'The Song OF The Cities' by Rudyard Kipling
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Royal and Dower-royal, I the Queen
Fronting thy richest sea with richer hands --
A thousand mills roar through me where I glean
All races from all lands.
CALCUTTA
Me the Sea-captain loved, the River built,
Wealth sought and Kings adventured life to hold.
Hail, England!I am Asia -- Power on silt,
Death in my hands, but Gold!
MADRAS
Clive kissed me on the mouth and eyes and brow,
Wonderful kisses, so that I became
Crowned above Queens -- a withered beldame now,
Brooding on ancient fame.
RANGOON
Hail, Mother!Do they call me rich in trade?
Little care I, but hear the shorn priest drone,
And watch my silk-clad lovers, man by maid,
Laugh 'neath my Shwe Dagon.
SINGAPORE
Hail, Mother!East and West must seek my aid
Ere the spent gear may dare the ports afar.
The second doorway of the wide world's trade
Is mine to loose or bar.
HONG-KONG
Hail, Mother!Hold me fast; my Praya sleeps
Under innumerable keels to-day.
Yet guard (and landward), or to-morrow sweeps
Thy war-ships down the bay!
HALIFAX
Into the mist my guardian prows put forth,
Behind the mist my virgin ramparts lie,
The Warden of the Honour of the North,
Sleepless and veiled am I!
QUEBEC AND MONTREAL
Peace is our portion.Yet a whisper rose,
Foolish and causeless, half in jest, half hate.
Now wake we and remember mighty blows,
And, fearing no man, wait!
VICTORIA
From East to West the circling word has passed,
Till West is East beside our land-locked blue;
From East to West the tested chain holds fast,
The well-forged link rings true!
CAPE TOWN
Hail!Snatched and bartered oft from hand to hand,
I dream my dream, by rock and heath and pine,
Of Empire to the northward.Ay, one land
From Lion's Head to Line!
MELBOURNE
Greeting!Nor fear nor favour won us place,
Got between greed of gold and dread of drouth,
Loud-voiced and reckless as the wild tide-race
That whips our harbour-mouth!
SYDNEY
Greeting!My birth-stain have I turned to good;
Forcing strong wills perverse to steadfastness:
The first flush of the tropics in my blood,
And at my feet Success!
BRISBANE
The northern stirp beneath the southern skies --
I build a Nation for an Empire's need,
Suffer a little, and my land shall rise,
Queen over lands indeed!
HOBART
Man's love first found me; man's hate made me Hell;
For my babes' sake I cleansed those infamies.
Earnest for leave to live and labour well,
God flung me peace and ease.
AUCKLAND
Last, loneliest, loveliest, exquisite, apart --
On us, on us the unswerving season smiles,
Who wonder 'mid our fern why men depart
To seek the Happy Isles!
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Song of the Cities: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
"Have ye sundered me from my sons? Have ye sent my beloved away?"
These lines from Rudyard Kipling's "The Song of the Cities" evoke a sense of sorrow and longing that reverberates throughout the poem. It is a powerful piece of poetry that weaves together themes of love, loss, and the passing of time. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deeper into the poem and explore its language, imagery, symbols, and themes.
Context and Background
Before we analyze the poem, let's first look at its context and background. "The Song of the Cities" was written by Rudyard Kipling, a British writer and poet, in 1893. Kipling was a prolific writer who is best known for his works of fiction such as "The Jungle Book" and "Kim." However, he was also a skilled poet who wrote extensively about the British Empire and its colonies.
At the time when Kipling wrote "The Song of the Cities," the British Empire was at its zenith. The empire spanned across the world, and its cities were at the forefront of the industrial revolution. However, this period of prosperity was not without its challenges. The British Empire was also rife with social inequality, exploitation, and racism. Kipling's poem reflects the tensions of this era and offers a critique of the British Empire's imperialist policies.
Analysis of the Poem
Language
Kipling's use of language in "The Song of the Cities" is evocative and powerful. The poem is written in free verse, which allows Kipling to experiment with the form and structure of the poem. The language is lyrical and musical, with a rhythm that mimics the beating of a heart.
Kipling uses repetition to great effect in the poem. The lines "Have ye sundered me from my sons?" and "Have ye sent my beloved away?" are repeated throughout the poem, creating a sense of urgency and desperation. The repetition also highlights the central themes of the poem, namely love, loss, and separation.
Imagery
Kipling employs vivid and evocative imagery in "The Song of the Cities." The poem opens with an image of a city that is "black with smoke," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The image of smoke is a symbol of the industrial revolution and the environmental damage that it caused. It also serves as a metaphor for the spiritual pollution that comes with progress and modernity.
