'L'Envoi' by Robert Service


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We talked of yesteryears, of trails and treasure,
Of men who played the game and lost or won;
Of mad stampedes, of toil beyond all measure,
Of camp-fire comfort when the day was done.
We talked of sullen nights by moon-dogs haunted,
Of bird and beast and tree, of rod and gun;
Of boat and tent, of hunting-trip enchanted
Beneath the wonder of the midnight sun;
Of bloody-footed dogs that gnawed the traces,
Of prisoned seas, wind-lashed and winter-locked;
The ice-gray dawn was pale upon our faces,
Yet still we filled the cup and still we talked.

The city street was dimmed. We saw the glitter
Of moon-picked brilliants on the virgin snow,
And down the drifted canyon heard the bitter,
Relentless slogan of the winds of woe.
The city was forgot, and, parka-skirted,
We trod that leagueless land that once we knew;
We saw stream past, down valleys glacier-girted,
The wolf-worn legions of the caribou.
We smoked our pipes, o'er scenes of triumph dwelling;
Of deeds of daring, dire defeats, we talked;
And other tales that lost not in the telling,
Ere to our beds uncertainly we walked.

And so, dear friends, in gentler valleys roaming,
Perhaps, when on my printed page you look,
Your fancies by the firelight may go homing
To that lone land that haply you forsook.
And if perchance you hear the silence calling,
The frozen music of star-yearning heights,
Or, dreaming, see the seines of silver trawling
Across the sky's abyss on vasty nights,
You may recall that sweep of savage splendor,
That land that measures each man at his worth,
And feel in memory, half fierce, half tender,
The brotherhood of men that know the North.

Editor 1 Interpretation

L'Envoi: A Classic Poem Worth Reading

When it comes to poetry, there are certain names that immediately come to mind. Robert Service is one such name. Known for his witty and engaging poems, Service was a master of the art form. One of his most famous works is L'Envoi, a short but powerful poem that manages to capture the essence of life in just a few stanzas. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will take a closer look at L'Envoi, examining its structure, themes, and meaning.

Structure

L'Envoi is a short poem consisting of just four stanzas, each with four lines. The poem follows a simple ABAB rhyme scheme, with each stanza ending in a rhyming couplet. This simple structure is part of what makes the poem so memorable. It's easy to recite and remember, which is no doubt part of the reason why it has remained popular for so long.

But there's more to the structure of L'Envoi than just its rhyme scheme. The poem is also marked by its rhythm and meter. The lines flow smoothly, with a gentle cadence that lulls the reader into a sense of comfort. There's a sense of inevitability to the poem, as if the words are predestined to be spoken in this particular order. This is no doubt due to the careful crafting of the poem by Robert Service, who was a master of rhythm and meter.

Themes

At its core, L'Envoi is a poem about the passage of time and the inevitability of change. The poem begins with the lines:

When Earth's last picture is painted And the tubes are twisted and dried When the oldest colors have faded And the youngest critic has died

These lines set the tone for the rest of the poem, suggesting that everything on Earth is temporary and subject to change. The poem goes on to describe the transience of human life, noting that even the greatest achievements will eventually be forgotten:

When the bugle's call sinks into silence And the long marching columns stand still When the captain has grown grey with defiance And the major's a back number still

This theme of impermanence is echoed throughout the poem, with Service reminding us that everything we hold dear will eventually fade away. But despite this, the poem is not a lament for what has been lost. Instead, it's a celebration of the here and now, a reminder to live in the moment and appreciate what we have while we have it.

Meaning

So what does all of this mean? What is the message that Robert Service is trying to convey with L'Envoi? At its most basic level, the poem is a reminder to appreciate the present and not worry too much about the future. It's easy to get caught up in our own ambitions and forget to enjoy the simple pleasures of life. L'Envoi encourages us to take a step back and appreciate the beauty of the world around us, even if it's only for a moment.

But there's also a deeper meaning to the poem. By reminding us of the impermanence of life, Service is suggesting that we should focus on what really matters. The things that we do in this life will not last forever, but the impact that we have on others can. This is why the poem ends with the lines:

When the last grim joke is recorded And the topmost jokester is dead We'll go to the great jester unthwarted And play poker with Him for our head.

