'Drum -Taps' by Walt Whitman
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Aroused and angry,
I thought to beat the alarum, and urge relentless war;
But soon my fingers fail'd me, my face droop'd, and I resign'd
myself,
To sit by the wounded and soothe them, or silently watch the dead.
Drum-Taps
FIRST, O songs, for a prelude,
Lightly strike on the stretch'd tympanum, pride and joy in my city,
How she led the rest to arms--how she gave the cue,
How at once with lithe limbs, unwaiting a moment, she sprang;
(O superb! O Manhattan, my own, my peerless!
O strongest you in the hour of danger, in crisis! O truer than
steel!)
How you sprang! how you threw off the costumes of peace with
indifferent hand;
How your soft opera-music changed, and the drum and fife were heard
in their stead;
How you led to the war, (that shall serve for our prelude, songs of
soldiers,)
How Manhattan drum-taps led.10
Forty years had I in my city seen soldiers parading;
Forty years as a pageant--till unawares, the Lady of this teeming and
turbulent city,
Sleepless amid her ships, her houses, her incalculable wealth,
With her million children around her--suddenly,
At dead of night, at news from the south,
Incens'd, struck with clench'd hand the pavement.
A shock electric--the night sustain'd it;
Till with ominous hum, our hive at day-break pour'd out its myriads.
From the houses then, and the workshops, and through all the
doorways,
Leapt they tumultuous--and lo! Manhattan arming.20
To the drum-taps prompt,
The young men falling in and arming;
The mechanics arming, (the trowel, the jack-plane, the blacksmith's
hammer, tost aside with precipitation;)
The lawyer leaving his office, and arming--the judge leaving the
court;
The driver deserting his wagon in the street, jumping down, throwing
the reins abruptly down on the horses' backs;
The salesman leaving the store--the boss, book-keeper, porter, all
leaving;
Squads gather everywhere by common consent, and arm;
The new recruits, even boys--the old men show them how to wear their
accoutrements--they buckle the straps carefully;
Outdoors arming--indoors arming--the flash of the musket-barrels;
The white tents cluster in camps--the arm'd sentries around--the
sunrise cannon, and again at sunset;30
Arm'd regiments arrive every day, pass through the city, and embark
from the wharves;
(How good they look, as they tramp down to the river, sweaty, with
their guns on their shoulders!
How I love them! how I could hug them, with their brown faces, and
their clothes and knapsacks cover'd with dust!)
The blood of the city up--arm'd! arm'd! the cry everywhere;
The flags flung out from the steeples of churches, and from all the
public buildings and stores;
The tearful parting--the mother kisses her son--the son kisses his
mother;
(Loth is the mother to part--yet not a word does she speak to detain
him;)
The tumultuous escort--the ranks of policemen preceding, clearing the
way;
The unpent enthusiasm--the wild cheers of the crowd for their
favorites;
The artillery--the silent cannons, bright as gold, drawn along,
rumble lightly over the stones;40
(Silent cannons--soon to cease your silence!
Soon, unlimber'd, to begin the red business;)
All the mutter of preparation--all the determin'd arming;
The hospital service--the lint, bandages, and medicines;
The women volunteering for nurses--the work begun for, in earnest--no
mere parade now;
War! an arm'd race is advancing!--the welcome for battle--no turning
away;
War! be it weeks, months, or years--an arm'd race is advancing to
welcome it.
Mannahatta a-march!--and it's O to sing it well!
It's O for a manly life in the camp!
And the sturdy artillery!50
The guns, bright as gold--the work for giants--to serve well the
guns:
Unlimber them! no more, as the past forty years, for salutes for
courtesies merely;
Put in something else now besides powder and wadding.
And you, Lady of Ships! you Mannahatta!
Old matron of this proud, friendly, turbulent city!
Often in peace and wealth you were pensive, or covertly frown'd amid
all your children;
But now you smile with joy, exulting old Mannahatta!
Editor 1 Interpretation
Drum-Taps by Walt Whitman: A Celebration of the American Spirit
Walt Whitman's Drum-Taps is a collection of poems written during the American Civil War. The book is a testament to the tragic and violent nature of the war, but also a celebration of the American spirit. The poems in Drum-Taps capture Whitman's experience of the war, his observations, and his reflections. The book is a masterpiece of American literature, and its significance extends beyond its literary value. Drum-Taps is a historical document that provides insight into the American Civil War, its impact on the nation, and the enduring values of the American people.
