
A spirited tribute to a nation in the throes of conflict, this collection bursts with bold declarations, lyrical patriotism, and a touch of wartime satire. The narrator’s voice swings between reverent ode and sharp commentary, celebrating the ideals of liberty while poking fun at the profiteering that shadows the front lines. Through vivid metaphors—“the bee’s bayonet,” “gold from God’s retort”—the verses paint a picture of a leader rallying a million freemen toward justice.
Listeners will hear a blend of earnest devotion and witty self‑reflection, as the poet balances lofty aspirations with the gritty realities of a world at war. The work’s rhythmic cadence and playful wordplay invite both applause and contemplation, offering a snapshot of the era’s fervent hope and the paradoxes of sacrifice. It’s a snapshot of a time when poetry served as both rallying cry and social critique.
Full title
The Bee's Bayonet (a Little Honey and a Little Sting) Camouflage in Word Painting
Language
en
Duration
~1 hours (110K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Greg Bergquist, Matthew Wheaton and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.)
Release date
2012-08-22
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects
Best known today for lively, public-domain verse that mixes wit, satire, and patriotic feeling, this early 20th-century American poet wrote with a sharp eye for both humor and public life.
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