Songs In Many Keys 1849-1861

By Oliver Wendell Holmes

Sonnet
    The piping of our slender, peaceful reeds     Whispers uncared for while the trumpets bray;     Song is thin air; our hearts' exulting play     Beats time but to the tread of marching deeds,     Following the mighty van that Freedom leads,     Her glorious standard flaming to the day!     The crimsoned pavement where a hero bleeds     Breathes nobler lessons than the poet's lay.     Strong arms, broad breasts, brave hearts, are better worth     Than strains that sing the ravished echoes dumb.     Hark! 't is the loud reverberating drum     Rolls o'er the prairied West, the rock-bound North     The myriad-handed Future stretches forth     Its shadowy palms. Behold, we come, - we come!     Turn o'er these idle leaves. Such toys as these     Were not unsought for, as, in languid dreams,     We lay beside our lotus-feeding streams,     And nursed our fancies in forgetful ease.     It matters little if they pall or please,     Dropping untimely, while the sudden gleams     Glare from the mustering clouds whose blackness seems     Too swollen to hold its lightning from the trees.     Yet, in some lull of passion, when at last     These calm revolving moons that come and go -     Turning our months to years, they creep so slow -     Have brought us rest, the not unwelcome past     May flutter to thee through these leaflets, cast     On the wild winds that all around us blow.     May 1, 1861.

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This poem, penned in 1861, appears to grapple with the tension between art and action, particularly in the context of political upheaval and societal change. The first stanza portrays a dichotomy between the peaceful "piping of our slender, peaceful reeds"—a metaphor for the gentleness of poetry—and the aggressive "trumpets" and "mighty van that Freedom leads," which symbolize war and revolution. The poet suggests that in times of monumental change, the role of the poet might seem insignificant compared to the "strong arms, broad breasts, brave hearts."

The second stanza takes a more introspective turn, seemingly reflecting on the poet's role in society. The speaker acknowledges that their work may be viewed as "idle" and "toys," but also suggests that in quieter moments, when the tumult of change has subsided, these "leaflets" of poetry might provide comfort and reflection. The poem's overall tone is caught between a sense of resignation and hope, and its structure, with its consistent rhyme scheme and meter, provides a rhythmic backbone that underscores the themes. The use of imagery and metaphors, particularly the "lotus-feeding streams" and "mustering clouds," imbue the poem with a vivid emotional landscape.

Understanding the Sonnet

The sonnet is one of the most enduring and celebrated forms of poetry, known for its strict structure and profound themes. With a history spanning centuries, sonnets have been used to explore love, beauty, politics, and mortality, all within the confines of just 14 lines.

Sonnets are characterized by their precise form and rhyme scheme, which vary depending on the type of sonnet. Here’s a closer look:

  • Shakespearean (English) Sonnet: Composed of three quatrains followed by a final couplet, with a rhyme scheme of ABABCDCDEFEFGG. This form often builds a complex argument or narrative, culminating in a powerful closing statement.
  • Petrarchan (Italian) Sonnet: Divided into an octave (eight lines) and a sestet (six lines), with a typical rhyme scheme of ABBAABBA for the octave, followed by various patterns in the sestet such as CDECDE or CDCDCD. The octave usually presents a problem, with the sestet providing a resolution.
  • Meter: Sonnets are traditionally written in iambic pentameter, which gives the poem a rhythmic and melodic quality that enhances its emotional impact.

The sonnet’s enduring appeal lies in its ability to condense complex emotions and ideas into a small but potent package, making it a favorite form for poets seeking to explore profound themes with precision and elegance.