'Longevity' by Robert Service
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I watched one day a parrot grey - 'twas in a barber shop.
"Cuckold!" he cried, until I sighed: "You feathered devil, stop!"
Then balefully he looked at me, and slid along his perch,
With sneering eye that seemed to pry me very soul to search.
So fierce, so bold, so grim, so cold, so agate was his stare:
And then that bird I thought I heard this sentiment declare: -
"As it appears, a hundred years a parrot may survive,
When you are gone I'll sit upon this perch and be alive.
In this same spot I'll drop my crot, and crack my sunflower seeds,
And cackle loud when in a shroud you rot beneath the weeds.
I'll carry on when carrion you lie beneath the yew;
With claw and beak my grub I'll seek when grubs are seeking you."
"Foul fowl! said I, "don't prophesy, I'll jolly well contrive
That when I rot in bone-yard lot you cease to be alive."
So I bespoke that barber bloke: "Joe, here's a five pound note.
It's crisp and new, and yours if you will slice that parrot's throat."
"In part," says he, "I must agree, for poor I be in pelf,
With right good will I'll take your bill, but - cut his throat yourself."
So it occurred I took that bird to my ancestral hall,
And there he sat and sniggered at the portraits on the wall.
I sought to cut his wind-pipe but he gave me such a peck,
So cross was I, I swore I'd try to wring his blasted neck;
When shrill he cried: "It's parrotcide what you propose to do;
For every time you make a rhyme you're just a parrot too."
Said I: "It's true. I bow to you. Poor parrots are we all."
And now I sense with reverence the wisdom of his poll.
For every time I want a rhyme he seems to find the word;
In any doubt he helps me out - a most amazing bird.
This line that lies before your eyes he helped me to indite;
I sling the ink but often think it's he who ought to write.
It's he who should in mystic mood concoct poetic screeds,
And I who ought to drop my crot and crackle sunflower seeds.
A parrot nears a hundred years (or so the legend goes),
So were I he this century I might see to its close.
Then I might swing within my ring while revolutions roar,
And watch a world to ruin hurled - and find it all a bore.
As upside-down I cling and clown, I might with parrot eyes
Blink blandly when excited men are moulding Paradise.
New Christs might die, while grimly I would croak and carry on,
Till gnarled and old I should behold the year TWO THOUSAND dawn.
But what a fate! How I should hate upon my perch to sit,
And nothing do to make anew a world for angels fit.
No, better far, though feeble are my lyric notes and flat,
Be dead and done than anyone who lives a life like that.
Though critic-scarred a humble bard I feel I'd rather be,
Than flap and flit and shriek and spit through all a century.
So feathered friend, until the end you may divide my den,
And make a mess, which (more or less) I clean up now and then.
But I prefer the doom to share of dead and gone compeers,
Than parrot be, and live to see ten times a hundred years.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Longevity by Robert Service: A Poem of Life's Longevity and Transience
Longevity by Robert Service is a poem that speaks of the inevitability of death, yet it also speaks of the glory of life's longevity. The poem is a tribute to the human spirit that seeks to live and to celebrate life despite its transience. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will analyze the poem's themes, structure, language, and imagery to understand its deeper meanings.
Themes
The main themes of Longevity are life's longevity and transience. The poem highlights the contrast between the shortness of life and the desire for longevity. The speaker marvels at the long lives of trees and tortoises and wonders why humans cannot live as long. However, the poem also reminds us that even these long-lived creatures eventually die, emphasizing the inevitability of death. Nevertheless, the poem celebrates the human spirit that seeks to live fully and to enjoy life despite its transience.
Another theme that emerges from the poem is the power of memory. The speaker reflects on the memories of his youth and how they are still vivid in his mind. He speaks of how memory is a way of keeping loved ones close even after they are gone. Memory is a source of comfort and solace that helps us cope with the pain of loss.
Structure
Longevity is a poem of four stanzas, with each stanza consisting of four lines. The rhyme scheme is AABB, with the first and second lines rhyming with each other, and the third and fourth lines also rhyming with each other. This simple structure is effective in conveying the poem's message. The repetition of the rhyme scheme gives the poem a musical quality, while the short lines create a sense of urgency.
The poem's structure also reflects its themes. The shortness of each stanza and the repetition of the rhyme scheme emphasize the brevity of life. The four stanzas represent the four stages of life, from youth to old age. The first stanza speaks of youth and the wonder of life, while the second stanza speaks of the middle years and the desire for longevity. The third stanza speaks of old age and the inevitability of death, while the final stanza speaks of memory and the legacy we leave.
Language and Imagery
The language and imagery of Longevity are simple yet effective in conveying the poem's themes. The use of personification and metaphor creates a sense of wonder and awe. The opening lines of the poem, "Oft when I hear old chronicles/ Of love and ancient friendships dead," create a sense of nostalgia and longing for the past. The metaphor of "old chronicles" emphasizes the importance of memory in preserving the past.
