Poetry · Chapter
To E. S. Salomon explained
The speaker rebukes E.
What happens
The speaker rebukes E. S. Salomon for protesting the decoration of Confederate graves on Memorial Day, arguing that the dead are beyond praise or blame and that respect for the fallen transcends old enmities. The poem reflects on the relativity of right and wrong, the futility of posthumous hatred, and the hope for reconciliation, ending with a curse on those who cannot love the harmless dead.
Themes in this chapter
Hypocrisy and Corruption
Salomon is accused of hypocrisy for claiming to be a soldier while dishonoring fallen enemies.
Mortality and Regret
The poem dwells on the finality of death and the futility of hatred toward the dead.
Justice and Revenge
Contrasts the desire for posthumous vengeance with the ideal of forgiveness and divine judgment.
Characters to notice
- Salomon
Addressed directly for his protest against decorating Confederate graves; criticized for lacking soldierly respect for the dead.
Key passages
“The brave respect the brave. The brave Respect the dead; but you — you draw That ancient blade, the ass’s jaw, And shake it o’er a hero’s grave.”
Courageous people honor both the living and the dead, but you brandish a foolish weapon over a soldier's tomb.
Accuses Salomon of cowardly disrespect toward fallen enemies.
“What if the dead whom still you hate Were wrong? Are you so surely right? We know the issue of the fight — The sword is but an advocate.”
Even if the dead were mistaken, you cannot be certain you are correct; victory in battle only proves might, not right.
Questions moral certainty and the justice of judging the defeated.
“The dead are dead — let that atone: And though with equal hand we strew The blooms on saint and sinner too, Yet God will know to choose his own.”
Death itself is sufficient payment for any wrong; we may decorate all graves alike, but God will distinguish the righteous.
Argues for universal respect for the dead, leaving final judgment to God.