'Reverence' by Robert Service
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I saw the Greatest Man on Earth,
Aye, saw him with my proper eyes.
A loin-cloth spanned his proper girth,
But he was naked otherwise,
Excepting for his grey sombrero;
And when his domelike head he bared,
With reverence I stared and stared,
As mummified as any Pharaoh.
He leaned upon a little cane,
A big cigar was in his mouth;
Through spectacles of yellow stain
He gazed and gazed toward the South;
And then he dived into the sea,
As if to Corsica to swim;
His side stroke was so strong and free
I could not help but envy him.
A fitter man than I, I said,
Although his age is more than mine;
And I was strangely comforted
To see him battle in the brine.
Thought I: We have no cause for sorrow;
For one so dynamic to-day
Will gird him for the future fray
And lead us lion-like to-morrow.
The Greatest Man in all the world
Lay lazing like you or me,
Within a flimsy bathrobe curled
Upon a mattress by the sea:
He reached to pat a tou-tou's nose,
And scratched his torso now and then,
And scribbled with a fountain pen
What I assumed was jewelled prose.
And then methought he looked at me,
And hailed me with a gesture grand;
His fingers made the letter "V,"
So I, too, went to raise my hand; -
When nigh to me the barman glided
With liquid gold, and then I knew
He merely called for cock-tails two,
And so abjectly I subsided.
Yet I have had my moment's glory,
A-squatting nigh that Mighty Tory,
Proud Hero of our Island Story.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Reverence by Robert Service: A Poem of Revered Reverence
Oh, Reverence! The power of this short, simple word is palpable. It is a feeling that transcends time and place, a feeling that is universal and yet deeply personal. Robert Service's poem, Reverence, captures this feeling perfectly in its four short stanzas. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will explore the themes, language, and structure of this classic poem.
Themes
Reverence is a poem about, well, reverence. But what does that mean? In this poem, reverence is a feeling of awe and respect for something greater than oneself. It is a feeling that can be inspired by nature, art, or even a person. Service's poem captures this feeling in three distinct ways.
First, the poem speaks to the reverence inspired by nature. The first stanza sets the scene:
At the solemn grave of a beloved king
We stood in silence awhile,
And a strange and wonderful spell
Upon us came to smile.
The "beloved king" is clearly a figure of great importance, but it is the reference to the "solemn grave" that sets the tone. Death is a reminder of our own mortality, and it can inspire feelings of reverence for the cycle of life and death that governs the natural world.
Second, the poem speaks to the reverence inspired by art. The second stanza describes a "shrine" that is "wrought with cunningest care." The focus here is on the craftsmanship that went into creating this object of beauty. The shrine is not just a thing to be admired, but a testament to the skill and dedication of the artist who created it.
Finally, the poem speaks to the reverence inspired by a person. The third stanza describes a "face" that "was gentle, and calm, and wise." This person is not identified, but their presence is clearly felt. The reverence here is not just for the physical appearance of the person, but for their character and wisdom.
Language
Service's language is simple and direct, but it is also evocative. He uses imagery to create a sense of place and mood, and he uses repetition to emphasize the importance of certain words and ideas.
For example, the repetition of the word "reverence" in the first and last stanzas serves to link the three sections of the poem together. This repetition also emphasizes the central theme of the poem.
Service also uses imagery to create a sense of place and mood. In the first stanza, the "solemn grave" and the "wonderful spell" create a sense of awe and respect. In the second stanza, the "crimson rays" and the "wrought with cunningest care" create a sense of beauty and craftsmanship. In the third stanza, the "gentle, and calm, and wise" face creates a sense of peace and wisdom.
Structure
Reverence is a short poem, but it is carefully structured. The three stanzas each describe a different object of reverence, but they are linked by the repetition of the word "reverence" and the overarching theme of the poem.
The first stanza sets the scene and establishes the mood. The second stanza describes an object of reverence that is beautiful and carefully crafted. The third stanza describes an object of reverence that is characterized by its wisdom and calm.
The final stanza brings the poem to a close, linking the three sections together and emphasizing the importance of reverence as a feeling that can inspire us and bring us together.
Conclusion
Reverence is a simple but powerful poem that captures the feeling of awe and respect that can be inspired by nature, art, or even a person. Service's language is evocative and his structure is carefully crafted to emphasize the central theme of the poem. As I read this poem, I was struck by the power of reverence as a feeling that can bring us together and inspire us to greatness.
In conclusion, Reverence is a poem that deserves to be read and reread, for it captures the essence of what it means to be human and to feel reverence for something greater than ourselves.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Reverence: An Ode to Nature's Majesty
Robert Service's poem, Reverence, is a masterpiece that captures the essence of nature's majesty and the awe-inspiring power it holds over us. The poem is a celebration of the natural world and the reverence we should have for it. It is a call to appreciate the beauty of the world around us and to recognize the power and importance of nature in our lives.
The poem begins with a description of a mountain peak, "a mighty peak that looms above the sea." The mountain is described as "a throne of gods" and "a temple of the sky." The imagery used here is powerful and evocative, painting a picture of a majestic and awe-inspiring landscape. The mountain is not just a physical feature of the world, but a symbol of something greater, a symbol of the power and majesty of nature.
The second stanza of the poem continues this theme, describing the mountain as "a giant sentinel that guards the land." The mountain is not just a beautiful feature of the landscape, but a protector of the natural world. It is a reminder that nature is not just something to be admired, but something to be respected and protected.
The third stanza of the poem shifts focus to the sea, describing it as "a mighty mother" and "a giver of life." The sea is not just a body of water, but a source of life and sustenance. The imagery used here is again powerful and evocative, painting a picture of a vast and powerful force that is essential to our existence.
The fourth stanza of the poem returns to the mountain, describing it as "a beacon of the brave." The mountain is not just a physical feature of the landscape, but a symbol of courage and strength. It is a reminder that we too can be strong and brave in the face of adversity.
The fifth and final stanza of the poem brings all of these themes together, calling on us to "revere the mountain and the sea." The poem is a call to action, a reminder that we must respect and protect the natural world. It is a reminder that nature is not just something to be admired, but something to be revered.
The language used in the poem is simple and direct, but also powerful and evocative. The imagery is vivid and the themes are universal. The poem speaks to something deep within us, something primal and essential. It reminds us of our connection to the natural world and the importance of respecting and protecting it.
In conclusion, Robert Service's poem, Reverence, is a masterpiece that captures the essence of nature's majesty and the awe-inspiring power it holds over us. The poem is a celebration of the natural world and the reverence we should have for it. It is a call to appreciate the beauty of the world around us and to recognize the power and importance of nature in our lives. The poem is a reminder that we are not separate from nature, but a part of it, and that we must respect and protect it if we are to survive and thrive.
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