Poseidon's Law (Poem by Rudyard Kipling)

Poseidon's Law

By Rudyard Kipling

When the robust and Brass-bound Man commissioned first for sea

His fragile raft, Poseidon laughed, and 'Mariner,' said he,

'Behold, a Law immutable I lay on thee and thine,

That never shall ye act or tell a falsehood at my shrine.

'Let Zeus adjudge your landward kin, whose votive meal and salt

At easy-cheated altars win oblivion for the fault,

But you the unhoodwinked wave shall test — the immediate gulf condemn — 

Except ye owe the Fates a jest, be slow to jest with them.

'Ye shall not clear by Greekly speech, nor cozen from your path

The twinkling shoal, the leeward beach, and Hadria's white-lipped wrath;

Nor tempt with painted cloth for wood my fraud-avenging hosts;

Nor make at all, or all make good, your bulwarks and your boasts.

'Now and henceforward serve unshod, through wet and wakeful shifts,

A present and oppressive God, but take, to aid, my gifts — 

The wide and windward-opening eye, the large and lavish hand,

The soul that cannot tell a lie — except upon the land!'

In dromond and in catafract — wet, wakeful, windward-eyed — 

He kept Poseidon's Law intact (his ship and freight beside),

But, once discharged the dromond's hold, the bireme beached once more,

Splendaciously mendacious rolled the Brass-bound Man ashore.

The thranite now and thalamite are pressures low and high,

And where three hundred blades bit white the twin-propellers ply:

The God that hailed, the keel that sailed, are changed beyond recall,

But the robust and Brass-bound Man he is not changed at all!

From Punt returned, from Phormio's Fleet, from Javan and Gadire,

He strongly occupies the seat about the tavern fire,

And, moist with much Falernian or smoked Massilian juice,

Revenges there the Brass-bound Man his long-enforced truce!

Poem Analysis:

Rudyard Kipling's "Poseidon's Law" is a poetic exploration of the relationship between sailors and the sea, intertwined with themes of honesty, divine decree, and human nature. Let's delve into an analysis of this captivating poem:

Mythological Context: Kipling draws upon Greek mythology by invoking Poseidon, the god of the sea, to set the stage for his poem. Poseidon's decree establishes a fundamental law for sailors: honesty and integrity are paramount when navigating the treacherous waters.

Immutable Law: Poseidon's law is depicted as immutable and absolute, contrasting with the more forgiving nature of land-based deities. Sailors are held to a higher standard, expected to uphold truthfulness and integrity in their dealings with the sea.

Warnings and Prohibitions: The poem enumerates various warnings and prohibitions imposed by Poseidon. Sailors are cautioned against using deceitful tactics to navigate hazardous waters or deceive the sea's elemental forces. They are urged to navigate with caution and respect, relying on their own skill and judgment rather than deception.

Divine Aid and Punishment: Despite the stern warnings, Poseidon offers divine aid to sailors in the form of keen senses and astute judgment. Those who abide by Poseidon's law are rewarded with his blessings and protection. However, those who violate the law face swift and severe punishment, as the sea exacts vengeance for their transgressions.

Evolution of Technology: The poem reflects on the evolution of maritime technology, from primitive rafts to sophisticated vessels propelled by twin-propellers. Despite advancements in shipbuilding and navigation, the core principles of honesty and integrity remain unchanged, emphasizing the timeless nature of Poseidon's law.

Human Nature: Kipling explores the enduring nature of human behavior through the character of the "Brass-bound Man." Despite his experiences at sea and adherence to Poseidon's law while sailing, the Brass-bound Man reverts to his deceitful ways on land, indulging in revelry and deception.

Reflection and Truce: The poem concludes with the Brass-bound Man returning from his maritime adventures to revel in the comforts of the tavern. Here, he reflects on his experiences and perhaps seeks solace from the rigors of the sea, embracing the truce between his seafaring and land-dwelling selves.

Humor and Irony: Kipling infuses the poem with his characteristic wit and irony, juxtaposing the seriousness of Poseidon's law with the foibles of human nature. The Brass-bound Man's failure to uphold honesty on land adds a humorous yet poignant layer to the narrative.

In summary, "Poseidon's Law" by Rudyard Kipling is a thought-provoking exploration of honesty, divine decree, and human fallibility in the context of maritime life. Through vivid imagery and mythological allusions, Kipling crafts a timeless poem that resonates with readers, inviting reflection on the enduring principles that govern our interactions with the natural world.