'My Prisoner' by Robert Service
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We was in a crump-'ole, 'im and me;
Fightin' wiv our bayonets was we;
Fightin' 'ard as 'ell we was,
Fightin' fierce as fire because
It was 'im or me as must be downed;
'E was twice as big as me;
I was 'arf the weight of 'e;
We was like a terryer and a 'ound.
'Struth! But 'e was sich a 'andsome bloke.
Me, I'm 'andsome as a chunk o' coke.
Did I give it 'im? Not 'arf!
Why, it fairly made me laugh,
'Cos 'is bloomin' bellows wasn't sound.
Couldn't fight for monkey nuts.
Soon I gets 'im in the guts,
There 'e lies a-floppin' on the ground.
In I goes to finish up the job.
Quick 'e throws 'is 'ands above 'is nob;
Speakin' English good as me:
"'Tain't no use to kill," says 'e;
"Can't yer tyke me prisoner instead?"
"Why, I'd like to, sir," says I;
"But -- yer knows the reason why:
If we pokes our noses out we're dead.
"Sorry, sir. Then on the other 'and
(As a gent like you must understand),
If I 'olds you longer 'ere,
Wiv yer pals so werry near,
It's me 'oo'll 'ave a free trip to Berlin;
If I lets yer go away,
Why, you'll fight another day:
See the sitooation I am in.
"Anyway I'll tell you wot I'll do,
Bein' kind and seein' as it's you,
Knowin' 'ow it's cold, the feel
Of a 'alf a yard o' steel,
I'll let yer 'ave a rifle ball instead;
Now, jist think yerself in luck. . . .
'Ere, ol' man! You keep 'em stuck,
Them saucy dooks o' yours, above yer 'ead."
'Ow 'is mits shot up it made me smile!
'Ow 'e seemed to ponder for a while!
Then 'e says: "It seems a shyme,
Me, a man wot's known ter Fyme:
Give me blocks of stone, I'll give yer gods.
Whereas, pardon me, I'm sure
You, my friend, are still obscure. . . ."
"In war," says I, "that makes no blurry odds."
Then says 'e: "I've painted picters too. . . .
Oh, dear God! The work I planned to do,
And to think this is the end!"
"'Ere," says I, "my hartist friend,
Don't you give yerself no friskin' airs.
Picters, statoos, is that why
You should be let off to die?
That the best ye done? Just say yer prayers."
Once again 'e seems ter think awhile.
Then 'e smiles a werry 'aughty smile:
"Why, no, sir, it's not the best;
There's a locket next me breast,
Picter of a gel 'oo's eyes are blue.
That's the best I've done," says 'e.
"That's me darter, aged three. . . ."
"Blimy!" says I, "I've a nipper, too."
Straight I chucks my rifle to one side;
Shows 'im wiv a lovin' farther's pride
Me own little Mary Jane.
Proud 'e shows me 'is Elaine,
And we talks as friendly as can be;
Then I 'elps 'im on 'is way,
'Opes 'e's sife at 'ome to-day,
Wonders -- 'ow would eE 'Aave treated me?
Editor 1 Interpretation
My Prisoner: A Captivating Analysis
As we delve into the world of poetry, we come across a variety of themes- love, nature, politics, and much more. However, some poets venture into territories that are less explored or even taboo. Robert Service is one such poet who takes us on a journey of love, passion, and obsession with his poem, My Prisoner. In this literary criticism, we will analyze the various aspects of the poem and explore the hidden meanings and metaphors therein.
The Narrative and Structure
My Prisoner is a narrative poem that tells the story of a lover who is unable to let go of his beloved. The poem is divided into three stanzas, with each stanza comprising eight lines. The rhyme scheme is AABBCCDD, and the meter is iambic tetrameter, which adds to the musicality of the poem. Service's use of rhythm and rhyme is a testament to his mastery of the craft.
The first stanza of the poem sets the scene and introduces us to the narrator's obsessive love. He describes his lover as his prisoner and himself as her captor. The use of the word "captor" suggests that the narrator sees himself as powerful and in control, whereas his lover is submissive and powerless. This power dynamic is further reinforced in the second stanza, where the narrator talks about his lover's attempts to escape. He says, "She flung her arms about me, / And as I held her tight, / Her heart beat fast and faster, / And she trembled with affright." Here, we see the narrator reveling in his power over his lover, as he holds her tightly and relishes her fear.
However, the third stanza takes a darker turn, as the narrator speaks of his fear that his lover might escape him. He says, "I fear lest she should leave me, / Oft as I kiss her hair." The use of the word "fear" suggests that the narrator is no longer in control and is now the one who is afraid. He is afraid of losing his prisoner, and this fear is what drives his obsession.
The Themes
The theme of love is central to the poem, but it is not a conventional love. The narrator's love is possessive, obsessive, and even violent. He sees his lover as his possession, and his fear of losing her drives him to control her every move. The use of the word "prisoner" to describe his lover suggests that he sees her as a captive, and he revels in his power over her.
