'The Revenge Of Hamish' by Sidney Lanier
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It was three slim does and a ten-tined buck in the bracken lay;
And all of a sudden the sinister smell of a man,
Awaft on a wind-shift, wavered and ran
Down the hill-side and sifted along through the bracken and passed that way.
Then Nan got a-tremble at nostril; she was the daintiest doe;
In the print of her velvet flank on the velvet fern
She reared, and rounded her ears in turn.
Then the buck leapt up, and his head as a king's to a crown did go
Full high in the breeze, and he stood as if Death had the form of a deer;
And the two slim does long lazily stretching arose,
For their day-dream slowlier came to a close,
Till they woke and were still, breath-bound with waiting and wonder and fear.
Then Alan the huntsman sprang over the hillock, the hounds shot by,
The does and the ten-tined buck made a marvellous bound,
The hounds swept after with never a sound,
But Alan loud winded his horn in sign that the quarry was nigh.
For at dawn of that day proud Maclean of Lochbuy to the hunt had waxed wild,
And he cursed at old Alan till Alan fared off with the hounds
For to drive him the deer to the lower glen-grounds:
"I will kill a red deer," quoth Maclean, "in the sight of the wife
and the child."
So gayly he paced with the wife and the child to his chosen stand;
But he hurried tall Hamish the henchman ahead:"Go turn," --
Cried Maclean -- "if the deer seek to cross to the burn,
Do thou turn them to me:nor fail, lest thy back be red as thy hand."
Now hard-fortuned Hamish, half blown of his breath with the height
of the hill,
Was white in the face when the ten-tined buck and the does
Drew leaping to burn-ward; huskily rose
His shouts, and his nether lip twitched, and his legs were o'er-weak
for his will.
So the deer darted lightly by Hamish and bounded away to the burn.
But Maclean never bating his watch tarried waiting below
Still Hamish hung heavy with fear for to go
All the space of an hour; then he went, and his face was greenish and stern,
And his eye sat back in the socket, and shrunken the eyeballs shone,
As withdrawn from a vision of deeds it were shame to see.
"Now, now, grim henchman, what is't with thee?"
Brake Maclean, and his wrath rose red as a beacon the wind hath upblown.
"Three does and a ten-tined buck made out," spoke Hamish, full mild,
"And I ran for to turn, but my breath it was blown, and they passed;
I was weak, for ye called ere I broke me my fast."
Cried Maclean:"Now a ten-tined buck in the sight of the wife and the child
I had killed if the gluttonous kern had not wrought me a snail's own wrong!"
Then he sounded, and down came kinsmen and clansmen all:
"Ten blows, for ten tine, on his back let fall,
And reckon no stroke if the blood follow not at the bite of thong!"
So Hamish made bare, and took him his strokes; at the last he smiled.
"Now I'll to the burn," quoth Maclean, "for it still may be,
If a slimmer-paunched henchman will hurry with me,
I shall kill me the ten-tined buck for a gift to the wife and the child!"
Then the clansmen departed, by this path and that; and over the hill
Sped Maclean with an outward wrath for an inward shame;
And that place of the lashing full quiet became;
And the wife and the child stood sad; and bloody-backed Hamish sat still.
But look! red Hamish has risen; quick about and about turns he.
"There is none betwixt me and the crag-top!" he screams under breath.
Then, livid as Lazarus lately from death,
He snatches the child from the mother, and clambers the crag toward the sea.
Now the mother drops breath; she is dumb, and her heart goes dead for a space,
Till the motherhood, mistress of death, shrieks, shrieks through the glen,
And that place of the lashing is live with men,
And Maclean, and the gillie that told him, dash up in a desperate race.
Not a breath's time for asking; an eye-glance reveals all the tale untold.
They follow mad Hamish afar up the crag toward the sea,
And the lady cries:"Clansmen, run for a fee! --
Yon castle and lands to the two first hands that shall hook him and hold
Fast Hamish back from the brink!" -- and ever she flies up the steep,
And the clansmen pant, and they sweat, and they jostle and strain.
But, mother, 'tis vain; but, father, 'tis vain;
Stern Hamish stands bold on the brink, and dangles the child o'er the deep.
