The Three-decker
"The three-volume novel is extinct"
By Rudyard Kipling
Full thirty foot she towered from waterline to rail.
It cost a watch to steer her, and a week to shorten sail;
But, spite all modern notions, I found her first and best —
The only certain packet for the Islands of the Blest.
Fair held our breeze behind us — 'twas warm with lovers' prayers:
We'd stolen wills for ballast and a crew of missing heirs;
They shipped as Able Bastards till the Wicked Nurse confessed,
And they worked the old three-decker to the Islands of the Blest.
Carambas and serapés we waved to every wind,
We smoked good Corpo Bacco when our sweethearts proved unkind;
With maids of matchless beauty and parentage unguessed
We also took our manners to the Islands of the Blest.
We asked no social questions — we pumped no hidden shame —
We never talked obstetrics when the little stranger came:
We left the Lord in Heaven, we left the fiends in Hell.
We weren't exactly Yussufs, but — Zuleika didn't tell!
No moral doubt assailed us, so when the port we neared,
The villain got his flogging at the gangway, and we cheered.
'Twas fiddles in the foc'sle — 'twas garlands on the mast,
For every one got married, and I went ashore at last.
I left 'em all in couples akissing on the decks.
I left the lovers loving and the parents signing checks.
In endless English comfort by county-folk caressed,
I left the old three-decker at the Islands of the Blest!
That route is barred to steamers: you'll never lift again
Our purple-painted headlands or the lordly keeps of Spain.
They're just beyond the skyline, howe'er so far you cruise
In a ram-you-damn-you liner with a brace of bucking screws.
Swing round your aching search-light — 'twill show no haven's peace!
Ay, blow your shrieking sirens to the deaf, gray-bearded seas!
Boom out the dripping oil-bags to skin the deep's unrest —
But you aren't a knot the nearer to the Islands of the Blest.
And when you're threshing, crippled, with broken bridge and rail,
On a drogue of dead convictions to hold you head to gale,
Calm as the Flying Dutchman, from truck to taffrail dressed,
You'll see the old three-decker for the Islands of the Blest.
You'll see her tiering canvas in sheeted silver spread;
You'll hear the long-drawn thunder 'neath her leaping figure-head;
While far, so far above you, her tall poop-lanterns shine
Unvexed by wind or weather like the candles round a shrine.
Hull down — hull down and under — she dwindles to a speck,
With noise of pleasant music and dancing on her deck.
All's well — all's well aboard her — she's dropped you far behind,
With a scent of old-world roses through the fog that ties you blind.
Her crew are babes or madmen? Her port is all to make?
You're manned by Truth and Science, and you steam for steaming's sake?
Well, tinker up your engines — you know your business best —
She's taking tired people to the Islands of the Blest!
Poem Analysis:
Rudyard Kipling's poem "The Three-decker" is a spirited celebration of a bygone era of seafaring adventures. Written with both nostalgia and admiration, the poem pays homage to the majesty and romance of the great sailing ships, particularly the three-decked vessels, which Kipling views as the epitome of maritime excellence. Through vivid imagery and lyrical verses, Kipling evokes a sense of wonder, exploration, and tradition that characterized the age of sail.
- The Majesty of the Three-decker: Kipling begins by emphasizing the grandeur of the three-decker, describing its immense size and the effort it takes to command such a vessel. This sets the tone for the poem, highlighting the awe-inspiring nature of these ships and the skill required to navigate them. The three-decker becomes a symbol of both physical power and historical significance.
- Sailing to the "Islands of the Blest": The mention of the "Islands of the Blest" adds an air of myth and legend to the poem. This phrase harks back to ancient Greek mythology, where these islands were considered a paradise for heroes and favored mortals. In Kipling's context, the islands represent a metaphorical destination of ultimate achievement and contentment, which can only be reached through a journey filled with adventure and sacrifice.
- The Crew of Misfits and Rogues: Kipling introduces a colorful crew, described as "Able Bastards" and "missing heirs." These individuals, with their questionable backgrounds, contribute to the poem's adventurous and rebellious spirit. Their collective narrative serves as a testament to the alluring call of the sea, where people of diverse backgrounds come together to embark on a shared quest.
- The Abandonment of Social Norms: The poem suggests that onboard the three-decker, social conventions and moral constraints are left behind. Matters of inheritance, legitimacy, and even propriety are abandoned as the crew embraces the freedom of the sea. Kipling underscores the idea that the allure of adventure and exploration transcends societal norms.
- Nostalgia for a Vanishing Era: As the poem progresses, Kipling reflects on the passing of the era of the great sailing ships. He contrasts the romanticism of these ships with the practicality and efficiency of steamers. The sense of nostalgia is palpable as he laments the loss of the majestic vessels and the adventures they embodied.
- The Eternal Legacy of the Three-decker: In the final stanzas, Kipling conveys the enduring legacy of the three-decker. He asserts that these magnificent ships remain beyond reach in the modern age, symbolizing a spirit of exploration and adventure that transcends time. The poem becomes a tribute to a glorious chapter in maritime history.
Rudyard Kipling's "The Three-decker" is a captivating ode to the grandeur and romance of the age of sail. Through vivid descriptions and lyrical language, the poem immortalizes the majestic vessels and their daring crews. Kipling's words evoke a longing for a time when adventure knew no bounds and the sea offered endless possibilities. Ultimately, the poem pays homage to the enduring spirit of exploration and the legacy of these remarkable ships in the annals of maritime history.