'The Man From Eldorado' by Robert Service
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He's the man from Eldorado, and he's just arrived in town,
In moccasins and oily buckskin shirt.
He's gaunt as any Indian, and pretty nigh as brown;
He's greasy, and he smells of sweat and dirt.
He sports a crop of whiskers that would shame a healthy hog;
Hard work has racked his joints and stooped his back;
He slops along the sidewalk followed by his yellow dog,
But he's got a bunch of gold-dust in his sack.
He seems a little wistful as he blinks at all the lights,
And maybe he is thinking of his claim
And the dark and dwarfish cabin where he lay and dreamed at nights,
(Thank God, he'll never see the place again!)
Where he lived on tinned tomatoes, beef embalmed and sourdough bread,
On rusty beans and bacon furred with mould;
His stomach's out of kilter and his system full of lead,
But it's over, and his poke is full of gold.
He has panted at the windlass, he has loaded in the drift,
He has pounded at the face of oozy clay;
He has taxed himself to sickness, dark and damp and double shift,
He has labored like a demon night and day.
And now, praise God, it's over, and he seems to breathe again
Of new-mown hay, the warm, wet, friendly loam;
He sees a snowy orchard in a green and dimpling plain,
And a little vine-clad cottage, and it's--Home.
II
He's the man from Eldorado, and he's had a bite and sup,
And he's met in with a drouthy friend or two;
He's cached away his gold-dust, but he's sort of bucking up,
So he's kept enough to-night to see him through.
His eye is bright and genial, his tongue no longer lags;
`His heart is brimming o'er with joy and mirth;
He may be far from savory, he may be clad in rags,
`But to-night he feels as if he owns the earth.
Says he: "Boys, here is where the shaggy North and I will shake;
I thought I'd never manage to get free.
I kept on making misses; but at last I've got my stake;
There's no more thawing frozen muck for me.
I am going to God's Country, where I'll live the simple life;
I'll buy a bit of land and make a start;
I'll carve a little homestead, and I'll win a little wife,
And raise ten little kids to cheer my heart."
They signified their sympathy by crowding to the bar;
They bellied up three deep and drank his health.
He shed a radiant smile around and smoked a rank cigar;
They wished him honor, happiness and wealth.
They drank unto his wife to be--that unsuspecting maid;
They drank unto his children half a score;
And when they got through drinking very tenderly they laid
The man from Eldorado on the floor.
III
He's the man from Eldorado, and he's only starting in
To cultivate a thousand-dollar jag.
His poke is full of gold-dust and his heart is full of sin,
And he's dancing with a girl called Muckluck Mag.
She's as light as any fairy; she's as pretty as a peach;
She's mistress of the witchcraft to beguile;
There's sunshine in her manner, there is music in her speech,
And there's concentrated honey in her smile.
Oh, the fever of the dance-hall and the glitter and the shine,
The beauty, and the jewels, and the whirl,
The madness of the music, the rapture of the wine,
The languorous allurement of a girl!
She is like a lost madonna; he is gaunt, unkempt and grim;
But she fondles him and gazes in his eyes;
Her kisses seek his heavy lips, and soon it seems to him
He has staked a little claim in Paradise.
"Who's for a juicy two-step?" cries the master of the floor;
The music throbs with soft, seductive beat.
There's glitter, gilt and gladness; there are pretty girls galore;
There's a woolly man with moccasins on feet.
They know they've got him going; he is buying wine for all;
They crowd around as buzzards at a feast,
Then when his poke is empty they boost him from the hall,
And spurn him in the gutter like a beast.
He's the man from Eldorado, and he's painting red the town;
Behind he leaves a trail of yellow dust;
In a whirl of senseless riot he is ramping up and down;
There's nothing checks his madness and his lust.
And soon the word is passed around--it travels like a flame;
They fight to clutch his hand and call him friend,
The chevaliers of lost repute, the dames of sorry fame;
Then comes the grim awakening--the end.
IV
He's the man from Eldorado, and he gives a grand affair;
There's feasting, dancing, wine without restraint.
The smooth Beau Brummels of the bar, the faro men, are there;
The tinhorns and purveyors of red paint;
The sleek and painted women, their predacious eyes aglow--
Sure Klondike City never saw the like;
Then Muckluck Mag proposed the toast, "The giver of the show,
The livest sport that ever hit the pike."
