'The March Of The Dead' by Robert Service
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The cruel war was over -- oh, the triumph was so sweet!
We watched the troops returning, through our tears;
There was triumph, triumph, triumph down the scarlet glittering street,
And you scarce could hear the music for the cheers.
And you scarce could see the house-tops for the flags that flew between;
The bells were pealing madly to the sky;
And everyone was shouting for the Soldiers of the Queen,
And the glory of an age was passing by.
And then there came a shadow, swift and sudden, dark and drear;
The bells were silent, not an echo stirred.
The flags were drooping sullenly, the men forgot to cheer;
We waited, and we never spoke a word.
The sky grew darker, darker, till from out the gloomy rack
There came a voice that checked the heart with dread:
"Tear down, tear down your bunting now, and hang up sable black;
They are coming -- it's the Army of the Dead."
They were coming, they were coming, gaunt and ghastly, sad and slow;
They were coming, all the crimson wrecks of pride;
With faces seared, and cheeks red smeared, and haunting eyes of woe,
And clotted holes the khaki couldn't hide.
Oh, the clammy brow of anguish! the livid, foam-flecked lips!
The reeling ranks of ruin swept along!
The limb that trailed, the hand that failed, the bloody finger tips!
And oh, the dreary rhythm of their song!
"They left us on the veldt-side, but we felt we couldn't stop
On this, our England's crowning festal day;
We're the men of Magersfontein, we're the men of Spion Kop,
Colenso -- we're the men who had to pay.
We're the men who paid the blood-price. Shall the grave be all our gain?
You owe us. Long and heavy is the score.
Then cheer us for our glory now, and cheer us for our pain,
And cheer us as ye never cheered before."
The folks were white and stricken, and each tongue seemed weighted with lead;
Each heart was clutched in hollow hand of ice;
And every eye was staring at the horror of the dead,
The pity of the men who paid the price.
They were come, were come to mock us, in the first flush of our peace;
Through writhing lips their teeth were all agleam;
They were coming in their thousands -- oh, would they never cease!
I closed my eyes, and then -- it was a dream.
There was triumph, triumph, triumph down the scarlet gleaming street;
The town was mad; a man was like a boy.
A thousand flags were flaming where the sky and city meet;
A thousand bells were thundering the joy.
There was music, mirth and sunshine; but some eyes shone with regret;
And while we stun with cheers our homing braves,
O God, in Thy great mercy, let us nevermore forget
The graves they left behind, the bitter graves.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The March Of The Dead: A Masterpiece by Robert Service
Have you ever read a poem that makes your heart beat faster, that leaves you in awe of the beauty of words juxtaposed in a way that stirs your soul? That is how I feel each time I read Robert Service's epic poem, The March Of The Dead.
This poem is a masterpiece, a testament to the power of language to evoke emotion and paint vivid pictures that transport the reader to another time and place. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will dive deep into the themes, symbols and motifs that make this poem so unforgettable.
The March Of The Dead: An Overview
The March Of The Dead was written by Robert Service in 1918, at the end of World War I. The poem is a tribute to the soldiers who lost their lives in the war, and is based on Service's experience as an ambulance driver in France. The poem is divided into four parts, each one representing a different stage in the journey of the dead soldiers.
In the first part, we see the soldiers marching towards their final resting place. In the second part, we witness the soldiers being buried, their graves marked by simple crosses. In the third part, we see the ghosts of the dead soldiers rising from their graves and marching towards heaven. In the final part, we see the soldiers reunited with their loved ones in heaven.
The Themes of The March Of The Dead
The March Of The Dead is a poem that deals with themes of death, sacrifice, heroism and the human spirit. Service's poem glorifies the sacrifice of the soldiers, while also acknowledging the horror and tragedy of war. The poem is a tribute to the fallen soldiers, and reminds us of the bravery and selflessness required to fight for one's country.
The poem also deals with the theme of the afterlife, with the soldiers rising from their graves and marching towards heaven. The imagery of the soldiers ascending towards the sky is striking and powerful, and evokes a sense of hope and redemption.
The Symbols and Motifs of The March Of The Dead
The March Of The Dead is full of powerful symbols and motifs that add depth and meaning to the poem. One of the most striking symbols in the poem is the simple cross that marks the graves of the fallen soldiers. The cross is a symbol of sacrifice and redemption, and is a powerful reminder of the religious faith that many soldiers held.
