'The Legend Of Evil' by Rudyard Kipling
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I
This is the sorrowful story
Told when the twilight fails
And the monkeys walk together
Holding their neighbours' tails: --
"Our fathers lived in the forest,
Foolish people were they,
They went down to the cornland
To teach the farmers to play.
"Our fathers frisked in the millet,
Our fathers skipped in the wheat,
Our fathers hung from the branches,
Our fathers danced in the street.
"Then came the terrible farmers,
Nothing of play they knew,
Only. . .they caught our fathers
And set them to labour too!
"Set them to work in the cornland
With ploughs and sickles and flails,
Put them in mud-walled prisons
And -- cut off their beautiful tails!
"Now, we can watch our fathers,
Sullen and bowed and old,
Stooping over the millet,
Sharing the silly mould,
"Driving a foolish furrow,
Mending a muddy yoke,
Sleeping in mud-walled prisons,
Steeping their food in smoke.
"We may not speak to our fathers,
For if the farmers knew
They would come up to the forest
And set us to labour too."
This is the horrible story
Told as the twilight fails
And the monkeys walk together
Holding their kinsmen's tails.
II
'Twas when the rain fell steady an' the Ark was pitched an' ready,
That Noah got his orders for to take the bastes below;
He dragged them all together by the horn an' hide an' feather,
An' all excipt the Donkey was agreeable to go.
Thin Noah spoke him fairly, thin talked to him sevarely,
An' thin he cursed him squarely to the glory av the Lord: --
"Divil take the ass that bred you, and the greater ass that fed you --
Divil go wid you, ye spalpeen!" an' the Donkey went aboard.
But the wind was always failin', an' 'twas most onaisy sailin',
An' the ladies in the cabin couldn't stand the stable air;
An' the bastes betwuxt the hatches, they tuk an' died in batches,
Till Noah said: -- "There's wan av us that hasn't paid his fare!"
For he heard a flusteration 'mid the bastes av all creation --
The trumpetin' av elephints an' bellowin' av whales;
An' he saw forninst the windy whin he wint to stop the shindy
The Divil wid a stable-fork bedivillin' their tails.
The Divil cursed outrageous, but Noah said umbrageous: --
"To what am I indebted for this tenant-right invasion?"
An' the Divil gave for answer: -- "Evict me if you can, sir,
For I came in wid the Donkey -- on Your Honour's invitation."
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Legend of Evil: A Masterpiece of Poetic Narrative
Rudyard Kipling's The Legend of Evil is one of the most remarkable poems of the early 20th century. First published in 1899 in his collection The Five Nations, it is a tour-de-force of narrative and imaginative power, infused with Kipling's keen sense of history, myth, and culture.
At its core, The Legend of Evil is a story of a fallen angel, Azrael, who comes down to earth to tempt and corrupt human souls. But it is also a story of redemption, of a young girl named Miriam who resists Azrael's seductive powers and inspires others to do the same.
What sets this poem apart is its rich and complex narrative structure. Kipling weaves together multiple voices, perspectives, and timeframes, creating a kaleidoscopic vision of the human condition that is both timeless and timely.
The Structure of the Poem: A Tapestry of Voices
The poem opens with an epigraph from the biblical book of Revelation, which sets the tone for the epic drama that is about to unfold:
And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, and prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.
This apocalyptic vision of cosmic conflict and divine judgment reverberates throughout the poem, as Azrael descends to earth and unleashes his powers of seduction and corruption.
The first section of the poem is narrated by Azrael himself, as he recounts his fall from grace and his descent to earth. His voice is sinister and seductive, as he tempts the reader with promises of power and pleasure:
"I am the Master of the Show; I order, saith the King; Observe, illustrious friend, I throw The little ball of string."
The second section shifts to the voice of Miriam, a young Jewish girl who is the protagonist of the poem. Miriam is a complex and compelling character, whose resistance to Azrael's temptations is both heroic and tragic. Her voice is a mixture of innocence and wisdom, as she struggles to understand the nature of evil and the role of faith in the face of temptation:
"When I awake the people flee, Azrael, Azrael, And you can lay no hand on me, Azrael, Azrael!"
The third section introduces a new voice, that of a nameless narrator who provides a broader perspective on the events of the poem. This narrator is both omniscient and empathetic, able to see into the hearts and minds of the characters and to convey their thoughts and feelings with vividness and immediacy.
The final section returns to Azrael's voice, as he is defeated by Miriam's resistance and forced to return to heaven. But the victory is bittersweet, as Miriam dies in the process of resisting him. The poem ends with a haunting image of her body lying in the snow, her spirit ascending to heaven:
"And where she died the Houris make A mourning day and night, Till Allah shall bid them forsake Their service and delight."
