Poem Analysis - The Declaration Of London

A Nation Betrayed: Kipling's Lament

Rudyard Kipling's "The Declaration Of London" is a passionate and resentful rebuke, a cry of indignation against what the speaker perceives as a betrayal of national honor and imperial pride. The poem begins with a tone of weary resignation, quickly escalating into fierce defiance and bitter sarcasm. A sense of recent glory and shared identity clashes violently with the speaker's disgust at a proposed act of expediency that he views as deeply dishonorable. The mood shifts from a melancholic recollection of past greatness to an outright condemnation of those responsible for the perceived treachery.

Echoes of Empire: The Poem's Historical Context

While the footnote is undefined, the title itself provides crucial context. The Declaration of London was an international agreement, drafted in 1909, concerning the laws of naval warfare. It aimed to codify international law relating to blockades and neutral rights. However, it was highly controversial in Britain, where many feared it would weaken the Royal Navy's dominance and therefore Britain's power. Kipling, a staunch imperialist, likely saw the Declaration as a dangerous concession that would undermine Britain's strength and standing in the world, a betrayal of the empire he so fervently championed. This fear of diminishing power and compromised honor forms the bedrock of the poem's emotional intensity.

Honour Versus Expediency: A Central Conflict

One of the poem's central themes is the conflict between national honor and pragmatic expediency. The speaker accuses an unnamed "you" of demanding that they "pawn our honour for bread," suggesting that a sacrifice of principle is being demanded for material gain. The poem repeatedly emphasizes the speaker's commitment to upholding a certain code of conduct rooted in notions of "Faith and Gentlehood, Of Service and Sacrifice." This code clashes starkly with the perceived "treacheries" that threaten to "starve our land of her food." The poem suggests that the short-term benefits gained from the Declaration (represented by "bread") are not worth the long-term cost of national disgrace.

The Lingering Glory: Images of Imperial Grandeur

The poem is rich with imagery that evokes a sense of past glory and imperial might. The "Abbey trumpets" suggest a recent coronation or national celebration, a moment of unity and shared identity. The reference to "Ages dead--With our Past alive and ablaze" highlights a deep connection to history and a belief in the enduring power of British tradition. The phrase "our once-Imperial seas, Exultant after our King was crowned" paints a vivid picture of naval dominance and national pride. These images serve to underscore the magnitude of the betrayal, suggesting that the proposed action jeopardizes not only the present but also the legacy of past generations.

The Kiss of Betrayal: A Symbol of Hypocrisy

The most striking image in the poem is arguably the concluding line: "That we kissed as we betrayed!" This line suggests a particularly insidious form of treachery, one that is cloaked in false affection or outward compliance. It implies that the speaker's adversaries seek not only to extract concessions but also to humiliate and degrade the nation by forcing it to feign agreement with its own downfall. The "kiss" symbolizes a deceptive show of loyalty that masks a deeper act of betrayal. The speaker's vehement rejection of this possibility underscores the poem's central theme of unwavering resistance to dishonorable compromise. Is this line implying an act of open betrayal is better than a submissive and quiet acceptance of the treaty?

A Legacy of Resistance: Final Thoughts

"The Declaration Of London" is more than just a lament for lost imperial glory; it is a call to resist what the speaker perceives as a betrayal of national values. The poem's power lies in its raw emotion and its vivid imagery, which effectively convey the speaker's outrage and his determination to uphold a certain code of honor. While the specific historical context may be somewhat obscure to modern readers, the poem's themes of principle versus expediency, national pride versus political compromise, and the enduring legacy of the past continue to resonate today, making it a powerful statement about the complexities of national identity and the enduring struggle to remain true to one's values in the face of adversity.