by Whitman · Cluster: Nationalism and Patriotism · Democracy · Liberty Political Freedom
Abstract
A free-verse tribute to U. S. Grant whose real greatness lies in carrying the common Western people with him among kings; themes of the common man and democracy.
Connections
Motifs: Crown Themes & Concepts: Common Man, Democracy, Heroism Settings: America
Testo integrale / Full text
Cluster: FROM NOON TO STARRY NIGHT
[To U. S. G. return’d from his World’s Tour]
What best I see in thee, Is not that where thou mov’st down history’s great highways, Ever undimm’d by time shoots warlike victory’s dazzle, Or that thou sat’st where Washington sat, ruling the land in peace, Or thou the man whom feudal Europe feted, venerable Asia swarm’d upon, Who walk’d with kings with even pace the round world’s promenade; But that in foreign lands, in all thy walks with kings, Those prairie sovereigns of the West, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Ohio’s, Indiana’s millions, comrades, farmers, soldiers, all to the front, Invisibly with thee walking with kings with even pace the round world’s promenade, Were all so justified.