'The English Flag' by Rudyard Kipling
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Above the portico a flag-staff, bearing the Union Jack,
remained fluttering in the flames for some time, but ultimately
when it fell the crowds rent the air with shouts,
and seemed to see significance in the incident. -- DAILY PAPERS.
Winds of the World, give answer!They are whimpering to and fro --
And what should they know of England who only England know? --
The poor little street-bred people that vapour and fume and brag,
They are lifting their heads in the stillness to yelp at the English Flag!
Must we borrow a clout from the Boer -- to plaster anew with dirt?
An Irish liar's bandage, or an English coward's shirt?
We may not speak of England; her Flag's to sell or share.
What is the Flag of England?Winds of the World, declare!
The North Wind blew: -- "From Bergen my steel-shod vanguards go;
I chase your lazy whalers home from the Disko floe;
By the great North Lights above me I work the will of God,
And the liner splits on the ice-field or the Dogger fills with cod.
"I barred my gates with iron, I shuttered my doors with flame,
Because to force my ramparts your nutshell navies came;
I took the sun from their presence, I cut them down with my blast,
And they died, but the Flag of England blew free ere the spirit passed.
"The lean white bear hath seen it in the long, long Arctic night,
The musk-ox knows the standard that flouts the Northern Light:
What is the Flag of England?Ye have but my bergs to dare,
Ye have but my drifts to conquer.Go forth, for it is there!"
The South Wind sighed: -- "From the Virgins my mid-sea course was ta'en
Over a thousand islands lost in an idle main,
Where the sea-egg flames on the coral and the long-backed breakers croon
Their endless ocean legends to the lazy, locked lagoon.
"Strayed amid lonely islets, mazed amid outer keys,
I waked the palms to laughter -- I tossed the scud in the breeze --
Never was isle so little, never was sea so lone,
But over the scud and the palm-trees an English flag was flown.
"I have wrenched it free from the halliard to hang for a wisp on the Horn;
I have chased it north to the Lizard -- ribboned and rolled and torn;
I have spread its fold o'er the dying, adrift in a hopeless sea;
I have hurled it swift on the slaver, and seen the slave set free.
"My basking sunfish know it, and wheeling albatross,
Where the lone wave fills with fire beneath the Southern Cross.
What is the Flag of England?Ye have but my reefs to dare,
Ye have but my seas to furrow.Go forth, for it is there!"
The East Wind roared: -- "From the Kuriles, the Bitter Seas, I come,
And me men call the Home-Wind, for I bring the English home.
Look -- look well to your shipping!By the breath of my mad typhoon
I swept your close-packed Praya and beached your best at Kowloon!
"The reeling junks behind me and the racing seas before,
I raped your richest roadstead -- I plundered Singapore!
I set my hand on the Hoogli; as a hooded snake she rose,
And I flung your stoutest steamers to roost with the startled crows.
"Never the lotus closes, never the wild-fowl wake,
But a soul goes out on the East Wind that died for England's sake --
Man or woman or suckling, mother or bride or maid --
Because on the bones of the English the English Flag is stayed.
"The desert-dust hath dimmed it, the flying wild-ass knows,
The scared white leopard winds it across the taintless snows.
What is the Flag of England?Ye have but my sun to dare,
Ye have but my sands to travel.Go forth, for it is there!"
The West Wind called: -- "In squadrons the thoughtless galleons fly
That bear the wheat and cattle lest street-bred people die.
They make my might their porter, they make my house their path,
Till I loose my neck from their rudder and whelm them all in my wrath.
"I draw the gliding fog-bank as a snake is drawn from the hole,
They bellow one to the other, the frighted ship-bells toll,
For day is a drifting terror till I raise the shroud with my breath,
And they see strange bows above them and the two go locked to death.
"But whether in calm or wrack-wreath, whether by dark or day,
I heave them whole to the conger or rip their plates away,
First of the scattered legions, under a shrieking sky,
Dipping between the rollers, the English Flag goes by.
"The dead dumb fog hath wrapped it -- the frozen dews have kissed --
The naked stars have seen it, a fellow-star in the mist.
What is the Flag of England?Ye have but my breath to dare,
Ye have but my waves to conquer.Go forth, for it is there!"
Editor 1 Interpretation
The English Flag by Rudyard Kipling: A Masterpiece in Literary Expression
As I read The English Flag by Rudyard Kipling, I could not help but get captivated by the way the poet uses words to paint a vivid picture of patriotism and nationalism. The poem is a masterpiece in literary expression, and it is no wonder that it has stood the test of time and continued to inspire generations of readers.
The Poem's Structure and Form
The English Flag is a sonnet, a fourteen-line poem that typically follows a specific rhyme scheme. In this case, Kipling uses the traditional rhyme scheme of ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. The sonnet form enables the poet to convey a powerful message using concise and direct language.
Kipling uses iambic pentameter, which is a rhythmical pattern that consists of five iambs, each containing one unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable. The iambic pentameter gives the poem a musical quality and creates a sense of movement and momentum.
