'Sestina Of The Tramp-Royal' by Rudyard Kipling


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Speakin' in general, I'ave tried 'em all
The 'appy roads that take you o'er the world.
Speakin' in general, I'ave found them good
For such as cannot use one bed too long,
But must get 'ence, the same as I'ave done,
An' go observin' matters till they die.

What do it matter where or 'ow we die,
So long as we've our 'ealth to watch it all—
The different ways that different things are done,
An' men an' women lovin' in this world;
Takin' our chances as they come along,
An' when they ain't, pretendin' they are good?

In cash or credit—no, it aren't no good;
You've to 'ave the 'abit or you'd die,
Unless you lived your life but one day long,
Nor didn't prophesy nor fret at all,
But drew your tucker some'ow from the world,
An' never bothered what you might ha' done.

But, Gawd, what things are they I'aven't done?
I've turned my 'and to most, an' turned it good,
In various situations round the world
For 'im that doth not work must surely die;
But that's no reason man should labour all
'Is life on one same shift—life's none so long.

Therefore, from job to job I've moved along.
Pay couldn't 'old me when my time was done,
For something in my 'ead upset it all,
Till I'ad dropped whatever 'twas for good,
An', out at sea, be'eld the dock-lights die,
An' met my mate—the wind that tramps the world!

It's like a book, I think, this bloomin, world,
Which you can read and care for just so long,
But presently you feel that you will die
Unless you get the page you're readi'n' done,
An' turn another—likely not so good;
But what you're after is to turn'em all.

Gawd bless this world! Whatever she'oth done—
Excep' When awful long—I've found it good.
So write, before I die, "'E liked it all!"


Submitted by osJSB

Editor 1 Interpretation

Sestina Of The Tramp-Royal by Rudyard Kipling

Have you ever read a poem that leaves you with a strange feeling, a feeling that you cannot describe? A poem that takes you on a journey, leaving you to interpret each line, each stanza, and each word? If you haven't, then you must read Rudyard Kipling's "Sestina Of The Tramp-Royal". This poem is undoubtedly one of the most intriguing, mysterious, and perplexing poems in the English language.

Kipling was famous for his love for India and its people, but this poem is not about India. He was also known for his stories of adventure and exploration, but this poem is not about adventure or exploration. This poem is about a tramp, a wanderer, a vagabond, a person who has no fixed abode, no home, no family, and no possessions.

At first glance, the poem appears to be just a collection of disjointed, meaningless verses, but upon closer inspection, a deeper meaning emerges. The poem is structured as a sestina, a complex form of poetry consisting of six stanzas of six lines each and a final three-line envoy. The poem follows a strict pattern of end words, and each stanza ends with one of six words that are repeated throughout the poem in a specific order.

The six end words are "road," "fare," "way," "host," "time," and "house." Kipling weaves these words into the poem, using them as a foundation to tell the story of a tramp. The tramp is the speaker of the poem, and he tells his story through a series of images and metaphors, each one revealing a different aspect of his life.

The first stanza sets the scene for the poem, and the tramp describes himself as a "tramp-royal," a king among tramps. He has no home, but the road is his "kingdom," and he travels from place to place, never staying in one place for too long. He is a wanderer, a free spirit, and the road is his destiny.

The second stanza focuses on the tramp's relationship with money. He has no fixed income, no job, and no means of support. He relies on the kindness of strangers, begging for "fare" to get him to the next town. He is not a beggar, but a proud man, and he will not accept charity. He earns his "fare" by playing his harmonica and entertaining people along the way.

In the third stanza, the tramp reflects on the "way" he lives his life. He has no rules, no obligations, and no responsibilities. He lives for the moment and follows his heart. He is a rebel, a free thinker, and he refuses to conform to society's standards. He is a "wayfarer," a pathfinder, and he sets his own course.

The fourth stanza introduces the concept of "host" and the tramp's relationship with people. He is a loner, but he also enjoys the company of others. He stays with people he meets along the way, and he is grateful for their hospitality. He tells them stories, shares his wisdom, and entertains them with his music. He has no family, but he has a network of friends who are always there for him.

In the fifth stanza, the tramp reflects on "time" and the way it affects his life. He is aware of the passing of time, but he does not let it control him. He lives in the present and enjoys every moment. He knows that life is short, and he wants to make the most of it. He has no regrets, no fears, and no worries. He is a "timeless" wanderer, living in the moment, and enjoying every second.

