Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, A UTILITARIAN VIEW OF THE MONITOR'S FIGHT, by HERMAN MELVILLE


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A UTILITARIAN VIEW OF THE MONITOR'S FIGHT, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Plain be the phrase, yet apt the verse
Last Line: And a singe runs through lace and feather.
Subject(s): American Civil War; Monitor (ship); Sea Battles; United States - History; Naval Warfare


Plain be the phrase, yet apt the verse,
More ponderous than nimble;
For since grimed War here laid aside
His Orient pomp, 'twould ill befit
Overmuch to ply
The rhyme's barbaric cymbal.

Hail to victory without the gaud
Of glory; zeal that needs no fans
Of banners; plain mechanic power
Plied cogently in War now placed --
Where War belongs --
Among the trades and artisans.

Yet this was battle, and intense --
Beyond the strife of fleets heroic;
Deadlier, closer, calm 'mid storm;
No passion; all went on by crank,
Pivot, and screw,
And calculations of caloric.

Needless to dwell; the story's known.
The ringing of those plates on plates
Still ringeth round the world --
The clangor of that blacksmiths' fray.
The anvil-din
Resounds this message from the Fates:

War yet shall be, and to the end;
But war-paint shows the streaks of weather;
War yet shall be, but warriors
Are now but operatives; War's made
Less grand than Peace,
And a singe runs through lace and feather.






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