by Whitman · Cluster: War and its Cost · American Civil War · Battlefield
Abstract
Farewell to a comrade-soldier whose mission is fulfilled while the poet marches on to fiercer spiritual battles; comradeship, war, and the road of struggle.
Connections
Topoi: Open Road Homecoming Motifs: Road Themes & Concepts: Comradeship, War and its Cost, Heroism Settings: Battlefield
Testo integrale / Full text
Cluster: DRUM-TAPS
Adieu O soldier, You of the rude campaigning, (which we shared,) The rapid march, the life of the camp, The hot contention of opposing fronts, the long manœuvre, Red battles with their slaughter, the stimulus, the strong terrific game, Spell of all brave and manly hearts, the trains of time through you and like of you all fill’d, With war and war’s expression.
Adieu dear comrade, Your mission is fulfill’d—but I, more warlike, Myself and this contentious soul of mine, Still on our own campaigning bound, Through untried roads with ambushes opponents lined, Through many a sharp defeat and many a crisis, often baffled, Here marching, ever marching on, a war fight out—aye here, To fiercer, weightier battles give expression.