BEAT! beat! drums!--Blow! bugles! blow! <br /> Through the windows--through doors--burst like a ruthless force, <br /> Into the solemn church, and scatter the congregation; <br /> Into the school where the scholar is studying; <br /> Leave not the bridegroom quiet--no happiness must he have now with <br /> his bride; <br /> Nor the peaceful farmer any peace, plowing his field or gathering his <br /> grain; <br /> So fierce you whirr and pound, you drums--so shrill you bugles blow. <br /> <br /> <br /> Beat! beat! drums!--Blow! bugles! blow! <br /> Over the traffic of cities--over the rumble of wheels in the streets: <br /> Are beds prepared for sleepers at night in the houses? No sleepers <br /> must sleep in those beds; 10 <br /> No bargainers' bargains by day--no brokers or speculators--Would they <br /> continue? <br /> Would the talkers be talking? would the singer attempt to sing? <br /> Would the lawyer rise in the court to state his case before the <br /> judge? <br /> Then rattle quicker, heavier drums--you bugles wilder blow. <br /> <br /> <br /> Beat! beat! drums!--Blow! bugles! blow! <br /> Make no parley--stop for no expostulation; <br /> Mind not the timid--mind not the weeper or prayer; <br /> Mind not the old man beseeching the young man; <br /> Let not the child's voice be heard, nor the mother's entreaties; <br /> Make even the trestles to shake the dead, where they lie awaiting the <br /> hearses, 20 <br /> So strong you thump, O terrible drums--so loud you bugles blow.<br /><br />Walt Whitman<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/beat-beat-drums/