by Whitman · Cluster: Comradeship · Union · Hands Hand in Hand
Abstract
Poet envies not generals or presidents but the ‘brotherhood of lovers’; comradeship and faithful love exalted over heroism and worldly fame.
Connections
Themes & Concepts: Comradeship, Romantic Love, Heroism, Friendship
Testo integrale / Full text
Cluster: CALAMUS
When I peruse the conquer’d fame of heroes and the victories of mighty generals, I do not envy the generals, Nor the President in his Presidency, nor the rich in his great house, But when I hear of the brotherhood of lovers, how it was with them, How together through life, through dangers, odium, unchanging, long and long, Through youth and through middle and old age, how unfaltering, how affectionate and faithful they were, Then I am pensive—I hastily walk away fill’d with the bitterest envy.