The "live one" rises to his feet; he stammers to reply--
And then there comes before his muddled brain
A vision of green vastitudes beneath an April sky,
And clover pastures drenched with silver rain.
He knows that it can never be, that he is down and out;
Life leers at him with foul and fetid breath;
And then amid the revelry, the song and cheer and shout,
He suddenly grows grim and cold as death.
He grips the table tensely, and he says: "Dear friends of mine,
I've let you dip your fingers in my purse;
I've crammed you at my table, and I've drowned you in my wine,
And I've little left to give you but--my curse.
I've failed supremely in my plans; it's rather late to whine;
My poke is mighty weasened up and small.
I thank you each for coming here; the happiness is mine--
And now, you thieves and harlots, take it all."
He twists the thong from off his poke; he swings it o'er his head;
The nuggets fall around their feet like grain.
They rattle over roof and wall; they scatter, roll and spread;
The dust is like a shower of golden rain.
The guests a moment stand aghast, then grovel on the floor;
They fight, and snarl, and claw, like beasts of prey;
And then, as everybody grabbed and everybody swore,
The man from Eldorado slipped away.
V
He's the man from Eldorado, and they found him stiff and dead,
Half covered by the freezing ooze and dirt.
A clotted Colt was in his hand, a hole was in his head,
And he wore an old and oily buckskin shirt.
His eyes were fixed and horrible, as one who hails the end;
The frost had set him rigid as a log;
And there, half lying on his breast, his last and only friend,
There crouched and whined a mangy yellow dog.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Man From Eldorado: A Tale of Adventure and Greed
If you're looking for a poem that captures the spirit of adventure and greed, look no further than Robert Service's "The Man From Eldorado." With its vivid imagery, fast-paced narrative, and stirring message, this classic ballad has enthralled readers for over a century.
The Story
At its core, "The Man From Eldorado" is a story about a man who embarks on a quest for riches and ultimately becomes consumed by his own greed. The protagonist, who remains nameless throughout the poem, sets off from his home in Eldorado (a legendary city of gold) with a heart full of ambition and a determination to succeed.
As he journeys through the wilds of the Yukon, he encounters various obstacles and setbacks, from freezing temperatures to dangerous animals to treacherous terrain. But through it all, he remains focused on his goal, driven by the prospect of untold wealth.
Eventually, the man strikes it rich, uncovering a vein of gold so vast that it seems to stretch on forever. He becomes wealthy beyond his wildest dreams, living a life of luxury and excess. But as time goes on, he grows increasingly paranoid and possessive, hoarding his gold and refusing to share it with anyone.
In the end, the man's greed consumes him completely. He dies alone, his wealth unable to bring him happiness or fulfillment. The poem ends with a somber reminder of the dangers of greed and the fleeting nature of material possessions.
The Style
What makes "The Man From Eldorado" such a compelling poem is its engaging style. Robert Service is known for his ability to tell gripping stories in verse form, and this poem is no exception.
The poem is written in a ballad style, with a simple, rhyming structure that makes it easy to follow. Service's use of vivid imagery and descriptive language brings the story to life, transporting readers to the frozen wilderness of the Yukon.
For example, in the opening stanza, Service describes the protagonist's journey through the snow:
The man from Eldorado, he's bound for the Pole,
With a heart that is heavy and a pack on his soul;
And he drills through the ice with a rattle and a roar,
Till he feels the hot blood in his veins once more.
Through these lines, we can feel the cold wind biting at our cheeks, hear the crunch of snow under our feet, and sense the protagonist's determination to succeed.
As the poem progresses and the protagonist's fortune changes, Service's language shifts as well. When the man strikes it rich, his descriptions become more extravagant, reflecting the character's newfound wealth:
His home is a palace of silver and gold,
With diamonds that sparkle and emeralds that glow;
And he revels in riches that no one can hold,
And he laughs at the world and its sordid show.
The use of words like "palace," "diamonds," and "emeralds" creates a sense of opulence and grandeur, highlighting the stark contrast between the protagonist's current life and his humble origins.
The Themes
At its core, "The Man From Eldorado" is a cautionary tale about the dangers of greed and the fleeting nature of material wealth. By following the protagonist's journey from humble beginnings to great riches and ultimate downfall, Service highlights the pitfalls of pursuing wealth at all costs.
