Holmes, Oliver Wendell. "The Ploughman".

Summary and Analysis

- an occasional poem written for an anniversary of the Berkshire Agricultural Society

- praises the toil of a ploughman who is the first to be on the field and the last to leave

- describes the ploughing process

- a strong image of the hands of the ploughman whose toil brings bread

- elevates the merit of the ploughman and describes it in lofty words and superlatives: "This is the scholar whose immortal pen / Spells the first lesson hunger taught to men"

- calls nature our "gracious Mother" with a kind and loving face which is to be loved by the mankind, too

- concludes with a warning: though the ploughman is peaceful, should there be any danger, "the guardians of land" would rescue "what the ploughshare won"