'The Duel' by Robert Service
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In Pat Mahoney's booze bazaar the fun was fast and free,
And Ragtime Billy spanked the baby grand;
While caroling a saucy song was Montreal Maree,
With sozzled sourdoughs giving her a hand.
When suddenly erupting in the gay and gilded hall,
A stranger draped himself upon the bar;
As in a voice like bedrock grit he hollered: "Drinks for all,"
And casually lit a long cigar.
He bore a battered stetson on the grizzle of his dome,
And a bunch of inky whiskers on his jaw;
The suddenly I knew the guy - 'twas Black Moran from Nome.
A guinney like greased lightening on the draw.
But no one got his number in that wild and wooly throng,
As they hailed his invitation with eclaw,
And they crowded round the stranger, but I knew something was wrong.
When in there stomped the Sheriff, Red McGraw.
Now Red McGraw from Arkansaw was noted for his spunk;
He had a dozen notches on his gun;
And whether he was sober or whether he was drunk,
He kept the lousy outlaws on the run.
So now he shouts: "Say, boys, there's been a hold-up Hunker Way,
And by this poke I'm throwin' on the bar,
I bet I'll get the bastard braced before another day,
Or send him where a dozen others are."
He banged the bag of gold-dust on the bar for all to see,
When in a lazy drawl the stranger spoke:
"As I'm the man you're lookin' for an feelin' mighty free,
I reckon, Sheriff, I'll jest take yer poke.
It's pleasant meetin' you like this, an' talkin' man to man,
For all the North had heard o' Ref McGraw.
I'm glad to make ye eat yer words, since I am Black Moran,
An' no man livin' beats me on the draw."
And as they boldly bellied, each man's hand was on his rod,
Yet at that dreaded name the Sheriff knew
A single fumbling movement and he'd go to meet his God,
The which he had no great desire to do.
So there they stood like carven wood and hushed was every breath,
We watched them glaring, staring eye to eye;
But neither drew, for either knew a second split meant death -
And so a minute . . . two . . . three three went by.
The sweat pricked on the Sheriff's brow as suddenly he broke
And limp and weak he wilted to the floor;
And then the stranger's hand shot out and grabbed the heavy poke
As jeeringly he backed up to the door.
"Say, folks," he cried, "I'm off downstream; no more of me you'll see,
But let me state the job was pretty raw. . . .
The guy that staged the robbery he thought to pin on me
Was your bastard Sheriff, Red McGraw."
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Duel by Robert Service: A Journey Through the Wild West
Are you ready for a journey through the Wild West? From the first line of Robert Service's "The Duel," you can feel the dust on your boots and hear the jingle of spurs. This poem is a classic example of Service's ability to transport us to a different time and place.
The Plot
The poem tells the story of a classic duel between two cowboys, Jim and Joe. They are both in love with the same woman, Rose. They agree to meet at dawn and shoot it out to see who will win Rose's heart.
The tension builds as the two men face each other, "grim as Satan's crown." Service's use of vivid imagery sets the scene perfectly. The reader can feel the heat of the sun and hear the eerie silence of the desert.
As the duel begins, the men fire their guns, but both miss. They continue to shoot at each other until they are out of bullets. Then, they draw their knives and fight to the death.
The poem ends with Rose watching from afar as Jim emerges victorious. She rushes to him, but he is mortally wounded. In the end, both men lose, and Rose is left alone.
The Theme
The theme of "The Duel" is one of love and jealousy. Jim and Joe are willing to risk their lives to win Rose's heart. They are blinded by their desire for her, and in the end, they both lose.
The poem also touches on the idea of honor. In the Wild West, a man's honor was everything. Jim and Joe both believe that they must defend their honor by fighting a duel. However, their idea of honor is misguided. They are willing to kill each other over a woman, which ultimately makes them both dishonorable.
The Style
Service's style in "The Duel" is simple and straightforward. He uses short, punchy lines that are easy to read but still convey a lot of meaning. The poem is also written in rhyming couplets, which gives it a sing-song quality.
