'L'Envoi' by Robert Service

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The Spell of the Yukon and Other VersesYou who have lived in the land,You who have trusted the trail,
You who are strong to withstand,You who are swift to assail:Songs have I sung to beguile,Vintage of desperate years,Hard as a harlot's smile,Bitter as unshed tears.Little of joy or mirth,Little of ease I sing;
Sagas of men of earthHumanly suffering,Such as you all have done;Savagely faring forth,Sons of the midnight sun,Argonauts of the North.Far in the land God forgotGlimmers the lure of your trail;
Still in your lust are you taughtEven to win is to fail.Still you must follow and fightUnder the vampire wing;There in the long, long nightHoping and vanquishing.Husbandman of the Wild,Reaping a barren gain;
Scourged by desire, reconciledUnto disaster and pain;These, my songs, are for you,You who are seared with the brand.God knows I have tried to be true;Please God you will understand.

Editor 1 Interpretation

L'Envoi by Robert Service: A Celebration of Life and Death

Robert Service's L'Envoi is a beautiful and touching poem that celebrates life and acknowledges its impermanence. The poem is a reflection on the fleeting nature of human existence, and how we should cherish every moment we have. Through its vivid imagery and powerful language, L'Envoi captures the essence of what it means to be alive, and reminds us of the importance of living life to the fullest.

Overview

The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which explores a different aspect of life and death. In the first stanza, Service describes the beauty of the natural world, and how it is a source of wonder and awe. The second stanza focuses on the inevitability of death, and how it is a natural part of the cycle of life. Finally, the third stanza offers a message of hope, and encourages us to live life to the fullest, even in the face of death.

Analysis

Stanza 1

The first stanza of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the piece, and establishes the central theme of the poem: the beauty of life. Service begins by describing the natural world, with its "fields aflame with flowers" and "mountains capped with snow." He portrays the world as a place of wonder and awe, full of beauty and mystery. The imagery in this stanza is rich and vivid, and draws the reader into the poem.

The stanza ends with the lines:

But who shall pluck Life's radiant flower?
The gods alone have such high power.

These lines underscore the ephemeral nature of life, and how it is beyond our control. Service suggests that life is a precious gift, and we should cherish it while we have it.

Stanza 2

The second stanza of the poem shifts the focus to death, and how it is a natural part of the cycle of life. Service describes death as a "deep, sweet sleep," and suggests that it is a release from the trials and tribulations of life. He writes:

For Death is Life reversed;
Life a dream, and Death the waking;
The end of Life, the birth of might-have-been.

These lines capture the duality of life and death, and how they are intimately connected. Service suggests that death is not an end, but a new beginning, and that it is only through death that we can truly appreciate the beauty and wonder of life.

Stanza 3

The final stanza of the poem offers a message of hope, and encourages us to live life to the fullest, even in the face of death. Service writes:

So let us live, nor dread the grave;
LIFE is all memory, except for the one
Present moment that goes by you, so precious,
So transient, it is gone before you know it exists.

These lines are perhaps the most powerful in the entire poem. Service urges us to live in the present moment, and to cherish every second of our lives. He suggests that life is fleeting, and that we should make the most of it while we can. The poem ends with a triumphant call to action, urging us to embrace life and all of its wonders.

Interpretation

At its core, L'Envoi is a celebration of life and an acknowledgment of its impermanence. Service suggests that life is a precious gift, and that we should cherish it while we have it. He acknowledges the inevitability of death, but suggests that it is not an end, but a new beginning. The poem offers a message of hope, and encourages us to live life to the fullest, even in the face of death.

The beauty of L'Envoi lies in its simplicity. Service's language is clear and direct, and his imagery is vivid and powerful. The poem is accessible to readers of all ages and backgrounds, and its message is universal. It speaks to the human experience, and reminds us of the fleeting nature of life.

Conclusion

In conclusion, L'Envoi is a beautiful and poignant poem that celebrates life and acknowledges its impermanence. Through its vivid imagery and powerful language, the poem captures the essence of what it means to be alive, and reminds us of the importance of living life to the fullest. Service's message is clear and direct, and it speaks to the human experience. L'Envoi is a testament to the power of poetry, and a celebration of the beauty and wonder of life.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

L'Envoi: A Masterpiece of Robert Service

Robert Service, the renowned poet, is known for his exceptional ability to capture the essence of human emotions and experiences in his works. Among his many masterpieces, L'Envoi stands out as a timeless classic that continues to inspire and move readers to this day. In this article, we will delve into the intricacies of L'Envoi and explore why it remains a beloved piece of literature.

L'Envoi is a French term that means "the sending off." In poetry, it refers to the final stanza of a poem that serves as a conclusion or a farewell. Robert Service's L'Envoi is a poem that consists of three stanzas, each with four lines. The poem was first published in 1912 as part of Service's collection of poems, "Rhymes of a Red Cross Man."

The poem begins with the lines, "My job is done, my rhymes are run, / And all my songs are sung, / But undismayed, I'm not afraid / To hear the final gun." These lines set the tone for the rest of the poem, as Service reflects on his life's work as a poet and the inevitability of death. The final gun refers to the sound of a gun that signals the end of a battle, and in this context, it represents the end of Service's life.

In the second stanza, Service reflects on the legacy he will leave behind. He writes, "For though I've slain my share of men, / Yet do I feel no hate, / For I've killed the thing that I loved most, / And that's the thing called Fate." Here, Service acknowledges the violence and destruction he has witnessed in his life, but he also expresses a sense of acceptance and peace. He has come to terms with the idea that fate is an uncontrollable force, and that death is inevitable.

The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful. Service writes, "And now I stand where he stood then, / And look where he looked then, / And see the world with all its strife / As one long battle din." Here, Service imagines himself standing in the shoes of a soldier who has just died. He sees the world as a constant battle, with no end in sight. However, he also sees the beauty in this struggle, as he writes, "Yet deep within my heart there lies / A hope that rises up, / And tells me that in spite of all / We yet shall drink Life's cup."

The final lines of the poem are a testament to Service's belief in the resilience of the human spirit. Despite the struggles and hardships of life, he believes that there is always hope for a better tomorrow. This message is particularly poignant given the context in which the poem was written. At the time, the world was on the brink of World War I, and the poem speaks to the uncertainty and fear that many people were feeling.

In terms of literary devices, L'Envoi is a masterclass in the use of rhyme and meter. The poem has a consistent ABAB rhyme scheme, with each line containing eight syllables. This creates a sense of rhythm and flow that makes the poem easy to read and remember. Additionally, Service uses alliteration and assonance to create a musical quality to the poem. For example, in the first stanza, he writes, "My job is done, my rhymes are run." The repetition of the "r" sound creates a sense of unity and cohesion within the poem.

In conclusion, L'Envoi is a masterpiece of poetry that continues to resonate with readers today. Through his use of language and imagery, Robert Service captures the essence of the human experience and the struggle for meaning in a world filled with chaos and uncertainty. The poem is a testament to the power of hope and the resilience of the human spirit, and it serves as a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always a glimmer of light.

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