'L'Envoi' by Robert Service
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We've finished up the filthy war;
We've won what we were fighting for . . .
(Or have we? I don't know).
But anyway I have my wish:
I'm back upon the old Boul' Mich',
And how my heart's aglow!
Though in my coat's an empty sleeve,
Ah! do not think I ever grieve
(The pension for it, I believe,
Will keep me on the go).
So I'll be free to write and write,
And give my soul to sheer delight,
Till joy is almost pain;
To stand aloof and watch the throng,
And worship youth and sing my song
Of faith and hope again;
To seek for beauty everywhere,
To make each day a living prayer
That life may not be vain.
To sing of things that comfort me,
The joy in mother-eyes, the glee
Of little ones at play;
The blessed gentleness of trees,
Of old men dreaming at their ease
Soft afternoons away;
Of violets and swallows' wings,
Of wondrous, ordinary things
In words of every day.
To rhyme of rich and rainy nights,
When like a legion leap the lights
And take the town with gold;
Of taverns quaint where poets dream,
Of cafes gaudily agleam,
And vice that's overbold;
Of crystal shimmer, silver sheen,
Of soft and soothing nicotine,
Of wine that's rich and old,
Of gutters, chimney-tops and stars,
Of apple-carts and motor-cars,
The sordid and sublime;
Of wealth and misery that meet
In every great and little street,
Of glory and of grime;
Of all the living tide that flows --
From princes down to puppet shows --
I'll make my humble rhyme.
So if you like the sort of thing
Of which I also like to sing,
Just give my stuff a look;
And if you don't, no harm is done --
In writing it I've had my fun;
Good luck to you and every one --
And so
Here ends my book.
Editor 1 Interpretation
A Journey into Robert Service's L'Envoi
Who doesn't love a good poem that tells a story? And if that story is accompanied by a powerful message, then we have a winner. That's exactly what Robert Service delivers in his poem L'Envoi. It's a journey of self-discovery, adventure, and reflection that leaves the reader with a deep appreciation for life and all its wonders. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, imagery, language, and structure of L'Envoi, and why it remains a classic poem to this day.
Themes
At its core, L'Envoi is a poem about the fleeting nature of life and the importance of living it to the fullest. This theme is evident throughout the poem, from the opening line, "When I come home to heaven how will it be?" to the final stanza, "And when at last, by lifes' dear longing spent, I kneel me down to die, may I be this - a wisp of fugitive glory in the tranquil sky." Service's use of heaven as a metaphor for the end of life is a common literary device, but what sets L'Envoi apart is the way he explores what happens between the beginning and the end.
Service takes the reader on a journey that spans the world, from the "tropic isles" to "the frozen North," and in doing so, he shows us the beauty and diversity of life. Each stanza is a snapshot of a different experience, and yet they are all connected by the theme of impermanence. Service reminds us that life is short and that we must "drink deep of joy," "grasp the moment," and "take the chance." It's a powerful message that resonates with readers of all ages and backgrounds.
Imagery
One of the strengths of Service's poetry is his ability to paint vivid pictures with his words. L'Envoi is no exception. From the "sunny slopes of long ago" to the "scent of flowers in the rain," Service's imagery transports the reader to different times and places. He uses sensory details to create a sense of atmosphere and mood, such as the "purple peaks" of the mountains or the "grey of the dawn." By doing so, he brings the poem to life and allows the reader to experience the journey with him.
Another notable image in the poem is that of the "fugitive glory" in the final stanza. This image is significant because it represents the fleeting nature of life. Just like the wisp of smoke from a fire that disappears into the sky, our lives are short and fragile. Service encourages us to embrace this fact and to find joy in the moment.
Language
Service's use of language is also noteworthy. He employs a range of poetic devices, such as alliteration, repetition, and rhyme, to create a musical quality to the poem. For example, in the first stanza, he uses alliteration with the words "heaven" and "how," which adds emphasis to the opening line. In the same stanza, he also uses repetition with the phrase "will it be," which creates a sense of anticipation and wonder.
Service's use of rhyme is also effective in creating a sense of cohesion throughout the poem. The final three stanzas all end with the same rhyme scheme, "sky," "die," and "glory," which ties the journey together and gives it a sense of closure.
Structure
The structure of L'Envoi is simple but effective. It consists of six quatrains, each with an A-B-A-B rhyme scheme. The consistent structure allows the poem to flow smoothly and gives it a musical quality. The use of quatrains also allows Service to break the journey into smaller, more manageable parts. This makes the poem easier to follow and allows the reader to focus on the imagery and language.