However, don't let the simplicity of the style fool you. Service's use of vivid imagery and powerful language creates a rich and complex world that draws the reader in.
The Interpretation
The poem can be interpreted as a cautionary tale about the dangers of jealousy and the folly of fighting over a woman. Jim and Joe are so focused on winning Rose's heart that they are willing to kill each other. In the end, they both lose, and Rose is left alone.
The poem can also be seen as a commentary on the idea of honor. Jim and Joe believe that they must defend their honor by fighting a duel. However, their idea of honor is misguided. They are willing to kill each other over a woman, which ultimately makes them both dishonorable.
The Analysis
Service's use of vivid imagery is one of the poem's greatest strengths. He describes the desert as "a furnace of copper heat" and the men as "grim as Satan's crown." These images create a rich and complex world that draws the reader in.
The use of short, punchy lines also adds to the tension of the poem. The reader can feel the tension building as the men face each other, and the shots ring out.
The rhyming couplets give the poem a sing-song quality, but also add to the feeling of inevitability. The reader knows that the men will fight, and that one of them will die.
Service's use of language is also noteworthy. He describes the men's faces as "grim as Satan's crown" and their guns as "spitting flame." These descriptions create a vivid picture in the reader's mind and add to the tension of the poem.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "The Duel" is a classic example of Robert Service's ability to transport us to a different time and place. The poem tells the story of a classic duel between two cowboys, but it is also a commentary on the dangers of jealousy and the folly of fighting over a woman.
Service's use of vivid imagery, short, punchy lines, and powerful language creates a rich and complex world that draws the reader in. The rhyming couplets give the poem a sing-song quality, but also add to the tension and feeling of inevitability.
Overall, "The Duel" is a powerful and memorable poem that continues to captivate readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Duel: A Masterpiece of Robert Service
Robert Service, the renowned poet, has left an indelible mark on the world of literature with his captivating poems. His works are known for their vivid imagery, powerful emotions, and the ability to transport the reader to a different time and place. One of his most famous poems, "The Duel," is a masterpiece that showcases his exceptional talent for storytelling and his ability to capture the essence of human nature.
"The Duel" is a narrative poem that tells the story of two men who engage in a deadly duel. The poem is set in the 19th century, a time when dueling was a common practice among the upper classes. The two men, Colonel John Pelham and Captain Robert Lee, are both officers in the Confederate Army during the American Civil War. They are both skilled marksmen and have a long-standing rivalry that has led to their decision to settle their differences with a duel.
The poem begins with the two men standing face to face, their pistols at the ready. The tension is palpable as they stare each other down, waiting for the signal to fire. The narrator describes the scene in vivid detail, painting a picture of the two men and the landscape around them. The reader can almost feel the heat of the sun and the dryness of the dusty ground beneath their feet.
As the signal is given, the two men fire their pistols simultaneously. The narrator describes the scene in slow motion, as if time has slowed down to capture every moment of the duel. The reader can feel the tension building as they wait to see who will emerge victorious.
In the end, it is Colonel Pelham who falls to the ground, mortally wounded. The narrator describes the scene with heartbreaking detail, as the dying man reaches out to his opponent, asking for forgiveness. The reader can feel the weight of the moment, as the two men come to terms with the consequences of their actions.
The poem is a powerful commentary on the futility of violence and the destructive nature of pride and rivalry. It is a reminder that even the most skilled and accomplished individuals are not immune to the consequences of their actions. The poem also highlights the importance of forgiveness and the need to let go of grudges and animosity.
Robert Service's use of language and imagery in "The Duel" is nothing short of masterful. His ability to capture the essence of the moment and convey the emotions of the characters is truly remarkable. The poem is a testament to his skill as a storyteller and his ability to connect with his readers on a deep and emotional level.
In conclusion, "The Duel" is a timeless masterpiece that continues to captivate readers to this day. It is a powerful reminder of the consequences of violence and the importance of forgiveness. Robert Service's exceptional talent for storytelling and his ability to capture the essence of human nature make this poem a must-read for anyone who appreciates great literature.
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