The Peace of Dives
In a world rife with wickedness, a divine command reaches a figure named Dives, urging him to reclaim his wealth and influence to bring about peace. Dives rises from his torment and, through his actions, halts battles and releases captives, establishing a temporary tranquility across the land. Simultaneously, Satan is summoned to test the validity of Dives' peace. He travels the Earth, attempting to incite conflict among rulers and nations, but finds his efforts thwarted. Despite his dark influence, swords remain sheathed, and the fires of war extinguish. Satan encounters Dives, who is engaged in financial dealings with various nations, lending money for weapons and war. Dives defends his actions, claiming that he has created a peace that holds nations together through fear, greed, and gold. He explains that his financial power binds states, as they seek arms for protection and weapons for aggression, all while relying on his resources. Satan, frustrated by Dives' success, demands to know the secret of his influence. Dives reveals that he has harnessed the fundamental human emotions of fear and hate, using them to manipulate nations into a false sense of security and peace. He describes how he has brokered deals that prevent conflict, ensuring that nations remain dependent on one another for their survival. Dives elaborates on his methods, illustrating how he has turned potential enemies into allies through financial ties. He emphasizes that the peace he has created is a façade, maintained by the very greed and fear that drive humanity. He challenges Satan to disrupt this delicate balance, asserting that he awaits the opportunity for chaos to return. The narrative explores themes of power, manipulation, and the complexities of human nature, revealing how financial interests can shape the course of history and maintain a fragile peace. Dives embodies the paradox of wealth as both a tool for peace and a potential catalyst for conflict, while Satan represents the ever-present threat of chaos lurking beneath the surface of civilization.
By Rudyard Kipling · First published 1912 · Genre: Poetry, Philosophical, Allegory · 1,406 words
First lines
The Word came down to Dives in Torment where he lay: ‘Our World is full of wickedness, My Children maim and slay, ‘And the Saint and Seer and Prophet ‘Can make no better of it ‘Than to sanctify and prophesy and pray.
‘Rise up, rise up, thou Dives, and take again thy gold, ‘And thy women and thy housen as they were to thee of old. ‘It may be grace hath found thee ‘In the furnace where We bound thee, ‘And that thou shalt bring the peace My Son foretold.'
What this Textopian page supports
The Peace of Dives is listed on Textopian as a poem by Rudyard Kipling, dated 1912 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Rudyard Kipling
- Date: 1912 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Philosophical, Allegory, Religious, Historical
- Length: 1,406 words
- Structure: 1 section, 22 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Peace of Dives by Rudyard Kipling
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Peace of Dives?
- How does this poem by Rudyard Kipling fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Poetry first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Desert Road by Gilbert Parker
- The Outgoing Of The Tide by John Buchan
- The Sealing by Gilbert Parker
- Under The Cliff by Gilbert Parker
- Ismael by Gilbert Parker
- Tom Gerrard by Louis Becke
Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing rhythmic and lyrical language typical of poetry.
- Philosophical — The themes explore deep moral and ethical questions regarding greed, power, and the nature of peace.
- Allegory — The characters and events symbolize broader concepts such as good versus evil, and the influence of wealth on society.
- Religious — The text references biblical figures and themes, discussing divine intervention and moral accountability.
Tags
adventure · mystery · exploration · seafaring · island · conflict · human nature · survival · courage · friendship · betrayal · redemption