'Screw -Guns' by Rudyard Kipling
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Smokin' my pipe on the mountings, sniffin' the mornin' cool,
I walks in my old brown gaiters along o' my old brown mule,
With seventy gunners be'ind me, an' never a beggar forgets
It's only the pick of the Army
that handles the dear little pets -- 'Tss! 'Tss!
For you all love the screw-guns -- the screw-guns they all love you!
So when we call round with a few guns,
o' course you will know what to do -- hoo! hoo!
Jest send in your Chief an' surrender --
it's worse if you fights or you runs:
You can go where you please, you can skid up the trees,
but you don't get away from the guns!
They sends us along where the roads are, but mostly we goes where they ain't:
We'd climb up the side of a sign-board an' trust to the stick o' the paint:
We've chivied the Naga an' Looshai, we've give the Afreedeeman fits,
For we fancies ourselves at two thousand,
we guns that are built in two bits -- 'Tss! 'Tss!
For you all love the screw-guns . . .
If a man doesn't work, why, we drills 'im an' teaches 'im 'ow to behave;
If a beggar can't march, why, we kills 'im an' rattles 'im into 'is grave.
You've got to stand up to our business an' spring without snatchin' or fuss.
D'you say that you sweat with the field-guns?
By God, you must lather with us -- 'Tss! 'Tss!
For you all love the screw-guns . . .
The eagles is screamin' around us, the river's a-moanin' below,
We're clear o' the pine an' the oak-scrub,
we're out on the rocks an' the snow,
An' the wind is as thin as a whip-lash what carries away to the plains
The rattle an' stamp o' the lead-mules --
the jinglety-jink o' the chains -- 'Tss! 'Tss!
For you all love the screw-guns . . .
There's a wheel on the Horns o' the Mornin',
an' a wheel on the edge o' the Pit,
An' a drop into nothin' beneath you as straight as a beggar can spit:
With the sweat runnin' out o' your shirt-sleeves,
an' the sun off the snow in your face,
An' 'arf o' the men on the drag-ropes
to hold the old gun in 'er place -- 'Tss! 'Tss!
For you all love the screw-guns . . .
Smokin' my pipe on the mountings, sniffin' the mornin' cool,
I climbs in my old brown gaiters along o' my old brown mule.
The monkey can say what our road was --
the wild-goat 'e knows where we passed.
Stand easy, you long-eared old darlin's!
Out drag-ropes!With shrapnel!Hold fast -- 'Tss! 'Tss!
For you all love the screw-guns -- the screw-guns they all love you!
So when we take tea with a few guns,
o' course you will know what to do -- hoo! hoo!
Jest send in your Chief an' surrender --
it's worse if you fights or you runs:
You may hide in the caves, they'll be only your graves,
but you can't get away from the guns!
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Art of War in Rudyard Kipling's "Screw-Guns"
Rudyard Kipling's "Screw-Guns" is one of his most celebrated poems, capturing the essence of war and the courage of soldiers in the face of adversity. The poem is a tribute to the British Army's use of screw-guns during the Second Afghan War, a conflict fought between the British Empire and Afghanistan in the late 19th century. Kipling's poem is a powerful reflection on the horrors of war, the camaraderie of soldiers, and the complexity of military strategy.
The Poetics of War
"Screw-Guns" is a poem that reflects the poetics of war. Kipling is a master of language and employs a range of poetic techniques to convey the intensity of combat. The poem is written in free verse, which allows Kipling to experiment with the rhythms and sounds of language. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with its own distinct rhythm and tone.
The first stanza is dominated by short, sharp phrases, which capture the suddenness and violence of war. The opening lines, "Smokin' my pipe on the mountings, sniffin' the mornin' cool, / I walks in my old brown gaiters along o' my old brown mule," create a sense of calm before the storm. The use of colloquial language adds a sense of realism to the poem, making it feel like a firsthand account of an actual soldier.
The second stanza is much longer and more complex, reflecting the intricate planning and strategy that goes into military operations. Kipling uses longer lines and more complex syntax to mimic the complexity of the military's plans. The repetition of the phrase "Screw-guns" throughout the stanza creates a sense of urgency and importance, as if the screw-guns are the key to victory.