Contextual Background
Walt Whitman was born in 1819 in West Hills, New York. He is considered one of the most significant American poets of the 19th century, and his work has had a profound impact on American literature. Whitman's poetry is known for its celebration of the individual and the human spirit. He is also recognized for his advocacy of democracy and social justice. Drum-Taps was published in 1865, during the American Civil War. The poems in the collection were written during the war or immediately after it. The book reflects Whitman's experience of the war as a nurse and a volunteer, his observations of the soldiers and their suffering, and his reflections on the meaning of the war.
The American Civil War was fought between 1861 and 1865. The conflict arose due to the disagreement between the North and the South over the issue of slavery. The North wanted to abolish slavery, while the South wanted to preserve it. The war resulted in the death of over 600,000 soldiers and civilians, making it one of the bloodiest wars in American history. The war also resulted in the abolition of slavery and the reunification of the nation.
Analysis of Drum-Taps
Drum-Taps is divided into three sections: "The Coming Storm," "Drum-Taps," and "The Wound Dresser." The first section contains poems that reflect on the events leading up to the war. The second section contains poems that reflect on the war itself. The third section contains poems that reflect on the aftermath of the war.
The first poem in Drum-Taps is "First O Songs for a Prelude." The poem sets the tone for the entire collection. It is a celebration of the American spirit and the diversity of the American people. The poem begins:
FIRST O songs for a prelude,
Lightly strike on the stretch'd tympanum pride and joy in my city
How she led the rest to arms, how she gave the cue,
How at once with lithe limbs unwaiting a moment she sprang
(O superb! O Manhattan, my own, my peerless!
O strongest you in the hour of danger, in crisis! O truer than steel!)
The poem celebrates New York City and its role in the war. It portrays the city as a leader and a hero. The poem also celebrates the diversity of the city, its people, and its culture. Whitman's use of music and rhythm in the poem creates a sense of excitement and anticipation. The poem is a call to action, a call to arms, and a call to celebrate the American spirit.
The second poem in Drum-Taps is "Beat! Beat! Drums!" The poem is a call to arms, a call to fight, and a call to victory. The poem begins:
Beat! beat! drums!—blow! bugles! blow!
Through the windows—through doors—burst like a ruthless force,
Into the solemn church, and scatter the congregation,
Into the school where the scholar is studying,
Leave not the bridegroom quiet—no happiness must he have now with his bride,
Nor the peaceful farmer any peace, ploughing his field or gathering his grain,
So fierce you whirr and pound you drums—so shrill you bugles blow.
The poem is a powerful and evocative depiction of war. Whitman's use of verbs, such as "burst," "scatter," "leave," "whirr," and "pound," creates a sense of urgency and violence. The poem portrays war as a force that disrupts and destroys, and the drums and bugles as symbols of war. The poem is also a celebration of the American spirit and the willingness of the American people to fight for their freedom and their values.
The third poem in Drum-Taps is "Cavalry Crossing a Ford." The poem is a vivid and detailed portrayal of a group of soldiers crossing a river. The poem begins:
A line in long array where they wind betwixt green islands,
They take a serpentine course, their arms flash in the sun—hark to the musical clank,
Behold the silvery river, in it the splashing horses loitering stop to drink,
Behold the brown-faced men, each group, each person a picture, the negligent rest on the saddles,
Some emerge on the opposite bank, others are just entering the ford—while,
Scarlet and blue and snowy white,
The guidon flags flutter gayly in the wind.
The poem is a celebration of the beauty of nature and the courage of the soldiers. Whitman's use of vivid imagery, such as "green islands," "silvery river," "splashing horses," "brown-faced men," and "guidon flags," creates a sense of visual richness and beauty. The poem also portrays the soldiers as individuals, each with their own unique personality and story. The soldiers are not just faceless warriors, but real people with real emotions and experiences.
