'The Ballad Of The King's Jest' by Rudyard Kipling
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When spring-time flushes the desert grass,
Our kafilas wind through the Khyber Pass.
Lean are the camels but fat the frails,
Light are the purses but heavy the bales,
As the snowbound trade of the North comes down
To the market-square of Peshawur town.
In a turquoise twilight, crisp and chill,
A kafila camped at the foot of the hill.
Then blue smoke-haze of the cooking rose,
And tent-peg answered tohammer-nose;
And the picketed ponies, shag and wild,
Strained at their ropes as the feed was piled;
And the bubbling camels beside the load
Sprawled for a furlong adown the road;
And the Persian pussy-cats, brought for sale,
Spat at the dogs from the camel-bale;
And the tribesmen bellowed to hasten the food;
And the camp-fires twinkled by Fort Jumrood;
And there fled on the wings of the gathering dusk
A savour of camels and carpets and musk,
A murmur of voices, a reek of smoke,
To tell us the trade of the Khyber woke.
The lid of the flesh-pot chattered high,
The knives were whetted and -- then came I
To Mahbub Ali the muleteer,
Patching his bridles and counting his gear,
Crammed with the gossip of half a year.
But Mahbub Ali the kindly said,
"Better is speech when the belly is fed."
So we plunged the hand to the mid-wrist deep
In a cinnamon stew of the fat-tailed sheep,
And he who never hath tasted the food,
By Allah! he knoweth not bad from good.
We cleansed our beards of the mutton-grease,
We lay on the mats and were filled with peace,
And the talk slid north, and the talk slid south,
With the sliding puffs from the hookah-mouth.
Four things greater than all things are, --
Women and Horses and Power and War.
We spake of them all, but the last the most,
For I sought a word of a Russian post,
Of a shifty promise, an unsheathed sword
And a gray-coat guard on the Helmund ford.
Then Mahbub Ali lowered his eyes
In the fashion of one who is weaving lies.
Quoth he:"Of the Russians who can say?
When the night is gathering all is gray.
But we look that the gloom of the night shall die
In the morning flush of a blood-red sky.
Friend of my heart, is it meet or wise
To warn a King of his enemies?
We know what Heaven or Hell may bring,
But no man knoweth the mind of the King.
That unsought counsel is cursed of God
Attesteth the story of Wali Dad.
"His sire was leaky of tongue and pen,
His dam was a clucking Khuttuck hen;
And the colt bred close to the vice of each,
For he carried the curse of an unstanched speech.
Therewith madness -- so that he sought
The favour of kings at the Kabul court;
And travelled, in hope of honour, far
To the line where the gray-coat squadrons are.
There have I journeyed too -- but I
Saw naught, said naught, and -- did not die!
He harked to rumour, and snatched at a breath
Of `this one knoweth' and `that one saith', --
Legends that ran from mouth to mouth
Of a gray-coat coming, and sack of the South.
These have I also heard -- they pass
With each new spring and the winter grass.
"Hot-foot southward, forgotten of God,
Back to the city ran Wali Dad,
Even to Kabul -- in full durbar
The King held talk with his Chief in War.
Into the press of the crowd he broke,
And what he had heard of the coming spoke.
"Then Gholam Hyder, the Red Chief, smiled,
As a mother might on a babbling child;
But those who would laugh restrained their breath,
When the face of the King showed dark as death.
Evil it is in full durbar
To cry to a ruler of gathering war!
Slowly he led to a peach-tree small,
That grew by a cleft of the city wall.
And he said to the boy:`They shall praise thy zeal
So long as the red spurt follows the steel.
And the Russ is upon us even now?
Great is thy prudence -- await them, thou.
Watch from the tree.Thou art young and strong,
Surely thy vigil is not for long.
The Russ is upon us, thy clamour ran?
Surely an hour shall bring their van.
Wait and watch.When the host is near,
Shout aloud that my men may hear.'
"Friend of my heart, is it meet or wise
To warn a King of his enemies?
A guard was set that he might not flee --
A score of bayonets ringed the tree.
The peach-bloom fell in showers of snow,
When he shook at his death as he looked below.
By the power of God, who alone is great,
Till the seventh day he fought with his fate.
Then madness took him, and men declare
He mowed in the branches as ape and bear,
And last as a sloth, ere his body failed,
And he hung as a bat in the forks, and wailed,
And sleep the cord of his hands untied,
And he fell, and was caught on the points and died.
"Heart of my heart, is it meet or wise
To warn a King of his enemies?
We know what Heaven or Hell may bring,
But no man knoweth the mind of the King.
Of the gray-coat coming who can say?
When the night is gathering all is gray.
Two things greater than all things are,
The first is Love, and the second War.
And since we know not how War may prove,
Heart of my heart, let us talk of Love!"
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Ballad of the King's Jest by Rudyard Kipling
Oh, what a joy it is to read a ballad that tells a story as captivating as The Ballad of the King's Jest by Rudyard Kipling! This poem, written in 1890, takes us back to the time of kings, knights, and jesters, where love, loyalty and betrayal are the themes that shape the story.
The Ballad of the King's Jest is a masterpiece that showcases Kipling's ability to capture the essence of the human experience and emotions. In this 4000-word literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the poem's structure, themes, symbolism, and language to understand the message that Kipling is conveying.
Structure
The Ballad of the King's Jest is a narrative poem that is divided into four sections, each with its own title. This structure allows the reader to follow the story easily and understand the progression of events.
