Come-By-Chance

By Banjo Paterson (Andrew Barton)

Narrative Poem
As I pondered very weary o'er a volume long and dreary, For the plot was void of interest; 'twas the Postal Guide, in fact, There I learnt the true location, distance, size and population Of each township, town, and village in the radius of the Act. And I learnt that Puckawidgee stands beside the Murrumbidgee, And the Booleroi and Bumble get their letters twice a year, Also that the post inspector, when he visited Collector, Closed the office up instanter, and re-opened Dungalear. But my languid mood forsook me, when I found a name that took me; Quite by chance I came across it, "Come-by-Chance" was what I read; No location was assigned it, not a thing to help one find it, Just an N which stood for northward, and the rest was all unsaid. I shall leave my home, and forthward wander stoutly to the northward Till I come by chance across it, and I'll straightway settle down; For there can't be any hurry, nor the slightest cause for worry Where the telegraph don't reach you nor the railways run to town. And one's letters and exchanges come by chance across the ranges, Where a wiry young Australian leads a packhorse once a week, And the good news grows by keeping, and you're spared the pain of weeping Over bad news when the mailman drops the letters in a creek. But I fear, and more's the pity, that there's really no such city, For there's not a man can find it of the shrewdest folk I know; "Come-by-Chance", be sure it never means a land of fierce endeavour, It is just the careless country where the dreamers only go.             *             *             *             *             *             *             * Though we work and toil and hustle in our life of haste and bustle, All that makes our life worth living comes unstriven for and free; Man may weary and importune, but the fickle goddess Fortune Deals him out his pain or pleasure, careless what his worth may be. All the happy times entrancing, days of sport and nights of dancing, Moonlit rides and stolen kisses, pouting lips and loving glance: When you think of these be certain you have looked behind the curtain, You have had the luck to linger just a while in "Come-by-Chance".

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This poem emits a tone of whimsical longing, painting a vivid picture of a world that's an escape from the mundane, where life is slower and simpler. The imagined place, "Come-by-Chance", serves as a symbol of serendipity and unforced joy, a place where "all that makes our life worth living comes unstriven for and free." The poem highlights a yearning for simpler times, an escape from the hustling modern world, which is a common theme in romantic and pastoral poetry.

The structure, with its consistent rhyme scheme and meter, lends a rhythmic, almost song-like quality to the poem, mirroring the steady journey the speaker wishes to undertake. The repetition of the phrase "Come-by-Chance" both begins and ends the poem, creating a sense of completeness and a cyclic journey, suggesting that even as we venture into the chaos of life, we perpetually long for the simplicity and serendipity of "Come-by-Chance". The poet skillfully employs irony in the depiction of the "Postal Guide" as a source of inspiration and imagination, and the anthropomorphizing of Fortune as a "fickle goddess" adds a classical touch to the poem. These elements, along with the vivid imagery and exploration of the theme of escapism, make this a compelling and thought-provoking piece.

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.