Author: William Ernest Henley

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    Who says Drum-Major says a man of mould,
    Shaking the meek earth with tremendous tread,
    And pacing still, a triumph to behold,
    Of his own spine at least two yards ahead!
    Attorney, grocer, surgeon, broker, duke - 
    His calling may be anything, who comes
    Into a room, his presence a rebuke
    To the dejected, as the pipes and drums
    Inspired his port! - who mounts his office stairs
    As though he led great armies to the fight!
    His bulk itself's pure genius, and he wears
    His avoirdupois with so much fire and spright
    That, though the creature stands but five feet five,
    You take him for the tallest He alive.

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Type of Poem: Sonnet

Date Written:

Date Published:

Language: English

Keywords: Public Domain

Source: Public Domain Collection

Publisher:

Rights/Permissions: Public Domain

Comments/Notes: This poem presents a satirical exploration of human personality, social status, and appearances. The poem centralizes around the character of the 'Drum-Major', used as a metaphor to depict individuals who, despite their professional roles, carry themselves with an inflated sense of importance and grandiosity. The poem effectively utilizes humor, irony, and exaggeration to convey this theme.

The structure of the poem is consistent, maintaining a steady rhythm and rhyme scheme that mirrors the steady, pompous gait of the 'Drum-Major' character. The tone is subtly mocking, with the speaker presenting the 'Drum-Major' as a figure to be both marveled and laughed at. The use of military imagery and language elevates the character's self-perception, while the actual descriptions of him undercut this grand image, creating a sharp contrast that underscores the poem's satirical intent.

In terms of standout literary devices, the poet makes effective use of hyperbole, such as "his own spine at least two yards ahead!" and "you take him for the tallest He alive," to emphasize the discrepancy between the character's self-perceived stature and his actual physical presence. The poet also employs an unexpected twist in the final line, revealing the character to be quite short in stature, which serves as a punchline that emphasizes the poem's satirical and humorous tone. Overall, the poem is a clever critique of vanity and self-importance, offering a humorous yet thought-provoking commentary on human nature.