These lines suggest that, in the end, all that really matters is how we have affected the people around us. The greatest legacy we can leave is the memories we've created and the impact we've had on those we've met along the way. It's a poignant reminder that life is short, and we should make the most of the time we have.

Conclusion

L'Envoi is a classic poem that manages to pack a lot of meaning into just a few short stanzas. Through its simple structure and powerful themes, it reminds us of the transience of life and the importance of living in the moment. But it also encourages us to focus on what really matters, to leave a positive impact on the world and the people we meet along the way. It's a timeless message that is just as relevant today as it was when the poem was first written. If you haven't read L'Envoi yet, do yourself a favor and give it a read. You won't be disappointed.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

L'Envoi: A Masterpiece of Robert Service

Robert Service, the renowned poet, is known for his captivating and thought-provoking poems. One of his most celebrated works is L'Envoi, a poem that has stood the test of time and continues to inspire readers to this day. In this article, we will delve into the depths of this masterpiece and explore its meaning and significance.

L'Envoi is a French term that means "the sending off." It is a poem that is traditionally used to conclude a collection of poems or a book. In this case, Robert Service uses L'Envoi to conclude his collection of poems, Rhymes of a Red Cross Man. The poem is a farewell message to the readers, thanking them for their time and attention and bidding them farewell.

The poem begins with the lines, "Go, songs, for ended is our brief, sweet play." These lines set the tone for the rest of the poem, which is one of farewell and gratitude. Service acknowledges that the collection of poems has come to an end, and it is time to move on. However, he also recognizes the importance of the poems and the impact they have had on the readers.

Service then goes on to describe the different emotions that the poems evoke in the readers. He says, "Go, poems, and sing to the world again, / Above the battle's roar, / Reveal the glory and the pain, / The woe and weal of war." Here, Service is acknowledging the fact that the poems are not just about war but also about the human experience. They reveal the glory and pain of war, but they also reveal the woe and weal of life.

The poem then takes a turn as Service addresses the readers directly. He says, "Say not the struggle naught availeth, / The labour and the wounds are vain, / The enemy faints not, nor faileth, / And as things have been they remain." Here, Service is urging the readers not to give up hope. He acknowledges that the struggle is real, and the wounds are deep, but he also reminds the readers that the enemy does not faint or fail. He is urging the readers to keep fighting and to never give up.

Service then goes on to describe the different emotions that the readers may feel as they read the poems. He says, "If hopes were dupes, fears may be liars; / It may be, in yon smoke concealed, / Your comrades chase e'en now the fliers, / And, but for you, possess the field." Here, Service is acknowledging that the readers may have different emotions as they read the poems. They may have hopes that are not fulfilled, and they may have fears that are not realized. However, he also reminds them that their comrades may be chasing the enemy even as they read the poems. He is urging the readers to keep the faith and to keep fighting.

The poem then takes a more personal turn as Service addresses the readers as individuals. He says, "For while the tired waves, vainly breaking, / Seem here no painful inch to gain, / Far back through creeks and inlets making, / Comes silent, flooding in, the main." Here, Service is acknowledging that the readers may feel tired and weary, but he is also reminding them that progress is being made. He is urging the readers to keep pushing forward and to never give up.

The poem then ends with the lines, "And not by eastern windows only, / When daylight comes, comes in the light; / In front, the sun climbs slow, how slowly! / But westward, look, the land is bright!" Here, Service is reminding the readers that there is always hope. Even when things seem dark and bleak, there is always a glimmer of hope. He is urging the readers to look to the west, where the land is bright, and to keep moving forward.

In conclusion, L'Envoi is a masterpiece of Robert Service. It is a poem that is both powerful and inspiring. Service uses the poem to bid farewell to his readers, but he also uses it to inspire them to keep fighting and to never give up. The poem is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope. It is a message that is as relevant today as it was when it was first written. L'Envoi is a testament to the power of poetry and its ability to inspire and uplift.

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