Theo

Theo Page 2 BEAT! beat! drums!—Blow! bugles! blow! || || Beat! beat! drums!—Blow! bugles! blow! || || Beat! beat! drums!—Blow! bugles! blow! || ||
 * 1
 * Through the windows—through doors—burst like a ruthless force, || ||
 * 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; || ||
 * Nor the peaceful farmer any peace, plowing his field or gathering his grain; || ||
 * So fierce you whirr and pound, you drums—so shrill you bugles blow. || ||
 * 2
 * 2
 * Over the traffic of cities—over the rumble of wheels in the streets: || ||
 * Are beds prepared for sleepers at night in the houses? No sleepers must sleep in those beds; || ||
 * No bargainers’ bargains by day—no brokers or speculators—Would they continue? || ||
 * 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? || ||
 * Then rattle quicker, heavier drums—you bugles wilder blow. || ||
 * 3
 * 3
 * 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, || ||
 * So strong you thump, O terrible drums—so loud you bugles blow.

Walt Whitman. //Leaves of Grass,// 1865. || Theo Reflection on war