The Solider : Poem Anthology

“If I should..”

“If I should die, think only this of me.”

Written in first person highlighting how the person sees fighting as HIS honour.

He is already coming to terms with the fact that he might die suggesting he is willing to do so.

He is optimistic however and still believes he may survive showing a sense of naivety.

The imperative “think” shows how the solider wants to be in control of how he is remembered.

He wishes to be honoured in his commitment for England.

“Gave, once, ..”

“Gave, once, her flowers to love, her ways to roam.”

Personification of England.

The idea of being given flowers may relate to a funeral and the idea England will reward him for his honourable death.

“Gave” could be reflective of how he will die - past tense.

It can no longer give as he sacrifices himself to the idealised version of England.

“Washed by the…”

“Washed by the rivers, blest by suns of home.”

Links to religion, “wash but the rivers” has links to baptism and the erasure of sins.

He is comparing dying to being as pure as baptism.

“Blest” suggests that England is a divine country - he sees it as a paradise as he sees Heaven.

He therefore sees dying fort England as a blessing rather than a sacrifice.

“Home” refers to England but also the afterlife, as he sees England as paradise to him going to Heaven is parallel to returning home.

“Think [..] all evil..”

“Think […] all evil shed away a pulse in the external mind.”

“Think” is an imperative further suggesting he wants to take control of how he is remembered.

“Evil” may imply that the horros of war and the cruelty of mankind however he does not let this stop him from dying for England.

He juxtaposes evil and England highlighting England to be pure, rewarding and purifying.

He wantsa t become a memory and create a lasting legacy as a result of his death.

“Eternal;” may again relate to Heaven and how he believes due to his sacrifice he will be awarded eternal life in paradises.

“In hearts at…”

“In hearts at pace, under an English heaven.”

Reinforces the idea that he will be at peace, rewarded and pure when he dies for England.

He sees England as both heavenly and rewarding in itself and sees death as a return to his motherland.

The death for his country will gibe him comfort and he will see his life as well lived.

Upon dying for his nation he will always be a part of England , honoured and remembered for his sacrifice.