'Courage' by Robert Service

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Ten little brown chicks scattered and scuffled,
Under the blue-berries hiding in fear;
Mother-grouse cackling, feathers all ruffled,
Dashed to defend them as we drew near.
Heart of a heroine, how I admired her!
Of such devotion great poets have sung;
Homes have been blest by the love that inspired her,
Risking her life for the sake of her young.

Ten little chicks on her valour reliant,
Peered with bright eyes from the bilberry spray;
Fiercely she faced us, dismayed but defiant,
Rushed at us bravely to scare us away.
Then my companion, a crazy young devil
(After, he told me he'd done it for fun)
Pretended to tremble, and raised his arm level,
And ere I could check him he blazed with his gun.

Headless she lay, from her neck the blood spouted,
And dappled her plumage, the poor, pretty thing!
Ten little chicks - oh, I know for I counted,
Came out and they tried to creep under her wing.
Sickened I said: "Here's an end to my killing;
I swear, nevermore bird or beast will I slay;
Starving I may be, but no more blood-spilling . . ."
That oath I have kept, and I keep it to-day.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Courage by Robert Service

Courage, a poem by Robert Service, is a classic piece of literature that captures the essence of bravery in the face of adversity. The poem, written in 1907, is a reflection on the courage of soldiers during wartime, and the sacrifices they make for their country.

An Overview

The poem is structured in four stanzas, each consisting of four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABAB and the meter is predominantly iambic tetrameter.

In the first stanza, Service sets the scene with a powerful image of soldiers marching into battle. He describes the fear that grips them as they face the unknown, but also acknowledges the courage they possess in the face of danger.

In the second stanza, Service shifts his focus to the sacrifices that soldiers make for their country. He speaks of the pain and suffering they endure, and the bravery they display in the face of death.

The third stanza is perhaps the most powerful of the four. Here, Service speaks of the courage it takes to face the aftermath of war. He describes the horrors of war, and the emotional scars that soldiers carry with them for the rest of their lives.

The final stanza serves as a call to arms, urging the reader to reflect on the sacrifices made by soldiers and to honor their memory by living a life of courage and bravery.

Analysis

The theme of courage is central to this poem, and Service explores the many facets of bravery through his vivid imagery and powerful language.

In the first stanza, Service paints a picture of soldiers marching into battle, their hearts heavy with fear. He writes:

"They must go where the shells are crashing, Where shrapnel shrieks and rockets glare; They are marching on to the death flash, To do or die in the hell out there."

Here, Service acknowledges the fear that soldiers experience in the face of danger. The use of words like "shells," "shrapnel," and "rockets" creates a sense of chaos and destruction, highlighting the danger that soldiers face.

However, even in the face of this fear, Service acknowledges the courage that soldiers possess. He writes:

"Oh, the blazing charge they lead! When the shrapnel rips the sod; They plunge ahead with the cheering yell Of triumph and trust in God."

Here, Service describes the bravery of soldiers as they charge forward into battle. The use of words like "blazing," "plunge," and "triumph" creates a sense of excitement and energy, highlighting the courage that soldiers display in the face of danger.

In the second stanza, Service shifts his focus to the sacrifices that soldiers make for their country. He writes:

"They have answered the call of honor, And bared their breasts to the lead; If they fall, they have made no bargain, But they'll never come back in retreat."

Here, Service speaks of the sacrifices that soldiers make for their country. The use of words like "honor," "barred," and "fall" creates a sense of sacrifice and selflessness, highlighting the bravery that soldiers display in putting their lives on the line for their country.

The third stanza is perhaps the most powerful of the four. Here, Service speaks of the courage it takes to face the aftermath of war. He writes:

"And the wounded crawl and whimper, And the dead are a ghastly sight; And the gasping thirst is torture, And wounds are wringing the heartstrings tight."

Here, Service describes the horrors of war, and the emotional scars that soldiers carry with them for the rest of their lives. The use of words like "whimper," "ghastly," and "gasping thirst" creates a sense of despair and hopelessness, highlighting the courage it takes to face the aftermath of war.

Finally, in the fourth stanza, Service serves as a call to arms, urging the reader to reflect on the sacrifices made by soldiers and to honor their memory by living a life of courage and bravery. He writes:

"Then let us be worthy of heroes, Of those who are brave and strong; For they gave us their lives in the battle, And their spirit shall live in song."

Here, Service encourages the reader to reflect on the sacrifices made by soldiers, and to live a life of courage and bravery in their memory. The use of words like "worthy," "heroes," and "spirit" creates a sense of homage and respect, highlighting the importance of honoring the sacrifices made by soldiers.

Conclusion

In Courage, Robert Service captures the essence of bravery in the face of adversity. Through his vivid imagery and powerful language, he explores the many facets of courage, from the fear that grips soldiers on the battlefield to the sacrifices they make for their country. The poem serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of honoring the sacrifices made by soldiers, and of living a life of courage and bravery in their memory.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Courage is a classic poem written by Robert Service that has stood the test of time. It is a poem that speaks to the heart of every individual who has ever faced a daunting challenge in life. The poem is a masterpiece that captures the essence of courage and the power it has to transform lives. In this article, we will take a detailed look at the poem, its meaning, and the message it conveys.

The poem Courage is a powerful piece of literature that speaks to the heart of every individual who has ever faced a challenge in life. The poem is a celebration of courage and the power it has to transform lives. The poem begins with the line, "It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are." This line sets the tone for the entire poem and establishes the central theme of courage.

The poem goes on to describe the various forms of courage that exist in the world. It talks about the courage of soldiers who fight for their country, the courage of explorers who venture into the unknown, and the courage of individuals who stand up for what they believe in. The poem also talks about the courage it takes to face one's fears and overcome them.

One of the most powerful lines in the poem is, "Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear." This line captures the essence of courage and what it means to be courageous. It is not about being fearless, but rather about having the strength to face one's fears and overcome them.

The poem also talks about the importance of courage in everyday life. It talks about the courage it takes to stand up for oneself, to speak out against injustice, and to take risks in life. The poem encourages individuals to have the courage to pursue their dreams and to never give up, no matter how difficult the journey may be.

One of the most powerful aspects of the poem is its use of imagery. The poem paints vivid pictures in the mind of the reader, bringing the concept of courage to life. The poem describes soldiers marching into battle, explorers braving the elements, and individuals facing their fears head-on. These images help to convey the power and importance of courage in a way that words alone cannot.

The poem also uses repetition to drive home its message. The phrase "It takes courage" is repeated throughout the poem, emphasizing the importance of courage in every aspect of life. The repetition of this phrase helps to reinforce the central theme of the poem and makes it more memorable for the reader.

In addition to its powerful message and use of imagery, the poem is also beautifully written. Robert Service was a master of his craft, and his use of language in this poem is nothing short of stunning. The poem flows smoothly from one line to the next, and the words are carefully chosen to convey the message of the poem in the most powerful way possible.

In conclusion, Courage is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a celebration of courage and the power it has to transform lives. The poem captures the essence of courage and what it means to be courageous. It encourages individuals to have the courage to pursue their dreams, to face their fears, and to never give up. The poem is beautifully written and uses powerful imagery and repetition to convey its message. It is a masterpiece of literature that will continue to inspire and motivate individuals for generations to come.

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