'An Old Story' by Robert Service

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Songs of a Sun-Lover(Retold in Rhyme)They threw him in a prison cell;
He moaned upon his bed.
And when he crept from coils of hell:
"Last night you killed," they said."last night in drunken rage you slew
A being brave with breath;
A radiant soul, because of you
Lies dark in death.""last night I killed," he moaned distraught,
"When I was wild with wine;
I slew, and I remember naught . . .
O Mother, Mother mine!"To what unbridled rage may lead
You taught me at your knew.
Why did I not your warning heed . . .
And now - the gallows tree."O Mother, Mother, come to me,
For I am sore distrest,
And I would kneel beside your knee
And weep upon your breast. . . ."They stared at him; their lips were dumb,
Their eyes tear filled;
Then spoke the Priest: "She cannot come . . .

Editor 1 Interpretation

Poetry: An Old Story by Robert Service

Introduction

Have you ever read a poem and felt like you were transported to a different time and place? That's exactly how I felt when I read "Poetry: An Old Story" by Robert Service. This poem is a masterpiece that tells the story of how poetry has been an integral part of human history since ancient times. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will analyze the poem's structure, form, and theme, and explain why it is a significant work of literature that is still relevant today.

Structure and Form

"Poetry: An Old Story" is a narrative poem that tells a story in a series of stanzas. The poem consists of twelve stanzas, each with four lines. The rhyme scheme is AABB, which means that the first and second lines rhyme, and the third and fourth lines rhyme. The poem is written in iambic tetrameter, which means that each line has eight syllables, and the stress falls on every other syllable.

The poem's structure and form are significant because they contribute to the poem's rhythm and flow. The AABB rhyme scheme creates a musical quality that makes the poem memorable and easy to recite. The iambic tetrameter gives the poem a steady beat that mimics the rhythm of human speech. The poem's structure and form make it accessible to a broad audience and allow the reader to focus on the poem's message.

Theme

The central theme of "Poetry: An Old Story" is the enduring power of poetry throughout history. The poem begins by describing how ancient civilizations used poetry to tell stories and pass down knowledge from generation to generation. The poem then moves through history, highlighting poets from various time periods, such as Shakespeare, Burns, and Keats. The poem concludes by suggesting that poetry is still relevant today and that it has the power to connect people across time and space.

One of the reasons why this theme is significant is that it highlights the role that poetry has played in preserving culture and history. The poem suggests that poetry is more than just entertainment; it is a vital part of human history that has helped shape the world we live in today. The theme also underscores the importance of preserving and studying poetry as a way to understand our shared history and culture.

Analysis

The poem begins with a description of how poetry has been a part of human history since the earliest civilizations. The first stanza reads:

Once upon a time it was golden age,
When the first of the flowers were in bloom;
And the simplest of rhymes would go on the page
In the good old-fashioned way of gloom.

This stanza sets the stage for the poem's theme by suggesting that poetry has been around as long as humanity itself. The use of the phrase "good old-fashioned way" adds a nostalgic tone to the poem, as if the speaker is looking back on a time when poetry was simpler and more pure.

The poem then moves through history, highlighting famous poets and their contributions to the art of poetry. For example, the third stanza reads:

Shakespeare, I fancy, was simply grand,
And Marlowe was a mighty name;
The world shall know them while the earth shall stand,
And each shall have his niche of fame.

This stanza is significant because it shows how poetry has been passed down through the ages. The fact that Shakespeare and Marlowe are still well-known today, hundreds of years after their deaths, suggests that their poetry has stood the test of time. The use of the phrase "each shall have his niche of fame" also underscores the idea that poetry is a way of preserving history and culture.

The poem also touches on the idea that poetry has the power to connect people across time and space. The tenth stanza reads:

Does a bit of Burns bring a smile to your lip,
Or a verse of Byron your bosom stir?
Then down through the ages I take a dip,
And I join the brotherhood of song with her.

This stanza is significant because it suggests that poetry has the power to create a sense of community and belonging. The fact that the speaker can "join the brotherhood of song" with someone who lived hundreds of years ago shows that poetry can transcend time and space.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Poetry: An Old Story" by Robert Service is a significant work of literature that highlights the enduring power of poetry throughout history. The poem's structure and form contribute to its musical quality and make it accessible to a broad audience. The central theme of the poem underscores the importance of poetry in preserving culture and history and suggests that poetry has the power to connect people across time and space. "Poetry: An Old Story" is a timeless poem that reminds us of the importance of studying and preserving literature as a way to understand our shared history and culture.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

An Old Story: A Timeless Tale of Love and Loss

Robert Service's poem "An Old Story" is a timeless tale of love and loss that has captivated readers for generations. The poem tells the story of a young couple who fall deeply in love, only to be torn apart by tragedy. Through vivid imagery and powerful language, Service explores the themes of love, loss, and the fleeting nature of life.

The poem begins with a description of the young couple, who are "fair and fond and true." They are deeply in love and spend their days wandering through the countryside, enjoying the beauty of nature and each other's company. The imagery in this opening stanza is particularly striking, with Service describing the "golden sun" and the "silver moon" that shine down on the couple as they walk hand in hand.

As the poem progresses, however, we begin to sense that all is not well. Service hints at the couple's impending tragedy with lines like "the shadow of a cloud" and "the rustle of a leaf." These subtle hints create a sense of foreboding that builds throughout the poem, leaving the reader on edge and anxious for what is to come.

The tragedy finally strikes in the third stanza, when the young man is killed in a hunting accident. Service's description of the event is both vivid and heartbreaking, with the young woman "sobbing in the rain" as she cradles her lover's lifeless body. The language here is particularly powerful, with Service using words like "sobbing," "lifeless," and "cold" to convey the depth of the young woman's grief.

The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most poignant, as Service reflects on the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of death. He writes, "For life is but a little while, and then the long, long sleep." This line is a powerful reminder that all of us, no matter how young or healthy, will one day face our own mortality. It is a sobering thought, but one that is beautifully expressed in Service's poetic language.

Overall, "An Old Story" is a powerful and moving poem that explores some of the most fundamental aspects of the human experience. Through his vivid imagery and powerful language, Service captures the beauty of love, the pain of loss, and the inevitability of death. It is a timeless tale that has resonated with readers for generations, and will continue to do so for many years to come.

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