Classic and Contemporary Poetry
CADET GREY: CANTO 1, by FRANCIS BRET HARTE Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Act first, scene first. A study. Of a kind Last Line: The train moved off, and here the first act ended, Alternate Author Name(s): Harte, Bret Subject(s): United States - Military Academy | ||||||||
I. ACT first, scene first. A study. Of a kind Half cell, half salon, opulent yet grave; Rare books, low shelved, yet far above the mind Of common man to compass or to crave; Some slight relief of pamphlets that inclined The soul at first to trifling, till dismayed By text and title it drew back resigned, Nor cared with levity to vex a shade That to itself such perfect concord made. II. Some thoughts like these preplexed the patriot brain Of Jones -- Lawgiver to the Commonwealth, As on the threshold of this chaste domain He paused expectant, and looked up in stealth To darkened canvases that frowned amain, With stern-eyed Puritans, who first began To spread their roots in Georgius Primus' reign, Nor dropped till now, obedient to some plan, Their century fruit -- the perfect Boston man. III. Somewhere within that Russia-scented gloom A voice catarrhal thrilled the Member's ear: "Brief is our business, Jones. Look round this room! Regard yon portraits! Read their meaning clear! These much proclaim my station. I presume You are our Congressman, before whose wit And sober judgment shall the youth appear Who for West Point is deemed most just and fit To serve his country and to honor it." IV. "Such is my son! Elsewhere perhaps't were wise Trial competitive should guide your choice. There are some people I can well surmise Themselves must show their merits. History's voice Spares me that trouble, all desert that lies In yonder ancestor of Queen Anne's day, Or yon grave Governor -- is all my boy's, Reverts to him; entailed, as one might say; In brief, result in Winthrop Adams Grey!" V. He turned and laid his well-bred hand, and smiled, On the cropped head of one who stood beside. Ah me! in sooth it was no ruddy child Nor brawny youth that thrilled the father's pride -- 'T was but a Mind that somehow had beguiled From soulless Matter processes that served For speech and motion and digestion mild, Content if all one moral purpose nerved, Nor recked thereby its spine were somewhat curved. VI. He was scarce eighteen. Yet ere he was eight He had despoiled the classics; much he knew Of Sanskrit; not that he placed undue weight On this, but that it helped him with Hebrew, His favorite tongue. He learned, alas! too late, One can't begin too early -- would regret That boyish whim to ascertain the state Of Venus' atmosphere made him forget That philologic goal on which his soul was set. VII. He too had traveled; at the age of ten Found Paris empty, dull except for art And accent. "Mabille" with its glories then Less than Egyptian "Almees" touched a heart Nothing if not pure classic. If some men Thought him a prig, it vexed not his conceit, But moved his pity, and ofttimes his pen, The better to instruct them, through some sheet Published in Boston, and signed "Beacon Street." VIII. From premises so plain the blind could see But one deduction, and it came next day. "In times like these, the very name of G. Speaks volumes," wrote the Honorable J. "Enclosed please find appointment." Presently Came a reception, to which Harvard lent Fourteen professors, and, to give "esprit," The Liberal Club some eighteen ladies sent, Five that spoke Greek, and thirteen sentiment. IX. Four poets came who loved each other's song, And two philosophers, who thought that they Were in most things impractical and wrong; And two Reformers, each in his own way Peculiar -- one who had waxed strong On herbs and water, and such simple fare; Two foreign lions, "Ram See" and "Chy Long," And several artists claimed attention there, Based on the fact they had been snubbed elsewhere. X. With this endorsement nothing now remained But counsel, God speed, and some calm adieux; No foolish tear the father's eyelash stained, And Winthrop's cheek as guiltless shone of dew. A slight publicity, such as obtained In classic Rome, these few last hours attended. The day arrived, the train and depot gained, The mayor's own presence this last act commended; The train moved off, and here the first act ended, | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE GRAVEYARD AT WEST POINT by WILLIAM ALLEN BUTLER KOSCIUSKO (ON THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF HIS AID TO AMERICA) by MARGARETTE BALL DICKSON CADET GREY: CANTO 2 by FRANCIS BRET HARTE CADET GREY: CANTO 3 by FRANCIS BRET HARTE HOW ARE YOU, SANITARY?' by FRANCIS BRET HARTE A NEWPORT ROMANCE by FRANCIS BRET HARTE A SECOND REVIEW OF THE GRAND ARMY [MAY 24, 1865] by FRANCIS BRET HARTE AN ARCTIC VISION [JUNE 20, 1867] by FRANCIS BRET HARTE CALDWELL OF SPRINGFIELD [JUNE 23, 1780] by FRANCIS BRET HARTE |
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