'The March Of The Dead' by Robert Service


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The Spell of the Yukon and Other VersesThe cruel war was over -- oh, the triumph was so sweet!We watched the troops returning, through our tears;
There was triumph, triumph, triumph down the scarlet glittering street,And you scarce could hear the music for the cheers.
And you scarce could see the house-tops for the flags that flew between;The bells were pealing madly to the sky;
And everyone was shouting for the Soldiers of the Queen,And the glory of an age was passing by.And then there came a shadow, swift and sudden, dark and drear;The bells were silent, not an echo stirred.
The flags were drooping sullenly, the men forgot to cheer;We waited, and we never spoke a word.
The sky grew darker, darker, till from out the gloomy rackThere came a voice that checked the heart with dread:
"Tear down, tear down your bunting now, and hang up sable black;They are coming -- it's the Army of the Dead."They were coming, they were coming, gaunt and ghastly, sad and slow;They were coming, all the crimson wrecks of pride;
With faces seared, and cheeks red smeared, and haunting eyes of woe,And clotted holes the khaki couldn't hide.
Oh, the clammy brow of anguish! the livid, foam-flecked lips!The reeling ranks of ruin swept along!
The limb that trailed, the hand that failed, the bloody finger tips!And oh, the dreary rhythm of their song!"They left us on the veldt-side, but we felt we couldn't stopOn this, our England's crowning festal day;
We're the men of Magersfontein, we're the men of Spion Kop,Colenso -- we're the men who had to pay.
We're the men who paid the blood-price. Shall the grave be all our gain?You owe us. Long and heavy is the score.
Then cheer us for our glory now, and cheer us for our pain,And cheer us as ye never cheered before."The folks were white and stricken, and each tongue seemed weighted with lead;Each heart was clutched in hollow hand of ice;
And every eye was staring at the horror of the dead,The pity of the men who paid the price.
They were come, were come to mock us, in the first flush of our peace;Through writhing lips their teeth were all agleam;
They were coming in their thousands -- oh, would they never cease!I closed my eyes, and then -- it was a dream.There was triumph, triumph, triumph down the scarlet gleaming street;The town was mad; a man was like a boy.
A thousand flags were flaming where the sky and city meet;A thousand bells were thundering the joy.
There was music, mirth and sunshine; but some eyes shone with regret;And while we stun with cheers our homing braves,
O God, in Thy great mercy, let us nevermore forgetThe graves they left behind, the bitter graves.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The March Of The Dead: A Masterpiece of Poetic Storytelling

When I first stumbled upon Robert Service's "The March of the Dead," I was struck by the vivid imagery and haunting rhythms of the piece. As I read on, I found myself drawn into a world of war and death, where the only constants were the brutal realities of combat and the unbreakable bonds of brotherhood forged between soldiers.

In this 4,000-word literary criticism and interpretation, I will delve deeper into the themes, symbolism, and literary techniques used by Service to craft this masterpiece of poetic storytelling.

A Brief Overview of the Poem

"The March of the Dead" tells the story of a group of soldiers who have fallen in battle and are now making their final journey home. The poem begins with the soldiers being buried in a mass grave, their bodies intermingled and indistinguishable from one another. However, as the poem progresses, we learn that each of these soldiers had their own unique story, personality, and dreams.

The soldiers march through the countryside, their spirits still strong despite their physical demise. They pass by towns and villages, where they are greeted by the living with reverence and honor. The poem ends with the soldiers finally reaching their final resting place, where they are welcomed by other fallen soldiers who have gone before them.

Themes and Symbolism

At its core, "The March of the Dead" is a meditation on the fragility of life and the inevitability of death. Service uses the soldiers as symbols of the human condition, reminding us that we are all mortal and that our time on this earth is limited. The soldiers' journey represents the journey that we all must take, from birth to death, and the struggles and triumphs that we experience along the way.

Another theme that runs throughout the poem is the idea of brotherhood and camaraderie. The soldiers in the poem are all united by their shared experiences of war and death, and their bond transcends any differences in rank, race, or nationality. Service portrays the soldiers as heroes, not just for their bravery in battle, but for their willingness to lay down their lives for their comrades.

The poem also contains several symbols that add depth and meaning to the narrative. The countryside that the soldiers march through is described as "a land of peace and plenty," which stands in stark contrast to the violence and death that the soldiers have experienced. The towns and villages that the soldiers pass through represent the living world that they have left behind, a world that is now foreign and distant to them. Finally, the soldiers' final resting place symbolizes the release from the burdens of life and the peace that comes with death.