Now a faintness falls on the men that run, and they all stand still.
And the wife prays Hamish as if he were God, on her knees,
Crying:"Hamish! O Hamish! but please, but please
For to spare him!" and Hamish still dangles the child, with a wavering will.
On a sudden he turns; with a sea-hawk scream, and a gibe, and a song,
Cries:"So; I will spare ye the child if, in sight of ye all,
Ten blows on Maclean's bare back shall fall,
And ye reckon no stroke if the blood follow not at the bite of the thong!"
Then Maclean he set hardly his tooth to his lip that his tooth was red,
Breathed short for a space, said:"Nay, but it never shall be!
Let me hurl off the damnable hound in the sea!"
But the wife:"Can Hamish go fish us the child from the sea, if dead?
Say yea! --Let them lash ME, Hamish?" --"Nay!" --"Husband,
the lashing will heal;
But, oh, who will heal me the bonny sweet bairn in his grave?
Could ye cure me my heart with the death of a knave?
Quick! Love!I will bare thee -- so -- kneel!"Then Maclean 'gan slowly
to kneel
With never a word, till presently downward he jerked to the earth.
Then the henchman -- he that smote Hamish -- would tremble and lag;
"Strike, hard!" quoth Hamish, full stern, from the crag;
Then he struck him, and "One!" sang Hamish, and danced with the child
in his mirth.
And no man spake beside Hamish; he counted each stroke with a song.
When the last stroke fell, then he moved him a pace down the height,
And he held forth the child in the heartaching sight
Of the mother, and looked all pitiful grave, as repenting a wrong.
And there as the motherly arms stretched out with the thanksgiving prayer --
And there as the mother crept up with a fearful swift pace,
Till her finger nigh felt of the bairnie's face --
In a flash fierce Hamish turned round and lifted the child in the air,
And sprang with the child in his arms from the horrible height in the sea,
Shrill screeching, "Revenge!" in the wind-rush; and pallid Maclean,
Age-feeble with anger and impotent pain,
Crawled up on the crag, and lay flat, and locked hold of dead roots
of a tree --
And gazed hungrily o'er, and the blood from his back drip-dripped
in the brine,
And a sea-hawk flung down a skeleton fish as he flew,
And the mother stared white on the waste of blue,
And the wind drove a cloud to seaward, and the sun began to shine.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Revenge of Hamish: A Masterpiece of Revenge and Justice
Poetry has always been a means of expression for different emotions and situations. One of the most common themes in poetry is revenge. Revenge is a theme that has fascinated poets and audiences for centuries. In the poem, "The Revenge of Hamish," by Sidney Lanier, we see the power of revenge and how it can drive a person to take drastic measures. This poem is a masterpiece of revenge and justice, and it is a great example of how poetry can be used to convey complex emotions and ideas in a simple and effective way.
The Plot of the Poem
"The Revenge of Hamish" is a narrative poem that tells the story of a Scottish warrior named Hamish. Hamish's family was killed by the English, and he seeks revenge for their deaths. He goes to the English court and challenges the king's champion to a duel. The champion accepts the challenge, and they fight. Hamish wins the duel, and he kills the champion. The king is so impressed by Hamish's bravery that he offers him a pardon for his crimes. Hamish refuses the pardon, saying that he will only be satisfied when all the English are gone from Scotland.
The Theme of Revenge
The theme of revenge is the most prominent theme in "The Revenge of Hamish." Hamish's entire motivation for seeking out the English champion is revenge for the death of his family. Revenge is a common theme in literature because it is a universal emotion. Everyone has felt the desire for revenge at some point in their lives. Revenge is a powerful emotion that can drive a person to do things they would not normally do. The poem shows how revenge can consume a person and how it can be both destructive and empowering.
The Theme of Justice
The theme of justice is also present in "The Revenge of Hamish." Hamish seeks revenge for the death of his family, but he also seeks justice. He believes that the English should pay for their crimes and that the only way to achieve justice is through revenge. Hamish's sense of justice is not based on the law or on morality, but on his own sense of what is right. The poem raises questions about the nature of justice and whether revenge can ever truly bring justice.
