A Utilitarian View Of The Monitor's Fight

Plain be the phrase, yet apt the verse,
More ponderous than nimble;
For since grimed War here laid aside
His painted pomp, ‘twould ill befit
Overmuch to ply
The rhyme’s barbaric symbol.

Hail to victory without the gaud
Of glory; zeal that needs no fans
Of banners; plain mechanic power
Plied cogently in War now placed –
Where War belongs –
Among the trades and artisans.

Yet this was battle, and intense –
Beyond the strife of fleets heroic;
Deadlier, closer, calm ‘mid storm;
No passion; all went on by crank.
Pivot, and screw,
And calculations of caloric.

Needless to dwell; the story’s known.
The ringing of those plates on plates
Still ringeth round the world –
The clangor of the blacksmiths’ fray.
The anvil-din
Resounds this message from the Fates:

War shall yet be, and to the end;
But war-paint shows the streaks of weather;
War yet shall be, but the warriors
Are now but operatives; War’s made
Less grand than Peace,
And a singe runs through lace and feather.

by Herman Melville