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Provide, Provide
The witch that came (the withered hag)
To wash the steps with pail and rag
Was once the beauty Abishag,
The picture pride of Hollywood.
Too many fall from great and good
For you to doubt the likelihood.
Die early and avoid the fate.
Or if predestined to die late,
Make up your mind to die in state.
Make the whole stock exchange your own!
If need be occupy a throne,
Where nobody can call you crone.
Some have relied on what they knew,
Others on being simply true.
What worked for them might work for you.
No memory of having starred
Atones for later disregard
Or keeps the end from being hard.
Better to go down dignified
With boughten friendship at your side
Than none at all. Provide, provide!
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| Provide, Provide |
Summary and Analysis
Introduction:
The poem Provide, Provide by Robert Frost from A Further Range is full of aphorisms urging in a satiric vein to lay up even the most worthless earthly treasure for ourselves. The wisdom of ethereal sphere allow to function on mankind, is the main concern of narrator.
Summary:
The main theme is that expediency will not work, but since people will provide for the morrow, let them do it wholeheartedly. It is the wisdom of this world which demonstrates that the wisdom of the world is not enough. Celestial intelligance which is far beyond auspicious then the earthly knowledge. Akashic records (ethereal knowledge) which preserved enormous potential of genius to sparkle for humanity.
Critical Analysis:
The poem is satirical about some of the most valued things of American life materialism, pragmatism and the firm belief that vigorous effort will be rewarded with success. The poem has been called an immortal masterpiece. Elizabeth Jennings calls it a spell or an incantation, a riddle, an admonition and a conjuration. The poem is full of moral wisdom - the wisdom of this world and that wisdom which comes from some unknown source.