'Tourist' by Robert Service


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Rhymes of a RoughneckTo Italy a random tour
I took to crown my education,
Returning relatively poor
In purse yet rich in conversation.
Old Rome put up a jolly show,
But I am not a classic purist,
Preferring to Mike Angelo
The slim stems of a lady tourist.Venice, they say, was built on piles;
I used to muse, how did they do it?
I tramped the narrow streets for miles,
Religiously I gondoled through it.
But though to shrines I bowed my head,
My stomach's an aesthetic sinner,
For in St. Mark's I yawned and said:
"I hope we'll have lasagne for dinner."Florence, I'll say, was mighty swell,
With heaps of statues stark and lusty;
I liked the Pitti Palace well,
The Offusi I found to fusty.
But though I "did" the best of it,
My taste, I fear, is low and nasty,
For in its bars I'd rather sit
Imbibing cups of sparkling Asti.And so we go, a tourist host,
And pass art treasures little heeding,
While memories that haunt us most
Are those of rich and copious feeding.
In sooth I see no need to roam,
Since all I want this side of Hades,
I'll comfortably find at home -
Just eating, drinking and the Ladies.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Poetic Journey of Tourist by Robert Service

Are you ready for a poetic journey? Strap on your backpack and join me as we explore the classic poem, Tourist, by Robert Service. This remarkable piece of literature takes us on a journey through the eyes of a tourist traveling through Europe. It is a story of discovery, adventure, and a glimpse into the human condition.

The Journey Begins

The poem opens with the speaker arriving in Paris, the city of love and light. He is enamored with the city's beauty, its monuments, and its people. He writes, "I sought the monumental and the grand, / And Paris offered both on every hand."

As the poem progresses, we see the speaker's viewpoint shift. He moves from a tourist's perspective, where he is seeking to see the sights, to a traveler's perspective, where he is exploring the culture and people of Europe. He begins to see beyond the surface level of things and begins to understand the complexities of the world around him.

A Glimpse into the Human Condition

One of the most fascinating aspects of Tourist is how it gives us a glimpse into the human condition. We see the speaker's struggles with loneliness and his sense of being disconnected from the world around him. He writes, "I was a stranger to the land and life, / And yet I yearned to know, to feel, to see."

This sense of longing and searching for meaning is something that many of us can relate to. It is a universal human experience to feel a sense of disconnection and to yearn for something more.

The Role of Nature

One of the most striking aspects of Tourist is the role that nature plays in the poem. The speaker is often drawn to the natural beauty of the places he visits, and it is through this connection to nature that he begins to understand the world around him.

For example, in the section of the poem where the speaker travels to Switzerland, he writes, "The mountains reared their heads above the vale, / And seemed to say, 'O mortal, here bewail / Thy littleness, thy frailty and thy sin."

In this moment, the speaker is not just admiring the beauty of the mountains; he is recognizing the power and majesty of nature and his own smallness in comparison.

The Power of Language

As the speaker travels through Europe, he encounters many different languages and cultures. We see him struggling to communicate with the people he meets and to understand their customs and ways of life.

However, it is through language that the speaker is able to connect with the people around him. He writes, "I learned to drink the wine and eat the bread, / To speak the tongue, to bow the reverent head."

Through his willingness to learn and engage with the people he meets, the speaker is able to break down barriers and connect with the world around him.

The Ending

The poem ends with the speaker returning home, but he is not the same person who left. He has been transformed by his journey and the experiences he has had. He writes, "I left my heart in Paris, and my soul / In Rome, where I had found a sacred goal."

The ending is bittersweet; the speaker has returned home, but he has also left a part of himself behind. However, he has gained a new sense of understanding and perspective on the world, and that is something that he will carry with him always.

Conclusion

Tourist is a remarkable piece of literature that takes us on a journey through Europe and the human experience. Through the speaker's travels, we see the power of nature, the importance of language, and the struggles of the human condition. It is a poem that speaks to the universal human experience of longing for something more and the transformative power of travel and exploration.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Tourist: A Journey Through Robert Service's Masterpiece

Are you a poetry enthusiast looking for a journey through the world of literature? Look no further than Robert Service's Poetry Tourist, a masterpiece of poetic storytelling that takes readers on a journey through the most beautiful and remote corners of the world.

Robert Service, a Scottish-Canadian poet and writer, is best known for his works that capture the spirit of adventure and exploration. Poetry Tourist is no exception, as it takes readers on a journey through the most exotic and remote locations on the planet.

The poem begins with the narrator, a self-proclaimed "poetry tourist," setting out on a journey to explore the world and find inspiration for his writing. He travels to the farthest corners of the earth, from the icy tundras of the Arctic to the scorching deserts of Africa, and everywhere in between.

Throughout his travels, the narrator encounters a variety of people and cultures, each with their own unique stories and experiences. He meets Eskimos in the Arctic, Bedouins in the Sahara, and Maoris in New Zealand, all of whom share their tales of adventure and survival in the harshest of environments.

Service's use of vivid imagery and descriptive language brings these locations and cultures to life, transporting readers to these far-off places and immersing them in the sights, sounds, and smells of each location. From the "ice-locked Arctic seas" to the "burning deserts of the south," the poem paints a picture of a world that is both beautiful and dangerous.

But Poetry Tourist is more than just a travelogue. It is a celebration of the human spirit and the power of storytelling. The narrator's encounters with the people he meets on his journey inspire him to write, and he uses their stories as inspiration for his own poetry.

Service's use of rhyme and meter gives the poem a musical quality that adds to its appeal. The rhythm of the words mimics the beat of the narrator's journey, as he travels from one location to the next, always searching for new inspiration.

The poem also touches on themes of loneliness and isolation, as the narrator travels alone through these remote locations. But even in the most desolate of places, he finds beauty and inspiration, and his encounters with the people he meets along the way remind him of the power of human connection.

In the end, Poetry Tourist is a celebration of the human spirit and the power of storytelling. It reminds us that even in the most remote and desolate of places, there is beauty and inspiration to be found, and that the stories we tell can connect us to one another in ways that transcend time and distance.

In conclusion, Robert Service's Poetry Tourist is a masterpiece of poetic storytelling that takes readers on a journey through the most beautiful and remote corners of the world. Through vivid imagery, descriptive language, and musical rhythm, Service brings these locations and cultures to life, immersing readers in the sights, sounds, and smells of each location. But more than that, Poetry Tourist is a celebration of the human spirit and the power of storytelling, reminding us that even in the most desolate of places, there is beauty and inspiration to be found. So if you're looking for a journey through the world of literature, look no further than Poetry Tourist.

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