The fourth poem in Drum-Taps is "Vigil Strange I Kept on the Field One Night." The poem is a reflection on the aftermath of the war. The poem begins:
Vigil strange I kept on the field one night;
When you my son and my comrade dropt at my side that day,
One look I but gave which your dear eyes return'd with a look I shall never forget,
One touch of your hand to mine O boy, reach'd up as you lay on the ground,
Then onward I sped in the battle, the even-contested battle,
Till late in the night reliev'd to the place at last again I made my way,
Found you in death so cold dear comrade, found your body son of responding kisses, (never again on earth responding,)
Bared your face in the starlight, curious the scene, cool blew the moderate night-wind,
The poem is a poignant and emotional reflection on the loss of a loved one in war. The poem portrays the soldier as a father figure, mourning the loss of his son and comrade. The poem also portrays the soldier as a hero, who continues to fight even after the loss of his loved one. The poem is a reminder of the human cost of war, the pain and the suffering that it inflicts on individuals and families.
Conclusion
Drum-Taps is a masterpiece of American literature. The book is a testament to the tragedy and the violence of the American Civil War, but also a celebration of the American spirit. The poems in the collection capture Whitman's experience of the war, his observations, and his reflections. The book is a historical document that provides insight into the American Civil War, its impact on the nation, and the enduring values of the American people. Drum-Taps is a reminder of the human cost of war, the pain and the suffering that it inflicts on individuals and families. The book is a call to action, a call to arms, and a call to celebrate the American spirit.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Walt Whitman's "Drum-Taps" is a collection of poems that captures the essence of the American Civil War. The poems are a reflection of the author's personal experiences as a volunteer nurse during the war. The collection is a testament to the bravery and sacrifice of the soldiers who fought in the war. Whitman's poetry is a powerful reminder of the human cost of war and the need for peace.
The collection is divided into three sections: "First Year," "Second Year," and "Third Year." The poems in the first section are a reflection of the early days of the war. They capture the excitement and enthusiasm of the soldiers as they march off to battle. The poems in the second section are more somber and reflective. They capture the toll that the war is taking on the soldiers and their families. The poems in the third section are a reflection of the end of the war. They capture the relief and joy that the soldiers felt when the war finally came to an end.
One of the most powerful poems in the collection is "Beat! Beat! Drums!" The poem captures the excitement and enthusiasm of the soldiers as they march off to battle. The poem begins with the sound of drums beating in the distance. The sound of the drums is a call to arms for the soldiers. The drums are a symbol of the power and strength of the army. The soldiers are eager to join the fight and prove their bravery.
The poem continues with the soldiers marching off to battle. The soldiers are described as "strong and contented" as they march off to war. They are filled with a sense of purpose and determination. The soldiers are willing to risk their lives for their country. They are willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for the greater good.
The poem ends with the soldiers going off to battle. The sound of the drums fades away as the soldiers disappear into the distance. The poem is a powerful reminder of the human cost of war. The soldiers are not just faceless soldiers, they are real people with families and loved ones. The poem captures the bravery and sacrifice of the soldiers and the need for peace.
Another powerful poem in the collection is "When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom'd." The poem is a tribute to President Abraham Lincoln, who was assassinated during the war. The poem captures the grief and sorrow that the nation felt after Lincoln's death. The lilacs in the poem are a symbol of mourning and remembrance. The lilacs are a reminder of the sacrifice that Lincoln made for his country.
The poem begins with the image of the lilacs blooming in the dooryard. The lilacs are a symbol of life and renewal. They are a reminder that life goes on even in the face of tragedy. The poem then shifts to the image of a bird singing in the distance. The bird is a symbol of hope and renewal. The bird's song is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is still hope.
The poem then shifts to the image of Lincoln's funeral procession. The procession is described as a "mournful tread." The soldiers are described as "sadly, slowly pass[ing] the coffin." The soldiers are filled with grief and sorrow. They are mourning the loss of their leader and friend.
The poem ends with the image of the lilacs blooming once again. The lilacs are a symbol of renewal and hope. They are a reminder that even in the face of tragedy, life goes on. The poem is a powerful tribute to Lincoln and a reminder of the sacrifice that he made for his country.
In conclusion, Walt Whitman's "Drum-Taps" is a powerful collection of poems that captures the essence of the American Civil War. The poems are a reflection of the author's personal experiences as a volunteer nurse during the war. The collection is a testament to the bravery and sacrifice of the soldiers who fought in the war. Whitman's poetry is a powerful reminder of the human cost of war and the need for peace. The collection is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of the Civil War and the impact that it had on the nation.
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