'Portent' by Robert Service
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Courage mes gars:
La guerre est proche.
I plant my little plot of beans,
I sit beneath my cyprus tree;
I do not know what trouble means,
I cultivate tranquillity . . .
But as to-day my walk I made
In all serenity and cheer,
I saw cut in an agave blade:
"Courage, my comrades, war is near!"
Seward I went, my feet were slow,
Awhile I dowsed upon the shore;
And then I roused with fear for lo!
I saw six grisly ships of war.
A grim, grey line of might and dread
Against the skyline looming sheer:
With horror to myself I said:
"Courage, my comrades, war is near!"
I saw my cottage on the hill
With rambling roses round the door;
It was so peaceful and so still
I sighed . . . and then it was no more.
A flash of flame, a rubble heap;
I cried aloud with woe and fear . . .
And wok myself from troubled sleep -
My home was safe, war was not near.
Oh, I am old, my step is frail,
My carcase bears a score of scars,
And as I climbed my homeward trail
Sadly I thought of other wars.
And when that agave leaf I saw
With vicious knife I made a blear
Of words clean-cut into the raw:
"Courage, my comrades, war is near!"
Who put hem there I do not know -
One of these rabid reds, no doubt;
But I for freedom struck my blow,
With bitter blade I scraped them out.
There now, said I, I will forget,
And smoke my pipe and drink my beer -
Yet in my mind these words were set:
"Courage, my comrades, war is near!"
"Courage, my comrades, war is near!"
I hear afar its hateful drums;
Its horrid din assails my ear:
I hope I die before it comes. . . .
Yet as into the town I go,
And listen to the rabble cheer,
I think with heart of weary woe:
War is not coming - WAR IS HERE.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Portent by Robert Service: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Oh my! What a poem Portent is! Written by the famous Robert Service, this poem is an ode to the power of nature and its ability to foretell the future. In this 12-line poem, Service manages to convey a sense of uncertainty and doom that is both haunting and beautiful. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in Portent to understand its significance and impact.
Themes
Portent is a poem that deals with the theme of fate and the inevitability of things to come. The poem opens with the lines "Red crags that stand against the sky, / A line of heights that zigzag by". These lines set the tone for the rest of the poem, as they describe the ominous nature of the mountains that loom in the distance. The crags are described as being "red", which could be seen as a symbol of danger and warning. The "line of heights that zigzag by" is also significant, as it suggests that there is a path that one must follow, whether they like it or not.
The theme of inevitability is further reinforced in the second stanza, where Service writes "And on a ledge where no man treads, / A creature with a hundred heads". This creature with a hundred heads is a symbol of the many possibilities and outcomes that are available to us. However, the fact that it is on a ledge where no man treads suggests that these possibilities are out of reach, and that we are at the mercy of fate.
The final stanza of the poem is where the theme of fate and inevitability is most prevalent. Service writes "And as I gaze with staring eyes, / The phantom caravan goes by". This "phantom caravan" could be seen as a metaphor for life, as it passes by us without stopping, regardless of our desires or wishes. The fact that it is a "phantom" caravan also suggests that it is not real, and that we are merely onlookers to the events that unfold in our lives.
Imagery
The imagery used in Portent is vivid and powerful. Service uses descriptions of nature to convey a sense of foreboding and uncertainty. The "red crags" that stand against the sky are described as being "menacing", which suggests that they are a symbol of danger. The fact that they are "red" also reinforces this idea, as it could be seen as a warning sign.
The description of the "creature with a hundred heads" is also significant. Service uses this image to convey the many possibilities and outcomes that are available to us. However, the fact that it is on a ledge where no man treads suggests that these possibilities are out of reach, and that we are at the mercy of fate.
Finally, the description of the "phantom caravan" is haunting and beautiful. The fact that it is a "phantom" caravan suggests that it is not real, and that we are merely onlookers to the events that unfold in our lives. This image is particularly powerful, as it conveys a sense of helplessness and inevitability.
Language
The language used in Portent is simple and straightforward. Service uses short, concise sentences to convey a sense of urgency and foreboding. The use of repetition is also significant, as it reinforces the idea of fate and inevitability. For example, the repetition of the word "zigzag" in the first stanza suggests that there is a path that one must follow, whether they like it or not.
The use of alliteration is also prevalent in the poem. For example, the line "A creature with a hundred heads" uses alliteration to create a sense of rhythm and flow. The use of alliteration is particularly effective in this line, as it reinforces the idea of the many possibilities and outcomes that are available to us.
Finally, the use of rhyme is also significant in Portent. The poem follows an ABAB rhyme scheme, which creates a sense of symmetry and balance. The use of rhyme is particularly effective in the final stanza, where the repetition of the word "by" reinforces the idea of the passing of time.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Portent is a haunting and beautiful poem that deals with the themes of fate and inevitability. Service uses vivid imagery and powerful language to convey a sense of uncertainty and doom. The poem is particularly effective in its use of repetition, alliteration, and rhyme. Overall, Portent is a masterpiece of modern poetry, and one that will continue to be read and studied for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Portent: A Poem of Mystery and Wonder
Robert Service’s Portent is a classic poem that captures the essence of mystery and wonder. The poem is a masterpiece of poetic language and imagery that evokes a sense of awe and fear in the reader. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, symbols, and literary devices used in the poem to understand its deeper meaning.
The poem begins with a description of a dark and stormy night. The wind is howling, and the trees are bending under its force. The speaker is walking alone in the woods, and he suddenly comes across a strange sight. He sees a giant tree that has been uprooted by the wind, and its roots are exposed to the sky. The speaker is struck by the sight and feels a sense of foreboding.
The first theme that emerges in the poem is the power of nature. The storm is a symbol of the raw power of nature, and the uprooted tree is a testament to its destructive force. The speaker is in awe of this power and feels small and insignificant in its presence. The storm is also a metaphor for the chaos and unpredictability of life. It reminds us that we are not in control of our destiny and that we must accept the forces that shape our lives.
The second theme that emerges in the poem is the mystery of the unknown. The uprooted tree is a symbol of the unknown, and the speaker is fascinated by it. He wonders what lies beneath the surface and what secrets the tree holds. The tree is also a metaphor for the mysteries of life. It reminds us that there is much we do not know and that there are many secrets waiting to be uncovered.
The third theme that emerges in the poem is the fear of the unknown. The speaker is afraid of what he does not know, and he feels a sense of foreboding. He senses that something is not right and that there is danger lurking in the shadows. The fear of the unknown is a universal human experience, and the poem captures this feeling perfectly.
The poem is also rich in literary devices. The use of imagery is particularly effective in creating a sense of atmosphere and mood. The storm is described in vivid detail, and the reader can almost feel the wind and rain. The uprooted tree is also described in great detail, and the reader can visualize its twisted roots and broken branches.
The use of metaphor is also prominent in the poem. The storm is a metaphor for the chaos and unpredictability of life, while the uprooted tree is a metaphor for the mysteries of life. The tree is also a symbol of the unknown, and the fear of the unknown is a recurring theme in the poem.
The use of personification is also effective in creating a sense of atmosphere. The storm is personified as a living entity, and the wind is described as howling and screaming. This creates a sense of danger and foreboding, and the reader can almost hear the storm’s fury.
In conclusion, Robert Service’s Portent is a classic poem that captures the essence of mystery and wonder. The poem explores themes of the power of nature, the mystery of the unknown, and the fear of the unknown. The use of literary devices such as imagery, metaphor, and personification is particularly effective in creating a sense of atmosphere and mood. The poem is a testament to the power of language and its ability to evoke emotion and capture the human experience.
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