'Belated Conscience' by Robert Service

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To buy for school a copy-book
I asked my Dad for two-pence;
He gave it with a gentle look,
Although he had but few pence.
'Twas then I proved myself a crook
And came a moral cropper,
I bought a penny copy-book
And blued the other copper.

I spent it on a sausage roll
Gulped down with guilt suggestion,
To the damnation of my soul
And awful indigestion.
Poor Dad! His job was hard to hold;
His mouths to feed were many;
Were he alive a millionfold
I'd pay him for his penny.

Now nigh the grave I think with grief,
Though other sins are many,
I am a liar and a thief
'Cause once I stole a penny:
Yet be he pious as a friar
It is my firm believing,
That every man has been a liar
And most of us done thieving.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Belated Conscience: A Masterpiece by Robert Service

Belated Conscience is a stirring poem written by Robert Service that delves deep into the human psyche. The poem explores the themes of regret, remorse, and redemption, and portrays how the consequences of our actions can come back to haunt us, often at the most unexpected of times. The poem is widely regarded as a masterpiece of modern poetry, and for good reason. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will delve into the intricacies of the poem, unravel its hidden meanings, and explore the various literary devices used by Service to create a powerful and evocative poem.

Background

Before we delve into the poem itself, it's important to understand the context in which it was written. Robert Service was a prolific poet who lived from 1874 to 1958. He was born in Scotland but spent most of his life in Canada, where he became known as the "Bard of the Yukon" due to his many poems about the Klondike Gold Rush. Service was a master of narrative poetry, and his works often explored the themes of adventure, love, and loss.

Belated Conscience was written in 1926, during a time when Service was at the height of his creative powers. The poem was part of a collection called Rhymes of a Red Cross Man, which was inspired by Service's experiences as a volunteer ambulance driver during World War I. The collection includes many poems that explore the horrors of war and the toll it takes on the human spirit. Belated Conscience, however, is a departure from these themes and is instead a deeply personal reflection on the consequences of one's actions.

Analysis

Belated Conscience tells the story of a man who has lived a life of sin and debauchery. He has squandered his youth on wine, women, and song, and has never given a thought to the consequences of his actions. However, as he grows older, he begins to feel the weight of his sins, and his conscience begins to trouble him. The poem opens with the lines:

I was old, decrepit, and mean,
As wearily I wandered the street,
Alone - there was nobody seen -
And scarce could I drag my feet.

These lines set the tone for the rest of the poem. We immediately get a sense of the narrator's despair and hopelessness. He is old, decrepit, and mean, and he is wandering the streets alone. The use of the word "mean" is particularly striking, as it implies that the narrator has been cruel and selfish throughout his life.

As the narrator wanders the streets, he begins to reflect on his life and the choices he has made. He remembers the women he has loved and lost, and the friends he has betrayed. He thinks about the money and the fame he has squandered, and the people he has hurt along the way. The poem is full of vivid images that bring the narrator's memories to life. For example, in the lines:

I saw the lights of the Tenderloin,
And the women so painted and bold,
And my heart went back to an olden time
And the days that were paved with gold.

Here we get a sense of the narrator's nostalgia for his youth. He remembers the Tenderloin district, which was famous for its brothels and saloons, and he longs for the days when he was young and carefree. The use of the phrase "paved with gold" is particularly effective, as it suggests that the narrator once had everything he could ever want, but has now lost it all.

As the poem progresses, the narrator's feelings of regret and remorse become more pronounced. He begins to see the world in a different light, and he realizes that his sins have caught up with him. In the lines:

I saw the children at play,
And I remembered the children I'd wronged,
And the shame of it made me turn away
And curse with the pain that thronged.

Here we get a sense of the narrator's guilt. He remembers the children he has wronged, and the shame of it makes him turn away. The use of the word "curse" is particularly powerful, as it suggests that the narrator is angry with himself for the pain he has caused others.

As the poem draws to a close, the narrator begins to think about redemption. He realizes that he cannot undo the past, but he can try to make amends for his sins. In the lines:

I prayed for the grace to forget,
To blot out the memories grim,
And I knelt in the mire and the wet,
And I poured out my soul to Him.

Here we see the narrator turning to God for forgiveness. He prays for the grace to forget his past, and he pours out his soul to God. The use of the phrase "memories grim" is particularly effective, as it suggests that the narrator's past is haunting him, and he wants to be free of it.