Themes and Motifs: An Epic Vision of Humanity
The Legend of Evil is a poem of striking complexity and depth, dealing with themes and motifs that are both universal and specific to Kipling's time and place. Here are some of the most prominent:
The Nature of Evil
At the heart of the poem is the question of what evil is and how it operates in the world. Azrael is a fallen angel who embodies the seductive power of evil, tempting and corrupting human souls with promises of pleasure and power. Miriam, by contrast, represents the human capacity for resistance and redemption, showing that evil can be overcome by faith and courage.
The Power of Myth and Symbol
Kipling draws on a rich array of mythic and symbolic motifs throughout the poem, from the biblical imagery of the Book of Revelation to the Islamic vision of the Houris. These motifs serve to deepen and enrich the narrative, giving it a sense of depth and resonance that transcends its immediate context.
The Clash of Cultures
The Legend of Evil is also a poem of cultural conflict, reflecting Kipling's own complex relationship to the diverse cultures and peoples of the British Empire. Miriam is a Jewish girl living in a Muslim-dominated world, while Azrael is a Christian angel who has fallen from grace. These cultural and religious tensions add another layer of complexity to the poem, underscoring its relevance to contemporary debates about identity and belonging.
The Human Condition
Above all, The Legend of Evil is a poem that explores the fundamental questions of human existence: why are we here? What is our purpose? Is there a meaning to life? Kipling's answer is both profound and ambiguous, suggesting that the human condition is marked by both tragedy and hope, by both the power of evil and the possibility of redemption.
Conclusion: A Poem of Timeless Significance
In the end, The Legend of Evil is a poem of remarkable power and significance, one that speaks to the deepest questions of the human condition. Through its complex narrative structure, its rich and evocative imagery, and its profound themes and motifs, it offers a vision of the world that is both timeless and timely, transcending the boundaries of culture and time to speak to readers across the ages.
As we grapple with the challenges of our own time, from the rise of extremism to the erosion of faith and values, Kipling's poem reminds us of the power of art to illuminate and inspire, to challenge and transform. It is a masterpiece of poetic narrative, a work of enduring significance and beauty that deserves to be read and cherished by generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Legend of Evil: A Masterpiece of Poetry by Rudyard Kipling
Rudyard Kipling is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and his works have been studied and analyzed by scholars and enthusiasts alike for over a century. Among his many masterpieces, The Legend of Evil stands out as a particularly powerful and evocative piece of poetry that has captured the imagination of readers for generations.
At its core, The Legend of Evil is a story about the nature of evil and the human condition. Kipling explores the idea that evil is not a force that exists outside of us, but rather something that is inherent in our own nature. He suggests that we are all capable of great evil, and that it is only through self-awareness and self-control that we can overcome our darker impulses.
The poem is divided into four parts, each of which explores a different aspect of the theme of evil. In the first part, Kipling introduces us to the character of Evil, who is portrayed as a powerful and malevolent force that seeks to corrupt and destroy everything in its path. Evil is described as a shapeless, formless entity that can take on any guise it chooses, and that is capable of infiltrating even the most virtuous of souls.
In the second part of the poem, Kipling introduces us to the character of Man, who is portrayed as a flawed and imperfect creature that is constantly struggling to resist the temptations of Evil. Man is described as being weak and vulnerable, and as being easily swayed by his own desires and impulses. Kipling suggests that it is only through self-awareness and self-control that Man can hope to overcome his own inherent weaknesses and resist the influence of Evil.
In the third part of the poem, Kipling introduces us to the character of God, who is portrayed as a distant and aloof figure that is largely indifferent to the struggles of Man. God is described as being all-powerful and all-knowing, but also as being largely disinterested in the affairs of mortals. Kipling suggests that it is only through our own efforts that we can hope to overcome the influence of Evil, and that we cannot rely on divine intervention to save us from our own weaknesses.
Finally, in the fourth part of the poem, Kipling brings all of these themes together in a powerful and evocative conclusion. He suggests that the struggle between Good and Evil is an eternal one, and that it is only through our own efforts that we can hope to overcome the influence of Evil. He suggests that we must be vigilant and self-aware, and that we must constantly strive to resist the temptations of Evil if we are to lead virtuous and fulfilling lives.
Overall, The Legend of Evil is a powerful and thought-provoking piece of poetry that explores some of the most fundamental questions of the human condition. Kipling's use of language is masterful, and his ability to evoke powerful emotions and images in the minds of his readers is truly remarkable. Whether you are a seasoned poetry enthusiast or a newcomer to the world of literature, The Legend of Evil is a must-read that is sure to leave a lasting impression on your mind and your soul.
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