'The Last Rhyme Of True Thomas' by Rudyard Kipling
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The King has called for priest and cup,
The King has taken spur and blade
To dub True Thomas a belted knight,
And all for the sake o' the songs he made.
They have sought him high, they have sought him low,
They have sought him over down and lea;
They have found him by the milk-white thorn
That guards the gates o' Faerie.
'Twas bent beneath and blue above,
Their eyes were held that they might not see
The kine that grazed beneath the knowes,
Oh, they were the Queens o' Faerie!
"Now cease your song," the King he said,
"Oh, cease your song and get you dight
To vow your vow and watch your arms,
For I will dub you a belted knight.
"For I will give you a horse o' pride,
Wi' blazon and spur and page and squire;
Wi' keep and tail and seizin and law,
And land to hold at your desire."
True Thomas smiled above his harp,
And turned his face to the naked sky,
Where, blown before the wastrel wind,
The thistle-down she floated by.
"I ha' vowed my vow in another place,
And bitter oath it was on me,
I ha' watched my arms the lee-long night,
Where five-score fighting men would flee.
"My lance is tipped o' the hammered flame,
My shield is beat o' the moonlight cold;
And I won my spurs in the Middle World,
A thousand fathom beneath the mould.
"And what should I make wi' a horse o' pride,
And what should I make wi' a sword so brown,
But spill the rings o' the Gentle Folk
And flyte my kin in the Fairy Town?
"And what should I make wi' blazon and belt,
Wi' keep and tail and seizin and fee,
And what should I do wi' page and squire
That am a king in my own countrie?
"For I send east and I send west,
And I send far as my will may flee,
By dawn and dusk and the drinking rain,
And syne my Sendings return to me.
"They come wi' news of the groanin' earth,
They come wi' news o' the roarin' sea,
Wi' word of Spirit and Ghost and Flesh,
And man, that's mazed among the three."
The King he bit his nether lip,
And smote his hand upon his knee:
"By the faith o' my soul, True Thomas," he said,
"Ye waste no wit in courtesie!
"As I desire, unto my pride,
Can I make Earls by three and three,
To run before and ride behind
And serve the sons o' my body."
"And what care I for your row-foot earls,
Or all the sons o' your body?
Before they win to the Pride o' Name,
I trow they all ask leave o' me.
"For I make Honour wi' muckle mouth,
As I make Shame wi' mincin' feet,
To sing wi' the priests at the market-cross,
Or run wi' the dogs in the naked street.
"And some they give me the good red gold,
And some they give me the white money,
And some they give me a clout o' meal,
For they be people o' low degree.
"And the song I sing for the counted gold
The same I sing for the white money,
But best I sing for the clout o' meal
That simple people given me."
The King cast down a silver groat,
A silver groat o' Scots money,
"If I come wi' a poor man's dole," he said,
"True Thomas, will ye harp to me?"
"Whenas I harp to the children small,
They press me close on either hand.
And who are you," True Thomas said,
"That you should ride while they must stand?
"Light down, light down from your horse o' pride,
I trow ye talk too loud and hie,
And I will make you a triple word,
And syne, if ye dare, ye shall 'noble me."
He has lighted down from his horse o' pride,
And set his back against the stone.
"Now guard you well," True Thomas said,
"Ere I rax your heart from your breast-bone!"
True Thomas played upon his harp,
The fairy harp that couldna lee,
And the first least word the proud King heard,
It harpit the salt tear out o' his ee.
"Oh, I see the love that I lost long syne,
I touch the hope that I may not see,
And all that I did o' hidden shame,
Like little snakes they hiss at me.
"The sun is lost at noon -- at noon!
The dread o' doom has grippit me.
True Thomas, hide me under your cloak,
God wot, I'm little fit to dee!"
'Twas bent beneath and blue above --
'Twas open field and running flood --
Where, hot on heath and dike and wall,
The high sun warmed the adder's brood.
"Lie down, lie down," True Thomas said.
"The God shall judge when all is done.
But I will bring you a better word
And lift the cloud that I laid on."
True Thomas played upon his harp,
That birled and brattled to his hand,
And the next least word True Thomas made,
It garred the King take horse and brand.
"Oh, I hear the tread o' the fighting men,
I see the sun on splent and spear.
I mark the arrow outen the fern
That flies so low and sings so clear!
"Advance my standards to that war,
And bid my good knights prick and ride;
The gled shall watch as fierce a fight
As e'er was fought on the Border side!"
