The Republic
The Republic - context Summary
Composed Amid Political Turmoil
Longfellow frames the United States as a "Ship of State," urging the Union to persevere through political storms. The poem offers reassurance—trust in the nation's makers and mechanical strengths, communal sympathy, and faith that temporary shocks are not fatal. Written during a period of political turmoil and included in the collection Poems on Slavery, it functions as a patriotic, consolatory appeal for national endurance and unity in a fraught moment.
Read Complete AnalysesThou, too, sail on, O Ship of State! Sail on, O Union, strong and great! Humanity with all its fears, With all the hopes of future years, Is hanging breathless on the fate! We know what Master laid the keel, What Workmen wrought thy ribs of steel, Who made each mast, and sail, and rope, What anvils rang, what hammers beat, In what forge and what a heat Were shaped the anchors of thy hope! Fear not each sudden sound and shock, 'Tis of the wave and not the rock; 'Tis but the flapping of the sail, And not a rent made by the gale! In spite of rock and tempest's roar, In spite of false lights on the shore, Sail on, nor fear to breast the sea! Our hearts, our hopes, are all with thee, Our hearts, our hopes, our prayers, our tears, Our faith triumphant o'er our fears, Are all with thee, - are all with thee!
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