One of the main themes of the poem is the idea that wealth does not bring happiness. Despite his incredible riches, the protagonist remains unhappy and unfulfilled, consumed by his own greed and paranoia. Service reminds readers that true happiness comes from within, not from external possessions.
Another theme that emerges from the poem is the fragility of life and the inevitability of death. The protagonist spends his entire life chasing after gold, only to die alone and unfulfilled. Service uses this as a stark reminder that life is short, and that there are more important things to focus on than accumulating wealth.
The Interpretation
As we read "The Man From Eldorado," it's easy to get caught up in the excitement of the story and the adventures of the protagonist. But if we take a closer look, we can see that the poem is about much more than just a man on a quest for gold.
On a deeper level, the poem is a commentary on the human condition and the dangers of pursuing wealth at all costs. It's a reminder that no amount of money or material possessions can fill the void that exists within us all. In the end, the protagonist's quest for gold was ultimately a futile one, as it did not bring him the happiness or fulfillment he was seeking.
Furthermore, the poem can also be seen as a critique of the capitalist system and the idea that wealth is the ultimate measure of success. Service's portrayal of the protagonist as a man consumed by greed and willing to do whatever it takes to get ahead can be seen as a commentary on the dark side of capitalism and the ways in which it can corrupt even the most well-intentioned individuals.
Conclusion
In the end, "The Man From Eldorado" is a masterful poem that combines action, adventure, and meaningful themes in a way that is both entertaining and thought-provoking. Through its vivid imagery, engaging style, and powerful message, it reminds us that true happiness and fulfillment come not from material wealth, but from the relationships we form and the lives we lead. It's a timeless tale that is as relevant today as it was when it was first written over a century ago.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Man From Eldorado: A Journey Through the Wild West
Are you ready to embark on a journey through the Wild West? Then let me introduce you to Robert Service's classic poem, The Man From Eldorado. This poem is a thrilling adventure that takes us on a ride through the rugged terrain of the American West, where gold fever runs high and danger lurks around every corner.
The poem begins with the introduction of the protagonist, the man from Eldorado. He is a rugged, fearless adventurer who has come to the West in search of gold. He is a man of few words, but his actions speak louder than any words could. He is determined to find his fortune, no matter what the cost.
The first stanza sets the scene for the poem, describing the harsh and unforgiving landscape of the West. The man from Eldorado is undeterred by the challenges that lie ahead, and he sets out on his quest with a steely determination.
In the second stanza, we see the man from Eldorado in action. He is panning for gold in a river, and he is so focused on his task that he doesn't even notice the danger that is lurking nearby. A rattlesnake is slithering towards him, but he remains oblivious to its presence. This shows us just how fearless and determined the man from Eldorado is.
The third stanza introduces us to the other characters in the poem. There is a gambler, a cowboy, and a miner, all of whom are also searching for gold. They are all different in their own way, but they share a common goal: to strike it rich in the West.
The fourth stanza is where the action really starts to heat up. The man from Eldorado and the other characters are all in a saloon, and tensions are running high. The gambler is cheating at cards, and the cowboy is getting increasingly agitated. The man from Eldorado remains calm and collected, but we can sense that something is about to happen.
In the fifth stanza, the tension reaches its breaking point. The cowboy pulls out his gun and points it at the gambler, accusing him of cheating. The man from Eldorado steps in and tries to defuse the situation, but it's too late. Shots are fired, and chaos ensues.
The sixth stanza is where the poem takes a dark turn. The man from Eldorado is shot, and he falls to the ground. The other characters are all fighting and scrambling for the gold, completely oblivious to the fact that the man from Eldorado is dying. It's a brutal and tragic scene, and it shows us just how ruthless and unforgiving the West can be.
The final stanza is a reflection on the man from Eldorado's life and legacy. He may have died in the pursuit of gold, but his spirit lives on. He was a true adventurer, a man who was willing to risk everything for the chance to strike it rich. His story is a reminder of the dangers and rewards of the Wild West, and it's a testament to the human spirit.
In conclusion, The Man From Eldorado is a classic poem that takes us on a thrilling journey through the Wild West. It's a story of adventure, danger, and the pursuit of wealth. Robert Service's vivid descriptions and powerful imagery bring the poem to life, and the characters are all memorable and well-drawn. If you're a fan of Westerns or adventure stories, then this poem is definitely worth checking out. So saddle up, grab your hat, and get ready for a wild ride through the American West!
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