'A Plea' by Robert Service
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Why need we newer arms invent,
Poor peoples to destroy?
With what we have let's be content
And perfect their employ.
With weapons that may millions kill,
Why should we seek for more,
A brighter spate of blood to spill,
A deeper sea of gore?
The lurid blaze of atom light
Vast continents will blind,
And steep in centuries of night
Despairing humankind.
So let's be glad for gun and blade,
To fight with honest stuff:
Are tank, block-buster, hand-grenade
And napalm not enough?
Oh to go back a thousand years
When arrows winged their way,
When foemen fell upon the spears
And swords were swung to slay!
Behold! Belching in Heaven black
Mushrooms obscene!
Dear God, the brave days give us back,
When wars were clean!
Editor 1 Interpretation
A Plea: A Masterpiece of Poetic Expression
As I read through the lines of Robert Service's "A Plea", I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed by the sheer beauty and power of his words. This poem is a masterpiece of poetic expression that captures the essence of the human experience and touches the very depths of our souls.
At its core, "A Plea" is a poem about the search for meaning and purpose in life. It is a plea from the speaker to the universe, asking for guidance and understanding in a world that often feels confusing and chaotic.
The opening lines of the poem set the tone for what is to come:
O Lord, I pray, not for
wealth or fame,
Though they be sweet,
Oh! Lord, I pray,
For a brave heart and a
ready name.
Here, we see the speaker expressing a desire for something deeper than mere material possessions or societal recognition. They are asking for something that will sustain them through the ups and downs of life, something that will give them the strength and courage to face whatever comes their way.
Service's use of language throughout the poem is nothing short of masterful. He employs a range of poetic devices such as alliteration, personification, and repetition to create a powerful and evocative piece of writing.
For example, in the following lines, he uses alliteration to describe the speaker's longing for a sense of purpose:
For a heart that's
true and strong and
clean,
The world may go its
way serene,
But you and I will
have no fear
For we have love and
faith sincere.
The repeated use of the "s" sound in "true", "strong", and "clean" creates a sense of harmony and balance that mirrors the speaker's desire for inner peace and stability. Meanwhile, the final two lines of the stanza use repetition to reinforce the idea that love and faith are the keys to a meaningful life.
One of the most striking aspects of "A Plea" is its universality. While the poem is clearly written from a Christian perspective, its themes and ideas are applicable to people of all faiths and beliefs. At its core, it is a poem about the human condition and the search for meaning and purpose in a world that can often seem chaotic and unforgiving.
As the poem progresses, the speaker's plea becomes more urgent and desperate. They cry out to the universe, asking for guidance and understanding in a world that often feels confusing and incomprehensible. In the following lines, the speaker expresses their despair at the world's seeming indifference to their struggles:
Oh! World, you are too
much with me,
And I am weak as I am
free,
For all the sweets of
heaven above
You have no taste, no
scent, no love.
Here, the speaker is expressing their frustration with a world that seems to care little for their struggles and hardships. They are overwhelmed by the sheer weight of existence and feel powerless in the face of life's challenges.
But despite this despair, the speaker ultimately finds solace in their faith. In the final stanza of the poem, they turn to God for comfort and guidance:
Oh! God, please give me
strength to bear
The bitter burden of
despair,
To face the darkness of
the night,
And find the dawn of
morning bright.
Here, we see the speaker placing their trust in a higher power, asking for the strength to face whatever comes their way. It is a powerful and moving conclusion to a poem that captures the essence of the human experience in all its complexity and beauty.
In conclusion, "A Plea" is a masterpiece of poetic expression that touches the very depths of our souls. Robert Service's use of language and poetic devices creates a powerful and evocative piece of writing that speaks to the universal human experience. It is a poem that reminds us of the importance of faith, love, and courage in the face of life's challenges, and it is a testament to the enduring power of poetry to inspire and uplift us.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
A Plea: An Analysis of Robert Service's Classic Poem
Robert Service's poem, A Plea, is a classic piece of literature that has stood the test of time. It is a poem that speaks to the heart of humanity, and it is a plea for us to be kinder, more compassionate, and more understanding towards one another. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and language of the poem to understand its message and significance.
Themes
The central theme of A Plea is the importance of empathy and compassion. The poem is a call to action for us to be more understanding of the struggles and hardships that others face. Service implores us to put ourselves in the shoes of others and to see the world from their perspective. He asks us to be kinder, more patient, and more forgiving towards those who may have wronged us.
The poem also touches on the theme of forgiveness. Service acknowledges that we are all flawed and that we all make mistakes. He urges us to forgive those who have wronged us and to seek forgiveness from those we have wronged. He reminds us that forgiveness is a powerful tool that can heal wounds and bring people together.
Structure
A Plea is a short poem consisting of four stanzas, each with four lines. The poem follows a simple ABAB rhyme scheme, with the first and third lines rhyming and the second and fourth lines rhyming. The simplicity of the structure is intentional, as it allows the poem's message to shine through without distraction.
The poem's structure also creates a sense of urgency and immediacy. The short, punchy lines give the poem a sense of momentum, as if Service is pleading with us to act quickly before it's too late. The repetition of the rhyme scheme also creates a sense of rhythm and musicality, making the poem easy to remember and recite.
Language
Service's use of language in A Plea is simple yet powerful. He uses everyday language that is easy to understand, but he also employs poetic devices such as alliteration, repetition, and metaphor to create a sense of depth and meaning.
One of the most striking examples of Service's use of language is in the second stanza, where he writes:
"Think you the world is bitter wronged, And waits for your protesting voice? Think you the oceans will be calmed That you should fret and fume and noise?"
Here, Service uses metaphor to convey the idea that our individual actions may seem insignificant in the grand scheme of things. He compares our protests and complaints to the raging of the ocean, suggesting that we should focus on making small, positive changes in our own lives rather than trying to change the world all at once.
Another example of Service's use of language is in the final stanza, where he writes:
"Then let us meet with smiling lips, And speak with honest eyes and true, And in our hearts hold fast the faith That God is in the world anew."
Here, Service uses alliteration to create a sense of harmony and unity. The repetition of the "s" sound in "smiling lips" and "speak with honest eyes and true" creates a sense of serenity and peace. The final line, "That God is in the world anew," is a powerful statement that suggests that even in the darkest of times, there is hope and goodness to be found.
Conclusion
In conclusion, A Plea is a timeless poem that speaks to the heart of humanity. It is a call to action for us to be more empathetic, compassionate, and forgiving towards one another. Service's use of simple language and poetic devices creates a sense of urgency and depth, making the poem both easy to understand and emotionally resonant. A Plea is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is hope and goodness to be found if we are willing to look for it.
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