Song From 'The Princess'

This poem provides a charming narrative, detailing a disagreement between two friends, their reconciliation, and the celebration of their bond. The theme underscores not only the dynamics of friendship but also subtly critiques the trivialities over which intellectuals sometimes spar. The playful tone, with its light-hearted approach to intellectual conflict, adds charm to the narrative.

The poem's structure is simple and accessible, employing a rhyming scheme that lends a rhythmic quality to the reading. Its repetitive lines, such as "And made it up again" and "We made it up again," serve to reinforce the theme of resolution following discord. The use of parentheses in the first stanza sets a specific scene, and the details about time and location add a layer of realism to the poem.

One standout literary device used is the use of the "cube of x+y" as a metaphor for a complex disagreement. This mathematical reference is a clever way of illustrating an argument over something potentially abstract and difficult to grasp, highlighting the absurdity of the quarrel. The recurring motif of the pint of beer serves as a symbol of camaraderie and reconciliation, further emphasizing the poem's central theme.