Another notable aspect of the structure is the use of enjambment. Service frequently ends lines in the middle of a sentence, which creates a sense of continuity and fluidity. For example, in the third stanza, he writes, "And the wind will say to me in its plaintive monotone: 'Oh, why did you not come home?'" The use of enjambment here creates a sense of movement and adds to the feeling of being on a journey.
Conclusion
In conclusion, L'Envoi is a timeless poem that speaks to the universal themes of life, impermanence, and the importance of living in the moment. Service's use of vivid imagery, poetic language, and effective structure all contribute to the power of the poem. It's a journey that takes us from the tropic isles to the frozen north, and in doing so, reminds us of the beauty and diversity of life. Whether you're reading it for the first time or the hundredth, L'Envoi is a poem that will leave you feeling inspired and grateful for the time we have on this earth.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
L'Envoi: A Masterpiece of Poetry
Robert Service, one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, is known for his vivid imagery and powerful storytelling. His poem, L'Envoi, is a masterpiece that captures the essence of life and death in a few short stanzas. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, structure, and literary devices.
The poem begins with the line, "When I go forth on pilgrimage," which sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker is embarking on a journey, a pilgrimage, and the reader is invited to join him. The use of the word "pilgrimage" suggests that the journey is not just physical but also spiritual. The speaker is searching for something, and the reader is invited to come along for the ride.
The first stanza sets the scene for the journey. The speaker is traveling through a barren landscape, where "the hills are black and bare." The use of the word "black" suggests darkness and despair, while "bare" implies emptiness and desolation. The landscape is a metaphor for the speaker's state of mind. He is lost and alone, searching for meaning in a world that seems devoid of it.
In the second stanza, the speaker encounters a "little pool of light." The use of the word "little" suggests that the light is small and insignificant, but it is enough to draw the speaker's attention. The light is a metaphor for hope, a glimmer of something that might lead the speaker out of the darkness. The speaker is drawn to the light, and he follows it, hoping that it will lead him to his destination.
The third stanza introduces the theme of death. The speaker sees "a shadow on the ground," and he realizes that it is his own shadow. The use of the word "shadow" suggests that the speaker is not fully alive, that he is only a reflection of himself. The shadow is a metaphor for death, a reminder that life is fleeting and that we are all mortal. The speaker is forced to confront his own mortality, and he realizes that he must make the most of the time he has left.
In the fourth stanza, the speaker reaches his destination. He finds "a little house of light," which is a metaphor for the afterlife. The use of the word "little" suggests that the afterlife is not grand or majestic, but it is enough to provide comfort and solace. The speaker is welcomed into the house, and he is surrounded by warmth and light. He has found what he was searching for, and he is at peace.
The final stanza is the envoi, which is a French word that means "send-off." The envoi is a short stanza that is added at the end of a poem, and it often serves as a summary or a conclusion. In this case, the envoi is a call to action. The speaker urges the reader to "go forth on pilgrimage," to embark on their own journey of self-discovery. The use of the word "go" suggests that the journey is not optional, that it is something that we must all do if we want to find meaning in our lives.
The structure of the poem is simple but effective. It consists of five stanzas, each with four lines. The first and second stanzas set the scene, the third stanza introduces the theme of death, the fourth stanza provides the resolution, and the fifth stanza is the envoi. The use of a consistent structure helps to create a sense of unity and coherence, and it also makes the poem easy to read and understand.
The poem is full of literary devices that add depth and richness to the text. The use of metaphor is particularly effective. The barren landscape is a metaphor for the speaker's state of mind, the little pool of light is a metaphor for hope, the shadow is a metaphor for death, and the little house of light is a metaphor for the afterlife. These metaphors help to create a vivid and powerful image in the reader's mind, and they also add layers of meaning to the text.
The use of repetition is also effective. The phrase "little pool of light" is repeated twice, which helps to emphasize its importance. The repetition of the word "little" also adds a sense of humility and modesty to the text. The use of repetition helps to create a sense of rhythm and flow, and it also adds emphasis to key ideas and themes.
In conclusion, L'Envoi is a masterpiece of poetry that captures the essence of life and death in a few short stanzas. The poem is full of vivid imagery, powerful metaphors, and effective literary devices. The structure of the poem is simple but effective, and the envoi serves as a call to action, urging the reader to embark on their own journey of self-discovery. Robert Service was a master of his craft, and L'Envoi is a testament to his skill and talent.
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