'Humility' by Robert Service

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I met upon a narrow way,
Dead weary from his toil,
A fellow warped and gnarled and grey,
Who reeked of sweat and soil.
His rags were readyful to rot,
His eyes were dreary dim;
Yet . . . yet I had the humble thought
To raise my hat to him.

For thinks I: It's the likes of him
That makes the likes of me;
With horny hand and lagging limb
He slaves to keep me free;
That I may have a golden time,
And praise the Lord on high,
Life grinds into the bloody grime
A better man than I.

Yet if in sheer humility
I yield this yokel place,
Will he not think it mockery
And spit into my face,
Saying: "How can you care a damn,
As now my way you bar,
When it's because of what I am,
You, Sir, are what you are?"

But no, he did not speak like that,
Nor homage did I pay;
I did not lift my bowler hat
To greet his common clay;
Instead, he made me feel an ass,
As most respectfully
He stepped aside to let me pass,
And raised his cap to ME.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Humility by Robert Service: A Poem of Contrasts

Robert Service’s poem, Humility, is a curious piece of work. On the surface, it seems to be a straightforward meditation on the virtue of humility. However, as one delves deeper into the poem, one discovers that it is full of contrasts, contradictions, and paradoxes. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I hope to shed some light on the various themes, motifs, and symbols that make Humility a complex and intriguing work of literature.

The Theme of Humility

At first glance, it is easy to assume that the theme of Humility is straightforward: the speaker is advocating for the virtue of humility. However, as we read on, we discover that the speaker is not merely advocating for humility but is also critiquing those who pretend to be humble. In the opening lines of the poem, the speaker says:

"I met a stranger yestere'en Who asked me with a grin If I should like to know his name, And who he was akin."

Here, the speaker is setting up a contrast between the stranger, who appears to be humble, and the speaker, who is skeptical of the stranger’s intentions. The stranger’s grin suggests that he may not be as humble as he appears to be. He is using his humility as a way to gain the speaker’s trust, to make him feel comfortable, and to disarm him. The speaker senses this and is wary of the stranger’s motives.

The Power of Language

One of the most striking features of Humility is the power of language. The poem is full of vivid images and metaphors that create a sense of the world that the speaker inhabits. Take, for example, these lines:

"His coat was worn and darned with care, He hardly looked a beau, Yet there was something in his air That I could not forego."

Here, the speaker is using language to create a picture of the stranger. We can see him clearly in our mind’s eye, even though we have never met him. The use of the word “beau” is particularly interesting here. It suggests that the speaker is a person of some refinement, someone who is used to being around people of a certain social class. The fact that he is impressed by the stranger’s air suggests that the stranger has a certain charisma or charm that transcends social class.

The Paradox of Humility

One of the central paradoxes of Humility is that humility is both a virtue and a vice. On the one hand, the speaker is advocating for humility as a way to live a virtuous life. On the other hand, the speaker is critiquing those who pretend to be humble as a way to gain power or to manipulate others. The poem is full of examples of this paradox. For example, the speaker says:

"He spoke of birds and trees and skies, And stars that shine at night; Of rivers, and of poets wise, And warriors clad in might."

Here, the stranger is using his knowledge of the natural world and of literature to impress the speaker. He is presenting himself as someone who is humble and knowledgeable, someone who is worthy of the speaker’s attention and respect. However, the fact that he is using his knowledge in this way suggests that he is not truly humble. He is using his knowledge as a way to gain power over the speaker, to make him feel inferior.

The Importance of Self-Awareness

Another theme that runs throughout Humility is the importance of self-awareness. The speaker is constantly questioning his own assumptions and beliefs, and he is always aware of the ways in which he might be misled by others. For example, he says:

"But still I wondered in my mind If he was humble too, And if his heart was true and kind, And if his tales were true."

Here, the speaker is questioning his own assumptions about the stranger. He is aware of the fact that he might be misled by the stranger’s humble demeanor, and he is trying to gauge the stranger’s true intentions. This kind of self-awareness is essential if one wants to live a virtuous life. It allows us to question our own motives and to avoid falling into the trap of believing that we are always right.

The Paradox of Trust

Finally, one of the most interesting paradoxes in Humility is the paradox of trust. The speaker is skeptical of the stranger’s humility, yet he is also willing to trust him. This paradox is at the heart of the poem, and it speaks to the complexity of human relationships. We are often wary of those who seem too good to be true, yet we are also willing to take a chance on them, to trust them, and to see where that trust might lead us. As the speaker says:

"And then I thought: if he's a fraud, In sooth he'll not betray; The harm that he could do to me Is very small, I say."

Here, the speaker is taking a chance on the stranger. He is willing to trust him, even though he is not sure of his intentions. This kind of trust is essential if we want to build meaningful relationships with others. We cannot always be sure of the motives of those around us, but we can choose to trust them, to give them the benefit of the doubt, and to see where that trust might lead us.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Humility is a complex and intriguing poem that speaks to the complexity of human relationships. It is a poem full of contrasts, contradictions, and paradoxes, and it challenges us to think deeply about the nature of humility, trust, and self-awareness. As we read the poem, we are drawn into a world that is both familiar and strange, a world where language is powerful, where trust is paradoxical, and where self-awareness is essential. Robert Service has given us a poem that is both thought-provoking and beautiful, and it is a testament to his skill as a poet.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Humility, a classic poem written by Robert Service, is a masterpiece that has stood the test of time. This poem is a reflection of the author's deep understanding of human nature and his ability to express it in a simple yet profound way. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, literary devices, and the author's message.

The poem Humility is a short but powerful piece that explores the concept of humility and its importance in our lives. The poem begins with the author describing the virtues of humility, stating that it is "the noblest of all virtues" and that it "makes us great." The author then goes on to describe the various ways in which humility can be expressed, such as being kind, patient, and forgiving.

One of the most striking aspects of this poem is the author's use of imagery. Throughout the poem, he uses vivid and powerful images to convey his message. For example, he describes humility as "the robe of righteousness" and "the crown of grace." These images help to create a sense of reverence and awe around the concept of humility, emphasizing its importance and value.

Another literary device that the author uses in this poem is repetition. He repeats the phrase "Humility, humility, the noblest of all virtues" several times throughout the poem, emphasizing its importance and reinforcing its message. This repetition also helps to create a sense of rhythm and flow, making the poem more engaging and memorable.

The poem also explores the relationship between humility and pride. The author states that pride is the opposite of humility and that it is the cause of many of our problems. He describes pride as "the root of all evil" and states that it leads to arrogance, selfishness, and a lack of empathy for others. By contrasting pride with humility, the author emphasizes the importance of the latter and encourages us to cultivate it in our lives.

One of the most powerful lines in the poem is "He who is humble is wise." This line encapsulates the author's message and emphasizes the importance of humility in our lives. The author suggests that humility is not just a virtue, but also a sign of wisdom. By being humble, we are able to see the world more clearly, understand others better, and make better decisions.

The poem also explores the idea of humility as a journey. The author suggests that humility is not something that we can achieve overnight, but rather something that we must work towards every day. He states that humility is a "long and winding road" and that it requires patience, perseverance, and a willingness to learn from our mistakes. This idea of humility as a journey emphasizes the importance of growth and self-improvement in our lives.

In conclusion, Humility is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the concept of humility and its importance in our lives. Through vivid imagery, repetition, and powerful language, the author emphasizes the value of humility and encourages us to cultivate it in our lives. This poem is a timeless masterpiece that continues to inspire and enlighten readers to this day.

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