'The Lost Master' by Robert Service


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"And when I come to die," he said,
"Ye shall not lay me out in state,
Nor leave your laurels at my head,
Nor cause your men of speech orate;
No monument your gift shall be,
No column in the Hall of Fame;
But just this line ye grave for me:
`He played the game.'"

So when his glorious task was done,
It was not of his fame we thought;
It was not of his battles won,
But of the pride with which he fought;
But of his zest, his ringing laugh,
His trenchant scorn of praise or blame:
And so we graved his epitaph,
"He played the game."

And so we, too, in humbler ways
Went forth to fight the fight anew,
And heeding neither blame nor praise,
We held the course he set us true.
And we, too, find the fighting sweet;
And we, too, fight for fighting's sake;
And though we go down in defeat,
And though our stormy hearts may break,
We will not do our Master shame:
We'll play the game, please God,
We'll play the game.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Lost Master: A Poem of Profound Loss and Regret

Robert Service, a Scottish-born poet known for his narrative verse style, wrote "The Lost Master" in 1937. The poem is a ballad about a man who loses his mentor and struggles with the regret and guilt of not having appreciated him enough in life. The poem is a powerful exploration of loss and the value of relationships.

The Narrative

The poem tells the story of a man who has lost his master, a mentor who taught him everything he knows. The man is filled with regret for not appreciating the master more while he was still alive. He remembers the times they spent together and the lessons he learned, but now it is too late to tell the master how much he meant to him.

The man goes to the graveyard to visit the master's grave and finds an old woman there who tells him that the master loved him dearly and never forgot him. The man is moved by her words and realizes that he must learn to appreciate the people in his life while they are still with him.

The Poetic Style

Service's use of rhyme and meter in "The Lost Master" adds to the ballad's emotional impact. The poem is written in iambic tetrameter, with four beats per line, which gives it a steady rhythm. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, CDCD, EFEF, which makes the poem feel like it is moving forward in a structured way.

Service's use of repetition is also effective in driving home the poem's message. The phrase "Oh, why did I not say ..." is repeated several times throughout the poem, emphasizing the man's regret for not appreciating the master more.

The Theme

The theme of "The Lost Master" is the value of relationships and the regret that can come from not appreciating them enough. The man in the poem is filled with regret for not appreciating the master more while he was still alive. He realizes too late that he should have expressed his gratitude and love to the master while he had the chance.

The poem is a powerful reminder to appreciate the people in our lives while they are still with us. We never know when they will be gone, and we do not want to be left with regret for not having told them how much they mean to us.

The Symbolism

The graveyard in "The Lost Master" is a powerful symbol of death and loss. The man goes to the graveyard to visit the master's grave and is confronted with the finality of death. The old woman he meets there represents wisdom and perspective. She helps the man see that the master loved him and that he should not carry his regret alone.

The master himself is also a symbol of knowledge and guidance. He taught the man everything he knows, and his loss leaves a void that cannot be filled. The man's regret for not appreciating the master is a symbol of the regret we all feel when we lose someone important to us.

The Emotion

"The Lost Master" is a deeply emotional poem that explores the pain of loss and the regret that can come from not appreciating the people in our lives enough. The man's regret is palpable, and the reader can feel his pain as he remembers the times he spent with the master.

The poem is also hopeful, however, in its message that it is never too late to appreciate the people in our lives. The old woman's words to the man are a reminder that the master loved him and that he should not carry his regret alone.

The Message

The message of "The Lost Master" is that we should appreciate the people in our lives while they are still with us. The man in the poem is filled with regret for not appreciating the master more, and he realizes too late that he should have expressed his gratitude and love to the master while he had the chance.

The poem is a powerful reminder to tell the people in our lives how much they mean to us while we still have the opportunity. We never know when they will be gone, and we do not want to be left with regret for not having told them how much they mean to us.

Conclusion

"The Lost Master" is a powerful poem that explores the pain of loss and the regret that can come from not appreciating the people in our lives enough. Service's use of rhyme and repetition adds to the poem's emotional impact, and its message is one that resonates with readers of all ages.

The poem's final message is one of hope, however, reminding us that it is never too late to appreciate the people in our lives. The old woman's words to the man are a reminder that the master loved him and that he should not carry his regret alone. It is a message that we should all take to heart.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Lost Master: A Poem That Will Leave You Spellbound

Robert Service, the renowned poet, has left an indelible mark on the world of literature with his exceptional works. One of his most celebrated poems is "The Lost Master," which is a masterpiece of its own kind. The poem is a perfect blend of emotions, imagination, and storytelling that will leave you spellbound.

The Lost Master is a poem that tells the story of a man who has lost his way in life. He is a wanderer who has lost his sense of purpose and direction. The poem begins with the description of the man's journey through the wilderness. He is lost and alone, with no one to guide him. He is tired and hungry, and his spirit is broken.

The man's journey takes him through the mountains and valleys, and he encounters various obstacles along the way. He faces the harshness of nature, the treacherous terrain, and the dangers of wild animals. Despite all these challenges, he continues his journey, driven by an inner force that he cannot explain.

As the man continues his journey, he comes across a group of people who are gathered around a fire. They are singing and dancing, and their joyous celebration fills the man's heart with hope. He joins the group and becomes a part of their celebration. The people welcome him with open arms, and he feels a sense of belonging that he has never felt before.

The man spends some time with the group, and he learns about their way of life. They are a community of artists who create beautiful works of art. They are led by a master artist who is revered by all. The man is fascinated by the master artist's work, and he is inspired by his creativity and passion.

The man decides to stay with the group and learn from the master artist. He becomes the master's apprentice, and he learns the art of creating beautiful works of art. He spends years under the master's tutelage, and he becomes a master artist himself.

The man's journey from being lost and alone to becoming a master artist is a metaphor for the journey of life. The poem teaches us that no matter how lost we may feel, there is always hope. We can find our way back by following our inner voice and by seeking the guidance of those who have walked the path before us.

The Lost Master is a poem that is rich in symbolism and imagery. The wilderness represents the challenges of life, and the group of people represents the community that we all need. The master artist represents the mentor or guide who can help us find our way.

The poem is also a celebration of art and creativity. It teaches us that art has the power to transform our lives and to bring us joy and fulfillment. The master artist's work is described as "a symphony of color and form," and it is clear that the poem is celebrating the beauty and power of art.

In conclusion, The Lost Master is a poem that will leave you spellbound. It is a masterpiece of its own kind, and it is a testament to Robert Service's exceptional talent as a poet. The poem teaches us about the journey of life, the power of community, and the beauty of art. It is a poem that will inspire you to follow your dreams and to seek the guidance of those who have walked the path before you.

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