{"id":"01KG8AJM22NCT159P5SZX2496Y","cid":"bafkreihfpxw4plft3hoittn2mmj7brhn74qsgoce2tcvmjc5ehiwwrp6gm","type":"segment","properties":{"description":"# A Utilitarian View of the Monitors Fight.\n\n## Overview\n\"A Utilitarian View of the Monitors Fight.\" is a poem segment from the collection [Battle-Pieces and Aspects of the War.](arke:01KG8AJ6FNQ0XKWBY52P8DRPC9). It was extracted from the file [battle_pieces_and_aspects_of_the_war.txt](arke:01KG89J1G8S4TRWXNCBRKCRKS8) and is part of the larger [Melville Complete Works](arke:01KG89HMDZKNY753EZE1CJ8HZW) collection. The segment spans lines 1186 to 1221 of the source text.\n\n## Context\nThis poem reflects on the nature of warfare, contrasting the perceived glory of past naval battles with the more mechanical and calculated nature of modern combat, as exemplified by the Monitor and Merrimac engagement. It is presented in sequence, with \"The Temeraire.[3]\" preceding it and \"Malvern Hill.\" following it.\n\n## Contents\nThe poem begins by stating its plainness of phrase, contrasting with the \"barbaric cymbal\" of rhyme. It praises victory achieved without the \"gaud of glory,\" emphasizing \"plain mechanic power\" and the application of \"caloric\" in warfare. The text references the \"ringing of those plates on plates\" and the \"blacksmith's fray,\" alluding to the intense, industrial nature of the battle. It concludes by suggesting that war, while inevitable, is becoming less grand, with warriors reduced to mere \"operatives.\"","description_generated_at":"2026-01-30T20:48:24.383Z","description_model":"gemini-2.5-flash-lite","description_title":"A Utilitarian View of the Monitors Fight.","end_line":1221,"extracted_at":"2026-01-30T20:47:35.910Z","extracted_by":"structure-extraction-lambda","label":"A Utilitarian View of the Monitors Fight.","source_file":"01KG89J1G8S4TRWXNCBRKCRKS8","start_line":1186,"text":"A Utilitarian View of the Monitors Fight.\r\n\r\n\r\nPlain be the phrase, yet apt the verse,\r\n  More ponderous than nimble;\r\nFor since grimed War here laid aside\r\nHis Orient pomp, ’twould ill befit\r\n    Overmuch to ply\r\nThe Rhyme’s barbaric cymbal.\r\n\r\nHail to victory without the gaud\r\n  Of glory; zeal that needs no fans\r\nOf banners; plain mechanic power\r\nPlied cogently in War now placed--\r\n    Where War belongs--\r\nAmong the trades and artisans.\r\n\r\nYet this was battle, and intense--\r\n  Beyond the strife of fleets heroic;\r\nDeadlier, closer, calm ’mid storm;\r\nNo passion; all went on by crank,\r\n    Pivot, and screw,\r\nAnd calculations of caloric.\r\n\r\nNeedless to dwell; the story’s known.\r\n  the ringing of those plates on plates\r\nStill ringeth round the world--\r\nThe clangor of that blacksmith’s fray.\r\n    The anvil-din\r\nResounds this message from the Fates:\r\n\r\nWar shall yet be, and to the end;\r\n  But war-paint shows the streaks of weather;\r\nWar yet shall be, but warriors\r\nAre now but operatives; War’s made\r\n    Less grand than Peace,\r","title":"A Utilitarian View of the Monitors Fight."},"relationships":[{"peer":"01KG8AJ6FNQ0XKWBY52P8DRPC9","peer_type":"poetry_collection","predicate":"in"},{"peer":"01KG89J1G8S4TRWXNCBRKCRKS8","peer_type":"file","predicate":"extractedFrom"},{"peer":"01KG89HMDZKNY753EZE1CJ8HZW","peer_type":"collection","predicate":"collection"},{"peer":"01KG8AJM1R8WQWSYSTR0SMYW5N","peer_type":"segment","predicate":"prev"},{"peer":"01KG8AJM1RKJ719FFXEKV15QB6","peer_type":"segment","predicate":"next"}],"ver":3,"created_at":"2026-01-30T20:47:37.538Z","ts":"2026-01-30T20:48:24.711Z","edited_by":{"method":"manual","user_id":"01KFF5C36SQEVDHC9CBNZZJH9K"}}