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Leaves of Grass (1891-92)
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BEAT! BEAT! DRUMS!
BEAT! beat! drums!—blow! bugles! blow! |
Through the windows—through doors—burst like a ruthless
force,
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Into the solemn church, and scatter the congregation, |
Into the school where the scholar is studying; |
Leave not the bridegroom quiet—no happiness must he have
now with his bride,
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Nor the peaceful farmer any peace, ploughing his field or gathering
his grain,
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So fierce you whirr and pound you drums—so shrill you bugles
blow.
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Beat! beat! drums!—blow! bugles! blow! |
Over the traffic of cities—over the rumble of wheels in the
streets;
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Are beds prepared for sleepers at night in the houses? no sleepers
must sleep in those beds,
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No bargainers' bargains by day—no brokers or speculators—
would they continue?
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Would the talkers be talking? would the singer attempt to sing? |
Would the lawyer rise in the court to state his case before the
judge?
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Then rattle quicker, heavier drums—you bugles wilder blow. |
Beat! beat! drums!—blow! bugles! blow! |
Make no parley—stop for no expostulation, |
Mind not the timid—mind not the weeper or prayer, |
Mind not the old man beseeching the young man, |
Let not the child's voice be heard, nor the mother's entreaties, |
Make even the trestles to shake the dead where they lie awaiting
the hearses,
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So strong you thump O terrible drums—so loud you bugles blow. |
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