Spartan Mother

Read 'Spartan Mother' by 'Robert William Service' and provide your summary and literary analysis in the comments section below.

Spartan Mother by Robert William Service

 My mother loved her horses and
 Her hounds of pedigree;
She did not kiss the baby hand
 I held to her in glee.
Of course I had a sweet nou-nou
 Who tended me with care,
And mother reined her nag to view
 Me with a critic air.

So I went to a famous school,
 But holidays were short;
My mother thought me just a fool,
 Unfit for games and sport.
For I was fond of books and art,
 And hated hound and steed:
Said Mother, 'Boy, you break my heart!
 You are not of our breed.'

Then came the War. The Mater said:
 'Thank God, a son I give
To King and Country,'--well, I'm dead
 Who would have loved to live.
'For England's sake,' said she, 'he died.
 For that my boy I bore.'
And now she talks of me with pride.
 A hero of the War.

Mother, I think that you are glad
 I ended up that way.
Your horses and your dogs you had,
 And still you have today.
Your only child you say you gave
 Your Country to defend . . .
Dear Mother, from a hero's grave
 I--curse you in the end.

Form: Dramatic Monologue

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