{"id":"01KG8AJJPS3WPFMATJ8SYTVRGK","cid":"bafkreidkmp7jwtv25qquak6hh5b4dyqiuqtbxlcjltmnn4nncyxu4obtz4","type":"chapter","properties":{"description":"# AMERICA\n## Overview\n\"AMERICA\" is a poem contained in [John Marr and Other Poems](arke:01KG8AJ5CWVMSM9AY2938E996H), a poetry collection. The poem is extracted from the file [john_marr_and_other_poems.txt](arke:01KG89J19Y3FNVN5KWASY78BP4) and is part of the [Melville Complete Works](arke:01KG89HMDZKNY753EZE1CJ8HZW) collection. It is preceded by [ON THE SLAIN COLLEGIANS](arke:01KG8AJJPMTNN44NS585ZMJ4CK) and followed by [INSCRIPTION](arke:01KG8AJJPYW840WA4NY76CRMAJ) within the collection.\n\n## Context\nThe poem \"AMERICA\" is one of many poems included in [John Marr and Other Poems](arke:01KG8AJ5CWVMSM9AY2938E996H). This collection is part of a larger compilation of works by Herman Melville, the [Melville Complete Works](arke:01KG89HMDZKNY753EZE1CJ8HZW). The text was extracted from the source file [john_marr_and_other_poems.txt](arke:01KG89J19Y3FNVN5KWASY78BP4) using a structure extraction process.\n\n## Contents\nThe poem \"AMERICA\" is divided into four sections, each exploring different aspects or periods in the history and identity of America. The poem uses symbolic imagery to depict the nation's evolution through peace, conflict, and potential rebirth. It references the American flag (\"Banner\"), the Civil War (\"tempest mingled with the fray\"), and a vision of the nation's future. The poem concludes with an image of America breaking free from a \"shivered yoke\" and rising with \"law on her brow and empire in her eyes,\" suggesting a transformation towards a more enlightened and powerful state.\n","description_generated_at":"2026-01-30T20:48:09.208Z","description_model":"gemini-2.5-flash-lite","description_title":"AMERICA","end_line":3405,"extracted_at":"2026-01-30T20:47:32.310Z","extracted_by":"structure-extraction-lambda","label":"AMERICA","source_file":"01KG89J19Y3FNVN5KWASY78BP4","start_line":3332,"text":"AMERICA\r\n\r\n\r\nI\r\n\r\n\r\nWhere the wings of a sunny Dome expand\r\nI saw a Banner in gladsome air—\r\nStarry, like Berenice’s Hair—\r\nAfloat in broadened bravery there;\r\nWith undulating long-drawn flow,\r\nAs tolled Brazilian billows go\r\nVoluminously o’er the Line.\r\nThe Land reposed in peace below;\r\n    The children in their glee\r\nWere folded to the exulting heart\r\n    Of young Maternity.\r\n\r\n\r\nII\r\n\r\n\r\nLater, and it streamed in fight\r\n    When tempest mingled with the fray,\r\nAnd over the spear-point of the shaft\r\n    I saw the ambiguous lightning play.\r\nValor with Valor strove, and died:\r\nFierce was Despair, and cruel was Pride;\r\nAnd the lorn Mother speechless stood,\r\nPale at the fury of her brood.\r\n\r\n\r\nIII\r\n\r\n\r\nYet later, and the silk did wind\r\n    Her fair cold form;\r\nLittle availed the shining shroud,\r\n    Though ruddy in hue, to cheer or warm.\r\nA watcher looked upon her low, and said—\r\nShe sleeps, but sleeps, she is not dead.\r\n    But in that sleeps contortion showed\r\nThe terror of the vision there—\r\n    A silent vision unavowed,\r\nRevealing earth’s foundation bare,\r\n    And Gorgon in her hidden place.\r\nIt was a thing of fear to see\r\n    So foul a dream upon so fair a face,\r\nAnd the dreamer lying in that starry shroud.\r\n\r\n\r\nIV\r\n\r\n\r\nBut from the trance she sudden broke—\r\n    The trance, or death into promoted life;\r\nAt her feet a shivered yoke,\r\nAnd in her aspect turned to heaven\r\n    No trace of passion or of strife—\r\nA clear calm look. It spake of pain,\r\nBut such as purifies from stain—\r\nSharp pangs that never come again—\r\n    And triumph repressed by knowledge meet,\r\nPower dedicate, and hope grown wise,\r\n    And youth matured for age’s seat—\r\nLaw on her brow and empire in her eyes.\r\n    So she, with graver air and lifted flag;\r\nWhile the shadow, chased by light,\r\nFled along the far-drawn height,\r\n    And left her on the crag.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r","title":"AMERICA"},"relationships":[{"peer":"01KG8AJ5CWVMSM9AY2938E996H","peer_type":"poetry_collection","predicate":"in"},{"peer":"01KG89J19Y3FNVN5KWASY78BP4","peer_type":"file","predicate":"extractedFrom"},{"peer":"01KG89HMDZKNY753EZE1CJ8HZW","peer_type":"collection","predicate":"collection"},{"peer":"01KG8AJJPMTNN44NS585ZMJ4CK","peer_type":"chapter","predicate":"prev"},{"peer":"01KG8AJJPYW840WA4NY76CRMAJ","peer_type":"chapter","predicate":"next"}],"ver":3,"created_at":"2026-01-30T20:47:36.153Z","ts":"2026-01-30T20:48:09.516Z","edited_by":{"method":"manual","user_id":"01KFF5C36SQEVDHC9CBNZZJH9K"}}