Leaves of Grass · Chapter
When I Peruse the Conquer’d Fame explained
The speaker reflects on the fleeting fame of conquerors and generals, finding no envy for their power or wealth.
What happens
The speaker reflects on the fleeting fame of conquerors and generals, finding no envy for their power or wealth. Instead, he is moved to bitter envy by the enduring, faithful brotherhood of lovers who remain devoted through all of life's trials.
Themes in this chapter
Comradeship and Love
The poem contrasts the fame of conquerors with the deep, faithful bond of lovers, elevating brotherly love above worldly glory.
Characters to notice
Key passages
“When I peruse the conquer’d fame of heroes and the victories of mighty generals, I do not envy the generals, Nor the President in his Presidency, nor the rich in his great house”
Reading about the celebrated fame of heroes and generals, I feel no jealousy toward them, nor toward the President or the wealthy.
The speaker dismisses conventional forms of power and success.
“But when I hear of the brotherhood of lovers, how it was with them, How together through life, through dangers, odium, unchanging, long and long, Through youth and through middle and old age, how unfaltering, how affectionate and faithful they were, Then I am pensive—I hastily walk away fill’d with the bitterest envy.”
But when I learn of the brotherhood of lovers—how they remained together through life, facing dangers and scorn, unwavering and faithful from youth to old age—then I grow thoughtful and walk away, filled with the most bitter envy.
The speaker's deepest envy is reserved for the enduring, faithful love between comrades.