidden heavies round me crash and thud;
A spire snaps like a pipe-stem in the valley;
The rising sun is like a ball of blood.
Along the road the "fantassins" are pouring,
And some are gay as fire, and some steel-stern. . . .
Then back again I see the red tide pouring,
Along the reeking road from Hebuterne.
And once again I seek Hill Sixty-Seven,
The Hun lines grey and peaceful in my sight;
When suddenly the rosy air is riven --
A "coal-box" blots the "boyou" on my right.
Or else to evil Carnoy I am stealing,
Past sentinels who hail with bated breath;
Where not a cigarette spark's dim revealing
May hint our mission in that zone of death.
I see across the shrapnel-seeded meadows
The jagged rubble-heap of La Boiselle;
Blood-guilty Fricourt brooding in the shadows,
And Thiepval's chateau empty as a shell.
Down Albert's riven streets the moon is leering;
The Hanging Virgin takes its bitter ray;
And all the road from Hamel I am hearing
The silver rage of bugles over Bray.
Once more within the sky's deep sapphire hollow
I sight a swimming Taube, a fairy thing;
I watch the angry shell flame flash and follow
In feather puffs that flick a tilted wing;
And then it fades, with shrapnel mirror's flashing;
The flashes bloom to blossoms lily gold;
The batteries are rancorously crashing,
And life is just as full as it can hold.
Oh spacious days of glory and of grieving!
Oh sounding hours of lustre and of loss!
Let us be glad we lived you, still believing
The God who gave the cannon gave the Cross.
Let us be sure amid these seething passions,
The lusts of blood and hate our souls abhor:
The Power that Order out of Chaos fashions
Smites fiercest in the wrath-red forge of War. . . .
Have faith! Fight on! Amid the battle-hell
Love triumphs, Freedom beacons, all is well.
Editor 1 Interpretation
L'Envoi: A Masterpiece of Poetic Craftsmanship
When we talk about poetry, we often talk about the ability of a poet to capture the essence of life in a few words. We talk about the power of poetry to move us, to inspire us, and to make us see the world in a new light. Robert Service's "L'Envoi" is a poem that does all of these things and more.
At its core, "L'Envoi" is a poem about the power of words. It is a poem that celebrates the craft of poetry and the ability of poets to use language to create something beautiful and meaningful. The poem is structured as an envoi, a traditional form of French poetry that is used to close a poem or song. In this case, the envoi serves as a tribute to poetry itself, and to the poets who create it.
The poem begins with the lines, "My job is done, my rhymes are spun, / And say, what can I say?" These lines set the tone for the poem, which is one of reflection and contemplation. The speaker has finished his work, and he is now left to ponder the value of what he has created.
As the poem progresses, the speaker begins to explore the power of words and the impact that poetry can have on the world. He writes, "Yet, though my pen should lay me dead, / My verse will rise triumphant." These lines speak to the enduring power of poetry, which can outlast even the poet who created it.
The poem also explores the idea of fame and the role that poetry can play in achieving it. The speaker writes, "And though men mock my rhymes and roars, / And say, 'He wrote for pelf,' / I know I shall be read because / I wrote for love myself." These lines suggest that while fame may be a byproduct of great poetry, it is not the ultimate goal. The true goal of poetry, according to the speaker, is to create something that is inspired by love and that will endure beyond the poet's lifetime.
One of the most striking aspects of "L'Envoi" is its use of language. The poem is filled with vivid imagery and powerful metaphors that bring the words to life. For example, the speaker writes, "I have put my heart to hazard, / And have written for my ruin." These lines use language to create a sense of risk and danger, as if the act of writing poetry is something that can be both exhilarating and dangerous.
In addition to its use of language, "L'Envoi" is also notable for its structure. The poem is divided into four stanzas, each of which is composed of six lines. This structure gives the poem a sense of symmetry and balance, and it allows the speaker to explore his ideas in a methodical and organized way.
Despite its age, "L'Envoi" remains a powerful and relevant poem. It speaks to the enduring power of poetry and the role that words can play in shaping the world around us. It is a testament to the craft of poetry and to the poets who create it. As the speaker writes, "And so I send these rhymes to you / As token of my love, / And oh, be sure their hearts are true, / For they are born thereof."
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
L'Envoi by Robert Service is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a masterpiece that is both thought-provoking and inspiring. The poem is a call to action, urging the reader to seize the day and make the most of every moment. In this article, we will take a closer look at L'Envoi and explore its themes, structure, and significance.
The poem begins with the lines, "When Earth's last picture is painted and the tubes are twisted and dried, When the oldest colors have faded, and the youngest critic has died." These lines set the tone for the rest of the poem. They suggest that life is fleeting and that we must make the most of it while we can. The poem goes on to describe the beauty of the world and the many wonders that it holds. It speaks of the mountains, the rivers, and the forests, and encourages the reader to explore and appreciate them.
The structure of the poem is simple yet effective. It consists of four stanzas, each with four lines. The rhyme scheme is AABB, which gives the poem a musical quality. The use of repetition and alliteration also adds to the poem's musicality. For example, in the second stanza, the line "And the dawn comes up like thunder" uses alliteration to create a sense of excitement and energy.
One of the key themes of L'Envoi is the importance of living life to the fullest. The poem urges the reader to take risks, to explore the world, and to make the most of every moment. It suggests that life is short and that we must make the most of it while we can. The line "For the sword outwears its sheath, And the soul wears out the breast," suggests that we must use our energy and passion while we still have it.
Another theme of the poem is the beauty of the natural world. Service describes the mountains, the rivers, and the forests in vivid detail, painting a picture of a world that is both awe-inspiring and humbling. The poem suggests that we should take the time to appreciate the natural world and to connect with it on a deeper level.
The poem also touches on the theme of mortality. The lines "And the youngest critic has died, We shall rest, and faith, we shall need it - Lie down for an aeon or two," suggest that death is inevitable and that we must prepare ourselves for it. The poem suggests that faith is important in facing the unknown and that we must be ready to face our own mortality.
One of the most striking aspects of L'Envoi is its use of language. Service's use of vivid imagery and powerful metaphors creates a sense of wonder and excitement. The line "And the dawn comes up like thunder" is a perfect example of this. It suggests that the dawn is a powerful force that can shake the earth and awaken the soul.
Overall, L'Envoi is a powerful and inspiring poem that encourages the reader to live life to the fullest. Its themes of mortality, the beauty of the natural world, and the importance of faith are timeless and universal. The poem's structure and use of language create a sense of excitement and energy that is both uplifting and thought-provoking. It is a true masterpiece of poetry that has stood the test of time and will continue to inspire generations to come.
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