To the True Romance
The poem explores themes of love, longing, and the divine, presenting a speaker who grapples with the distance between earthly existence and a higher, idealized love. The speaker acknowledges the futility of seeking this love in the chaos of life and war, recognizing that true understanding and connection with the beloved can only be achieved in dreams or after death. The work reflects on the nature of beauty and truth, suggesting that those who appreciate and strive for love are granted a deeper understanding of existence. It contrasts the mundane struggles of humanity with the transcendent qualities of love, portraying it as a guiding force that elevates the human experience. The speaker expresses a sense of resignation, accepting that the beloved's presence is elusive and that the pursuit of love is fraught with challenges. Yet, there is an underlying hope that love, in its purest form, transcends time and space, influencing the cosmos and the fate of humanity. Ultimately, the poem serves as a meditation on the complexities of love, the interplay between desire and reality, and the spiritual dimensions of human experience. The speaker resolves to face life's uncertainties with courage, acknowledging that the true essence of love remains beyond reach, yet profoundly impactful.
By Rudyard Kipling · First published 1891 · Genre: Poetry, Romanticism, Philosophical · 851 words
First lines
Thy face is far from this our war, Our call and counter-cry, I shall not find Thee quick and kind, Nor know Thee till I die, Enough for me in dreams to see And touch Thy garments' hem: Thy feet have trod so near to God I may not follow them.
Through wantonness if men profess They weary of Thy parts, E'en let them die at blasphemy And perish with their arts; But we that love, but we that prove Thine excellence august, While we adore discover more Thee perfect, wise, and just.
What this Textopian page supports
To the True Romance is listed on Textopian as a poem by Rudyard Kipling, dated 1891 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: 1891 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Romanticism, Philosophical, Spiritual, Lyric
- Length: 851 words
- Structure: 1 section, 12 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured as a poem, utilizing meter and rhyme to convey emotions and themes.
- Romanticism — The themes of love, longing, and idealization of the beloved align with Romantic literary traditions.
- Philosophical — The exploration of existential themes, the nature of love, and the relationship between humanity and the divine reflect philosophical inquiries.
- Spiritual — The text delves into spiritual themes, addressing the divine and the quest for understanding beyond earthly existence.
Tags
romance · love · poetry · spirituality · longing · faith · wisdom · sacrifice · beauty · mortality · dreams · divinity