Another powerful motif in the poem is the idea of the soldiers marching. The soldiers march towards their final resting place, and later, towards heaven. The act of marching is a symbol of strength and resilience, and represents the determination of the soldiers to do their duty, even in the face of death.
The Language and Imagery of The March Of The Dead
The language and imagery of The March Of The Dead is breathtaking, and contributes to the poem's emotional impact. Service's use of vivid, descriptive language transports the reader to the battlefield, and makes them feel as if they are right there, witnessing the horror of war.
The imagery of the soldiers marching towards their final resting place is incredibly powerful, and evokes a sense of sorrow and loss. The words "slowly, sadly, with a long lament" are repeated throughout the poem, and create a mournful tone that lingers long after the poem is finished.
Service's use of religious imagery is also incredibly effective, with the soldiers rising towards heaven like angels. This imagery is both beautiful and haunting, and adds a sense of hope and redemption to the poem.
Conclusion
In conclusion, The March Of The Dead is a masterpiece of poetry that captures the tragedy and heroism of war. Service's use of language and imagery is breathtaking, and the themes, symbols and motifs of the poem add depth and meaning to the work. The poem is a tribute to the fallen soldiers of World War I, and reminds us of the power of sacrifice and the resilience of the human spirit.
If you haven't read The March Of The Dead, I highly recommend it. It is a poem that will stay with you long after you finish reading it, and will remind you of the bravery and sacrifice of those who have fought and died for their country.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The March of the Dead: A Poetic Masterpiece by Robert Service
Robert Service, the renowned poet, has left an indelible mark on the world of literature with his exceptional works. Among his many masterpieces, "The March of the Dead" stands out as a hauntingly beautiful poem that captures the essence of war and its devastating impact on humanity. In this 2000-word analysis, we will delve deep into the poem's themes, structure, and language to understand its significance and relevance even today.
The Poem's Structure
"The March of the Dead" is a narrative poem that tells the story of soldiers marching to their death during the First World War. The poem is divided into six stanzas, each with four lines, and follows a consistent rhyme scheme of ABAB. The poem's structure is simple yet effective, as it creates a sense of rhythm and momentum that mimics the soldiers' march. The poem's brevity and repetition of certain phrases also add to its impact, making it a memorable and powerful piece of literature.
Themes
The poem's central theme is the futility of war and the devastating impact it has on human life. Service portrays war as a senseless and brutal act that destroys everything in its path. The soldiers in the poem are depicted as mere pawns in a larger game, marching to their death without any real purpose or meaning. The poem's opening lines set the tone for this theme, as Service writes, "Who is it marching steadily / Out of step with the rest of the dead? / The boys of the old Sixth are back again, / The same as a year ago."
The poem also touches upon the theme of sacrifice and the idea that soldiers give up their lives for a cause greater than themselves. However, Service's portrayal of this theme is not romanticized or glorified. Instead, he highlights the senselessness of the sacrifice, as the soldiers die for a cause that they do not fully understand or believe in. The lines, "They died a death that was half sublime / They were the martyrs of the line," capture this sentiment perfectly.
Another theme that runs through the poem is the idea of camaraderie and brotherhood among soldiers. Service portrays the soldiers as a tight-knit group who share a bond that transcends life and death. The lines, "They're here again, they're here again, / They're on the same old track, / Lying low with the love they bore / For the dear old Sixth Battalion," highlight this theme.
Language and Imagery
Service's use of language and imagery in the poem is nothing short of masterful. He employs vivid and evocative language to create a sense of atmosphere and mood that captures the horrors of war. The lines, "The wind is whispering in the trees, / A warning of winter's blast; / The snow is starting from off the seas / To sheet the moorland fast," create a sense of foreboding and impending doom that sets the tone for the rest of the poem.
Service also uses powerful imagery to convey the poem's themes. The lines, "They're here again, they're here again, / They're on the same old track," create a vivid image of soldiers marching in unison, their boots pounding the ground in perfect rhythm. The lines, "The wind is whispering in the trees, / A warning of winter's blast," create an image of a desolate and barren landscape, where the soldiers are marching to their death.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "The March of the Dead" is a hauntingly beautiful poem that captures the essence of war and its devastating impact on humanity. Service's use of language and imagery is masterful, creating a sense of atmosphere and mood that is both powerful and evocative. The poem's themes of the futility of war, sacrifice, camaraderie, and brotherhood among soldiers are as relevant today as they were when the poem was first written. "The March of the Dead" is a timeless masterpiece that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.
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