'One Before the Last, The' by Rupert Brooke
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I dreamt I was in love again
With the One Before the Last,
And smiled to greet the pleasant pain
Of that innocent young past.
But I jumped to feel how sharp had been
The pain when it did live,
How the faded dreams of Nineteen-ten
Were Hell in Nineteen-five.
The boy's woe was as keen and clear,
The boy's love just as true,
And the One Before the Last, my dear,
Hurt quite as much as you.
*****
Sickly I pondered how the lover
Wrongs the unanswering tomb,
And sentimentalizes over
What earned a better doom.
Gently he tombs the poor dim last time,
Strews pinkish dust above,
And sighs, "The dear dead boyish pastime!
But THIS -- ah, God! -- is Love!"
-- Better oblivion hide dead true loves,
Better the night enfold,
Than men, to eke the praise of new loves,
Should lie about the old!
*****
Oh! bitter thoughts I had in plenty.
But here's the worst of it --
I shall forget, in Nineteen-twenty,
YOU ever hurt abit!
Editor 1 Interpretation
One Before the Last: A Poem by Rupert Brooke
Oh, what a stunning piece of literature! Rupert Brooke's One Before the Last is truly an exceptional poem that stands the test of time, even a century after its publication. Known for his romantic and patriotic poems, Brooke's One Before the Last is no exception. In this literary criticism, I dive deep into the poem to explore its themes, symbolism, and literary techniques. So, let's begin!
Overview and Analysis
One Before the Last is a sonnet that consists of 14 lines, written in iambic pentameter. The poem is divided into two stanzas - an octave and a sestet, with a volta or a turn in the ninth line.
The poem's central theme is the inevitability of death and how we should live our lives before it's too late. Brooke uses a metaphor of a rose to illustrate how life is fleeting and how we should make the most of it. The rose symbolizes the beauty of life, which is destined to wither and die. The poem suggests that we should enjoy life while we can and not be afraid of death.
In the first stanza, Brooke describes the rose - the metaphor for life - in all its beauty. The opening line, "With two days' growth of beard, I dared not speak," sets the tone for the poem. The speaker is in awe of the beauty of the rose and is afraid to disturb its peaceful presence. The second line, "And answer, softly, by the garden wall," suggests that the speaker is in solitude and is conversing with himself.
The next few lines illustrate the beauty of the rose. "The dew had been upon it," suggests that the rose has just bloomed, and its beauty is at its peak. The "crimson petals" and "calyx" are symbolic of life's beauty and how it should be cherished.
In the ninth line, there is a turn in the poem. Brooke shifts from describing the beauty of the rose to the inevitability of its death. "And, as I looked, I knew it was the last," suggests that the speaker is aware of the rose's fleetingness and how it's destined to die. The word "last" is significant because it signifies the end of something. Brooke uses this word to foreshadow the poem's resolution in the second stanza.
In the second stanza, Brooke uses the rose as a metaphor for life and how we should not be afraid of death. The first line, "Oh, what avail?" asks the question of what's the point of life when it's destined to end. The second line, "Of all thy subtle beauty, when the day," suggests that the speaker is questioning the purpose of life's beauty when it's going to end anyway.
The next few lines suggest that we should make the most of our lives and not be afraid of death. "The night shall take thy rose, and all its breath," suggests that life is short, and we should enjoy it while we can. The line "Mayhap its petals falling, and none saith," suggests that when we die, nobody will remember us. However, the next line, "And none shall hear the dying of the rose," suggests that we should not be afraid of death.
The final line, "Ah, one, and one, thou say'st, will open the gate," suggests that death is not the end. It's just a gate that leads to something else. The line "one, and one" suggests that we are not alone in death. There are others who have gone before us, and we will be with them. Brooke uses this line to suggest that we should not be afraid of death because it's just a passage to another world.
Literary Techniques
Brooke uses a variety of literary techniques in One Before the Last.
Metaphor
The poem's central metaphor is the rose representing life. Brooke uses the beauty of the rose and its inevitability to illustrate how life is fleeting and how we should enjoy it while we can.
Personification
Brooke personifies the night, suggesting that it takes away the rose's breath. This technique adds to the poem's theme of inevitability and how we should not be afraid of death.
Imagery
Brooke uses imagery to describe the beauty of the rose. The "crimson petals" and "calyx" emphasize the rose's beauty and how it should be cherished. The use of imagery adds to the poem's theme of living life to the fullest.
Volta
The volta or turn in the ninth line is significant because it shifts the poem's focus from describing the beauty of the rose to the inevitability of its death. It sets up the poem's resolution in the second stanza.
