Tarrant Moss (Poem by Rudyard Kipling)

Tarrant Moss

By Rudyard Kipling

I closed and drew for my love's sake

That now is false to me,

And I slew the Reiver of Tarrant Moss

And set Dumeny free.

They have gone down, they have gone down,

They are standing all arow — 

Twenty knights in the peat-water,

That never struck a blow!

Their armour shall not dull nor rust,

Their flesh shall not decay,

For Tarrant Moss holds them in trust,

Until the Judgment Day.

Their soul went from them in their youth,

Ah God, that mine had gone,

Whenas I leaned on my love's truth

And not on my sword alone!

Whenas I leaned on lad's belief

And not on my naked blade — 

And I slew a thief, and an honest thief,

For the sake of a worthless maid.

They have laid the Reiver low in his place,

They have set me up on high,

But the twenty knights in the peat-water

Are luckier than I.

And ever they give me gold and praise

And ever I mourn my loss — 

For I struck the blow for my false love's sake

And not for the Men of the Moss!

Poem Analysis:

Rudyard Kipling's poem "Tarrant Moss" explores themes of sacrifice, betrayal, and regret through a narrative of love and revenge. Set in a historical context, the poem tells the story of a knight who, for the sake of his love, commits a violent act that haunts him in the aftermath. This analysis examines the poem's structure, themes, and literary devices to shed light on its complex portrayal of human emotions.

Themes:

1. Sacrifice for Love: The central theme of the poem revolves around the knight's willingness to make a great sacrifice, even commit murder, for the love of a woman. This sacrifice ultimately leads to his moral and emotional turmoil.
2. Betrayal and Falsehood: The poem highlights the theme of betrayal when the knight's love turns out to be false, leading to his sense of being deceived and used. The contrast between love's idealized image and its betrayal adds depth to the narrative.
3. Regret and Remorse: The knight experiences profound regret for his actions, particularly for taking a life to win the affections of his beloved. This remorse is a central emotional element of the poem.

Structure:

The poem is structured into 7 quatrains (four-line stanzas). This regular structure provides a sense of order to the narrative, contrasting with the emotional turmoil and moral complexity of the poem's content.

Analysis:

1. "I closed and drew for my love's sake...": The poem begins with the knight explaining his motive for taking action. He kills the Reiver of Tarrant Moss to win the affection of his love, indicating the depth of his devotion.
2. "They have gone down, they have gone down...": The subsequent lines describe the aftermath of the knight's actions. The twenty knights who confront him in the peat-water meet their end without putting up a fight. This event reflects the tragic consequences of his choices.
3. "Their armour shall not dull nor rust...": These lines suggest that the knights' souls and memories remain preserved in Tarrant Moss until Judgment Day. This supernatural element underscores the weight of the knight's actions and the enduring consequences of betrayal.
4. "Their soul went from them in their youth...": The knight reflects on his past, expressing regret that he did not rely on faith and love instead of resorting to violence for the sake of a woman who turned out to be unfaithful.
5. "They have laid the Reiver low in his place...": The poem concludes with the knight acknowledging that he has been rewarded and elevated in status but is haunted by the memory of the twenty knights who met their end because of his actions. His remorse and regret persist.

"Tarrant Moss" by Rudyard Kipling is a narrative poem that delves into the complex themes of sacrifice, betrayal, and regret. Through a structured rhyme scheme and vivid storytelling, Kipling presents a knight who makes a profound sacrifice for the sake of love, only to discover that his love is false. The poem serves as a poignant exploration of the moral and emotional consequences of one's actions and choices in the name of love and devotion.