'The Robe of Christ' by Joyce Kilmer


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(For Cecil Chesterton)

At the foot of the Cross on Calvary
Three soldiers sat and diced,
And one of them was the Devil
And he won the Robe of Christ.

When the Devil comes in his proper form
To the chamber where I dwell,
I know him and make the Sign of the Cross
Which drives him back to Hell.

And when he comes like a friendly man
And puts his hand in mine,
The fervour in his voice is not
From love or joy or wine.

And when he comes like a woman,
With lovely, smiling eyes,
Black dreams float over his golden head
Like a swarm of carrion flies.

Now many a million tortured souls
In his red halls there be:
Why does he spend his subtle craft
In hunting after me?

Kings, queens and crested warriors
Whose memory rings through time,
These are his prey, and what to him
Is this poor man of rhyme,

That he, with such laborious skill,
Should change from role to role,
Should daily act so many a part
To get my little soul?

Oh, he can be the forest,
And he can be the sun,
Or a buttercup, or an hour of rest
When the weary day is done.

I saw him through a thousand veils,
And has not this sufficed?
Now, must I look on the Devil robed
In the radiant Robe of Christ?

He comes, and his face is sad and mild,
With thorns his head is crowned;
There are great bleeding wounds in his feet,
And in each hand a wound.

How can I tell, who am a fool,
If this be Christ or no?
Those bleeding hands outstretched to me!
Those eyes that love me so!

I see the Robe -- I look -- I hope --
I fear -- but there is one
Who will direct my troubled mind;
Christ's Mother knows her Son.

O Mother of Good Counsel, lend
Intelligence to me!
Encompass me with wisdom,
Thou Tower of Ivory!

"This is the Man of Lies," she says,
"Disguised with fearful art:
He has the wounded hands and feet,
But not the wounded heart."

Beside the Cross on Calvary
She watched them as they diced.
She saw the Devil join the game
And win the Robe of Christ.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Robe of Christ by Joyce Kilmer: A Powerful Symbolic Journey

Have you ever read a poem that makes you feel like you just went on a spiritual journey? That's exactly what The Robe of Christ by Joyce Kilmer does. This classic poem is a masterpiece of symbolism and religious imagery that takes the reader on a powerful journey of faith and redemption.

The Poem

Let's start with the poem itself. The Robe of Christ is an eight-stanza poem with each stanza consisting of four lines. Here's the full text:

At the foot of the Cross on Calvary
Three soldiers sat and diced,
And one of them was the Devil
And he won the Robe of Christ.

When the Devil comes in his proper form
To the chamber where I dwell,
I know him and make the Sign of the Cross
Which drives him back to Hell.

And when he comes like a friendly man
And puts his hand in mine,
The fervour in his voice is not
From love or joy or wine.

And when he comes like a woman,
With lovely, smiling eyes,
Black dreams float over his golden head
Like a swarm of carrion flies.

Now many a million tortured souls
In his red halls there be:
Why should he spend his subtle craft
In hunting after me?

The snares of love, and the coils of faith,
And the mesh of good and ill,
We'll break them all, and stand upright,
While he wheels round us still.

The Cross stands firm on Calvary,
And time will take it down,
When its last and littlest diamond
Is turned to dust and blown.

But Christ's own Robe will last us
When all his Crosses fall;
We have taken it from the Devil,
And wear it one and all.

Symbolism and Imagery

Now, let's dive into the symbolism and imagery of the poem. The first stanza sets the scene at the foot of the Cross on Calvary, where three soldiers are gambling. One of them is the Devil, and he wins the Robe of Christ. This sets up the central conflict of the poem: the struggle between good and evil.

The second stanza introduces the idea of the Devil coming in different forms. When he comes in his proper form, the narrator knows him and makes the Sign of the Cross, which drives him back to Hell. This symbolizes the power of faith to protect us from evil.

The third stanza describes the Devil coming like a friendly man, with a fervor in his voice that's not from love or joy or wine. This shows how the Devil can use deception to lure us away from the path of righteousness.

The fourth stanza is perhaps the most powerful in terms of imagery. It describes the Devil coming like a woman with lovely, smiling eyes, but with black dreams floating over his head like a swarm of carrion flies. This is a vivid portrayal of the dangers of temptation and how it can corrupt our souls.

The fifth stanza asks why the Devil would bother hunting after the narrator when there are so many other souls to torment. This suggests that the narrator is someone of particular importance or value to God.

