'Jean Desprez' by Robert Service
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Oh ye whose hearts are resonant, and ring to War's romance,
Hear ye the story of a boy, a peasant boy of France;
A lad uncouth and warped with toil, yet who, when trial came,
Could feel within his soul upleap and soar the sacred flame;
Could stand upright, and scorn and smite, as only heroes may:
Oh, harken! Let me try to tell the tale of Jean Desprez.
With fire and sword the Teuton horde was ravaging the land,
And there was darkness and despair, grim death on every hand;
Red fields of slaughter sloping down to ruin's black abyss;
The wolves of war ran evil-fanged, and little did they miss.
And on they came with fear and flame, to burn and loot and slay,
Until they reached the red-roofed croft, the home of Jean Desprez.
"Rout out the village, one and all!" the Uhlan Captain said.
"Behold! Some hand has fired a shot. My trumpeter is dead.
Now shall they Prussian vengeance know; now shall they rue the day,
For by this sacred German slain, ten of these dogs shall pay."
They drove the cowering peasants forth, women and babes and men,
And from the last, with many a jeer, the Captain chose he ten;
Ten simple peasants, bowed with toil; they stood, they knew not why,
Against the grey wall of the church, hearing their children cry;
Hearing their wives and mothers wail, with faces dazed they stood.
A moment only. . . . Ready! Fire! They weltered in their blood.
But there was one who gazed unseen, who heard the frenzied cries,
Who saw these men in sabots fall before their children's eyes;
A Zouave wounded in a ditch, and knowing death was nigh,
He laughed with joy: "Ah! here is where I settle ere I die."
He clutched his rifle once again, and long he aimed and well. . . .
A shot! Beside his victims ten the Uhlan Captain fell.
They dragged the wounded Zouave out; their rage was like a flame.
With bayonets they pinned him down, until their Major came.
A blonde, full-blooded man he was, and arrogant of eye;
He stared to see with shattered skull his favourite Captain lie.
"Nay, do not finish him so quick, this foreign swine," he cried;
"Go nail him to the big church door: he shall be crucified."
With bayonets through hands and feet they nailed the Zouave there,
And there was anguish in his eyes, and horror in his stare;
"Water! A single drop!" he moaned; but how they jeered at him,
And mocked him with an empty cup, and saw his sight grow dim;
And as in agony of death with blood his lips were wet,
The Prussian Major gaily laughed, and lit a cigarette.
But mid the white-faced villagers who cowered in horror by,
Was one who saw the woeful sight, who heard the woeful cry:
"Water! One little drop, I beg! For love of Christ who died. . . ."
It was the little Jean Desprez who turned and stole aside;
It was the little bare-foot boy who came with cup abrim
And walked up to the dying man, and gave the drink to him.
A roar of rage! They seize the boy; they tear him fast away.
The Prussian Major swings around; no longer is he gay.
His teeth are wolfishly agleam; his face all dark with spite:
"Go, shoot the brat," he snarls, "that dare defy our Prussian might.
Yet stay! I have another thought. I'll kindly be, and spare;
Quick! give the lad a rifle charged, and set him squarely there,
And bid him shoot, and shoot to kill. Haste! Make him understand
The dying dog he fain would save shall perish by his hand.
And all his kindred they shall see, and all shall curse his name,
Who bought his life at such a cost, the price of death and shame."
They brought the boy, wild-eyed with fear; they made him understand;
They stood him by the dying man, a rifle in his hand.
"Make haste!" said they; "the time is short, and you must kill or die."
The Major puffed his cigarette, amusement in his eye.
And then the dying Zouave heard, and raised his weary head:
"Shoot, son, 'twill be the best for both; shoot swift and straight," he said.
"Fire first and last, and do not flinch; for lost to hope am I;
And I will murmur: Vive La France! and bless you ere I die."
Half-blind with blows the boy stood there; he seemed to swoon and sway;
Then in that moment woke the soul of little Jean Desprez.
He saw the woods go sheening down; the larks were singing clear;
And oh! the scents and sounds of spring, how sweet they were! how dear!
He felt the scent of new-mown hay, a soft breeze fanned his brow;
O God! the paths of peace and toil! How precious were they now!
The summer days and summer ways, how bright with hope and bliss!
The autumn such a dream of gold . . . and all must end in this:
This shining rifle in his hand, that shambles all around;
The Zouave there with dying glare; the blood upon the ground;
The brutal faces round him ringed, the evil eyes aflame;
That Prussian bully standing by, as if he watched a game.
"Make haste and shoot," the Major sneered; "a minute more I give;
A minute more to kill your friend, if you yourself would live."
They only saw a bare-foot boy, with blanched and twitching face;
They did not see within his eyes the glory of his race;
The glory of a million men who for fair France have died,
The splendour of self-sacrifice that will not be denied.
Yet . . . he was but a peasant lad, and oh! but life was sweet. . . .
"Your minute's nearly gone, my lad," he heard a voice repeat.
"Shoot! Shoot!" the dying Zouave moaned; "Shoot! Shoot!" the soldiers said.
Then Jean Desprez reached out and shot . . . the Prussian Major dead!
Editor 1 Interpretation
Jean Desprez: A Tale of Love, Loss, and Betrayal
Robert Service's poem "Jean Desprez" is a haunting piece of literature that tells the story of a man torn between his love for two women, and the tragic consequences that follow. With its vivid imagery, captivating narrative, and poignant themes, the poem has stood the test of time and continues to captivate readers to this day.
