'Old Sweethearts' by Robert Service

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Lyrics of a Low BrowOh Maggie, do you mind the dayWe went to school together,
And as we stoppit by the wayI rolled you in the heather?
My! but you were the bonny lassAnd we were awfu' late for class.Your locks are now as white as snow,And you are ripe and wrinkled,
A grandmother ten times or so,Yet how your blue eyes twinkled
At me above your spectacles,Recalling naughty neck-tickles!It must be fifty years todayI left you for the Yukon;
You haven't changed - your just as gayAnd just as sweet to look on.
But can you see in this old foolThe lad who made you late for school?Oh Maggie, ask me in to teaAnd we can talk things over,
And contemplate the nuptial state,For I am still your lover:
And though the bell be slow to chimeWe'll no be grudgin' o' the time

Editor 1 Interpretation

Robert Service's Old Sweethearts: A Critique

When we read Robert Service's Old Sweethearts, we are transported back to a time of innocence, when love was pure and true. The poem is a beautiful tribute to the power of love and the importance of holding onto memories, even when they are painful.

At its core, Old Sweethearts is a poem about nostalgia, and the bittersweet memories that come with it. Service masterfully captures the wistful longing that we all feel for the people and places we once loved, but can never return to. He does this through a series of vivid images and metaphors, which help to bring the poem to life.

For example, in the first stanza, Service writes:

Old sweethearts are best, old wine is best,
Old friends are best, old books are best,
And old pens are best, old times are best.

Here, Service is using repetition to emphasize the idea that the past is always better than the present. The repetition of the word "best" creates a sense of longing for a time that has passed, and cannot be recovered. Service is suggesting that we should hold onto our memories of the past, because they are the only things that can truly comfort us.

In the second stanza, Service continues this theme of nostalgia, with the lines:

The young are all so wise and gay,
They waste so much on love;
They waste so much, and rue the day
They did not prize Enough.

Here, Service is contrasting the youthful optimism of the present with the regret that comes with age. He is suggesting that young people are too quick to discard their old loves and move on to the next thing, without realizing the value of what they had. This is a common theme in literature, but Service approaches it in a fresh and poetic way.

Throughout the poem, Service uses a variety of metaphors and images to convey the idea of nostalgia. For example, he compares memories to "roses in December," which suggests that they are both beautiful and fragile. He also compares the passing of time to a river that "flows and flows, and never stays." These metaphors help to create a sense of the transience of life, and the importance of holding onto what we can.

One of the most striking images in the poem is the reference to "the old girl by the fire." This image is both comforting and melancholy, representing the warmth and security of home, but also the passing of time and the inevitability of death. The old girl by the fire is a reminder that everything in life is fleeting, and that we must cherish what we have while we can.

Service's use of language is also worth noting. His choice of words is simple and direct, but also poetic and evocative. For example, he writes:

Old bachelors are rich in woes,
Old maids are full of tears;
But every one who nothing knows
Knows nothing of the years.

Here, Service is using rhyme and meter to create a musical quality to his words. The rhyming words help to create a sense of harmony and balance, while the meter helps to create a sense of rhythm and flow. Service's use of language is both beautiful and effective, helping to convey the emotion and meaning of the poem.

In conclusion, Robert Service's Old Sweethearts is a beautiful tribute to the power of memory and the importance of holding onto the past. Service's use of metaphor and language create a vivid and evocative portrait of a world that has been lost, but can never be forgotten. The poem is both nostalgic and melancholy, but also beautiful and uplifting. It reminds us that while life may be fleeting, the memories we create can last a lifetime.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Old Sweethearts: A Timeless Poem by Robert Service

When it comes to love, there are few things more beautiful than the memories of old sweethearts. The feeling of being young and in love, the excitement of discovering new things about each other, and the hope of a future together are all captured in Robert Service's classic poem, Old Sweethearts. In this 2000-word analysis, we will delve into the themes, structure, and language of this timeless piece of poetry.

Themes

The theme of Old Sweethearts is the power of memories to transport us back to a time when we were young and in love. The poem is a nostalgic look back at a relationship that has long since ended, but the memories of which still hold a special place in the speaker's heart. The poem is filled with imagery that evokes the feelings of young love, such as "the lilac-scented, warm dusk air" and "the moonlit, magic hours." These images transport the reader back to a time when everything was new and exciting, and love was all-consuming.

Another theme of the poem is the passage of time and the inevitability of change. The speaker acknowledges that the old sweethearts are no longer the same people they were when they were young and in love. They have grown older, and their lives have taken different paths. However, the memories of their love remain unchanged, and the speaker is grateful for the time they shared together.

Structure

Old Sweethearts is a free-verse poem with no set rhyme scheme or meter. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with a different focus. The first stanza sets the scene and describes the memories of the old sweethearts. The second stanza acknowledges the passage of time and the changes that have occurred. The third stanza is a reflection on the power of memories and the enduring nature of love.

The poem is written in the first person, with the speaker addressing their old sweetheart directly. This creates a sense of intimacy and personal connection between the speaker and the reader. The use of the second person "you" also invites the reader to imagine themselves in the role of the old sweetheart, further enhancing the emotional impact of the poem.

Language

Robert Service's use of language in Old Sweethearts is simple yet evocative. The poem is filled with sensory imagery that transports the reader back to the time of the old sweethearts. The lilac-scented, warm dusk air, the moonlit, magic hours, and the soft, sweet kiss all create a vivid picture of young love.

The language also reflects the passage of time and the changes that have occurred. The use of the word "once" in the first line of the poem sets the scene and establishes that the memories being described are from a time long ago. The lines "And you are changed as much as I / Since those old days we knew" acknowledge that time has passed and that the old sweethearts are no longer the same people they once were.

The final lines of the poem, "And though we never meet again / Memory will hold you fast," emphasize the power of memories to endure even when the people and circumstances have changed. The use of the word "fast" suggests that the memories are strong and unchanging, and will always hold a special place in the speaker's heart.

Conclusion

Old Sweethearts is a timeless poem that captures the power of memories to transport us back to a time when we were young and in love. The themes of the poem, including the passage of time and the enduring nature of love, are universal and resonate with readers of all ages. The structure of the poem, with its three stanzas and use of the first and second person, creates a sense of intimacy and personal connection between the speaker and the reader. Finally, Robert Service's use of language, with its sensory imagery and acknowledgment of the changes that have occurred, creates a vivid and emotional picture of young love and the memories that endure.

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