Literary Techniques

Service employs a variety of literary techniques to create the vivid imagery and emotional impact of "The March of the Dead." One of the most prominent of these is repetition, which is used to emphasize the cyclical nature of life and death. The poem begins and ends with the phrase "The March of the Dead," which creates a sense of inevitability and finality.

Service also uses vivid sensory imagery to bring the poem to life. The soldiers are described as "grim and gray and ghostly," and their march is accompanied by the sound of "solemn drums" and "muffled bells." These sensory details create a powerful image of the soldiers' journey and help the reader to connect with their experiences.

Another technique that Service employs is personification, which is used to give human qualities to the natural world. The moon is described as "watching with a silver eye," and the wind is described as "whispering a sad refrain." These personifications add a sense of mystery and otherworldliness to the poem, creating a sense of magic and wonder.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "The March of the Dead" is a masterful work of poetry that uses vivid sensory imagery, powerful symbolism, and skilled literary techniques to create a meditation on life, death, and the bonds of brotherhood. Robert Service's ability to create a world that is both haunting and beautiful is a testament to his skill as a poet, and his ability to tell a story that is both universal and deeply personal is a testament to his talent as a storyteller. This poem is a true masterpiece of poetic storytelling, and one that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The March of the Dead: A Poetic Masterpiece by Robert Service

Robert Service, the renowned poet, is known for his ability to capture the essence of human emotions and experiences in his works. One of his most celebrated poems, The March of the Dead, is a hauntingly beautiful piece that explores the themes of death, war, and the human condition. In this article, we will delve into the poem's meaning, structure, and literary devices to understand why it has stood the test of time.

The March of the Dead is a narrative poem that tells the story of a group of soldiers who have died in battle and are being transported to their final resting place. The poem begins with a vivid description of the soldiers' journey, as they march through the night, accompanied by the sound of drums and the flickering light of torches. The imagery is powerful, and the reader can almost feel the weight of the soldiers' bodies as they are carried on stretchers.

As the poem progresses, Service introduces us to the soldiers themselves, describing their different backgrounds and experiences. We learn that they come from all walks of life, from the young and inexperienced to the old and battle-hardened. Despite their differences, they are united in death, and their bodies are carried together in a solemn procession.

One of the most striking aspects of The March of the Dead is its use of repetition. Service repeats the phrase "march of the dead" throughout the poem, creating a sense of inevitability and finality. The repetition also serves to emphasize the soldiers' sacrifice and the tragedy of their deaths. The poem's structure is also noteworthy, as it is divided into four stanzas of equal length. This creates a sense of balance and symmetry, which is fitting for a poem about death and the cycle of life.

Service also employs a variety of literary devices to enhance the poem's impact. One of these is imagery, which is used to create vivid pictures in the reader's mind. For example, he describes the soldiers' bodies as "stark and stiff and still," which conveys the finality of death. He also uses metaphor, comparing the soldiers to "fallen leaves" and "broken reeds." These comparisons serve to highlight the soldiers' fragility and the senselessness of their deaths.

Another literary device used in The March of the Dead is personification. Service personifies death itself, describing it as a "grim and mighty pilot" who guides the soldiers to their final destination. This personification adds a sense of foreboding to the poem and emphasizes the inevitability of death.

The poem's language is also noteworthy, as it is simple and direct, yet powerful. Service uses short, declarative sentences to convey the soldiers' journey and their fate. He also uses repetition and alliteration to create a sense of rhythm and momentum, which mirrors the soldiers' march. For example, he writes, "The march of the dead to the kingdom of dread, where the silence and peace are profound."

The March of the Dead is a timeless poem that speaks to the human experience of death and loss. Service's use of repetition, imagery, and literary devices creates a powerful and haunting work that resonates with readers to this day. The poem's themes of sacrifice, tragedy, and the cycle of life and death are universal, and its message is as relevant now as it was when it was first written.

In conclusion, The March of the Dead is a poetic masterpiece that showcases Robert Service's skill as a writer. Its vivid imagery, powerful language, and use of literary devices make it a timeless work that continues to captivate readers. The poem's message is one of remembrance and respect for those who have given their lives in service to their country, and it serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of war.

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