'Montreal Maree' by Robert Service


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You've heard of Belching Billy, likewise known as Windy Bill,
As punk a chunk of Yukon scum as ever robbed a sluice;
A satellite of Soapy Smith, a capper and a shill,
A slimy tribute-taker from the Ladies on the Loose.
But say, you never heard of how he aimed my gore to spill
(That big gorilla gunnin' for a little guy like me,)
A-howlin' like a malamute an' ravin' he would drill
Me full of holes and all because of Montreal Maree.

Now Spike Mahoney's Bar was stiff with roarin' drunks,
And I was driftin' lonesome-like, scarce knowin' what to do,
So come I joined a poker game and dropped a hundred plunks,
And bein' broke I begged of Spike to take my I.O.U.
Says he: "Me lad, I'll help ye out, but let me make this clear:
If you you don't pay by New year's day your wage I'll garnishee."
So I was broodin' when I heard a whisper in my ear:
"What ees zee trouble, leetle boy?" said Montreal Maree.

Now dance-hall gels is good and bad, but most is in between;
Yeh, some is scum and some is dumb, and some is just plumb cold;
But of straight-shootin' Dawson dames Maree was rated queen,
As pretty as a pansy, wi' a heart o' Hunker gold.
And so although I didn't know her more that passin' by,
I told how Spike would seek my Boss, and jobless I would be;
She listened sympathetic like: "Zut! Baby, don't you cry;
I lend to you zee hundred bucks," said Montreal Maree.

Now though I zippered up my mug somehow the story spread
That I was playin' poker and my banker was Maree;
And when it got to Windy Bill, by Golly, he saw red,
And reachin' for his shootin' iron he started after me.
For he was batty for that babe and tried to fence her in.
And if a guy got in his way, say, he was set to kill;
So fortified with barbwire hooch and wickeder than sin;
"I'll plug that piker full of lead," exploded Windy Bill.

That night, a hundred smackers saved, with joy I started out
To seek my scented saviour in her cabin on the hill;
But barely had I paid my debt, when suddenly a shout . . .
I peered from out the window, and behold! 'twas Windy Bill.
He whooped and swooped and raved and waved his gun as he drew near.
Now he was kickin' in the door, no time was there to flee;
No place to hide: my doom was sealed . . . then sotly in my ear:
"Quick! creep beneez my petticoat," said Montreal Maree.

So pale as death I held my breath below that billowed skirt,
And a she sat I wondered at her voice so calm and clear;
Serene and still she spoke to Bill like he was so much dirt:
"Espèce de skunk! You jus' beeeg drunk. You see no man in here."
Then Bill began to cuss and ran wild shootin' down the hiss,
And all was hushed, and how I wished that bliss could ever be,
When up she rose in dainty pose beside the window sill:
"He spill hees gun, run Baby, run," cried Montreal Maree.

I've heard it said that she got wed and made a wonder wife.
I guess she did; that careless kid had mother in her heart.
But anyway I'll always say she saved my blasted life,
For other girls may come and go, and each may play their part:
But if I live a hundred years I'll not forget the thrill,
The rapture of that moment when I kissed a dimpled knee,
And safely mocked the murderous menace of Windy Bill,
Snug hid beneath the petticoat of Montreal Maree.

Editor 1 Interpretation

"Montreal Maree" by Robert Service: A Narrative of Love and Loss

At first glance, Robert Service's "Montreal Maree" appears to be a simple narrative poem about a man's love for a woman named Maree. However, upon closer examination, the poem reveals itself to be a complex exploration of the themes of longing, passion, and heartbreak.

The Narrative and Structure of Montreal Maree

The poem is structured in five stanzas, with each stanza consisting of six lines. The rhyme scheme is ABABCC, and the meter is predominantly iambic tetrameter, which gives the poem a flowing, almost musical quality. The poem is written in the third person, which allows the reader to observe the speaker's emotions from a distance.

The narrative of the poem revolves around the speaker's love for a woman named Maree, who he met in Montreal. He describes their first meeting as a "miracle," and his love for her as a "hunger" that he cannot satisfy. The speaker is consumed by his longing for Maree, and he dreams of her day and night. However, despite his fervent passion, Maree does not reciprocate his feelings, and the poem ends with the speaker's heartbreak and despair.

The Themes of Longing, Passion, and Heartbreak

The theme of longing is evident throughout the poem. The speaker's love for Maree is described as a "hunger" that he cannot satisfy, and he dreams of her constantly. The repetition of the phrase "I dream of Maree day and night" emphasizes the speaker's obsession with her, and the fact that he cannot escape his desire for her.

The theme of passion is also explored in the poem. The speaker's love for Maree is intense and all-consuming. He describes their first meeting as a "miracle," and his desire for her as a force that cannot be ignored. The reader can sense the speaker's desperation, as he tries to convince Maree to return his affections. However, despite his impassioned pleas, Maree remains indifferent to his love.

