by Whitman · Cluster: Heroism · Hero · Last Stand
Abstract
A narrative elegy of the Seminole chief Osceola’s death, who dons his war-dress and paint and silently bids farewell to wife and children before dying.
Connections
Topoi: Last Stand Motifs: Death, Swords and Weapons, Mirror Themes & Concepts: Mortality, Heroism Forms & Genres: Narrative Poem Historical References: American West (2)
Testo integrale / Full text
Cluster: GOOD-BYE MY FANCY
When his hour for death had come,
He slowly rais’d himself from the bed on the floor,
Drew on his war-dress, shirt, leggings, and girdled the belt around
his waist,
Call’d for vermilion paint (his looking-glass was held before him,)
Painted half his face and neck, his wrists, and back-hands.
Put the scalp-knife carefully in his belt—then lying down, resting
moment,
Rose again, half sitting, smiled, gave in silence his extended hand
to each and all,
Sank faintly low to the floor (tightly grasping the tomahawk handle,)
Fix’d his look on wife and little children—the last:
(And here a line in memory of his name and death.)