The final stanza brings the poem full circle, and the tramp reflects on the concept of "house." He has no home, no place to call his own, but he is content. He has the road, his harmonica, and his freedom. He is a "citizen of the world," and he belongs to no one and everyone. He has found his home on the road, and he will continue to wander until the end of his days.

The envoy, the final three lines of the poem, brings a sense of closure to the poem. The tramp is aware that his life is not glamorous, and he knows that he will die alone on the road. But he is content, and he accepts his fate. He has lived a life of adventure, of freedom, and of exploration. He has lived a life worth living, and he has no regrets.

In conclusion, "Sestina Of The Tramp-Royal" is a masterpiece of poetry. Kipling takes the reader on a journey, showing us the life of a tramp, but also revealing a deeper meaning. The tramp is a symbol of freedom, of adventure, and of exploration. He is a rebel, a free thinker, and a pathfinder. He is a citizen of the world, and he belongs to no one and everyone. The poem is a celebration of life, of freedom, and of the human spirit. It is a poem that will leave you with a strange feeling, a feeling that you cannot describe, but a feeling that will stay with you forever.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Sestina Of The Tramp-Royal: A Masterpiece of Rudyard Kipling

Rudyard Kipling, the renowned British writer, is known for his exceptional literary works that have stood the test of time. One of his most celebrated poems is the Sestina Of The Tramp-Royal, which was first published in 1896. This poem is a masterpiece that showcases Kipling's exceptional writing skills and his ability to capture the essence of human emotions and experiences.

The Sestina Of The Tramp-Royal is a complex poem that follows a strict form of six stanzas, each consisting of six lines, and a final three-line envoy. The poem's structure is a sestina, a form of poetry that originated in medieval France and was popularized by the Italian poet Dante Alighieri. The sestina is a challenging form of poetry that requires the poet to use six end-words in a specific pattern throughout the poem.

The poem's title, Tramp-Royal, refers to a wandering, homeless person who is considered to be of noble birth. The poem's narrator is a tramp-royal who is traveling through the countryside, experiencing the joys and sorrows of life on the road. The poem's central theme is the tramp-royal's search for freedom and his struggle to find a place in the world.

The poem begins with the tramp-royal's description of his life on the road. He talks about the freedom he enjoys and the beauty of the countryside. He describes the people he meets on his journey, from the farmers to the gypsies, and the experiences he has with them. The tramp-royal's description of his life on the road is vivid and evocative, painting a picture of a life that is both challenging and rewarding.

As the poem progresses, the tramp-royal's tone becomes more reflective. He begins to question his life on the road and wonders if he will ever find a place to call home. He talks about the people he has left behind and the memories that haunt him. The tramp-royal's introspection is poignant and moving, and it captures the essence of the human experience.

The poem's structure is a testament to Kipling's mastery of the sestina form. The six end-words, road, sky, hill, field, tree, and stone, are used in a specific pattern throughout the poem. The first stanza uses the end-words in the pattern of ABCDEF, and each subsequent stanza uses the same pattern, but with the end-words in a different order. The final envoy uses all six end-words in a specific order, creating a sense of closure and completeness.

Kipling's use of imagery is also exceptional in this poem. He uses vivid descriptions of the countryside and the people the tramp-royal meets to create a sense of place and atmosphere. The tramp-royal's experiences are described in detail, from the smell of the fields to the sound of the birds. Kipling's use of imagery is evocative and powerful, and it adds depth and meaning to the poem.

The poem's central theme of freedom is also explored in depth. The tramp-royal's search for freedom is a universal human experience, and Kipling captures it perfectly in this poem. The tramp-royal's desire for freedom is both liberating and isolating, and Kipling's portrayal of this struggle is both realistic and poignant.

In conclusion, the Sestina Of The Tramp-Royal is a masterpiece of poetry that showcases Rudyard Kipling's exceptional writing skills. The poem's structure, imagery, and central theme of freedom make it a timeless work of art that resonates with readers to this day. Kipling's ability to capture the essence of the human experience is unparalleled, and this poem is a testament to his mastery of the craft. If you haven't read this poem yet, I highly recommend it. It is a true masterpiece that will stay with you long after you've finished reading it.

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