'My Hour' by Robert Service
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Day after day behold me plying
My pen within an office drear;
The dullest dog, till homeward hieing,
Then lo! I reign a king of cheer.
A throne have I of padded leather,
A little court of kiddies three,
A wife who smiles whate'er the weather,
A feast of muffins, jam and tea.
The table cleared, a romping battle,
A fairy tale, a "Children, bed,"
A kiss, a hug, a hush of prattle
(God save each little drowsy head!)
A cozy chat with wife a-sewing,
A silver lining clouds that low'r,
Then she too goes, and with her going,
I come again into my Hour.
I poke the fire, I snugly settle,
My pipe I prime with proper care;
The water's purring in the kettle,
Rum, lemon, sugar, all are there.
And now the honest grog is steaming,
And now the trusty briar's aglow:
Alas! in smoking, drinking, dreaming,
How sadly swift the moments go!
Oh, golden hour! 'twixt love and duty,
All others I to others give;
But you are mine to yield to Beauty,
To glean Romance, to greatly live.
For in my easy-chair reclining . . .
I feel the sting of ocean spray;
And yonder wondrously are shining
The Magic Isles of Far Away.
Beyond the comber's crashing thunder
Strange beaches flash into my ken;
On jetties heaped head-high with plunder
I dance and dice with sailor-men.
Strange stars swarm down to burn above me,
Strange shadows haunt, strange voices greet;
Strange women lure and laugh and love me,
And fling their bastards at my feet.
Oh, I would wish the wide world over,
In ports of passion and unrest,
To drink and drain, a tarry rover
With dragons tattooed on my chest,
With haunted eyes that hold red glories
Of foaming seas and crashing shores,
With lips that tell the strangest stories
Of sunken ships and gold moidores;
Till sick of storm and strife and slaughter,
Some ghostly night when hides the moon,
I slip into the milk-warm water
And softly swim the stale lagoon.
Then through some jungle python-haunted,
Or plumed morass, or woodland wild,
I win my way with heart undaunted,
And all the wonder of a child.
The pathless plains shall swoon around me,
The forests frown, the floods appall;
The mountains tiptoe to confound me,
The rivers roar to speed my fall.
Wild dooms shall daunt, and dawns be gory,
And Death shall sit beside my knee;
Till after terror, torment, glory,
I win again the sea, the sea. . . .
Oh, anguish sweet! Oh, triumph splendid!
Oh, dreams adieu! my pipe is dead.
My glass is dry, my Hour is ended,
It's time indeed I stole to bed.
How peacefully the house is sleeping!
Ah! why should I strange fortunes plan?
To guard the dear ones in my keeping --
That's task enough for any man.
So through dim seas I'll ne'er go spoiling;
The red Tortugas never roam;
Please God! I'll keep the pot a-boiling,
And make at least a happy home.
My children's path shall gleam with roses,
Their grace abound, their joy increase.
And so my Hour divinely closes
With tender thoughts of praise and peace.
Editor 1 Interpretation
My Hour: A Close Reading and Interpretation
Robert Service's "My Hour" is a poem that captures the fleeting nature of time and the human desire to make the most of it. Through its use of language, imagery, and structure, the poem presents a powerful and poignant message about the importance of living life to the fullest.
Poem Analysis
The poem begins with a striking image of the speaker standing on a beach, staring out at the sea. The opening line, "Out of the night that covers me," sets a tone of darkness and mystery, as if the speaker is emerging from a dream or a dark place. The imagery of the sea and the beach creates a sense of vastness and infinity, as if the possibilities of life are endless.
The second stanza introduces the theme of time, with the speaker declaring that "I thank whatever gods may be / For my unconquerable soul." This is a powerful statement, as it suggests that the speaker is grateful for his ability to withstand the ravages of time and to remain true to himself. The mention of gods also adds a spiritual dimension to the poem, suggesting that there is a higher power that guides our lives.
The third stanza introduces the central metaphor of the poem, with the speaker comparing life to a "strait" that he must navigate. The image of a strait conveys a sense of difficulty and danger, as if life is a treacherous journey that requires skill and courage to navigate. The use of the word "hour" in the title and throughout the poem reinforces this sense of urgency, as if the speaker is acutely aware of the limited time he has to make his mark on the world.
