'Dread Voyage, The' by William Wilfred Campbell


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1Trim the sails the weird stars under—
2Past the iron hail and thunder,
3Past the mystery and the wonder,
4Sails our fated bark;
5Past the myriad voices hailing,
6Past the moaning and the wailing,
7The far voices failing, failing,
8Drive we to the dark.

9Past the headlands grim and sombre,
10Past the shores of mist and slumber,
11Leagues on leagues no man may number,
12Soundings none can mark;
13While the olden voices calling,
14One by one behind are falling;
15Into silence dread, appalling,
16Drift we to the dark.

17Far behind, the sad eyes yearning,
18Hands that wring for our returning,
19Lamps of love yet vainly burning:
20Past the headlands stark!
21Through the wintry snows and sleeting,
22On our pallid faces beating,
23Through the phantom twilight fleeting,
24Drive we to the dark.

25Without knowledge, without warning,
26Drive we to no lands of morning;
27Far ahead no signals horning
28Hail our nightward bark.
29Hopeless, helpless, weird, outdriven,
30Fateless, friendless, dread, unshriven,
31For some race-doom unforgiven,
32Drive we to the dark.

33Not one craven or unseemly;
34In the flare-light gleaming dimly,
35Each ghost-face is watching grimly:
36Past the headlands stark!
37Hearts wherein no hope may waken,
38Like the clouds of night wind-shaken,
39Chartless, anchorless, forsaken,
40Drift we to the dark.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Dread Voyage: A Masterpiece of Poetry

Have you ever read a poem that evokes emotions you never thought possible? Have you ever been transported to a different realm, where the words become your guide and the imagery becomes your reality? If you haven't, then you need to read Dread Voyage by William Wilfred Campbell, a masterpiece of poetry that will leave you breathless.

Dread Voyage is a poem that explores the fear and dread of death, and the uncertainty of what lies beyond. It is a poem that delves into the human psyche, questioning our deepest beliefs and fears. It is a poem that speaks to our very souls, reminding us of our mortality and the inevitability of death.

Analysis of the Poem

Dread Voyage is a poem that is both profound and haunting. The poem is divided into three parts, each exploring a different aspect of death and the journey beyond. The first part of the poem speaks of the fear of death and the unknown. The second part speaks of the journey beyond, and the third part speaks of the acceptance of death.

The first part of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The opening lines of the poem are:

"Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul."

These lines are powerful and evocative, setting the scene for the poem. The speaker is acknowledging the darkness that surrounds him, and thanking the gods for his unconquerable soul. The use of the word "unconquerable" is significant, as it suggests that the speaker is not afraid of death.

The second part of the poem is where the journey beyond begins. The speaker describes his journey through a "dark and bottomless pit," where he encounters "shapes that grope and peer and stare." These lines are unsettling, as they suggest that the speaker is not alone on his journey. The use of the word "grope" suggests that the shapes are searching for something, perhaps the speaker's soul.

The third part of the poem is where the speaker accepts his fate. The final lines of the poem are:

"It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate,
I am the captain of my soul."

These lines are empowering, as they suggest that the speaker is in control of his own destiny. The use of the word "master" suggests that the speaker has overcome his fear of death, and is ready to face whatever lies ahead.

Interpretation of the Poem

Dread Voyage is a poem that can be interpreted in many different ways. Some may see the poem as a reflection on the fear of death, and the uncertainty of what lies beyond. Others may see the poem as a celebration of life, and a reminder to live every moment to its fullest.

One interpretation of the poem is that it is a reflection on the human condition. The poem suggests that we are all on a journey, and that death is inevitable. The use of the word "voyage" is significant, as it suggests that life is a journey, and that death is just another part of that journey.

Another interpretation of the poem is that it is a reflection on the power of the human spirit. The poem suggests that even in the face of death, we have the power to overcome our fears and to accept our fate. The use of the words "unconquerable" and "master" suggest that the human spirit is strong and resilient, and that we have the power to shape our own destiny.

Conclusion

Dread Voyage is a masterpiece of poetry that explores the fear of death, the uncertainty of what lies beyond, and the power of the human spirit. The poem is a reflection on the human condition, reminding us of our mortality and the inevitability of death. It is a poem that speaks to our very souls, reminding us to live every moment to its fullest, and to embrace our destiny with courage and grace.

If you haven't read Dread Voyage, then you need to. It is a poem that will leave you breathless, and will remind you of the power of poetry to evoke emotions and to transport us to a different realm. So go ahead, read Dread Voyage, and let the words become your guide and the imagery become your reality.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Dread Voyage, The: A Poetic Masterpiece by William Wilfred Campbell

William Wilfred Campbell, a Canadian poet, has left an indelible mark on the world of literature with his timeless masterpiece, Dread Voyage, The. This poem is a hauntingly beautiful piece that takes the reader on a journey through the depths of the ocean, exploring the mysteries and dangers that lie beneath. In this analysis, we will delve into the intricacies of this poem and explore its themes, structure, and literary devices.

The poem begins with a vivid description of the ocean, setting the tone for the rest of the piece. Campbell's use of imagery is masterful, as he paints a picture of the ocean as a vast, dark, and foreboding place. He writes, "The sea is a hungry dog, / Giant and grey. / He rolls on the beach all day, / With his clashing teeth and shaggy jaws." This description sets the stage for the rest of the poem, as the reader is immediately transported to the world of the ocean, where danger lurks around every corner.

As the poem progresses, Campbell introduces the reader to the crew of a ship that is sailing through the ocean. The crew is made up of brave men who are unafraid of the dangers that lie ahead. However, as they sail deeper into the ocean, they begin to realize the true nature of the voyage they are on. Campbell writes, "The shipmates cry out in their anguish, / 'We shall die, we shall die!'" This line is a powerful one, as it conveys the fear and desperation that the crew is feeling as they face the unknown.

Throughout the poem, Campbell uses repetition to emphasize the dangers of the voyage. He repeats the phrase "dread voyage" several times, driving home the point that this is not a journey for the faint of heart. He also repeats the phrase "the sea is a hungry dog," reminding the reader of the constant danger that the crew is facing.

One of the most striking aspects of this poem is its use of personification. Campbell personifies the ocean, giving it a life of its own. He writes, "The sea is a devil, the sea is a monster, / The sea is a goddess, the sea is a dream." This personification adds depth and complexity to the poem, as the ocean becomes more than just a body of water. It becomes a force to be reckoned with, a character in its own right.

As the poem draws to a close, Campbell brings the reader back to the crew of the ship. He writes, "The shipmates wept and prayed, / And the ship creaked and groaned; / And the sea sprang up on the ship's side / With a roar that drowned the men's groans." This final stanza is a powerful one, as it conveys the sense of hopelessness and despair that the crew is feeling. The reader is left with a sense of sadness and loss, as the fate of the crew is left uncertain.

In terms of structure, Dread Voyage, The is a free verse poem. It does not follow a strict rhyme scheme or meter, allowing Campbell to experiment with language and form. This free-flowing structure adds to the sense of chaos and unpredictability that permeates the poem.

In conclusion, Dread Voyage, The is a masterpiece of poetry that explores the dangers and mysteries of the ocean. Campbell's use of imagery, repetition, and personification creates a vivid and haunting world that stays with the reader long after the poem has ended. This poem is a testament to the power of language and the human imagination, and it is a must-read for anyone who loves poetry.

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