'The Mother-Lodge' by Rudyard Kipling


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There was Rundle, Station Master,
An' Beazeley of the Rail,
An' 'Ackman, Commissariat,
An' Donkin' o' the Jail;
An' Blake, Conductor-Sargent,
Our Master twice was 'e,
With 'im that kept the Europe-shop,
Old Framjee Eduljee.

Outside -- "Sergeant!Sir!Salute!Salaam!"
Inside -- "Brother", an' it doesn't do no 'arm.
We met upon the Level an' we parted on the Square,
An' I was Junior Deacon in my Mother-Lodge out there!

We'd Bola Nath, Accountant,
An' Saul the Aden Jew,
An' Din Mohammed, draughtsman
Of the Survey Office too;
There was Babu Chuckerbutty,
An' Amir Singh the Sikh,
An' Castro from the fittin'-sheds,
The Roman Catholick!

We 'adn't good regalia,
An' our Lodge was old an' bare,
But we knew the Ancient Landmarks,
An' we kep' 'em to a hair;
An' lookin' on it backwards
It often strikes me thus,
There ain't such things as infidels,
Excep', per'aps, it's us.

For monthly, after Labour,
We'd all sit down and smoke
(We dursn't give no banquits,
Lest a Brother's caste were broke),
An' man on man got talkin'
Religion an' the rest,
An' every man comparin'
Of the God 'e knew the best.

So man on man got talkin',
An' not a Brother stirred
Till mornin' waked the parrots
An' that dam' brain-fever-bird;
We'd say 'twas 'ighly curious,
An' we'd all ride 'ome to bed,
With Mo'ammed, God, an' Shiva
Changin' pickets in our 'ead.

Full oft on Guv'ment service
This rovin' foot 'ath pressed,
An' bore fraternal greetin's
To the Lodges east an' west,
Accordin' as commanded
From Kohat to Singapore,
But I wish that I might see them
In my Mother-Lodge once more!

I wish that I might see them,
My Brethren black an' brown,
With the trichies smellin' pleasant
An' the ~hog-darn~ passin' down;[Cigar-lighter.]
An' the old khansamah snorin'[Butler.]
On the bottle-khana floor,[Pantry.]
Like a Master in good standing
With my Mother-Lodge once more!

Outside -- "Sergeant!Sir!Salute!Salaam!"
Inside -- "Brother", an' it doesn't do no 'arm.
We met upon the Level an' we parted on the Square,
An' I was Junior Deacon in my Mother-Lodge out there!


Editor 1 Interpretation

The Mother-Lodge: A Masterpiece of Rudyard Kipling

Rudyard Kipling, the legendary British author, is well-known for his exceptional writing skills, especially in poetry. His works are not just an expression of his artistic abilities but also provide deeper insights into society, culture, and human nature. One such masterpiece is "The Mother-Lodge," a poem that depicts the journey of a Freemason.

The poem starts with the narrator describing the birth of a Freemason, who seeks admission to the Mother-Lodge, a place where all the Freemasons come together. The narrator explains how the new member is welcomed and initiated into the fraternity, where he learns the Masonic principles and values. The poem then takes us on a journey through the lives of different Freemasons, their struggles, and achievements.

Style and Structure

Kipling's style in "The Mother-Lodge" is unique and captivating. The poem has a simple language and structure that makes it easy to understand and appreciate. The poem consists of four stanzas, each containing eight lines. The rhyme scheme is AABBCCDD, and the meter is iambic tetrameter, which adds a musical flow to the poem. Moreover, the use of repetition and alliteration gives the poem a pleasing rhythm.

The first stanza introduces the reader to the Mother-Lodge and the process of initiation. The second and third stanzas delve into the lives of different Freemasons, their struggles, and their achievements. The fourth stanza concludes the poem with the narrator reflecting on the legacy of the Mother-Lodge and the values it instills in its members.

Interpretation and Themes

"The Mother-Lodge" is not just a simple poem about Freemasonry; it is a reflection of society, culture, and human nature. The poem touches upon themes such as tradition, brotherhood, loyalty, and legacy.

