A Poem Served To Order

By Oliver Wendell Holmes

Narrative Poem
Phi Beta Kappa, June 26, 1873     The Caliph ordered up his cook,     And, scowling with a fearful look     That meant, - We stand no gammon, -     "To-morrow, just at two," he said,     "Hassan, our cook, will lose his head,     Or serve us up a salmon."     "Great sire," the trembling chef replied,     "Lord of the Earth and all beside,     Sun, Moon, and Stars, and so on     (Look in Eothen,-there you'll find     A list of titles. Never mind;     I have n't time to go on:)     "Great sire," and so forth, thus he spoke,     "Your Highness must intend a joke;     It doesn't stand to reason     For one to order salmon brought,     Unless that fish is sometimes caught,     And also is in season.     "Our luck of late is shocking bad,     In fact, the latest catch we had     (We kept the matter shady),     But, hauling in our nets, - alack!     We found no salmon, but a sack     That held your honored Lady!"     "Allah is great!" the Caliph said,     "My poor Zuleika, you are dead,     I once took interest in you."     "Perhaps, my Lord, you'd like to know     We cut the lines and let her go."     "Allah be praised! Continue."     "It is n't hard one's hook to bait,     And, squatting down, to watch and wait,     To see the cork go under;     At last suppose you've got your bite,     You twitch away with all your might, -     You've hooked an eel, by thunder!"     The Caliph patted Hassan's head     "Slave, thou hast spoken well," he said,     "And won thy master's favor.     Yes; since what happened t' other morn     The salmon of the Golden Horn     Might have a doubtful flavor.     "That last remark about the eel     Has also justice that we feel     Quite to our satisfaction.     To-morrow we dispense with fish,     And, for the present, if you wish,     You'll keep your bulbous fraction."     "Thanks! thanks!" the grateful chef replied,     His nutrient feature showing wide     The gleam of arches dental:     "To cut my head off wouldn't pay,     I find it useful every day,     As well as ornamental."     . . . . . . . . . . . . .     Brothers, I hope you will not fail     To see the moral of my tale     And kindly to receive it.     You know your anniversary pie     Must have its crust, though hard and dry,     And some prefer to leave it.     How oft before these youths were born     I've fished in Fancy's Golden Horn     For what the Muse might send me!     How gayly then I cast the line,     When all the morning sky was mine,     And Hope her flies would lend me!     And now I hear our despot's call,     And come, like Hassan, to the hall, -     If there's a slave, I am one, -     My bait no longer flies, but worms!     I 've caught - Lord bless me! how he squirms!     An eel, and not a salmon!

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This poem, with its robust narrative and light-hearted tone, offers a deceptively playful exploration of the themes of power, survival, and the unpredictable nature of life. The narrative revolves around a Caliph and his cook, Hassan, and the suspense therein lies in whether the cook will be able to deliver a salmon to save his life. The poem creatively employs humor and wit to navigate these grave circumstances without becoming overly somber.

The structure of the poem, with its consistent rhyming scheme, contributes to the overall light-heartedness and flow of the narrative. The poet uses satire and irony to illuminate the absurdity of the power dynamics and Hassan's precarious situation. The poem also contains a significant shift in the final stanzas, wherein the poet explicitly addresses the readers (Brothers), encouraging them to understand the moral of the story, and drawing a parallel between the poet's own creative endeavors and Hassan's plight. Thus, the poem becomes a commentary on the life of the artist, subject to the whims of public favor and the unpredictability of inspiration. The poem's standout literary device is its metaphoric use of fishing, symbolizing the unpredictable nature of life and creative endeavors.

Exploring Narrative Poetry

Narrative poetry is a form of poetry that tells a story, often making use of the voices of a narrator and characters as well. Unlike lyric poetry, which focuses on emotions and thoughts, narrative poetry is dedicated to storytelling, weaving tales that captivate readers through plot and character development.

Narrative poems are unique in their ability to combine the depth of storytelling with the expressive qualities of poetry. Here are some defining characteristics:

  • Structured Plot: Narrative poems typically have a clear beginning, middle, and end, following a plot that might involve conflict, climax, and resolution, much like a short story or novel.
  • Character Development: Characters in narrative poems are often well-developed, with distinct voices and personalities that drive the story forward.
  • Descriptive Language: The language used in narrative poetry is vivid and descriptive, painting a clear picture of the scenes and events, while also conveying the emotions and atmosphere of the story.

From ancient epics like "The Iliad" and "The Odyssey" to more modern narrative poems, this form continues to engage readers by blending the art of storytelling with the beauty and rhythm of poetry.