'Twas bent beneath and blue above,
'Twas nodding grass and naked sky,
Where, ringing up the wastrel wind,
The eyas stooped upon the pie.
True Thomas sighed above his harp,
And turned the song on the midmost string;
And the last least word True Thomas made,
He harpit his dead youth back to the King.
"Now I am prince, and I do well
To love my love withouten fear;
To walk wi' man in fellowship,
And breathe my horse behind the deer.
"My hounds they bay unto the death,
The buck has couched beyond the burn,
My love she waits at her window
To wash my hands when I return.
"For that I live am I content
(Oh! I have seen my true love's eyes)
To stand wi' Adam in Eden-glade,
And run in the woods o' Paradise!"
'Twas naked sky and nodding grass,
'Twas running flood and wastrel wind,
Where, checked against the open pass,
The red deer belled to call the hind.
True Thomas laid his harp away,
And louted low at the saddle-side;
He has taken stirrup and hauden rein,
And set the King on his horse o' pride.
"Sleep ye or wake," True Thomas said,
"That sit so still, that muse so long;
Sleep ye or wake? -- till the latter sleep
I trow ye'll not forget my song.
"I ha' harpit a shadow out o' the sun
To stand before your face and cry;
I ha' armed the earth beneath your heel,
And over your head I ha' dusked the sky.
"I ha' harpit ye up to the throne o' God,
I ha' harpit your midmost soul in three;
I ha' harpit ye down to the Hinges o' Hell,
And -- ye -- would -- make -- a Knight o' me!"
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Last Rhyme of True Thomas: A Literary Critique
As the sun set over the highlands of Scotland, the bards would gather around their campfires to recite the ancient ballads of their forefathers. Among these songs, one stood out for its haunting beauty and melancholic tone - The Last Rhyme of True Thomas, by the prolific writer Rudyard Kipling.
In this literary critique, we will delve deep into the themes, imagery, and symbolism of this classic poem, exploring Kipling's masterful use of language and his ability to evoke a sense of otherworldliness and mystery.
The Poem's Background
Before we begin, it's important to understand the context in which Kipling wrote this poem. True Thomas, also known as Thomas the Rhymer, was a legendary Scottish poet and seer who lived in the 13th century. According to folklore, Thomas was taken by the Queen of Elfland to live with her for seven years, after which he returned to the mortal world endowed with the gift of prophecy.
Kipling's poem is a retelling of the final rhyming prophecy that True Thomas gave before he died. The poem is a haunting meditation on the nature of time, death, and the transience of human life.
The Themes
One of the most striking aspects of The Last Rhyme of True Thomas is its central theme of mortality. Kipling paints a stark picture of the inevitability of death, using vivid imagery and metaphors to convey the fleeting nature of human existence.
The opening lines of the poem set the tone for this theme:
"When the King of Elfland rides, At the gloaming, gloaming, The last of his men go by: Darkening the roadway."
Here, Kipling is evoking the image of a funeral procession, with the King of Elfland serving as a metaphor for death itself. The word "gloaming" (meaning twilight) further reinforces this sense of foreboding, as the darkness gradually overtakes the light of day.
Throughout the poem, Kipling uses a series of powerful metaphors to convey the transience of human life. For example, he describes the passing of time as "wearing the world to the bone," and compares life to a "shadow on the water."
These images are both beautiful and haunting, serving to underscore the poem's central theme of mortality. Kipling is reminding us that we are all mortal, and that our time on this earth is limited.
The Imagery
Another aspect of The Last Rhyme of True Thomas that stands out is its powerful use of imagery. Kipling is a master of language, and his ability to evoke vivid images with his words is on full display in this poem.
One of the most striking images in the poem is that of the King of Elfland riding through the night:
"When the King of Elfland rides, At the gloaming, gloaming…"
This image is both beautiful and eerie, evoking a sense of otherworldliness and mystery. Kipling's use of repetition ("gloaming, gloaming") serves to reinforce this sense of the otherworldly, as if the King of Elfland is a creature of the night, existing outside of our normal, human experience.
Throughout the poem, Kipling uses a series of powerful metaphors and similes to evoke a sense of the transience of human life. For example, he compares life to a "shadow on the water," and describes the passing of time as "wearing the world to the bone."
These images are both beautiful and haunting, serving to underscore the poem's central theme of mortality. Kipling is reminding us that we are all mortal, and that our time on this earth is limited.
