'Four-Foot Shelf' by Robert Service

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Rhymes for My Rags'Come, see,' said he, 'my four-foot shelf,A forty volume row;
And every one I wrote myself,But that, of course, you know.'
I stared, I searched a memory dim,For though an author too,
Somehow I'd never heard of him,--None of his books I knew.Said I: 'I'd like to borrow one,Fond memories to recall.'
Said he: 'I'll gladly give you

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Four-Foot Shelf: A Journey Through Robert Service's Poetry

What do you think of when you hear the name Robert Service? Perhaps you envision a grizzled old man with a beard, spinning yarns about the Yukon gold rush. Or maybe you have no idea who Robert Service is at all. Either way, you're in for a treat.

Service, a Scottish-born poet who lived from 1874 to 1958, is best known for his poems about the Great North. He worked as a bank clerk in the Yukon during the early 1900s, and his experiences there provided him with ample material for his writing. In fact, it was during this time that he wrote some of his most famous poems, including "The Shooting of Dan McGrew" and "The Cremation of Sam McGee."

But Service was more than just a chronicler of the Yukon. His poetry covered a wide range of topics, from love and war to religion and politics. And now, thanks to the Four-Foot Shelf, you can experience the full breadth of his work.

What is the Four-Foot Shelf?

The Four-Foot Shelf is a collection of books that was originally compiled by Harvard University president Charles W. Eliot in the early 1900s. Eliot's goal was to create a "reading list of great books" that would provide a comprehensive education to anyone who read them. The result was a series of 51 volumes that covered everything from history and philosophy to literature and poetry.

The Four-Foot Shelf is a testament to the power of great literature. It's a collection of works that have stood the test of time and continue to inspire readers today. And at the heart of it all is Robert Service's poetry.

Exploring Service's Poetry

So what can you expect from Service's poetry? Well, for starters, you can expect to be transported to another time and place. Whether he's writing about the Yukon or the trenches of World War I, Service has a knack for creating vivid, immersive landscapes.

Take, for example, his poem "The Call of the Wild." Here's how it begins:

Have you gazed on naked grandeur where there's nothing else to gaze on,
Set pieces and drop-curtain scenes galore,
Big mountains heaved to heaven, which the blinding sunsets blaze on,
Black canyons where the rapids rip and roar?

Right away, you can feel yourself being pulled into the scene. You can see the mountains rising up before you, the sun setting behind them, the rapids crashing below. Service's use of vivid imagery and strong language is a hallmark of his poetry.

Another thing you can expect from Service's poetry is a sense of adventure. Whether he's writing about gold prospectors, soldiers, or cowboys, Service's characters are always on the move. They're seeking something, whether it's wealth, glory, or just a sense of belonging.

But for all its adventure and excitement, Service's poetry is also deeply introspective. Many of his poems deal with themes of loss, regret, and the fleeting nature of life. Take, for example, his poem "The Men That Don't Fit In." Here's an excerpt:

There's a race of men that don't fit in,
  A race that can't stay still;
So they break the hearts of kith and kin,
  And they roam the world at will.

They range the field and they rove the flood,
  And they climb the mountain's crest;
Theirs is the curse of the gypsy blood,
  And they don't know how to rest.

This poem speaks to anyone who has ever felt like an outsider, who has ever struggled to find their place in the world. It's a reminder that we're all searching for something, even if we don't quite know what it is.

Conclusion

Robert Service's poetry is a treasure trove of adventure, introspection, and vivid imagery. Whether you're reading about the Yukon gold rush or the trenches of World War I, you're sure to be transported to another time and place. And thanks to the Four-Foot Shelf, you can experience the full range of Service's work. So go ahead and dive in. Who knows what adventures await?

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Poetry Four-Foot Shelf: A Treasure Trove of Classic Poetry

If you're a poetry lover, you're in for a treat. The Poetry Four-Foot Shelf, compiled by Robert Service, is a collection of classic poems that will take you on a journey through the ages. From the works of William Shakespeare to Robert Frost, this anthology is a treasure trove of literary gems that will leave you spellbound.

The Poetry Four-Foot Shelf is a comprehensive collection of poems that spans over 500 years of literary history. It includes works from some of the most celebrated poets of all time, such as William Wordsworth, John Keats, Emily Dickinson, and Walt Whitman. The anthology is divided into six sections, each of which covers a different era of poetry.

The first section, titled "The Renaissance," features works from the 16th and 17th centuries. It includes poems by William Shakespeare, John Donne, and Ben Jonson, among others. These poems are characterized by their use of elaborate language and complex themes.

The second section, "The Enlightenment," covers the 18th century and features works by Alexander Pope, Samuel Johnson, and William Blake. These poems are marked by their emphasis on reason and logic, as well as their critique of traditional institutions.

The third section, "The Romantic Era," covers the late 18th and early 19th centuries and features works by William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, and John Keats. These poems are characterized by their focus on emotion and imagination, as well as their celebration of nature.

The fourth section, "The Victorian Era," covers the mid to late 19th century and features works by Alfred Lord Tennyson, Robert Browning, and Christina Rossetti. These poems are marked by their exploration of social issues and their use of complex symbolism.

The fifth section, "The Modernist Era," covers the early 20th century and features works by T.S. Eliot, Ezra Pound, and W.B. Yeats. These poems are characterized by their experimentation with form and language, as well as their focus on the individual and the subconscious.

The final section, "Contemporary Poetry," covers the latter half of the 20th century and features works by Sylvia Plath, Robert Frost, and Maya Angelou, among others. These poems are marked by their diversity of form and subject matter, as well as their exploration of identity and social issues.

One of the things that makes The Poetry Four-Foot Shelf so special is the diversity of voices it contains. From the sonnets of Shakespeare to the free verse of Whitman, this anthology showcases the full range of poetic expression. It also includes works from poets of different backgrounds and cultures, such as Langston Hughes and Pablo Neruda, which adds to its richness and depth.

Another notable feature of The Poetry Four-Foot Shelf is the way it highlights the evolution of poetry over time. As you move through the sections, you can see how the style and themes of poetry change in response to historical and cultural shifts. For example, the Romantic Era is marked by a rejection of the Enlightenment emphasis on reason and a celebration of emotion and nature. Similarly, the Modernist Era is marked by a rejection of traditional forms and a focus on individual experience.

Overall, The Poetry Four-Foot Shelf is a must-read for anyone who loves poetry. It is a comprehensive and diverse collection that showcases the best of poetic expression throughout history. Whether you're a fan of the classics or prefer contemporary poetry, there is something for everyone in this anthology. So, grab a copy, settle in, and let yourself be transported by the power of words.

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