I saw Old General at Bay. - A poem by Walt Whitman


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Walt Whitman - I saw Old General at Bay.

I SAW old General at bay; 
(Old as he was, his grey eyes yet shone out in battle like stars;) 
His small force was now completely hemm’d in, in his works; 
He call’d for volunteers to run the enemy’s lines—a desperate emergency; 
I saw a hundred and more step forth from the ranks—but two or three were selected;
I saw them receive their orders aside—they listen’d with care—the adjutant
    was
	very
	grave; 
I saw them depart with cheerfulness, freely risking their lives.

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Added: Feb 7 2004 | Viewed: 4137 times |

Comments (1)

I saw Old General at Bay. - Comments and Information
Poet: Walt Whitman Poem: 25. I saw Old General at Bay. Volume: Leaves of Grass - 8. Drum-Taps Year: Published/Written in 1900 Comment 1 of 1, added on December 1st, 2008 at 8:56 AM. This poem is about a soldier who saw an old general at the bay. The general had noticeable grey eyes. The general was stuck in a situation where he didn't know what to do. He called for men to cross enemy borders. Over 100 men volunteered but only 2 or 3 where chosen. The general gave them their orders and they listened attentively. The general knew what he was getting himself into, but the 3 men left proud to serve. David More Comments >> Are you looking for more information on this poem? Perhaps you are trying to analyze it? The poem, I saw Old General at Bay., has received one comment so far. Click here to read it, and perhaps post a comment of your own.

Poem Info
Poet: Walt Whitman Poem: 25. I saw Old General at Bay. Volume: Leaves of Grass - 8. Drum-Taps Year: Published/Written in 1900 Last read: 2013-05-24 02:55:11 Viewed 4137 times. Added Feb 7 2004.

Whitman Info
Biography More Poems (330 poems) Walt Whitman books