The sixth stanza speaks of the snares of love, the coils of faith, and the mesh of good and evil. These are all obstacles that can lead us astray, but the narrator is confident that they will break them all and stand upright, while the Devil circles around them.

The seventh stanza acknowledges that the Cross on Calvary will eventually fall, but that Christ's Robe will last forever. This is a powerful metaphor for the enduring power of faith and the victory of good over evil.

Finally, the eighth stanza brings it all together, stating that the narrator and all those who share in Christ's Robe have taken it from the Devil and wear it one and all. This is a powerful statement of faith and redemption.

Interpretation

So, what does it all mean? The Robe of Christ is a deeply spiritual and religious poem that speaks to the power of faith and the struggle between good and evil. The Devil is portrayed as a cunning and deceptive force that can take many forms and use many tactics to lead us astray.

However, the narrator is confident in their faith and the power of the Cross to protect them. They see themselves as standing upright and unyielding in the face of temptation and evil, wearing the Robe of Christ as a symbol of their redemption.

Overall, The Robe of Christ is a powerful and moving poem that speaks to the enduring power of faith and the struggle between good and evil that we all face. Joyce Kilmer was a deeply spiritual writer who saw the beauty and power of faith in the world around him, and this poem is a testament to that vision.

Conclusion

In conclusion, The Robe of Christ is a classic poem that continues to inspire and move readers today. Its powerful symbolism and imagery speak to the enduring power of faith and the struggle between good and evil that we all face. Joyce Kilmer was a masterful writer who captured the spiritual essence of the world around him, and this poem is one of his greatest works.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Robe of Christ: A Poetic Masterpiece by Joyce Kilmer

Joyce Kilmer, an American poet, journalist, and literary critic, is best known for his poem "Trees." However, his poem "The Robe of Christ" is a lesser-known masterpiece that deserves recognition. This poem is a beautiful and powerful tribute to the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail.

The poem is divided into three stanzas, each consisting of six lines. The rhyme scheme is ABABCC, and the meter is iambic pentameter. The poem's structure is simple, yet effective, as it allows the reader to focus on the message conveyed by the poet.

The first stanza sets the tone for the entire poem. The poet describes the robe of Christ as a symbol of love and sacrifice. The robe is not just a piece of clothing but a representation of the divine love that Christ had for humanity. The poet writes, "A robe of glory, a crown of thorn, a staff of faith, a scourge of scorn." These lines show the contrast between the glory and the suffering that Christ endured for the sake of humanity. The robe of Christ is not just a symbol of his divinity but also a reminder of his humanity.

The second stanza of the poem is a tribute to the teachings of Christ. The poet writes, "He taught us how to live, and, oh! / What high examples did he show!" The poet emphasizes the importance of Christ's teachings and how they can guide us in our daily lives. The poet also mentions the miracles performed by Christ, such as healing the sick and feeding the hungry. These miracles are a testament to Christ's compassion and love for humanity.

The third stanza of the poem is a call to action. The poet urges us to follow the example of Christ and to live a life of love and compassion. The poet writes, "So let us do the deeds he taught, / The soul's fair, brave, and perfect thought." The poet emphasizes the importance of living a life that is in line with Christ's teachings. The poet also mentions the importance of faith and how it can guide us in our daily lives.

The poem's theme is the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. The poet uses the robe of Christ as a symbol of his love and sacrifice. The poem emphasizes the importance of Christ's teachings and how they can guide us in our daily lives. The poem also calls us to action and urges us to follow the example of Christ.

The language used in the poem is simple yet powerful. The poet uses imagery to convey the message of the poem. The robe of Christ is described as a symbol of love and sacrifice. The miracles performed by Christ are a testament to his compassion and love for humanity. The poet also uses alliteration and repetition to emphasize certain words and phrases, such as "robe of glory" and "soul's fair, brave, and perfect thought."

The poem's tone is reverential and respectful. The poet shows great admiration for the life and teachings of Christ. The poem is not preachy or didactic but rather a tribute to the life and teachings of Christ.

In conclusion, "The Robe of Christ" is a beautiful and powerful tribute to the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. The poem emphasizes the importance of Christ's teachings and how they can guide us in our daily lives. The poem also calls us to action and urges us to follow the example of Christ. The language used in the poem is simple yet powerful, and the tone is reverential and respectful. This poem is a masterpiece that deserves recognition and should be read by anyone who wants to understand the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.

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