The House-Top. a Night Piece. (July, 1863.)
This poem describes a night scene where the speaker sits on a house-top, observing the city below. The atmosphere is one of quiet and stillness, with only the distant sounds of a church bell and a clock striking the hour breaking the silence. The speaker reflects on the passing of time and the fleeting nature of human existence.
By Herman Melville · First published 1863 · Genre: Poetry, Historical, Social Commentary · 328 words
First lines
No sleep. The sultriness pervades the air And binds the brain -- a dense oppression, such As tawny tigers feel in matted shades, Vexing their blood and making apt for ravage. Beneath the stars the roofy desert spreads Vacant as Libya. All is hushed near by. Yet fitfully from far breaks a mixed surf Of muffled sound, the Atheist roar of riot. Yonder, where parching Sirius set in drought, Balefully glares red Arson -- there-and there. The Town is taken by its rats -- ship-rats. And rats of the wharves. All civil charms And priestly spells which late held hearts in awe -- Fear-bound, subjected to a better sway Than sway of self; these like a dream dissolve, And man rebounds whole eons back in nature.[9] Hail to the low dull rumble, dull and dead, And ponderous drag that shakes the wall. Wise Draco comes, deep in the midnight roll Of black artillery; he comes, though late; In code corroborating Calvin's creed And cynic tyrannies of honest kings; He comes, nor parlies; and the Town redeemed, Give thanks devout; nor, being thankful, heeds The grimy slur on the Republic's faith implied, Which holds that Man is naturally good, And -- more -- is Nature's Roman, never to be scourged.
What this Textopian page supports
The House-Top. a Night Piece. (July, 1863.) is listed on Textopian as a poem by Herman Melville, dated 1863 CE.
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- Work type: Poem
- Author: Herman Melville
- Date: 1863 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Historical, Social Commentary, Philosophical, Dark Romanticism
- Length: 328 words
- Structure: 1 section, 1 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form, utilizing poetic devices such as imagery, metaphor, and rhythm.
- Historical — The piece references specific historical events and settings, notably the July 1863 New York City draft riots.
- Social Commentary — The text critiques societal issues, such as civil unrest and the nature of humanity, reflecting on the moral and social state of the time.
- Philosophical — The work explores themes of human nature, morality, and the conflict between civilization and chaos.
Tags
Poetry · Nighttime · Imagery · Symbolism · Dreams · Fantasy · Literary Fragment · Experimental Form · Free Verse · Stream-of-Consciousness · Inner Life · Psychological Insight