Do not weep, maiden, for war is kind - A poem by Stephen Crane

Stephen Crane - Do not weep, maiden, for war is kind

Do not weep, maiden, for war is kind.
Because the lover threw wild hands toward the sky
And the affrighted steed ran on alone,
Do not weep.
War is kind.

Hoarse, booming drums of the regiment,
Little souls who thirst for fight,
These men were born to drill and die.
The unexplained glory flies above them,
Great is the Battle-God, great, and his Kingdom -
A field wher a thousand corpses lie.

Do not weep, babe, for war is kind.
Because your father tumbled in the yellow trenches,
Raged at his breast, gulped and died,
Do not weep.
War is kind.

Swift blazing flag of the regiment,
Eagle with crest of red and gold,
These men were born to drill and die.
Point for them the virtue of slaughter,
Make plain to them the excellence of killing
And a field where a thousand corpses lie.

Mother whose heart hung humble as a button
On the bright splendid shroud of your son,
Do not weep.
War is kind.

Added: on May 22nd, 2007 at 11:59 PM | Viewed: 26072 times | Comments and analysis of Do not weep, maiden, for war is kind by Stephen Crane Comments (26)

Do not weep, maiden, for war is kind - Comments and Information
Poet: Stephen Crane Poem: 1. Do not weep, maiden, for war is kind Volume: War is Kind & Other Lines Year: Published/Written in 1899 Comment 26 of 26, added on April 9th, 2008 at 11:34 AM. This poem goes back and forth between the view of the civilian and the soldier. The maiden, the soldier, the child, the soldier, and the mother. The poem shows the excuses we give to those left behind and what that the soldiers are told. They died for the greater good, they died for glory, they died well - in excellence and virtue. "The unexplained glory flies above them...point for them the virtue of slaughter, make plain to them the excellence of killing..." Soldiers go believing that they are doing what's best and for glory and to be a hero. But the only kingdom is that of the war god, his subjects a thousand corpses. At the end all this excuses are for naught, they're still just corpses. All they leave behind are the tears of those who loved them. So is war worth it? Pat from United States Comment 25 of 26, added on February 11th, 2008 at 3:46 PM. The poem War is Kind, is a great poem, and you could say that the poem is ironic, but I think that you could give a better argument about how the poem is more sarcastic. But overall the poem is a great poem. kyle from United States Comment 24 of 26, added on May 22nd, 2007 at 11:59 PM. I agree with those who described Crane's poem as ironic more than sarcastic, but a paradox seems to much to describe it. Oh, and I'm a sophomore too! Poem of choice for school projects I guess :p. But seriously, I really like this poem and admire Crane greatly for his ability to express his opinions so effectively. Natalie from United States More Comments >> Are you looking for more information on this poem? Perhaps you are trying to analyze it? The poem, Do not weep, maiden, for war is kind, has received 26 comments. Click here to read them, and perhaps post a comment of your own. Of course you can also always discuss poems by Stephen Crane with others on the American Poems poetry forum!

Poem Info
Poet: Stephen Crane Poem: 1. Do not weep, maiden, for war is kind Volume: War is Kind & Other Lines Year: Published/Written in 1899 Last read: May 12 2008, 10:24AM Viewed 26072 times. Added on May 22nd, 2007 at 11:59 PM.

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