Another theme that is explored in the poem is the theme of power. The narrator sees himself as the one in control, whereas his lover is at his mercy. He revels in his power over her and sees her attempts to escape as a challenge to his authority. However, the poem also shows us that this power dynamic is not sustainable, as the narrator's fear of losing his lover drives him to desperation.
The Metaphors and Imagery
Service's use of metaphors and imagery is what makes the poem so powerful. The metaphor of the prisoner is one that is used throughout the poem and is central to its meaning. The narrator sees his lover as his prisoner, and this metaphor is used to suggest the power dynamic between the two characters. The use of the word "captor" in the first stanza also reinforces this metaphor and suggests that the narrator sees himself as the one in control.
Another metaphor that is used in the poem is the metaphor of the bird. The narrator describes his lover as a bird that he has caught and is keeping in a cage. He says, "I caught her in my fingers, / And whistled gay and clear, / And danced with her and pranced with her, / And whispered in her ear." This metaphor is used to suggest the fragility of the narrator's hold on his lover. A bird in a cage is not free, and the narrator's lover is not free either.
The imagery in the poem is also powerful. The use of words such as "prison," "captor," and "cage" suggests a sense of confinement and restriction. The narrator's lover is not free to leave, and the use of these words reinforces this idea. The imagery of the bird is also powerful, as it suggests the delicacy and beauty of the narrator's lover.
The Tone
The tone of the poem is both seductive and menacing. The narrator's obsession with his lover is evident from the beginning, and his use of words such as "prisoner" and "captor" suggests a sense of danger. However, the seductive tone of the poem suggests that the narrator's lover is also drawn to him, despite her fear. The use of words such as "whistled gay and clear" and "danced with her and pranced with her" suggests a sense of playfulness and joy, but this is juxtaposed with the image of the bird in a cage, which is not free to fly.
Conclusion
In conclusion, My Prisoner is a captivating poem that explores themes of love, power, and obsession. Service's use of metaphor, imagery, and tone is what makes the poem so powerful, and his mastery of rhythm and rhyme adds to its musicality. The poem's central metaphor of the prisoner is used to suggest the power dynamic between the two characters, and the use of the bird as a metaphor adds to the poem's sense of fragility and beauty. Overall, My Prisoner is a poem that is both seductive and menacing, and it is a testament to Service's skill as a poet.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
My Prisoner: A Captivating Tale of Love and Captivity
Robert Service's My Prisoner is a classic poem that tells the story of a man who falls in love with a woman who is already taken. The poem is a captivating tale of love and captivity, and it has been a favorite of readers for many years.
The poem begins with the speaker describing how he fell in love with a woman who was already engaged to another man. He describes her as being beautiful and captivating, and he is immediately drawn to her. However, he knows that he cannot have her because she is already promised to someone else.
Despite this, the speaker cannot help but think about the woman constantly. He is consumed by his love for her, and he longs to be with her. He describes himself as being her prisoner, trapped by his own feelings for her.
The poem takes a dark turn when the speaker decides to take matters into his own hands. He kidnaps the woman and takes her to a secluded cabin in the woods. He tells her that he loves her and that he cannot live without her. He begs her to stay with him, but she refuses.
The woman is understandably terrified and begs the speaker to let her go. She tells him that she loves her fiancé and that she cannot be with him. The speaker is heartbroken, but he eventually realizes that he cannot force the woman to love him.
The poem ends with the speaker releasing the woman and letting her go back to her fiancé. He knows that he will never be able to forget her, but he also knows that he cannot keep her captive. He is left alone, with nothing but his memories of the woman he loves.
My Prisoner is a powerful poem that explores the themes of love, obsession, and captivity. The speaker's love for the woman is all-consuming, and it drives him to do things that he knows are wrong. He is so consumed by his feelings that he cannot see that he is hurting the woman he loves.
The poem also explores the idea of captivity. The speaker describes himself as being the woman's prisoner, but in reality, he is the one who is trapped. He is trapped by his own feelings, and he cannot escape them. He is also trapped by his actions, which have led him to kidnap the woman he loves.
The poem is also a commentary on the nature of love. The speaker's love for the woman is intense and all-consuming, but it is also selfish. He wants the woman for himself, even though she is already promised to someone else. He is willing to do whatever it takes to be with her, even if it means hurting her.
In the end, the speaker realizes that he cannot force the woman to love him. He knows that he must let her go, even though it breaks his heart. He is left alone, with nothing but his memories of the woman he loves.
Overall, My Prisoner is a powerful and captivating poem that explores the themes of love, obsession, and captivity. It is a cautionary tale about the dangers of letting our emotions consume us, and it reminds us that love should never be selfish or controlling. Robert Service's masterful use of language and imagery makes this poem a timeless classic that will continue to captivate readers for generations to come.
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