Rosleen
By Gilbert Parker
She’s the darlin’ of the parish, she’s the pride of Inniskillen;
‘Twould make your heart lep up to see her trippin’ down the glen;
There’s not a lad of life and fame that wouldn’t take her shillin’
And inlist inside her service-did ye hear her laughin’ then?
Did ye see her with her hand in mine the day that Clancy married?
Ah, darlin’, how we footed it-the grass it was so green!
And when the neighbours wandered home, I was the guest that tarried,
An hour plucked from Paradise — come back to me, Rosleen!
Across the seas, beyand the hills, by lovely Inniskillen,
The rigiment come marchin’ — I hear the call once more
Shure, a woman’s but a woman — so I took the Sergeant’s shillin’,
For the pride o’ me was hurted — shall I never see her more?
She turned her face away from me, and black as night the land became;
Her eyes were jewels of the sky, the finest iver seen;
She left me for another lad, he was a lad of life and fame,
And the heart of me was hurted — but there’s none that’s like Rosleen!
Poem Analysis:
Gilbert Parker's poem "Rosleen" is a poignant narrative that captures the essence of unrequited love, longing, and the impact of pride on human relationships. Set against the backdrop of Inniskillen, the poem employs vivid imagery and a nostalgic tone to explore themes of love, loss, and the consequences of choices made in moments of emotional turmoil.
Themes
- Unrequited Love: The central theme of the poem is unrequited love. The speaker is deeply in love with Rosleen, who is described as the "darlin’ of the parish" and the "pride of Inniskillen." Despite his affection, Rosleen ultimately leaves him for another, causing the speaker great heartache.
- Nostalgia and Longing: The poem is suffused with a sense of nostalgia and longing. The speaker reminisces about a happier time when he and Rosleen danced together at Clancy's wedding. These memories are bittersweet, highlighting the contrast between past joy and present sorrow.
- Pride and Consequence: Pride plays a significant role in the narrative. The speaker admits to taking the "Sergeant’s shillin’" out of pride, which led to his enlistment and separation from Rosleen. This decision, driven by wounded pride, ultimately contributes to the loss of his beloved.
- Betrayal and Heartbreak: The theme of betrayal is evident when Rosleen turns away from the speaker and chooses another "lad of life and fame." This betrayal deeply wounds the speaker, leaving him to reflect on what he has lost.
Imagery and Symbolism
- Inniskillen: Inniskillen serves as a symbol of home and happiness, a place of beauty and community. The speaker's memories of Inniskillen are idyllic, representing a lost paradise.
- The Dance: The dance at Clancy’s wedding symbolizes the height of the speaker’s happiness and his connection with Rosleen. The green grass under their feet underscores the natural and carefree joy of that moment.
- The Sergeant’s Shillin’: The act of taking the Sergeant's shilling symbolizes the speaker’s pride and the consequential choice that leads to his separation from Rosleen. It represents the moment where personal pride overrides love.
- Rosleen's Eyes:Rosleen's eyes are compared to "jewels of the sky," symbolizing her beauty and the celestial, almost unreachable nature of his love for her.
Structure and Tone
- Ballad Form: The poem is structured as a ballad, with a regular rhyme scheme and meter that lend it a musical quality. This form is traditionally used for storytelling and is effective in conveying the narrative of lost love and longing.
- Nostalgic Tone: The tone of the poem is nostalgic and melancholic. The speaker looks back on his time with Rosleen with a mixture of fondness and sorrow, emphasizing the emotional weight of his memories.
- Conversational Style: The use of colloquial language and direct address ("Did ye hear her laughin’ then?") creates a conversational style that draws the reader into the speaker’s personal story and emotional state.
Emotional and Cultural Context
- Irish Cultural Context: The poem is steeped in Irish cultural elements, such as the setting in Inniskillen and the use of dialect. These elements ground the poem in a specific cultural context, enhancing its authenticity and emotional resonance.
- Emotional Depth: The speaker’s emotions are laid bare, from the joy of dancing with Rosleen to the pain of seeing her with another. This emotional depth invites readers to empathize with his plight and reflect on the universal themes of love and loss.
"Rosleen" by Gilbert Parker is a heartfelt and evocative poem that explores the complexities of love, pride, and loss. Through its vivid imagery, nostalgic tone, and poignant narrative, the poem captures the essence of a love that is deeply felt yet ultimately unfulfilled. Parker's use of the ballad form and conversational style effectively conveys the speaker’s emotional journey, making "Rosleen" a memorable and moving exploration of the human heart.