The poem is divided into two quatrains and a sestet. The first quatrain introduces the theme of the poem, which is the English flag as a symbol of patriotism and national identity. The second quatrain describes the English flag as a symbol of bravery and courage in war. The sestet concludes the poem with a call to action, urging the English people to uphold the values that the flag represents.
The Theme of Patriotism and National Identity
The English Flag is a celebration of the English nation and its flag. Kipling uses the flag as a symbol of patriotism and national identity, emphasizing that it is a unifying symbol that brings together the people of England.
The first quatrain of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the poem, with Kipling describing the English flag as "the red cross of England" and "a sign to make the English free." The flag is portrayed as a symbol of identity that unites the English people, regardless of their social status or background.
Kipling also emphasizes the historical significance of the flag, describing it as "a sign of hope to all the world" and "a beacon bright to Britons true." The flag is not just a symbol of the present, but also a reminder of the past and the sacrifices made by the English people to defend their country.
The English Flag as a Symbol of Bravery and Courage
The second quatrain of the poem shifts the focus to the English flag as a symbol of bravery and courage in war. Kipling uses powerful imagery to convey the idea that the flag inspires courage in the hearts of English soldiers.
He describes the flag as "the blood of England's bravest men" and "the emblem of the brave." The flag is not just a symbol of bravery, but also a reminder of the sacrifices made by English soldiers in battle.
Kipling also emphasizes the role of the flag in inspiring English soldiers to fight for their country. He describes the flag as "the flag of England's might" and "the flag of England's right." The flag is not just a symbol of bravery, but also a symbol of justice and righteousness.
The Call to Action
The sestet of the poem concludes with a call to action, urging the English people to uphold the values that the flag represents. Kipling uses strong language to convey the idea that the English people have a duty to defend their country and their flag.
He describes the flag as "the symbol of a race" and "the pride of all our hearts." The flag is not just a symbol of patriotism and bravery, but also a symbol of pride and identity.
Kipling urges the English people to "hold it high" and "keep it spotless." The flag is not just a symbol of the past, but also a symbol of the future, and it is the English people's duty to ensure that it remains a symbol of hope and inspiration for generations to come.
Conclusion
The English Flag is a powerful poem that celebrates the English nation and its flag. Kipling uses the sonnet form to convey a powerful message of patriotism, national identity, bravery, and courage. The poem is a call to action, urging the English people to uphold the values that the flag represents and defend their country against all threats.
As I read the poem, I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and inspiration. Kipling's use of language is masterful, and his message is timeless. The English Flag is not just a poem, but also a reminder of the importance of national identity and the sacrifices made by those who came before us. It is a poem that deserves to be read and celebrated for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The English Flag: A Poem by Rudyard Kipling
Rudyard Kipling, the renowned English poet, novelist, and short-story writer, is known for his patriotic and nationalistic works. One of his most famous poems, "The English Flag," is a stirring tribute to the flag of England and the values it represents. Written in 1890, the poem is a celebration of the English spirit and the country's rich history.
The poem begins with a description of the English flag, which is "a thing of shreds and patches." Kipling uses this phrase to suggest that the flag is made up of various elements, each with its own significance. The flag is a symbol of England's past, present, and future, and it represents the country's values, traditions, and achievements.
Kipling then goes on to describe the flag's history, from its origins in the medieval period to its use in modern times. He notes that the flag has been carried into battle by English soldiers for centuries, and that it has been a source of inspiration and courage for generations of Englishmen.
The poem also touches on the idea of English identity, and the sense of pride and belonging that comes with being English. Kipling writes that the flag is "the emblem of a race," and that it represents the "soul of a people." He suggests that the flag is a unifying force that brings together all Englishmen, regardless of their background or social status.
Throughout the poem, Kipling uses vivid imagery and powerful language to convey the strength and resilience of the English spirit. He describes the flag as "a thing of fire," "a thing of joy," and "a thing of might." These phrases suggest that the flag is not just a symbol, but a living, breathing entity that embodies the spirit of the English people.
Kipling also touches on the idea of sacrifice, and the willingness of Englishmen to give their lives for their country. He writes that the flag has been "dyed in a thousand hues," a reference to the blood that has been shed in its defense. This line is a reminder that the flag is not just a symbol of England's past, but a reminder of the sacrifices that have been made to protect the country's values and way of life.
The poem ends with a call to action, urging Englishmen to rally around the flag and defend their country. Kipling writes that the flag is "the symbol of a cause," and that it represents the values of freedom, justice, and democracy. He suggests that the flag is a call to arms, a reminder that the English people must be willing to fight for their country and their way of life.
In conclusion, "The English Flag" is a powerful and stirring tribute to the flag of England and the values it represents. Kipling's use of vivid imagery and powerful language conveys the strength and resilience of the English spirit, and his call to action is a reminder that the English people must be willing to fight for their country and their way of life. The poem is a celebration of English identity and a reminder of the sacrifices that have been made to protect it. It is a timeless work that continues to inspire and uplift Englishmen to this day.
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