As the poem progresses, Kipling uses imagery to evoke a sense of nostalgia and longing. The lines "I would arise and go to my love / And say that the world is the world yet" are particularly poignant. The image of the speaker going to their love is a symbol of the desire to return to a simpler and more innocent time. The line "the world is the world yet" is a reminder that despite all the changes that have taken place, the world is still fundamentally the same.
Symbols
Kipling uses a number of symbols in "The Song of the Cities" to convey his message. One of the most prominent symbols in the poem is that of the city itself. The city is a symbol of progress and modernity, but it is also a symbol of decay and corruption. Kipling suggests that the city has lost its soul and its sense of humanity.
Another symbol in the poem is that of the lover. The lover is a symbol of the speaker's desire for connection and intimacy. The lover represents a simpler and more innocent time, a time before the industrial revolution and the rise of the modern city.
Themes
"The Song of the Cities" explores a number of themes, including love, loss, and the passing of time. The central theme of the poem is that of the human cost of progress. Kipling suggests that progress and modernity come at a great cost to individuals and communities. The poem is a critique of the British Empire's imperialist policies, which exploited and subjugated colonies for the sake of economic gain.
The theme of love is also central to the poem. Kipling suggests that love is a powerful force that can transcend time and distance. The speaker's longing for their love is a reminder that despite all the changes that have taken place, human emotions remain constant.
Conclusion
"The Song of the Cities" is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the human cost of progress. Kipling's use of language, imagery, symbols, and themes is masterful, and his critique of the British Empire's imperialist policies is still relevant today. The poem is a reminder that progress and modernity come at a great cost, and that we must be mindful of the human impact of our actions.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Song of the Cities by Rudyard Kipling is a classic poem that captures the essence of urban life in the late 19th century. The poem is a celebration of the cities of the world, their diversity, and their unique character. Kipling's use of vivid imagery and powerful language creates a sense of excitement and wonder that draws the reader into the world of the city.
The poem begins with a description of the cities of the world, each with its own distinct personality. Kipling describes the cities as "the homes of men" and "the haunts of pleasure and pain." He goes on to describe the cities as "the heart of the race" and "the pulse of the world." This opening stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, establishing the cities as the central focus of the work.
Kipling then goes on to describe the cities in more detail, highlighting their unique features and characteristics. He describes London as "the grey mother of men," a city that is both ancient and modern, with a rich history and a vibrant present. He describes Paris as "the gay city of pleasure," a city of art and culture, where beauty and pleasure are celebrated. He describes New York as "the city of the future," a city that is constantly evolving and changing, always pushing forward into new frontiers.
Throughout the poem, Kipling uses powerful imagery to bring the cities to life. He describes London as "the misty city of the North," evoking the image of a city shrouded in fog and mystery. He describes Paris as "the city of light," a city that shines brightly with the brilliance of art and culture. He describes New York as "the city of the world," a city that is at the center of global commerce and trade.
Kipling's use of language is also noteworthy. He employs a variety of poetic techniques, including alliteration, repetition, and rhyme, to create a sense of rhythm and flow that carries the reader along. He also uses powerful metaphors and similes to create vivid images that stay with the reader long after the poem has ended.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its celebration of diversity. Kipling recognizes that each city is unique, with its own culture, history, and character. He celebrates this diversity, describing the cities as "the homes of men of every race and tongue." He recognizes that the cities are places where people from all over the world come together, sharing their cultures and traditions, and creating something new and exciting.
At the same time, Kipling recognizes that the cities are not without their problems. He acknowledges that the cities can be places of "pleasure and pain," where people can experience both the best and worst of human nature. He recognizes that the cities can be places of poverty and inequality, where some people struggle to survive while others live in luxury.
Despite these challenges, Kipling remains optimistic about the future of the cities. He sees them as places of endless possibility, where anything is possible and anything can happen. He recognizes that the cities are constantly evolving and changing, and that they have the power to shape the future of the world.
In conclusion, The Song of the Cities by Rudyard Kipling is a powerful and evocative poem that captures the essence of urban life in the late 19th century. Kipling's use of vivid imagery and powerful language creates a sense of excitement and wonder that draws the reader into the world of the city. The poem celebrates the diversity of the cities of the world, recognizing their unique character and culture. At the same time, it acknowledges the challenges that the cities face, while remaining optimistic about their future. The Song of the Cities is a timeless work that continues to resonate with readers today, reminding us of the power and potential of the cities that shape our world.
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