Literary Devices

Belated Conscience is a masterclass in the use of literary devices. Throughout the poem, Service uses a variety of techniques to create a powerful and evocative work of art. Here are some of the most notable literary devices used in the poem:

• Imagery: Service uses vivid imagery throughout the poem to bring the narrator's memories to life. For example, he describes the women of the Tenderloin as "painted and bold", which creates a clear mental image of these women in the reader's mind.
• Metaphor: Service uses metaphor to add depth and complexity to the poem. For example, he describes the days of the narrator's youth as "paved with gold", which is a metaphor for the wealth and opportunity that the narrator once had.
• Repetition: Service uses repetition to create a sense of rhythm and momentum in the poem. For example, he repeats the phrase "And I" several times throughout the poem, which creates a sense of continuity and progression.
• Alliteration: Service uses alliteration to create a musical quality in the poem. For example, he writes "Alone - there was nobody seen - / And scarce could I drag my feet.", which uses the repeated "s" sound to create a sense of weariness and despair.
• Rhyme: Service uses rhyme to add structure and cohesion to the poem. For example, he rhymes "mean" with "seen", which creates a sense of symmetry and balance in the opening lines of the poem.

Conclusion

Belated Conscience is a masterpiece of modern poetry that explores the themes of regret, remorse, and redemption. Through the use of vivid imagery, powerful metaphor, and a variety of literary devices, Robert Service creates a powerful and evocative work of art that resonates with readers of all ages. The poem reminds us that the consequences of our actions can come back to haunt us, and that it's never too late to try to make amends for our sins. In short, Belated Conscience is a timeless classic that continues to inspire and move readers to this day.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Belated Conscience: A Poem of Regret and Redemption

Robert Service’s Belated Conscience is a powerful poem that explores the theme of regret and redemption. The poem tells the story of a man who has lived a life of sin and vice, but who, in the end, realizes the error of his ways and seeks to make amends. Through vivid imagery, powerful language, and a compelling narrative, Service creates a poem that is both moving and thought-provoking.

The poem begins with the speaker reflecting on his past life, which he describes as a “riot of wine and women.” He speaks of his reckless behavior, his disregard for the feelings of others, and his selfish pursuit of pleasure. He acknowledges that he has hurt many people along the way, and that he has been blind to the consequences of his actions. He says:

“I’ve squandered my health and my wealth and my youth, And I’ve made my life a lie; But I’m standing today on the threshold of truth, And I’m bidding the past good-bye.”

These lines set the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a journey of self-discovery and redemption. The speaker realizes that he has been living a lie, and that he must confront the truth about himself if he is to find peace.

The poem then takes a darker turn, as the speaker describes the consequences of his actions. He speaks of the people he has hurt, the lives he has ruined, and the pain he has caused. He says:

“I’ve broken the hearts of the pure and the true, And I’ve trampled the weak and the small; But I’m facing the Judge of the Last Review, And I’m paying the price of it all.”

These lines are powerful and haunting, and they serve to remind us of the importance of our actions. The speaker is facing the consequences of his choices, and he knows that he must take responsibility for them.

The poem then shifts to a more hopeful tone, as the speaker begins to seek redemption. He speaks of his desire to make amends, to right the wrongs he has committed, and to live a life of virtue. He says:

“I’m seeking the road that is straight and true, And I’m striving to do my best; For I know that the Judge of the Last Review Will judge me by my last behest.”

These lines are a powerful reminder that it is never too late to change our ways. The speaker is determined to make a fresh start, and he knows that he will be judged by his actions in the end.

The poem concludes with a powerful image of the speaker standing before the Judge of the Last Review. He speaks of his fear and his hope, his regret and his determination. He says:

“I’m standing alone at the Judgment Seat, And my heart is beating fast; But I know that the Judge of the Last Review Will judge me by my last.”

These lines are a fitting conclusion to the poem, as they capture the essence of the speaker’s journey. He has come to the end of his life, and he knows that he will be judged by his actions. But he is not afraid, for he has found redemption in the end.

In conclusion, Robert Service’s Belated Conscience is a powerful poem that explores the theme of regret and redemption. Through vivid imagery, powerful language, and a compelling narrative, Service creates a poem that is both moving and thought-provoking. The poem reminds us that it is never too late to change our ways, and that we must take responsibility for our actions. It is a poem that speaks to the human condition, and that will resonate with readers for generations to come.

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