'Priscilla' by Robert Service
AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay
Jerry MacMullen, the millionaire,
Driving a red-meat bus out there --
How did he win his Croix de Guerre?
Bless you, that's all old stuff:
Beast of a night on the Verdun road,
Jerry stuck with a woeful load,
Stalled in the mud where the red lights glowed,
Prospect devilish tough.
"Little Priscilla" he called his car,
Best of our battered bunch by far,
Branded with many a bullet scar,
Yet running so sweet and true.
Jerry he loved her, knew her tricks;
Swore: "She's the beat of the best big six,
And if ever I get in a deuce of a fix
Priscilla will pull me through."
"Looks pretty rotten right now," says he;
"Hanged if the devil himself could see.
Priscilla, it's up to you and me
To show 'em what we can do."
Seemed that Priscilla just took the word;
Up with a leap like a horse that's spurred,
On with the joy of a homing bird,
Swift as the wind she flew.
Shell-holes shoot at them out of the night;
A lurch to the left, a wrench to the right,
Hands grim-gripping and teeth clenched tight,
Eyes that glare through the dark.
"Priscilla, you're doing me proud this day;
Hospital's only a league away,
And, honey, I'm longing to hit the hay,
So hurry, old girl. . . . But hark!"
Howl of a shell, harsh, sudden, dread;
Another . . . another. . . . "Strike me dead
If the Huns ain't strafing the road ahead
So the convoy can't get through!
A barrage of shrap, and us alone;
Four rush-cases -- you hear 'em moan?
Fierce old messes of blood and bone. . . .
Priscilla, what shall we do?"
Again it seems that Priscilla hears.
With a rush and a roar her way she clears,
Straight at the hell of flame she steers,
Full at its heart of wrath.
Fury of death and dust and din!
Havoc and horror! She's in, she's in;
She's almost over, she'll win, she'll win!
Woof! Crump! right in the path.
Little Priscilla skids and stops,
Jerry MacMullen sways and flops;
Bang in his map the crash he cops;
Shriek from the car: "Mon Dieu!"
One of the blessés hears him say,
Just at the moment he faints away:
"Reckon this isn't my lucky day,
Priscilla, it's up to you."
Sergeant raps on the doctor's door;
"Car in the court with couchés four;
Driver dead on the dashboard floor;
Strange how the bunch got here."
"No," says the Doc, "this chap's alive;
But tell me, how could a man contrive
With both arms broken, a car to drive?
Thunder of God! it's queer."
Same little blessé makes a spiel;
Says he: "When I saw our driver reel,
A Strange Shape leapt to the driving wheel
And sped us safe through the night."
But Jerry, he says in his drawling tone:
"Rats! Why, Priscilla came in on her own.
Bless her, she did it alone, alone. . . ."
Hanged if I know who's right.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Priscilla by Robert Service: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Introduction
Robert Service's "Priscilla" is a classic poem that tells the story of a young woman who falls in love with a soldier, only to have him leave abruptly for war. The poem touches on themes of love, longing, and loss, and is known for its moving portrayal of the pain and sorrow of separation.
In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deeper into the poem's meaning, exploring its structure, language, and imagery. We will examine the different literary techniques that Service employs to convey the story and the emotions of the characters.
Structure and Language
The poem is structured into three main parts, each detailing a different stage of the relationship between the soldier and Priscilla. In the first part, the two meet and fall in love; in the second, the soldier is called away to war; and in the third, Priscilla mourns his absence and eventual death.
Service's use of language is key to the emotional impact of the poem. He employs a range of poetic devices, from alliteration and assonance to metaphor and personification, to paint vivid images and convey the emotions of the characters.
For example, in the first stanza, Service writes:
Priscilla has a soldier, And he's gone to the war, And she prays for him nightly In her little cottage door.
Here, the repetition of the "s" sound in "Priscilla," "soldier," and "prays" creates a sense of continuity and rhythm, reflecting the steadiness of Priscilla's love for the soldier. The use of the word "nightly" emphasizes the depth of her devotion, as she spends every evening praying for his safety.
Imagery
Service's use of imagery is also key to the impact of the poem. He paints vivid pictures of both the idyllic countryside and the horrors of war, contrasting the beauty of nature with the brutality of conflict.
For example, in the second stanza, he writes:
The sun is in the heaven, And the bird is on the wing, And the soldier in the battlefield Is face to face with the King.
Here, the image of the soldier facing the "King" (i.e. death) is a powerful one, evoking the harsh reality of war. The contrast between the peaceful setting of the first two lines and the violent imagery of the last two lines is striking, highlighting the brutality of the situation.
Themes
The poem touches on a number of themes, including love, loss, and the futility of war. However, perhaps the most prominent theme is that of separation and longing.
