“War Is Kind”

by Stephen Crane


Do not weep, maiden, for war is kind.

Because your lover threw wild hands toward the sky

And the affrighted steed ran on alone,

Do not weep.

War is kind.


Hoarse, booming drums of the

regiment,

Little souls who thirst for fight,

These men were born to drill and die.

The unexplained glory files above

them,

Great is the battle-god, great, and his

kingdom—;

A field where a thousand corpses lie.


Do not weep, babe, for war is kind.

Because your father tumbled in the yellow

trenches,

Raged at his breast, gulped and died,

Do not weep.

War is kind.


Swift blazing flag of the regiment,

Eagle with crest of red and gold,

These men were born to drill and die.

Point for them the virtue of the slaughter,

Make plain to them the excellence of killing

And a field where a thousand corpses

lie.


Mother whose heart hung humble as a button

On the bright splendid shroud of your son,

Do not weep.

War is kind.


Source: Crane, Stephen. “War Is Kind.” War Is Kind. Project Gutenberg, Feb. 2006. Web. 12 May 2011.




Which device does the phrase “war is kind” illustrate best?


1.simile

2.alliteration

3.style

4.irony