The Writing Style of Sidney Lanier
Sidney Lanier's writing style is simple and direct. He uses simple, everyday language that is easy to understand. Lanier's poetry is not filled with complex metaphors or obscure references. He uses language that is accessible to everyone. His writing is also very musical. He uses rhythm and rhyme to create a sense of harmony in his poetry. This harmony gives his poetry a sense of beauty and elegance.
The Use of Imagery
Lanier's use of imagery is also very effective. He uses vivid images to create a sense of place and to convey emotions. For example, in the poem, he describes Hamish's journey to the English court as a journey through a "long, dim, wooded pass." This image creates a sense of danger and mystery. Lanier also uses imagery to describe Hamish's fight with the English champion. He describes the two warriors as "two tall pines in the forest green." This image creates a sense of strength and power.
The Symbolism in the Poem
The poem is full of symbols that add depth and meaning to the story. For example, Hamish's sword represents his desire for revenge. The sword is described as "the blade that never slept." This image creates a sense of danger and implies that the sword is always ready for action. Another symbol in the poem is the English champion. He represents the English oppressors who have killed Hamish's family. By defeating the English champion, Hamish is symbolically defeating all of the English oppressors.
The Structure of the Poem
The poem is structured in a traditional narrative form. It has a clear beginning, middle, and end. The beginning of the poem sets up the story and introduces the main character, Hamish. The middle of the poem describes Hamish's journey to the English court and his fight with the English champion. The end of the poem resolves the story and shows the consequences of Hamish's actions.
Conclusion
"The Revenge of Hamish" is a masterpiece of revenge and justice. It shows how revenge can be both destructive and empowering and raises questions about the nature of justice. Sidney Lanier's writing style is simple and direct, and his use of imagery and symbolism adds depth and meaning to the story. The poem is structured in a traditional narrative form and has a clear beginning, middle, and end. Overall, "The Revenge of Hamish" is a great example of how poetry can be used to convey complex emotions and ideas in a simple and effective way.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Revenge of Hamish: A Masterpiece of Poetry
Sidney Lanier's "The Revenge of Hamish" is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a masterpiece of poetry that tells the story of a Scottish warrior seeking revenge against his enemy. The poem is filled with vivid imagery, powerful emotions, and a strong sense of justice.
The poem begins with a description of the Scottish landscape, which sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The landscape is described as "wild and drear," with "mountains dark and high." This description creates a sense of foreboding and sets the stage for the revenge that is to come.
The protagonist of the poem is Hamish, a Scottish warrior who has been wronged by his enemy. Hamish is described as a "giant of a man," with "eyes like fire." He is a fierce warrior who is determined to seek revenge against his enemy.
The poem then shifts to a flashback, where we learn about the events that led to Hamish's desire for revenge. Hamish's enemy, a man named Donald, had stolen his wife and killed his son. This act of betrayal and violence has left Hamish with a burning desire for revenge.
The poem then moves to the present, where Hamish is preparing for his revenge. He gathers his weapons and sets out to find Donald. The imagery in this section of the poem is particularly powerful, with Lanier describing the "clang of steel" and the "tramp of feet" as Hamish and his men march towards their enemy.
When Hamish finally confronts Donald, the poem reaches its climax. The two men engage in a fierce battle, with Hamish ultimately emerging victorious. The imagery in this section of the poem is particularly vivid, with Lanier describing the "flash of steel" and the "thud of blows" as the two men fight.
After defeating Donald, Hamish is filled with a sense of justice and satisfaction. He has avenged the wrongs that were done to him and has restored his honor. The poem ends with Hamish returning to his home, where he is greeted by his wife and daughter. The final lines of the poem are particularly powerful, with Lanier describing Hamish as a "hero of old" who has "won his own again."
Overall, "The Revenge of Hamish" is a masterpiece of poetry that tells a powerful story of revenge and justice. The imagery in the poem is particularly vivid, with Lanier painting a picture of the Scottish landscape and the battle between Hamish and Donald. The emotions in the poem are also strong, with Hamish's desire for revenge and his sense of justice coming through clearly. Finally, the poem has a strong sense of morality, with Hamish's actions being portrayed as just and honorable. All of these elements combine to make "The Revenge of Hamish" a classic poem that is still relevant today.
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