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Becoming America - An Exploration of American Literature from Precolonial to Post-Revolution, 2018a

Becoming America - An Exploration of American Literature from Precolonial to Post-Revolution, 2018a

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BECOMING AMERICA<br />

REVOLUTIONARY AND EARLY NATIONAL PERIOD LITERATURE<br />

Shenandoah!<br />

The cut is on the crown<br />

(Lo, John Brown),<br />

<strong>An</strong>d the stabs shall heal no more.<br />

Hidden in the cap<br />

Is the anguish none can draw;<br />

So your future veils its face,<br />

Shenandoah!<br />

But the streaming beard is shown<br />

(Weird John Brown),<br />

The meteor <strong>of</strong> the war.<br />

4.23.5 “A Utilitarian View <strong>of</strong> the Moni<strong>to</strong>r Fight”<br />

Plain be the phrase, yet apt the verse,<br />

More ponderous than nimble;<br />

For since grimed War here laid aside<br />

His Orient pomp, ‘twould ill bet<br />

Overmuch <strong>to</strong> ply<br />

The Rhyme’s barbaric cymbal.<br />

Hail <strong>to</strong> vic<strong>to</strong>ry without the gaud<br />

Of glory; zeal that needs no fans<br />

Of banners; plain mechanic power<br />

Plied cogently in War now placed—<br />

Where War belongs—<br />

Among the trades and artisans.<br />

Yet this was battle, and intense—<br />

Beyond the strife <strong>of</strong> eets heroic;<br />

Deadlier, closer, calm ‘mid s<strong>to</strong>rm;<br />

No passion; all went on by crank,<br />

Pivot, and screw,<br />

<strong>An</strong>d calculations <strong>of</strong> caloric.<br />

Needless <strong>to</strong> dwell; the s<strong>to</strong>ry’s known.<br />

the ringing <strong>of</strong> those plates on plates<br />

Still ringeth round the world—<br />

The clangor <strong>of</strong> that blacksmith’s fray.<br />

The anvil-din<br />

Resounds this message <strong>from</strong> the Fates:<br />

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