Leaves of Grass

This poem is about the wave of political revolutions that swept across Europe in 1848 to 1849. 



The speaker expresses unreserved, passionate support for the revolutionaries. The first three lines personify the idea of rebellion, showing this figure throttling the kings of Europe. However, the revolutions are defeated. The speaker implores the revolutionaries to try again.

The speaker then directly addresses the oppressors who inflict pain, suffering, and death on their own people, and exploit their labor. The kings promised better times but then broke their word. The people, scornful, rose up in rebellion, but they did not assassinate the rulers, offering mercy instead. They were repaid, however, with more destruction; the old rulers returned to power, harnessing all the instruments of oppression, including priests, hangmen, and tax collectors.

A being clothed in red robes, its face hidden, lifts an arm and points one finger, assigning blame or warning of future retribution. The consequences of the ongoing conflicts are dire, with many young men shot or hanged, while the rulers just laugh. The dead are martyrs for the cause. Other young men will take their place and continue the fight against the kings. The many deaths are the seeds of freedom.