Synopsis
The poem tells the story of Jean Desprez, a handsome and charming man who falls in love with two women: Marie and Yvonne. Despite his attempts to remain faithful to Marie, his heart is torn between the two women, and he ultimately succumbs to temptation and has an affair with Yvonne. Marie, heartbroken and betrayed, confronts Jean and demands that he choose between her and Yvonne. Jean, unable to make a decision, ultimately loses both women and is left alone to reflect on his mistakes and the consequences of his actions.
Analysis
The poem is a powerful exploration of the complexities of love, and the consequences of giving in to temptation. Through the character of Jean Desprez, Service explores the struggle between love and desire, and the devastating effects that infidelity can have on relationships. The poem is also a reflection on the power of choice, and the importance of being true to oneself and the ones we love.
The narrative structure of the poem is simple yet effective, with a clear beginning, middle, and end. Service's use of vivid imagery and descriptive language creates a rich and immersive world, transporting the reader to the streets of Paris and the banks of the Seine. The poem is also notable for its use of repetition, with certain phrases and images recurring throughout the narrative, adding to the overall sense of cohesion and unity.
The character of Jean Desprez is a complex and nuanced one, with Service carefully exploring the various facets of his personality and motivations. On the one hand, Jean is a romantic and passionate man, deeply in love with both Marie and Yvonne. On the other hand, he is also flawed and vulnerable, struggling to resist the temptation of his desires and ultimately succumbing to them. Through Jean's story, Service explores the ways in which love and desire can often be at odds, and the devastating consequences that can follow when we give in to our base instincts.
The two women in Jean's life, Marie and Yvonne, are also expertly drawn characters, with their own distinct personalities and motivations. Marie is portrayed as a strong and determined woman, unwilling to tolerate any form of betrayal or infidelity. Yvonne, on the other hand, is more mysterious and enigmatic, with her motivations and intentions left somewhat unclear. Through these two women, Service explores the various ways in which love and relationships can be complicated and fraught with tension and conflict.
Themes
At its core, "Jean Desprez" is a poem about love, loss, and betrayal. Service expertly explores the various ways in which love can be both beautiful and destructive, and the ways in which relationships can be both fulfilling and fraught with tension and conflict. The poem is also a reflection on the consequences of our actions, and the importance of being true to ourselves and the ones we love.
Another key theme in the poem is that of choice. Throughout the narrative, Jean is faced with a series of choices, each with its own consequences. In the end, it is his inability to make a decision that ultimately leads to his downfall. Through Jean's story, Service explores the importance of being true to oneself and making decisions that align with our values and beliefs.
Conclusion
"Jean Desprez" is a powerful and evocative poem that continues to resonate with readers today. With its vivid imagery, captivating narrative, and poignant themes, the poem is a testament to Service's skill as a writer and storyteller. Through the character of Jean Desprez, Service explores the complexities of love, desire, and betrayal, and reminds us of the importance of being true to ourselves and the ones we love.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Jean Desprez: A Poem of Love and Loss
Robert Service’s poem, Jean Desprez, is a classic piece of literature that tells the story of a young man’s love for a woman named Jean Desprez. The poem is a beautiful and poignant exploration of the themes of love, loss, and the passage of time. In this analysis, we will delve into the poem’s structure, language, and themes to gain a deeper understanding of its meaning and significance.
Structure
The poem is structured in six stanzas, each with four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, and the meter is iambic tetrameter, which means that each line has four iambs, or metrical feet, with the stress falling on the second syllable of each foot. This gives the poem a rhythmic and musical quality that is pleasing to the ear.
The first stanza sets the scene and introduces the main character, Jean Desprez. The second stanza describes the young man’s love for her, while the third and fourth stanzas explore the passage of time and the inevitability of change. The fifth stanza is a lament for the loss of Jean Desprez, while the final stanza offers a glimmer of hope and redemption.
Language
Service’s use of language is one of the most striking features of the poem. He employs a range of literary devices, including metaphor, simile, personification, and alliteration, to create a vivid and evocative picture of the world he is describing.
For example, in the first stanza, he describes Jean Desprez as “a girl of gentle birth / With hair as bright as flame”. This metaphorical description not only conjures up an image of a beautiful young woman but also suggests that she has a fiery and passionate nature.
In the second stanza, the young man’s love for Jean Desprez is compared to a “rose that blooms in May”. This simile not only captures the fleeting and ephemeral nature of love but also suggests that it is something that is both beautiful and fragile.
In the third and fourth stanzas, Service uses personification to describe the passage of time. He describes how “the years went by on tiptoe / And left no footprints there”, suggesting that time is a silent and stealthy thief that steals away our youth and beauty without us even noticing.
Themes
The poem explores a range of themes, including love, loss, and the passage of time. At its heart, however, it is a poem about the transience of life and the inevitability of change.
The young man’s love for Jean Desprez is a powerful and all-consuming emotion, but it is also something that is fleeting and ephemeral. As the poem progresses, we see how time and change erode and destroy the things that we hold most dear.
The final stanza of the poem offers a glimmer of hope and redemption. The young man, now an old man, returns to the place where he first met Jean Desprez and finds that “the rose still blooms in May”. This suggests that even though everything else may change and decay, the beauty and power of love can endure.
Conclusion
Jean Desprez is a beautiful and poignant poem that explores the themes of love, loss, and the passage of time. Service’s use of language and structure creates a vivid and evocative picture of the world he is describing, while the themes he explores are universal and timeless.
At its heart, the poem is a meditation on the transience of life and the power of love to endure. It is a reminder that even though everything else may change and decay, the beauty and power of love can endure, and that is something that is truly worth celebrating.
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