'Trooper Campbell' by Henry Lawson
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One day old Trooper Campbell
Rode out to Blackman's Run,
His cap-peak and his sabre
Were glancing in the sun.
'Twas New Year's Eve, and slowly
Across the ridges low
The sad Old Year was drifting
To where the old years go.
The trooper's mind was reading
The love-page of his life --
His love for Mary Wylie
Ere she was Blackman's wife;
He sorrowed for the sorrows
Of the heart a rival won,
For he knew that there was trouble
Out there on Blackman's Run.
The sapling shades had lengthened,
The summer day was late,
When Blackman met the trooper
Beyond the homestead gate.
And if the hand of trouble
Can leave a lasting trace,
The lines of care had come to stay
On poor old Blackman's face.
`Not good day, Trooper Campbell,
It's a bad, bad day for me --
You are of all the men on earth
The one I wished to see.
The great black clouds of trouble
Above our homestead hang;
That wild and reckless boy of mine
Has joined M'Durmer's gang.
`Oh! save him, save him, Campbell!
I beg in friendship's name!
For if they take and hang him,
The wife would die of shame.
Could Mary or her sisters
Hold up their heads again,
And face a woman's malice
Or claim the love of men?
`And if he does a murder
'Twere better we were dead.
Don't take him, Trooper Campbell,
If a price be on his head;
But shoot him! shoot him, Campbell,
When you meet him face to face,
And save him from the gallows,
And us from that disgrace.'
`Now, Tom,' cried Trooper Campbell,
`You know your words are wild.
Though he is wild and reckless,
Yet still he is your child;
So bear up in your trouble,
And meet it like a man,
And tell the wife and daughters
I'll save him if I can.'
.....
The sad Australian sunset
Had faded from the west;
But night brings darker shadows
To hearts that cannot rest;
And Blackman's wife sat rocking
And moaning in her chair.
`I cannot bear disgrace,' she moaned;
`Disgrace I cannot bear.
`In hardship and in trouble
I struggled year by year
To make my children better
Than other children here.
And if my son's a felon
How can I show my face?
I cannot bear disgrace; my God,
I cannot bear disgrace!
`Ah, God in Heaven pardon!
I'm selfish in my woe --
My boy is better-hearted
Than many that I know.
And I will face the world's disgrace,
And, till his mother's dead,
My foolish child shall find a place
To lay his outlawed head.'
.....
With a sad heart Trooper Campbell
Rode back from Blackman's Run,
Nor noticed aught about him
Till thirteen miles were done;
When, close beside a cutting,
He heard the click of locks,
And saw the rifle muzzles
Were on him from the rocks.
But suddenly a youth rode out,
And, close by Campbell's side:
`Don't fire! don't fire, in heaven's name!
It's Campbell, boys!' he cried.
Then one by one in silence
The levelled rifles fell,
For who'd shoot Trooper Campbell
Of those who knew him well?
Oh, bravely sat old Campbell,
No sign of fear showed he.
He slowly drew his carbine;
It rested by his knee.
The outlaws' guns were lifted,
But none the silence broke,
Till steadfastly and firmly
Old Trooper Campbell spoke.
`That boy that you would ruin
Goes home with me, my men;
Or some of us shall never
Ride through the Gap again.
You know old Trooper Campbell,
And have you ever heard
That bluff or lead could turn him,
That e'er he broke his word?
`That reckless lad is playing
A heartless villain's part;
He knows that he is breaking
His poor old mother's heart.
He'll bring a curse upon himself;
But 'tis not that alone,
He'll bring dishonour to a name
That I'D be proud to own.
`I speak to you, M'Durmer, --
If your heart's not hardened quite,
And if you'd seen the trouble
At Blackman's home this night,
You'd help me now, M'Durmer --
I speak as man to man --
I swore to save that foolish lad,
And I'll save him if I can.'
`Oh, take him!' said M'Durmer,
`He's got a horse to ride.'
The youngster thought a moment,
Then rode to Campbell's side --
`Good-bye!' the outlaws shouted,
As up the range they sped.
`A Merry New Year, Campbell,'
Was all M'Durmer said.
.....
Then fast along the ridges
Two bushmen rode a race,
And the moonlight lent a glory
To Trooper Campbell's face.
And ere the new year's dawning
They reached the home at last;
And this is but a story
Of trouble that is past!
Editor 1 Interpretation
Trooper Campbell by Henry Lawson: A Literary Criticism
Introduction Have you ever read a poem that made you feel like you were in the midst of a battle? Trooper Campbell by Henry Lawson is one such poem. This classic piece of literature is a narrative poem that tells the story of a brave soldier, Trooper Campbell, who went to battle and never returned. In this literary criticism, we will examine the various literary devices used by Lawson to enhance the overall impact of the poem.
Background Before delving into the literary analysis of Trooper Campbell, it is essential to understand the context in which the poem was written. Henry Lawson was an Australian poet and writer who lived during the late 19th and early 20th century. His works often focused on the harsh realities of life in the Australian outback, and he was known for his ability to capture the struggles of ordinary people in his writing.
Trooper Campbell was written in 1891, during a period of great upheaval in Australian society. The poem was inspired by the Boer War, which was being fought in South Africa at the time. Lawson was deeply affected by the war, and Trooper Campbell is his tribute to the brave soldiers who fought and died in battle.
Theme At its core, Trooper Campbell is a poem about courage, sacrifice, and the horrors of war. The poem tells the story of a brave soldier who willingly goes to battle, knowing full well that he may never return. Throughout the poem, Lawson emphasizes the bravery and courage of Trooper Campbell, who remains steadfast in the face of danger.