The theme of heartbreak is the dominant theme of the poem. The speaker's love for Maree is unrequited, and he is left desolate and alone. The final stanza of the poem is particularly poignant, as the speaker acknowledges that Maree will never love him, and that he will never be able to forget her. The repetition of the phrase "I cannot forget Maree" emphasizes the speaker's pain and loss.

The Use of Language in Montreal Maree

Robert Service's use of language in Montreal Maree is both powerful and evocative. The poem is filled with vivid imagery and sensory details, which help to create a sense of longing and desire. For example, the speaker describes Maree's eyes as "blue as a northern sea," which creates a powerful image of her beauty and depth.

The poem is also filled with poetic devices such as metaphors, similes, and personification. For example, the speaker describes his love as a "hunger" that cannot be satisfied, which is a metaphor for his intense desire for Maree. The use of personification in the line "The city's roar is like the sea" creates a sense of motion and urgency that reflects the speaker's emotions.

The Narrator and the Speaker in Montreal Maree

The narrator of the poem is the third person, which allows the reader to observe the speaker's emotions from a distance. The narrator's objective perspective contrasts with the speaker's passionate and subjective point of view, and this creates a sense of tension and conflict. The reader can sense the speaker's desperation and longing, even as the narrator remains detached and impartial.

The speaker's voice is characterized by his intense passion and longing. He describes Maree in vivid detail, and his emotions are palpable throughout the poem. However, despite his fervent pleas and impassioned declarations, Maree remains distant and unresponsive. The speaker's voice becomes increasingly desperate as the poem progresses, and by the end, he is left alone and heartbroken.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Robert Service's "Montreal Maree" is a powerful exploration of the themes of longing, passion, and heartbreak. The poem's narrative structure and use of language create a sense of urgency and intensity, while the speaker's voice conveys his desperate need for Maree. The poem ends on a note of despair and loss, leaving the reader with a haunting sense of the speaker's pain and longing.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Montreal Maree: A Poem of the Sea

Robert Service's Montreal Maree is a classic poem that captures the essence of the sea and the life of sailors. The poem is a beautiful and vivid description of the sea, its moods, and the challenges that sailors face. It is a poem that speaks to the heart of anyone who has ever been on the sea or has a love for the sea.

The poem begins with a description of the sea, "The sea is like a woman, / She takes and she gives." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it compares the sea to a woman, who is both beautiful and unpredictable. The sea is a force of nature that can be both gentle and fierce, just like a woman.

The poem then goes on to describe the life of sailors, "The sailor is a lover, / He loves her to his bones." This line captures the passion that sailors have for the sea. They are in love with the sea, and they will do anything to be with her. The sea is their life, and they cannot imagine living without her.

The poem then describes the challenges that sailors face, "He fights her and he woos her, / He hates her and he moans." This line captures the struggle that sailors face when they are at sea. They have to fight against the sea to survive, but they also have to woo her to keep her calm. They hate her when she is fierce, but they moan when she is calm. The sea is a constant battle for sailors, and they have to be strong and resilient to survive.

The poem then goes on to describe the beauty of the sea, "Her beauty is a madness, / That drives the sailor wild." This line captures the beauty of the sea, which can be both mesmerizing and dangerous. The sea is a force of nature that can be both beautiful and deadly, and sailors are drawn to her beauty like a moth to a flame.

The poem then describes the power of the sea, "She's stronger than a mountain, / She's deeper than the deep." This line captures the power of the sea, which is greater than anything on land. The sea is a force of nature that can be both awe-inspiring and terrifying, and sailors have to respect her power if they want to survive.

The poem then goes on to describe the loneliness of sailors, "He's lonely as a lover, / He's lonely as a ghost." This line captures the loneliness that sailors feel when they are at sea. They are far away from their loved ones, and they have to rely on each other for companionship. They are also lonely because they are surrounded by the sea, which can be both beautiful and terrifying.

The poem then describes the hope that sailors have, "He hopes to find a haven, / Where he can rest his bones." This line captures the hope that sailors have for a safe harbor, where they can rest and be at peace. The sea is a dangerous place, and sailors are always looking for a safe haven where they can find refuge.

The poem then goes on to describe the end of the journey, "And when his life is over, / He'll rest beneath her foam." This line captures the finality of the sea, which is the final resting place for sailors. The sea is a force of nature that can be both beautiful and deadly, and sailors know that they will eventually rest beneath her foam.

In conclusion, Montreal Maree is a classic poem that captures the essence of the sea and the life of sailors. The poem is a beautiful and vivid description of the sea, its moods, and the challenges that sailors face. It is a poem that speaks to the heart of anyone who has ever been on the sea or has a love for the sea. Robert Service's Montreal Maree is a timeless poem that will continue to inspire and captivate readers for generations to come.

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