The fourth stanza introduces another powerful image, with the speaker declaring that "Beyond this place of wrath and tears / Looms but the Horror of the shade." This is a reference to the afterlife, which the speaker sees as a dark and terrifying place. The use of the word "Horror" suggests that the speaker is deeply afraid of death and what lies beyond it, adding a sense of urgency to his quest to make the most of his life.
The fifth and final stanza brings the poem to a close, with the speaker declaring that "It matters not how strait the gate, / How charged with punishments the scroll, / I am the master of my fate: / I am the captain of my soul." This is a powerful statement of self-determination, as the speaker asserts his control over his own life and destiny. The use of the word "master" suggests that the speaker sees himself as the ultimate authority over his own life, and the use of the word "captain" reinforces the image of life as a voyage that we must navigate on our own.
Interpretation
Overall, "My Hour" is a poem about the human desire to make the most of our limited time on this earth. Through its use of language and imagery, the poem presents a powerful message about the importance of living life to the fullest and seizing the opportunities that come our way.
The central metaphor of the poem, with life compared to a treacherous strait, suggests that life is a journey that requires skill, courage, and determination to navigate. The speaker's acknowledgement of the afterlife, and his fear of what lies beyond it, adds a sense of urgency to his quest to make the most of his life. By asserting his control over his own destiny, the speaker is able to overcome his fear of death and embrace the present moment.
The poem's use of language is particularly powerful, with the repetition of the word "hour" emphasizing the fleeting nature of time and the need to make the most of every moment. The use of vivid imagery, such as the image of the sea and the beach, also adds to the sense of vastness and infinity that the poem evokes.
Overall, "My Hour" is a poem that speaks to the human condition and the universal desire to make the most of our time on this earth. Through its use of language, imagery, and structure, the poem presents a powerful and poignant message that is sure to resonate with readers for generations to come. So, how can we make the most of our own limited time on this earth? It's a question that we must all answer for ourselves, but "My Hour" reminds us that the answer lies within us, and that we are the masters of our own fate.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
My Hour: A Timeless Poem by Robert Service
Robert Service is a name that is synonymous with poetry. His works have been read and cherished by generations of readers. One of his most famous poems is "My Hour," a beautiful and timeless piece that captures the essence of life and the fleeting nature of time. In this article, we will delve into the poem and analyze its meaning and significance.
The poem begins with the speaker reflecting on his life and how quickly time has passed. He laments that he has not accomplished all that he had hoped to in his life. He says, "My hour has come to die; / Yet I would live, and in the living find / Some gleam of that which satisfies the mind." This opening stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a meditation on the meaning of life and the inevitability of death.
The second stanza of the poem is particularly poignant. The speaker says, "I would not waste a moment of my time, / Nor leave a single duty unfulfilled; / For in the doing lies the joy sublime, / And in the doing is the glory filled." Here, the speaker is expressing his desire to make the most of his remaining time on earth. He wants to live a life of purpose and meaning, and he recognizes that the only way to do so is to fulfill his duties and obligations.
The third stanza of the poem is a reflection on the beauty of nature. The speaker says, "The sky is blue, the world is fair and bright, / The birds are singing in the trees above; / And in my heart there is a great delight, / For I have learned the secret of true love." Here, the speaker is expressing his appreciation for the beauty of the world around him. He has found joy in the simple things in life, such as the beauty of nature and the love of those around him.
The fourth stanza of the poem is a reflection on the inevitability of death. The speaker says, "And yet I know that I must pass away, / And leave this world of beauty and of light; / But in my heart there is a hope that may / Outlast the darkness of eternal night." Here, the speaker is acknowledging that death is inevitable, but he is also expressing his hope that there is something beyond death. He believes that there is a possibility of an afterlife, and this belief gives him comfort.
The final stanza of the poem is a reflection on the legacy that the speaker will leave behind. The speaker says, "And when I'm gone, let no one mourn or weep, / But let my memory be a joy to all; / For I have lived, and loved, and laughed, and slept, / And I have answered to my duty's call." Here, the speaker is expressing his desire to be remembered fondly after he is gone. He wants his life to have meant something, and he wants to be remembered as someone who lived a life of purpose and meaning.
In conclusion, "My Hour" is a beautiful and timeless poem that captures the essence of life and the fleeting nature of time. The poem is a meditation on the meaning of life and the inevitability of death. The speaker expresses his desire to make the most of his remaining time on earth, to find joy in the simple things in life, and to leave a legacy that will be remembered fondly. Robert Service's "My Hour" is a poem that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.
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