Additionally, the poem highlights the devastating impact of war on those who are left behind. In the final stanza, Lawson describes the grief and heartbreak of Trooper Campbell's family and friends, who mourn his loss.
Structure One of the most striking features of Trooper Campbell is its structure. The poem is written in ballad form, which is a narrative poem that tells a story in simple, rhyming stanzas. The ballad form was popular during the 19th century, and Lawson uses it to great effect in this poem.
Each stanza of Trooper Campbell consists of four lines, with an ABAB rhyme scheme. The simplicity of the rhyme scheme and the regular meter of the poem contribute to its overall impact. The poem reads like a folk song or a story passed down through generations.
Imagery Lawson's use of imagery in Trooper Campbell is nothing short of masterful. He creates vivid, visceral images that bring the poem to life. For example, in the second stanza, Lawson describes the chaos and confusion of battle:
The hills grew dim 'mid the ranks of men,
And the horses dash'd thru' the whistling lead,
And the stars were blotted and black, and then,
And the faces of the dying were white and dead.
The image of the "whistling lead" is particularly powerful. It creates a sense of danger and impending doom, as if death is lurking around every corner.
Similarly, in the third stanza, Lawson uses imagery to convey the bravery and courage of Trooper Campbell:
And he rode with the reckless daring,
Of his impetuous youth,
And the smile on his face was a thing worth sharing,
When he rode down to death and the devil, forsooth.
The image of Trooper Campbell riding "with reckless daring" creates a sense of heroism and bravery. The phrase "rode down to death and the devil" is particularly striking, as it suggests that Trooper Campbell is facing his own mortality with courage and defiance.
Symbolism Throughout the poem, Lawson uses symbolism to convey deeper meaning. One of the most prominent symbols in Trooper Campbell is the horse. The horse represents freedom, courage, and strength. Trooper Campbell's horse is described as "a grand young horse," and it is clear that the horse is a source of comfort and strength for the soldier.
Additionally, the horse represents the bond between Trooper Campbell and his family and friends. In the final stanza, the horse is described as standing "with his head bowed down in sorrow." This image conveys the depth of grief and loss felt by those who loved Trooper Campbell.
Conclusion In conclusion, Trooper Campbell is a powerful and moving poem that captures the bravery, sacrifice, and horror of war. Through his use of structure, imagery, and symbolism, Henry Lawson creates a vivid and visceral portrait of a brave soldier who gave his life for his country. The poem is a testament to the courage and resilience of ordinary people in the face of extraordinary circumstances.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Trooper Campbell: A Classic Poem by Henry Lawson
If you're a fan of classic Australian poetry, then you've probably heard of Henry Lawson. He's one of the most celebrated poets in the country, and his works have been studied and admired for over a century. One of his most famous poems is "The Poetry Trooper Campbell," which tells the story of a young soldier who finds solace in poetry during the horrors of war. In this article, we'll take a closer look at this classic poem and explore its themes, imagery, and historical context.
The poem begins with a description of the titular character, Trooper Campbell, who is "a quiet, gentle fellow, with a voice like a flute." He's not your typical soldier, and his comrades often tease him for his love of poetry. But Campbell doesn't let their taunts get to him. Instead, he finds comfort in his books and his writing, which help him escape the harsh realities of war. As Lawson writes:
He'd read and write when off his guard,
And dream when he was sleeping hard,
And when he woke at night, he'd say,
"I'll write a poem, if it's day."
These lines capture the essence of Campbell's character. He's a man who refuses to let the war consume him. Instead, he uses his passion for poetry as a way to cope with the trauma and the violence around him. It's a powerful message, and one that still resonates today.
The poem then shifts to a scene of battle, as Campbell and his comrades are attacked by the enemy. The imagery here is vivid and intense, as Lawson describes the chaos and the carnage of war. But even in the midst of this violence, Campbell remains calm and collected. He recites a poem to himself, and the words give him strength:
And when the bullets whistled by,
He murmured, "What is poetry?"
And when the shells began to fly,
"I'll write a sonnet, by and by."
These lines are some of the most famous in the poem, and for good reason. They capture the contrast between the brutality of war and the beauty of poetry. Campbell's love of verse is what keeps him going, even when everything around him is falling apart.
The poem then takes a tragic turn, as Campbell is mortally wounded in battle. As he lies dying, he recites one final poem, which is both haunting and poignant:
"I'll write a poem when I'm dead,
And finish it when I'm in my shroud;
And when my soul to heaven has fled,
I'll send it down to the world aloud."
These lines are heartbreaking, as they show us the true cost of war. Campbell's talent and his passion for poetry are lost forever, and all that remains is his memory. But even in death, he remains a symbol of hope and resilience. His love of poetry is what kept him alive, and it's what inspires us to this day.
So what is the message of "The Poetry Trooper Campbell"? At its core, the poem is a tribute to the power of art and literature. It shows us that even in the darkest of times, we can find solace and inspiration in the written word. It's a message that's as relevant today as it was when Lawson wrote the poem over a century ago.
But the poem is also a commentary on the horrors of war. Lawson was writing at a time when Australia was still a young nation, and the scars of the First World War were still fresh. He saw firsthand the toll that war took on young men like Campbell, and he wanted to pay tribute to their sacrifice. By showing us the beauty and the tragedy of Campbell's story, Lawson reminds us of the true cost of war, and the need to work towards peace and understanding.
In conclusion, "The Poetry Trooper Campbell" is a classic poem that still resonates today. It's a tribute to the power of art and literature, and a commentary on the horrors of war. Henry Lawson's words are as powerful now as they were over a century ago, and they remind us of the importance of compassion, resilience, and hope. So the next time you're feeling down, or you're struggling to find meaning in a chaotic world, remember Trooper Campbell, and the power of poetry to inspire and uplift us all.
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