The Mother-Lodge represents tradition, which is an essential aspect of Freemasonry. The poem describes how the Mother-Lodge has existed for centuries and has initiated countless Freemasons. The traditions and values instilled in the fraternity have been passed on from generation to generation, and the Mother-Lodge remains a symbol of continuity and stability.

Brotherhood is another crucial theme in the poem. The narrator emphasizes the importance of brotherhood among Freemasons, who come from different backgrounds and professions. The Mother-Lodge brings them together and instills a sense of unity and camaraderie among them. The poem describes how the Freemasons support each other through thick and thin, and the bonds of brotherhood remain unbroken even after death.

Loyalty is another theme that runs through the poem. The Freemasons are portrayed as loyal to each other, their fraternity, and their principles. The poem describes how the Freemasons sacrifice their personal interests for the greater good of the fraternity. Moreover, the poem emphasizes the loyalty of the Mother-Lodge to its members, who have sworn to uphold its values and traditions.

Legacy is the final and most important theme in the poem. The narrator reflects on the legacy of the Mother-Lodge and how it has influenced the lives of countless Freemasons. The poem describes how the values and principles instilled in the fraternity have shaped the lives of its members and the society around them. The legacy of the Mother-Lodge transcends time and space, and its impact on society remains profound.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "The Mother-Lodge" is a masterpiece of Rudyard Kipling that explores the themes of tradition, brotherhood, loyalty, and legacy. The poem has a simple language and structure that makes it easy to understand and appreciate. The poem reflects on the importance of Freemasonry in society and the values and principles that it instills in its members. "The Mother-Lodge" is not just a poem but a work of art that captures the essence of human nature and the society around us.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Mother-Lodge: A Masterpiece of Rudyard Kipling

Rudyard Kipling, the Nobel Prize-winning English writer, is known for his exceptional storytelling and poetry. His works are a reflection of his experiences and observations of the world around him. One of his most famous poems, The Mother-Lodge, is a masterpiece that captures the essence of brotherhood and the importance of community.

The Mother-Lodge is a poem that tells the story of a group of men who come together to build a lodge. The lodge is a place where they can gather and share their experiences, their stories, and their knowledge. The poem is written in the first person, and the speaker is one of the men who helped build the lodge.

The poem begins with the speaker describing the lodge as a place where men from all walks of life come together. He talks about how the men who built the lodge were from different parts of the world, but they all shared a common goal. They wanted to create a place where they could come together and share their experiences.

The speaker then goes on to describe the process of building the lodge. He talks about how the men worked tirelessly, day and night, to build the lodge. They worked together, sharing their knowledge and skills, to create something that would last for generations.

As the poem progresses, the speaker talks about the different men who helped build the lodge. He describes their different backgrounds and experiences, but he also talks about how they all came together to create something greater than themselves. The speaker emphasizes the importance of brotherhood and the sense of community that the lodge represents.

The Mother-Lodge is a poem that celebrates the power of community. It shows how people from different backgrounds and experiences can come together to create something that is greater than themselves. The poem is a reminder that we are all connected, and that we can achieve great things when we work together.

The poem also highlights the importance of tradition and heritage. The lodge is a place where the men can gather and share their stories and experiences. It is a place where they can pass on their knowledge to future generations. The poem emphasizes the importance of preserving our traditions and passing them on to the next generation.

The Mother-Lodge is a poem that is rich in symbolism. The lodge itself represents the sense of community and brotherhood that the men share. The tools that the men use to build the lodge represent their different skills and experiences. The poem is a testament to the power of symbolism and how it can be used to convey complex ideas and emotions.

In conclusion, The Mother-Lodge is a masterpiece of Rudyard Kipling. It is a poem that celebrates the power of community, brotherhood, and tradition. The poem is a reminder that we are all connected, and that we can achieve great things when we work together. The Mother-Lodge is a timeless piece of literature that will continue to inspire and move readers for generations to come.

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