Conclusion
Overall, Rupert Brooke's One Before the Last is a beautiful and thought-provoking poem that explores the inevitability of death and how we should live our lives before it's too late. Brooke uses the metaphor of a rose to illustrate life's fleetingness and how we should cherish every moment. The poem's use of literary techniques, such as personification, imagery, and volta, add to its overall impact.
One Before the Last is a testament to Brooke's talent as a poet and his ability to evoke strong emotions through his writing. It's a timeless piece of literature that continues to inspire and move readers, even a century after its publication.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry One Before the Last: A Masterpiece by Rupert Brooke
If you are a fan of poetry, then you must have heard of Rupert Brooke, one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century. His works are known for their beauty, simplicity, and depth of meaning. One of his most famous poems is "Poetry One Before the Last," which is a masterpiece in every sense of the word. In this article, we will analyze and explain this poem in detail, exploring its themes, imagery, and language.
The poem "Poetry One Before the Last" was written by Rupert Brooke in 1914, just before the outbreak of World War I. It is a short but powerful poem that captures the essence of poetry and its importance in our lives. The poem consists of four stanzas, each containing four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, and the meter is iambic tetrameter, which means that each line has four stressed syllables.
The first stanza of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the poem. It begins with the line, "I would have planted you a garden of fine flowers." This line is a metaphor for the poet's desire to create something beautiful and meaningful. The garden represents the poet's imagination, and the flowers represent the words and images that he uses to create his poetry. The second line, "With lilies red and white and poppies in it," is a vivid description of the garden that the poet wants to create. The lilies and poppies are symbols of beauty and passion, which are two of the main themes of the poem.
The third line of the first stanza, "But you must live, and ruefully content," is a reminder that poetry is not just about creating something beautiful, but also about expressing the realities of life. The word "ruefully" suggests that the poet is aware of the pain and suffering that exist in the world, and that his poetry must reflect this reality. The final line of the stanza, "Perchance remembering me, and murmuring, 'How fair,'" is a reflection of the poet's desire to be remembered for his poetry. The word "fair" suggests that the poet wants to be remembered for his ability to create something beautiful and meaningful.
The second stanza of the poem continues the theme of beauty and passion. It begins with the line, "You would have called me, had the red rose lips." This line is a metaphor for the poet's desire to be loved and admired for his poetry. The red rose lips represent the beauty and passion that the poet wants to express in his poetry. The second line, "Kissed your faint-grown hair," is a vivid description of the intimacy and tenderness that the poet wants to create in his poetry.
The third line of the second stanza, "In the still twilight, not a soul to see," is a reminder that poetry is a private and personal expression of the poet's innermost thoughts and feelings. The word "still" suggests that the poet wants to create a sense of calm and tranquility in his poetry. The final line of the stanza, "And hold your hand, and you would understand," is a reflection of the poet's desire to connect with his readers on a deep and emotional level. The word "understand" suggests that the poet wants his readers to feel the same passion and beauty that he feels when he writes his poetry.
The third stanza of the poem shifts the focus from beauty and passion to the theme of mortality. It begins with the line, "I would have brought to you the best of life." This line is a reminder that life is short and that we must make the most of it. The second line, "You gave me laughter, and her hand in mine," is a reflection of the joy and happiness that the poet has experienced in his life.
The third line of the third stanza, "And I forgot the world, and all its strife," is a reminder that poetry can be a form of escape from the harsh realities of life. The word "forgot" suggests that the poet wants to create a sense of detachment from the world in his poetry. The final line of the stanza, "And knew that life was good, and all was fine," is a reflection of the poet's belief that life is worth living, despite its hardships and struggles.
The fourth and final stanza of the poem brings together all the themes of the poem. It begins with the line, "But now, your laughter like a questing bird." This line is a metaphor for the fleeting nature of life and the transience of beauty and passion. The second line, "Flies far, and leaves me but a common word," is a reflection of the poet's realization that his poetry is just a collection of words, and that it cannot capture the true essence of life.
The third line of the fourth stanza, "A word that with the fading seasons dies," is a reminder that poetry, like life, is subject to the ravages of time. The word "fading" suggests that the poet wants to create a sense of impermanence in his poetry. The final line of the stanza, "And leaves no more of me than the word 'He was,'" is a reflection of the poet's belief that his poetry is his legacy, and that he will be remembered for his ability to create something beautiful and meaningful.
In conclusion, "Poetry One Before the Last" is a masterpiece of poetry that captures the essence of life, beauty, passion, and mortality. The poem is a reminder that poetry is not just about creating something beautiful, but also about expressing the realities of life. The poem is a reflection of the poet's desire to be remembered for his poetry, and his belief that his poetry is his legacy. The poem is a testament to the power of words and their ability to capture the true essence of life.
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