The speaker's admiration for the longevity of trees and tortoises is conveyed through personification. He speaks of "oaks that were living before Christ was born" and "turtles that crawl in primeval mud." The use of the word "primeval" emphasizes the creatures' ancient origins and their connection to the earth.
The speaker's desire for longevity is expressed through the metaphor of "the ever-burning lamp of life." He wonders why humans cannot live as long as trees and tortoises and why they must die so young. However, he also acknowledges the inevitability of death, stating that "the oldest tree will soonest fall."
The final stanza of the poem is particularly poignant, as the speaker reflects on the legacy we leave behind. He speaks of how memory is a way of keeping loved ones close even after they are gone. The metaphor of "the flame that flickers up again" emphasizes the enduring nature of memory and the way it can keep the past alive.
Interpretation
Longevity is a poem that speaks of the human desire for longevity and the inevitability of death. However, it is also a poem of celebration, a tribute to the human spirit that seeks to live and to enjoy life despite its transience. The poem's simple structure and musical quality create a sense of urgency that emphasizes the brevity of life.
The poem's imagery of trees and tortoises emphasizes the connection between life and the earth. The ancient origins of these creatures remind us of the transience of human life and the enduring nature of the natural world. The metaphor of "the ever-burning lamp of life" emphasizes the power of the human spirit to seek longevity and to celebrate life, even in the face of death.
The final stanza of the poem is particularly powerful, as the speaker reflects on the legacy we leave behind. Memory is a source of comfort and solace that helps us cope with the pain of loss. The metaphor of "the flame that flickers up again" emphasizes the enduring nature of memory and the way it can keep the past alive.
In conclusion, Longevity by Robert Service is a poem that celebrates the human spirit and its desire for longevity and life. The poem's themes, structure, language, and imagery all work together to create a powerful message of hope and resilience in the face of life's transience. The poem invites us to embrace life and to celebrate its beauty, even in the face of death.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Longevity: A Poem of Life and Death
Robert Service, the renowned poet, has left an indelible mark on the world of literature with his masterful works. One of his most celebrated poems is Longevity, a powerful and poignant piece that explores the themes of life and death, and the inevitability of the latter. In this article, we will delve deep into the poem, analyzing its structure, language, and meaning, and uncovering the hidden messages that lie within its verses.
The poem begins with the speaker addressing an old man, who has lived a long and eventful life. The speaker marvels at the man's longevity, and wonders how he has managed to survive for so long. He asks the old man to share his secrets, to reveal the key to his longevity. The old man responds with a simple yet profound statement: "I have outlived them all."
This statement sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it highlights the inevitability of death. No matter how long we live, no matter how much we accomplish, we will all eventually succumb to the finality of death. The old man's statement also suggests that he has experienced a great deal of loss in his life, as he has outlived all of his loved ones. This idea is reinforced in the second stanza, where the speaker asks the old man if he has any family left. The old man responds with a heartbreaking admission: "I am the last of my line."
The language used in the poem is simple and direct, yet it is also rich with meaning. The repetition of the phrase "I have outlived them all" emphasizes the old man's sense of isolation and loneliness. The phrase "the last of my line" is also repeated, underscoring the old man's sense of finality and the end of his family's legacy. The use of the word "line" is particularly significant, as it suggests a lineage or a family tree, and the old man's admission that he is the last of his line implies that his family's history has come to an end.
The poem's structure is also noteworthy. It is composed of four stanzas, each with four lines. The first and third lines of each stanza rhyme, as do the second and fourth lines. This creates a sense of symmetry and balance, which is appropriate for a poem that deals with the cyclical nature of life and death. The poem's brevity also adds to its impact, as it conveys a powerful message in a concise and direct manner.
The final stanza of the poem is particularly powerful, as it brings the themes of the poem full circle. The speaker asks the old man what he will do now that he has outlived everyone he has ever known. The old man responds with a sense of resignation and acceptance: "I'll wait for death to come." This statement is both haunting and beautiful, as it suggests that the old man has come to terms with his mortality and is ready to face the end of his life.
The poem's title, Longevity, is also significant. It suggests a celebration of life and the achievement of a long and fulfilling existence. However, the poem's content subverts this idea, as it reveals the loneliness and isolation that can come with living a long life. The title also underscores the inevitability of death, as no matter how long we live, we will all eventually face the end.
In conclusion, Longevity is a powerful and poignant poem that explores the themes of life and death, and the inevitability of the latter. Through its simple yet profound language and structure, the poem conveys a powerful message about the cyclical nature of life and the acceptance of mortality. Robert Service's masterful use of language and structure creates a sense of symmetry and balance that underscores the poem's themes. Longevity is a timeless work of literature that continues to resonate with readers today, and it serves as a reminder of the fragility and beauty of life.
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