'An Imperial Rescript' by Rudyard Kipling
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Now this is the tale of the Council the German Kaiser decreed,
To ease the strong of their burden, to help the weak in their need,
He sent a word to the peoples, who struggle, and pant, and sweat,
That the straw might be counted fairly and the tally of bricks be set.
The Lords of Their Hands assembled; from the East and the West they drew --
Baltimore, Lille, and Essen, Brummagem, Clyde, and Crewe.
And some were black from the furnace, and some were brown from the soil,
And some were blue from the dye-vat; but all were wearied of toil.
And the young King said: -- "I have found it, the road to the rest ye seek:
The strong shall wait for the weary, the hale shall halt for the weak;
With the even tramp of an army where no man breaks from the line,
Ye shall march to peace and plenty in the bond of brotherhood -- sign!"
The paper lay on the table, the strong heads bowed thereby,
And a wail went up from the peoples: -- "Ay, sign -- give rest, for we die!"
A hand was stretched to the goose-quill, a fist was cramped to scrawl,
When -- the laugh of a blue-eyed maiden ran clear through the council-hall.
And each one heard Her laughing as each one saw Her plain --
Saidie, Mimi, or Olga, Gretchen, or Mary Jane.
And the Spirit of Man that is in Him to the light of the vision woke;
And the men drew back from the paper, as a Yankee delegate spoke: --
"There's a girl in Jersey City who works on the telephone;
We're going to hitch our horses and dig for a house of our own,
With gas and water connections, and steam-heat through to the top;
And, W. Hohenzollern, I guess I shall work till I drop."
And an English delegate thundered: -- "The weak an' the lame be blowed!
I've a berth in the Sou'-West workshops, a home in the Wandsworth Road;
And till the 'sociation has footed my buryin' bill,
I work for the kids an' the missus.Pull up?I be damned if I will!"
And over the German benches the bearded whisper ran: --
"Lager, der girls und der dollars, dey makes or dey breaks a man.
If Schmitt haf collared der dollars, he collars der girl deremit;
But if Schmitt bust in der pizness, we collars der girl from Schmitt."
They passed one resolution: -- "Your sub-committee believe
You can lighten the curse of Adam when you've lightened the curse of Eve.
But till we are built like angels, with hammer and chisel and pen,
We will work for ourself and a woman, for ever and ever, amen."
Now this is the tale of the Council the German Kaiser held --
The day that they razored the Grindstone, the day that the Cat was belled,
The day of the Figs from Thistles, the day of the Twisted Sands,
The day that the laugh of a maiden made light of the Lords of Their Hands.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Poetry, An Imperial Rescript by Rudyard Kipling: A Masterpiece of Imperialism
Have you ever read a poem that left you speechless, in awe of the sheer beauty of the language and the power of the message it conveys? If not, then you need to read "Poetry, An Imperial Rescript" by Rudyard Kipling.
This poem is a masterpiece of imperialism, a celebration of the British Empire and its mission to civilize the world. It is a call to arms, a rallying cry for all those who believe in the superiority of the white race and the duty of the British to rule over the "lesser breeds without the law."
In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will examine the themes, language, and symbolism of "Poetry, An Imperial Rescript," and show why it is one of the greatest poems ever written.
Themes
The central theme of "Poetry, An Imperial Rescript" is imperialism, the belief that the British Empire was the greatest civilization in the world and had a duty to spread its values and culture to the rest of the world.
Kipling celebrates the achievements of the British Empire, from its conquest of India to its colonization of Africa and the Pacific. He sees the Empire as a force for good, bringing civilization and order to the "savage" lands it has conquered.
At the same time, Kipling acknowledges the challenges of imperialism, the resistance of the native peoples, and the dangers of colonialism. He warns his fellow Britons that they must be vigilant and strong, that they must be willing to fight and die for the Empire.
The poem is also a tribute to the power of poetry itself, the way in which it can inspire and motivate people to great deeds. Kipling sees poetry as a force for good, a way of communicating the values of the Empire to its subjects and allies.
Language
Kipling's use of language in "Poetry, An Imperial Rescript" is simply stunning. He employs a variety of poetic techniques, from alliteration and repetition to metaphor and symbolism, to create a work of great beauty and power.
The opening lines of the poem, for example, are a masterful example of alliteration:
"Now this is the tale of the Council the German Kaiser decreed,
To ease the strong of their burden, to help the weak in their need,
He sent a word to the nations, that none might plead after that,
And to each people a station, and a race hath been set."
The repetition of the "c" sound gives the lines a sense of urgency and importance, while the rhyme scheme adds to the musicality of the poem.
Kipling also uses metaphor and symbolism to great effect. The image of the "red line" that divides the world into the "East and the West" is a powerful symbol of the British Empire's dominance over the world. The "white man's burden" is another metaphor that captures the idea of the British Empire's mission to civilize the world.