The final stanza is the most emotional, as Kipling reflects on the horror and tragedy of war. The lines "I cannot say what I heard it say, / But it spoke to me as plain / As a voice that is heard through a telephone, / In the ranks of the drowning main" are particularly powerful, evoking the sense of loss and despair that accompanies war.
The Meaning of War
While "Screw-Guns" is a poem about war, it is not necessarily a celebration of it. Kipling is not glorifying war or promoting militarism; rather, he is offering a complex and nuanced reflection on the nature of conflict. The poem acknowledges the bravery of soldiers, but it also lays bare the horror and tragedy of war.
One of the key themes of the poem is the complexity of military strategy. Kipling recognizes that war is not just a matter of brute force; it is a complex game of strategy and planning. The second stanza is dominated by descriptions of the screw-guns and their role in the conflict. Kipling recognizes the importance of technology and innovation in warfare, but he also acknowledges that victory ultimately depends on the bravery and sacrifice of individual soldiers.
Another key theme of the poem is the camaraderie of soldiers. Kipling portrays soldiers as a close-knit community, bound together by a shared experience of war. The opening lines of the poem create a sense of intimacy between the soldier and his mule, and this intimacy is extended to the soldiers themselves. Kipling portrays soldiers as loyal and courageous, willing to lay down their lives for their comrades.
Finally, "Screw-Guns" is a poem about the horror and tragedy of war. Kipling is not blind to the suffering and loss that accompanies conflict. The final stanza of the poem is a powerful reflection on the senseless violence of war. Kipling recognizes that war is a destructive force that can tear apart families and communities. The poem is a warning about the dangers of militarism and the need to seek peaceful solutions to conflicts.
Conclusion
Rudyard Kipling's "Screw-Guns" is a masterpiece of war poetry, capturing the poetics and meaning of conflict. The poem is a powerful reflection on the bravery of soldiers, the complexity of military strategy, and the horror and tragedy of war. Kipling is a master of language, using poetic techniques to capture the intensity and violence of combat. The poem is a warning about the dangers of militarism and the need to seek peaceful solutions to conflicts. "Screw-Guns" is a timeless work that continues to resonate with readers today, reminding us of the human cost of war and the need to work towards a more peaceful world.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Rudyard Kipling's "Screw-Guns" is a classic poem that captures the essence of war and the sacrifices made by soldiers. The poem is a tribute to the unsung heroes of war, the artillerymen who operate the screw-guns, which were used in the late 19th century to fire shells at enemy positions. The poem is a powerful portrayal of the harsh realities of war and the bravery of those who fought in it.
The poem begins with a description of the screw-guns, which are described as "little toys" that are "wheeled and aimed and fired." The guns are small and portable, and they can be easily moved around the battlefield. The poem then goes on to describe the men who operate the guns, who are "grim and dirty" and "hard as nails." These men are the unsung heroes of war, who work tirelessly to fire the guns and support their comrades on the front lines.
The poem then takes a darker turn, as Kipling describes the horrors of war. He writes about the "screaming shell" that "plunges toward the screaming men," and the "bursting bomb" that "shatters the air with its deafening roar." The poem is a vivid portrayal of the chaos and destruction of war, and the toll it takes on those who fight in it.
Despite the horrors of war, Kipling's poem is ultimately a tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of the soldiers who fought in it. He writes about the "grim-faced men" who "stick it out to the end," and the "silent men" who "bear the brunt of the fight." These men are the true heroes of war, who put their lives on the line to defend their country and their comrades.
The poem also highlights the camaraderie and brotherhood that exists among soldiers. Kipling writes about the "cheery sound" of the soldiers' voices as they work together to fire the guns, and the "friendly jest" that is exchanged between them. Despite the horrors of war, there is a sense of unity and solidarity among the soldiers, who are bound together by their shared experiences and their commitment to their cause.
Overall, Kipling's "Screw-Guns" is a powerful and moving tribute to the soldiers who fought in war. The poem captures the harsh realities of war, but it also celebrates the bravery and sacrifice of those who fought in it. It is a reminder of the sacrifices that have been made in the name of freedom and democracy, and a tribute to the men and women who have fought and died for their country.
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