Service portrays the pain and sorrow of separation in poignant detail, emphasizing the deep bond between the soldier and Priscilla and the agony they experience when they are forced apart. In the third stanza, he writes:
And Priscilla is a-weeping In her little cottage door, For the soldier went a-soldiering And he ain't a-soldiering no more.
The repetition of the word "soldiering" emphasizes the suddenness of his departure and the finality of his absence. The use of the word "ain't" instead of "isn't" also adds to the emotional impact, conveying a sense of loss and despair.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Robert Service's "Priscilla" is a powerful and moving poem that explores themes of love, longing, and loss. Through its vivid imagery and use of poetic language and structure, Service conveys the emotions of the characters and the impact of separation and war. The poem continues to resonate with readers, touching on timeless themes that are as relevant today as they were when it was written.
If you haven't read "Priscilla" yet, I highly recommend it. It's a beautiful and heart-wrenching poem that is sure to leave a lasting impression.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Priscilla: A Poem of Love and Devotion
Robert Service, the renowned poet, has left an indelible mark on the world of literature with his masterful works. Among his many poems, "Priscilla" stands out as a beautiful ode to love and devotion. This classic poem is a testament to the power of love and the sacrifices one is willing to make for it. In this article, we will delve into the depths of this masterpiece and explore its themes, symbolism, and literary devices.
The poem "Priscilla" is a story of a man's love for a woman named Priscilla. The narrator, who remains unnamed, is deeply in love with Priscilla and is willing to do anything to win her heart. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which tells a different part of the story.
The first stanza sets the scene and introduces the narrator's love for Priscilla. The narrator describes Priscilla as "a maid of matchless grace" and "a rose of rarest hue." He is smitten by her beauty and is willing to do anything to win her heart. The narrator's love for Priscilla is pure and selfless, as he is willing to give up everything for her.
The second stanza is where the poem takes a darker turn. The narrator discovers that Priscilla is in love with another man, and his heart is broken. He describes his pain as "a wound that will not heal." Despite his heartache, the narrator remains devoted to Priscilla and is willing to sacrifice his own happiness for hers. He says, "I'll pray for her, and I'll be glad, / And I'll be good to her, and I'll be sad."
The third stanza is the climax of the poem, where the narrator makes the ultimate sacrifice for Priscilla. He learns that the man Priscilla loves is in trouble and needs help. Without hesitation, the narrator sets out to save him, risking his own life in the process. He says, "I'll go to him, and I'll be brave, / And I'll be gay, and I'll be grave." The narrator's love for Priscilla is so strong that he is willing to risk everything to make her happy, even if it means sacrificing his own life.
The themes of love, devotion, and sacrifice are prevalent throughout the poem. The narrator's love for Priscilla is pure and selfless, and he is willing to do anything to win her heart. His devotion to her is unwavering, even when he discovers that she loves another man. The narrator's sacrifice for Priscilla is the ultimate act of love, as he is willing to risk his own life to save the man she loves.
The symbolism in the poem is also significant. Priscilla is described as a "rose of rarest hue," which symbolizes her beauty and uniqueness. The narrator's love for her is compared to a wound that will not heal, which symbolizes the pain he feels from loving someone who does not love him back. The narrator's sacrifice for Priscilla is symbolized by his willingness to risk his own life to save the man she loves.
The literary devices used in the poem are also noteworthy. The use of repetition in the phrase "I'll be" emphasizes the narrator's commitment to Priscilla and his willingness to do anything for her. The use of alliteration in the phrase "a maid of matchless grace" adds to the beauty and elegance of Priscilla. The use of imagery in the phrase "a wound that will not heal" creates a vivid picture of the narrator's pain.
In conclusion, "Priscilla" is a beautiful poem that explores the themes of love, devotion, and sacrifice. The narrator's love for Priscilla is pure and selfless, and his devotion to her is unwavering. The narrator's sacrifice for Priscilla is the ultimate act of love, as he is willing to risk his own life to make her happy. The symbolism and literary devices used in the poem add to its beauty and depth. "Priscilla" is a timeless masterpiece that will continue to inspire and move readers for generations to come.
Editor Recommended Sites
Last Edu: Find online education online. Free university and college courses on machine learning, AI, computer scienceWitcher 4: Speculation on projekt red's upcoming games
Knowledge Graph Consulting: Consulting in DFW for Knowledge graphs, taxonomy and reasoning systems
SRE Engineer: Guide to SRE engineering
ML Privacy:
Recommended Similar Analysis
Long Distance II by Tony Harrison analysisSixteen Dead Men by William Butler Yeats analysis
I Shall Not Care by Sarah Teasdale analysis
God gave a loaf to every bird, by Emily Dickinson analysis
Siege of Corinth, The by George Gordon, Lord Byron analysis
Nurse's Song (Innocence) by William Blake analysis
Al Aaraaf by Edgar Allan Poe analysis
The cricket sang by Emily Dickinson analysis
Francesca by Ezra Pound analysis
Memorial Verses: April 1850 by Matthew Arnold analysis