The Symbolism
Finally, The Last Rhyme of True Thomas is rich with symbolism, serving to deepen the poem's themes and imagery. One of the most powerful symbols in the poem is that of the King of Elfland himself.
As we mentioned earlier, the King of Elfland serves as a metaphor for death. However, he is also a symbolic representation of the otherworldly and mysterious forces that lie beyond our mortal experience.
The Elfland itself is also a potent symbol, representing the realm of the dead and the supernatural. Kipling uses imagery and symbolism to create a sense of mystery and otherworldliness, inviting us to contemplate the deeper mysteries of life and death.
Conclusion
In conclusion, The Last Rhyme of True Thomas is a hauntingly beautiful poem that delves deep into the themes of mortality, transience, and the otherworldly forces that lie beyond our mortal experience.
Kipling's masterful use of language, imagery, and symbolism serves to deepen the poem's themes and create a sense of melancholic beauty that lingers long after the words have been spoken.
Whether you are a fan of poetry or simply enjoy a good story, The Last Rhyme of True Thomas is a work of literature that is sure to captivate and inspire you.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Last Rhyme of True Thomas: A Masterpiece by Rudyard Kipling
Rudyard Kipling, the Nobel Prize-winning author, is known for his exceptional literary works that have stood the test of time. One of his most celebrated poems is "The Last Rhyme of True Thomas," a masterpiece that has captured the hearts of readers for generations. This poem is a perfect example of Kipling's mastery of language, imagery, and storytelling. In this article, we will delve into the depths of this poem and explore its themes, symbolism, and significance.
The poem tells the story of True Thomas, a Scottish poet and seer who was known for his prophetic visions. Thomas was said to have been taken to the fairy realm by the Queen of Elfland, where he was given the gift of prophecy. However, this gift came with a curse - he could not lie, and everything he said would come true. The poem begins with Thomas lamenting his fate and the burden of his gift:
"True Thomas lay on Huntlie bank; A ferlie he spied wi' his ee; And there he saw a lady bright, Come riding down by the Eildon Tree."
The opening lines of the poem set the tone for the rest of the story. Thomas is depicted as a melancholic figure, burdened by his gift and haunted by the visions he sees. The lady he sees riding down by the Eildon Tree is none other than the Queen of Elfland, who has come to take him back to her realm. Thomas is torn between his desire to return to the fairy realm and his fear of the consequences of his gift.
As the poem progresses, Thomas engages in a dialogue with the Queen of Elfland, who tries to persuade him to return with her. She promises him riches, power, and fame, but Thomas is not swayed. He knows that his gift comes with a heavy price, and he is not willing to pay it. The Queen of Elfland then reveals to him the fate that awaits him if he stays in the mortal world:
"Seven years shall come and seven years shall go; And never a one return to me. And at the end of seven years and a day, True Thomas will come back to me."
The Queen of Elfland's words are ominous and foreboding. They suggest that Thomas's fate is sealed, and he cannot escape it. The seven-year cycle is a recurring theme in Celtic mythology, and it symbolizes the cyclical nature of life and death. The Queen of Elfland's prophecy suggests that Thomas's life is bound by this cycle, and he cannot break free from it.
The poem reaches its climax when Thomas finally accepts his fate and agrees to return to the fairy realm. He knows that he cannot escape his destiny, and he must face it head-on. The final stanza of the poem is a haunting and beautiful tribute to Thomas's life and legacy:
"They hae ta'en away my bonnie bride, And sae has they my marrow; And I hae slain the deer sae wild, And man, but I am sorrow! And sae it's they that can lilt in rhyme, And it's they that can wield the quill; And it's they that can tell a true tale, While I maun be Thomas the Rhymer still."
The final stanza of the poem is a poignant reminder of the price that Thomas paid for his gift. He lost his love, his friends, and his freedom, and he was forced to live a life of solitude and sorrow. However, his legacy lives on through his poetry, which continues to inspire and captivate readers to this day.
In conclusion, "The Last Rhyme of True Thomas" is a masterpiece of poetry that showcases Rudyard Kipling's exceptional talent as a writer. The poem is a haunting and beautiful tribute to the life and legacy of True Thomas, a Scottish poet and seer who was known for his prophetic visions. The themes of fate, destiny, and the cyclical nature of life and death are woven throughout the poem, creating a powerful and evocative narrative that has stood the test of time. This poem is a must-read for anyone who loves poetry and wants to experience the beauty and power of language at its finest.
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