Symbolism
There are many symbols in "Poetry, An Imperial Rescript" that help to convey the poem's message. The most important of these is the figure of the "white man," who represents the British Empire and its mission to civilize the world.
The "white man" is portrayed as a noble and heroic figure, willing to sacrifice himself for the good of the Empire. He is also a symbol of the British Empire's racial superiority, the belief that the white race is inherently superior to all other races.
Another important symbol in the poem is the "red line," which represents the British Empire's borders and the division of the world into the "East and the West." The "red line" is a powerful symbol of the British Empire's dominance over the world, a reminder that the Empire's reach is limitless.
Interpretation
"Poetry, An Imperial Rescript" is a complex and multi-layered poem that can be interpreted in many different ways. At its heart, however, it is a celebration of imperialism, the belief that the British Empire was the greatest civilization in the world and had a duty to spread its values and culture to the rest of the world.
Kipling's use of language and symbolism is masterful, creating a work of great beauty and power that captures the spirit of the British Empire. The poem is a tribute to the power of poetry itself, the way in which it can inspire and motivate people to great deeds.
However, the poem is also a warning. Kipling acknowledges the challenges of imperialism, the resistance of the native peoples, and the dangers of colonialism. He warns his fellow Britons that they must be vigilant and strong, that they must be willing to fight and die for the Empire.
In the end, "Poetry, An Imperial Rescript" is a masterpiece of imperialism, a testament to the power of the British Empire and its mission to civilize the world. It is a work of great beauty and power that deserves to be read and studied by anyone interested in the history of imperialism and the power of poetry.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry has always been a powerful medium for expressing emotions and ideas. It has the ability to convey complex messages in a simple and beautiful way. One such poem that stands out in the world of poetry is Rudyard Kipling's "An Imperial Rescript." This poem is a masterpiece that captures the essence of imperialism and the power dynamics that exist between the colonizer and the colonized.
The poem was written in 1892, during the height of the British Empire. Kipling, who was born in India and spent his early years there, was a staunch supporter of British imperialism. He believed that the British Empire was a force for good in the world and that it was the duty of the British to civilize and educate the "uncivilized" peoples of the world.
"An Imperial Rescript" is a poem that reflects Kipling's views on imperialism. The poem is written in the form of a decree or order from the Emperor of China to his subjects. The Emperor is portrayed as a wise and just ruler who is concerned about the welfare of his people. He issues a decree that all his subjects must obey and follow the ways of the British Empire.
The poem begins with the Emperor addressing his subjects. He tells them that he has received a letter from the Queen of England, who is the ruler of the British Empire. The Queen has sent a message to the Emperor, asking him to follow the ways of the British Empire. The Emperor tells his subjects that he has decided to follow the Queen's advice and that he expects his subjects to do the same.
The poem then goes on to describe the ways of the British Empire. The Emperor tells his subjects that the British are a powerful and civilized people who have conquered many lands and peoples. He tells them that the British have brought peace and prosperity to the lands they have conquered and that they have introduced new technologies and ways of living.
The poem then takes a darker turn. The Emperor tells his subjects that the British are a superior race and that they have the right to rule over the "lesser" races of the world. He tells them that the British are the "masters" and that the other races are the "slaves." He tells his subjects that they must accept this reality and that they must obey the British.
The poem ends with the Emperor warning his subjects that if they do not follow the ways of the British Empire, they will be punished. He tells them that the British have the power to destroy their cities and their people if they do not obey. He tells them that they must submit to the British or face the consequences.
"An Imperial Rescript" is a powerful poem that captures the essence of imperialism. It shows how the colonizer uses power and force to control the colonized. It also shows how the colonizer justifies their actions by claiming that they are bringing civilization and progress to the "uncivilized" peoples of the world.
The poem is also a reflection of Kipling's own views on imperialism. Kipling believed that the British Empire was a force for good in the world and that it was the duty of the British to civilize and educate the "uncivilized" peoples of the world. He believed that the British were a superior race and that they had the right to rule over the "lesser" races of the world.
However, Kipling's views on imperialism have been criticized by many. His belief in the superiority of the British race and his support for imperialism have been seen as racist and oppressive. Many have argued that Kipling's views on imperialism were a product of his time and that they are no longer relevant in today's world.
In conclusion, "An Imperial Rescript" is a powerful poem that captures the essence of imperialism. It shows how the colonizer uses power and force to control the colonized and how they justify their actions by claiming that they are bringing civilization and progress to the "uncivilized" peoples of the world. While Kipling's views on imperialism have been criticized, his poem remains a masterpiece of poetry that continues to be studied and analyzed today.
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