The Soldier - A poem by Rupert Brooke

Rupert Brooke - The Soldier

If I should die, think only this of me:
That there's some corner of a foreign field
That is for ever England. There shall be
In that rich earth a richer dust concealed;
A dust whom England bore, shaped, made aware,
Gave once her flowers to love, her ways to roam;
A body of England's, breathing English air,
Washed by the rivers, blest by suns of home.
And think, this heart, all evil shed away,
A pulse in the eternal mind, no less
Gives somewhere back the thoughts by England given;
Her sights and sounds; dreams happy as her day;
And laughter, learnt of friends; and gentleness,
In hearts at peace, under an English heaven.

Added: on April 16th, 2006 at 9:09 AM | Viewed: 2979 times | Comments (7)

The Soldier - Comments and Information
Poet: Rupert Brooke Poem: The Soldier Comment 7 of 7, added on May 16th, 2006 at 2:53 AM. the poem is really a good side of war. Brooke wants the reader to know that dying foe ones country is a patriotic thing to do. sunjae from New Zealand Comment 6 of 7, added on May 3rd, 2006 at 6:50 PM. I think it is an amazing poem. Rupert Brooke is telling the reader what life would be like after his death. He explains his after life as a place just like England at it's finest and all the bad and evil corruption in the land is not present. Memories are restored of old friends and family, dreams are lived out, the world in which he is discribing is simply beautiful. He tells the reader that when he dies do not worry and grieve and only think that he is in a better place and awaits for his friends and others to come join him one day. andrew from Australia Comment 5 of 7, added on April 16th, 2006 at 9:09 AM. well guys.... i think this poem is not typically like any other ww1 poem written by a soldier who actually fought in the war. other poets like owen or sassoon comment on the harsh realities and of horrible deaths. but brooke gives a much more pleasant view on the war. he is saying that it will be beautiful and honourable if he should die fighting for his country. i think he is saying that once he dies, he will be in heaven: "under an English heaven". he says that his after life will be just like in England at it's finest.brooke is expressing his pride at being english, and he is a man who dearly loves his counrty and has no objection to the decisions they make and only follows them. he is a soldier that supports the aspect of war, and if it means he is to die painfully; then be it so. a truly great poem which gives me yet another perspective on the feelings of soldiers in the Great War. Gaurav from United Kingdom More Comments >> Are you looking for more information on this poem? Perhaps you are trying to analyze it? The poem, The Soldier, has received 7 comments. Click here to read them, and perhaps post a comment of your own. Of course you can also always discuss poems by Rupert Brooke with others on the Poetry Connection poetry forum!

Poem Info
The Soldier Last read: 2008-10-10 19:53:17 Viewed 2979 times. Added on April 16th, 2006 at 9:09 AM.

Brooke Info
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