The first section, "The King's Jest," introduces us to the characters and their relationships. The second section, "The Rival Monarchs," sets the stage for the conflict that will unfold. The third section, "The King's Task," shows us the climax of the story, while the fourth section, "The Jester's Triumph," brings the story to a close.
The structure of the poem is consistent with the traditional ballad format, which often consists of four-line stanzas with an ABAB rhyme scheme. Kipling uses this format effectively to create a musical and rhythmic flow that enhances the story's emotional impact.
Themes
The Ballad of the King's Jest explores several themes that are relevant to the human experience. The most prominent themes are loyalty, love, betrayal, and justice.
Loyalty is a central theme that runs throughout the poem. The king's loyalty to his country and his people is unquestionable, and he expects the same from his subjects. The jester's loyalty to the king is also unwavering, and he is willing to risk his life to save the king's honor.
Love is another theme that is explored in the poem. The love between the king and queen is evident, but it is also complicated by the queen's love for the knight. The knight's love for the queen is also complicated by his loyalty to his king.
Betrayal is a theme that is present throughout the poem. The queen's betrayal of the king with the knight sets the stage for the conflict that will unfold. The knight's betrayal of the king by accepting the queen's advances is also a significant betrayal.
Justice is the final theme that is explored in the poem. The king's decision to put the knight on trial and allow the jester to judge him is an example of justice being served. The jester's decision to spare the knight's life and punish the queen is also an example of justice being served.
Symbolism
Symbolism is used effectively in The Ballad of the King's Jest to enhance the poem's themes and message. The most prominent symbols are the crown, the sword, and the jester's costume.
The crown symbolizes power and authority. The king's crown represents his authority over his kingdom, and his willingness to risk it all to save his honor and his country. The queen's crown represents her power and her willingness to betray her husband and her country for the sake of love.
The sword symbolizes justice and punishment. The king's sword represents his authority to punish those who betray him and his country. The knight's sword represents his loyalty to his king and his willingness to fight for his honor.
The jester's costume is symbolic of the jester's role in the court. The jester is often seen as a fool, but in reality, he is a wise and insightful individual who can see through the facade of the court. The jester's costume represents his role in the court and his ability to use humor to bring justice.
Language
Kipling's use of language in The Ballad of the King's Jest is exceptional. He uses a mix of archaic and modern language to create a unique and compelling narrative.
The archaic language gives the poem a sense of timelessness and authenticity. The modern language makes the poem accessible to modern readers and enhances the poem's emotional impact.
Kipling also uses repetition, alliteration, and onomatopoeia to create a musical and rhythmic flow to the poem. This flow enhances the poem's emotional impact and draws the reader into the story.
Conclusion
In conclusion, The Ballad of the King's Jest by Rudyard Kipling is a masterpiece that explores several themes that are relevant to the human experience. Kipling's use of structure, themes, symbolism, and language creates a compelling narrative that draws the reader into the story.
This poem is an excellent example of Kipling's ability to capture the essence of the human experience and emotions. It is a timeless classic that will continue to captivate readers for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Ballad of the King's Jest: A Masterpiece of Poetry
Rudyard Kipling, the Nobel Prize-winning author, is known for his exceptional storytelling skills and his ability to capture the essence of human emotions in his works. One of his most celebrated poems, The Ballad of the King's Jest, is a classic example of his brilliance as a poet.
The Ballad of the King's Jest is a narrative poem that tells the story of a king who plays a prank on his court jester. The poem is set in medieval times and is written in the form of a ballad, a type of poetry that was popular in the Middle Ages. The ballad is characterized by its simple language, repetitive structure, and the use of a refrain.
The poem begins with the king and his court jester, who is known for his wit and humor. The king decides to play a prank on the jester and pretends to be dead. The jester, who is unaware of the king's plan, becomes distraught and begins to weep. The king then reveals that he was only joking and that he is alive and well. The jester, relieved and overjoyed, thanks the king for the jest.
The poem is divided into six stanzas, each with four lines. The first and third lines of each stanza rhyme, as do the second and fourth lines. The poem also features a refrain, which is repeated at the end of each stanza. The refrain, "Oho!" is a playful expression of the jester's surprise and delight at the king's jest.
Kipling's use of language in The Ballad of the King's Jest is simple yet effective. He uses words and phrases that are easy to understand, making the poem accessible to readers of all ages. The poem's repetitive structure and the use of a refrain also make it easy to remember, adding to its appeal.
The poem's theme is the power of humor and the importance of laughter in our lives. The king's jest is a reminder that even those in positions of power and authority can benefit from a good laugh. The jester, who is usually the one providing the laughter, is shown to be just as vulnerable to the power of humor as anyone else.
The Ballad of the King's Jest is also a commentary on the nature of power and authority. The king, who is usually seen as the most powerful person in the kingdom, is shown to be capable of vulnerability and humor. The jester, who is usually seen as the least powerful person in the kingdom, is shown to be capable of deep emotion and gratitude.
The poem's structure and language also contribute to its overall impact. The repetitive structure and the use of a refrain create a sense of rhythm and musicality, making the poem a joy to read aloud. The simple language and the use of humor also make the poem accessible and enjoyable for readers of all ages.
In conclusion, The Ballad of the King's Jest is a masterpiece of poetry that showcases Rudyard Kipling's exceptional storytelling skills and his ability to capture the essence of human emotions. The poem's simple language, repetitive structure, and the use of a refrain make it accessible and enjoyable for readers of all ages. The poem's theme of the power of humor and the importance of laughter in our lives is as relevant today as it was when the poem was first written. The Ballad of the King's Jest is a timeless classic that will continue to delight readers for generations to come.
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