To The States [To Identify the 16th, 17th, or 18th Presidentiad]

by Whitman · Cluster: City · London · Theatrum Mundi

Abstract

A political lyric of disgust at corrupt antebellum government, prophesying that the sleeping States will awake; a satire of political decay and a call to democratic vigilance.

Connections

Topoi: Sleeper Awakes Archetypes: Corrupt Official Motifs: Night Themes & Concepts: Satire of Society, Power and Corruption, Democracy

Testo integrale / Full text

Cluster: BY THE ROADSIDE

Why reclining, interrogating? why myself and all drowsing? What deepening twilight-scum floating atop of the waters, Who are they as bats and night-dogs askant in the capitol? What a filthy Presidentiad! (O South, your torrid suns! O North, your arctic freezings!) Are those really Congressmen? are those the great Judges? is that the President? Then I will sleep awhile yet, for I see that these States sleep, for reasons; (With gathering murk, with muttering thunder and lambent shoots we all duly awake, South, North, East, West, inland and seaboard, we will surely awake.)