The Lay of the Last Minstrel
Reference to the Context
Introduction
The given lines are
an extract from the poem The Lay of the Last Minstrel written by Sir Walter
Scott. The poem deals with the theme of patriotism. The poet believes that love
and loyalty towards one’s motherland is a natural feeling, and anyone devoid of
it, is nothing but a symbol of greed and selfishness. In the first place, the
poet wishes to know whether there are such people in the world who have no
sense of attachment and allegiance towards their nation, and never feel proud
and honoured to speak of the homeland, where they are born and brought up. Then
the poet suggests that we should be vigilant of such elements and always keep
an eye on them. They are worthless and deserve to be condemned in spite of all
their wealth, high rank and authority. Finally the poet believes that such
unpatriotic people face an unceremonious end. They lose, their reputation
during their lifetime, and when they die, it means death for them in two ways.
Firstly they suffer physical death when their body perishes and then their name
is also buried forever. No one shed tears of sorrow at their death, no one pays
homage to them and no one sings songs of appreciation for them. In this way,
they get a well-deserved death.
Lines
BREATHES THERE THE
MAN WITH SOUL SO DEAD,
WHO NEVER TO HIMSELF HATH SAID,
THIS IS MY OWN, MY NATIVE LAND!
WHOSE HEART HATH NE’ER WITHIN HIM BURN’D,
AS HOME HIS FOOTSTEPS HE HATH TURN’D,
FROM WANDERING ON A FOREIGN STRAND!
WHO NEVER TO HIMSELF HATH SAID,
THIS IS MY OWN, MY NATIVE LAND!
WHOSE HEART HATH NE’ER WITHIN HIM BURN’D,
AS HOME HIS FOOTSTEPS HE HATH TURN’D,
FROM WANDERING ON A FOREIGN STRAND!
Explanation
In the lines given
for contextual explanation, the poet wants to know whether there are
unpatriotic people existing on this earth. He wishes to identify such people
who are absolutely devoid of the love of the nation. Such people never take due
pride in their motherland. If a person remains away from his country for a long
time, it is natural that he should feel delighted and satisfied while
re-tracing his steps to his own soil. However if such sentiments are not
aroused in him, it indicates that the noble feeling of patriotism is not found
in him and he has no affiliation with his own land.
Lines
IF SUCH THERE
BREATHE, GO MARK HIM WELL;
FOR HIM NO MINSTREL RAPTURES SWELL;
HIGH THOUGH HIS TITLES, PROUD HIS NAME,
BOUNDLESS HIS WEALTH AS WISH CAN CLAIM;
DESPITE THOSE TITLES, POWER AND PELF,
THE WRETCH, CONCENTRED ALL IN SELF
FOR HIM NO MINSTREL RAPTURES SWELL;
HIGH THOUGH HIS TITLES, PROUD HIS NAME,
BOUNDLESS HIS WEALTH AS WISH CAN CLAIM;
DESPITE THOSE TITLES, POWER AND PELF,
THE WRETCH, CONCENTRED ALL IN SELF
Explanation
In the lines given
for elucidation, the poet is sounding a word of caution against those who have
not the slightest trace of patriotism in them. The poet wishes that such
selfish and unscrupulous people should be identified. We should always be watchful
of such people. It is possible that such elements possess high titles and
ranks. They may be exercising great power and authority. They may also be
rolling in wealth and having all the luxuries and amenities of life. However,
they prove to be the most miserable people since they are too self-centered,
and always look to their own gains. They pay no heed to the glory and integrity
of the nation but go on filling their own coffers.
Lines
LIVING, SHALL
FORFEIT FAIR RENOWN,
AND, DOUBLY DYING, SHALL GO DOWN
TO THE VILE DUST FROM WHENCE HE SPRUNG,
UNWEPT, UNHONOUR’D, AND UNSUNG.
AND, DOUBLY DYING, SHALL GO DOWN
TO THE VILE DUST FROM WHENCE HE SPRUNG,
UNWEPT, UNHONOUR’D, AND UNSUNG.
Explanation
In the lines given
for explanation, the poet is referring to the fate of such a person who is
completely devoid of the spirit of patriotism. People begin recognizing such
elements during their lifetime and they begin losing their name and fame. When
such unpatriotic people die, it means a “double death” for them. In the first
place, their body perishes and they are buried. They go back to the same dust
from which they were created. At the same time their name and fame is also lost
forever. When such an unpatriotic person departs from this world no eyes are
filled with tears and no one mourns over her grief. No homage or tribute is
paid to such a person as no one utters a word of praise or appreciation for
him. No songs are sung in his memory and no one remembers him after his death.
Thus, he suffers a death of disgrace and ignominy
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