Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

NOT THE PILOT by WALT WHITMAN

Poet Analysis

First Line: NOT THE PILOT HAS CHARGED HIMSELF TO BRING HIS SHIP TO PORT
Last Line: FOR A BATTLE-CALL, ROUSING TO ARMS IF NEED BE, YEARS, CENTURIES HENCE.
Subject(s): AMERICAN CIVIL WAR; UNITED STATES - HISTORY;
Not the pilot has charged himself to bring his ship into
port, though beaten back and many times baffled;
Not the pathfinder penetrating inland weary and long,
By deserts parch'd, snows chill'd, rivers wet, perseveres
till he reaches his destination,
More than I have charged myself, heeded or unheeded, to
compose a march for these States,
For a battle-call, rousing to arms if need be, years, centuries hence.



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