At anchor in Hampton Roads we lay, On board of the Cumberland, sloop-of-war; And at times from the fortress across the bay The alarum of drums swept past, Or a bugle blast From the camp on the shore. Then far away to the south uprose A little feather of snow-white smoke, And we knew that the iron ship of our foes Was steadily steering its course To try the force Of our ribs of oak. Down upon us heavily runs, Silent and sullen, the floating fort; Then comes a puff of smoke from her guns, And leaps the terrible death, With fiery breath, From each open port. We are not idle, but send her straight. Defiance back in a full broadside! As hail rebounds from a roof of slate, Rebounds our heavier hail From each iron scale Of the monster’s hide. "The Cumberland" by Henry Wadsworth Longtellow Question Use the passage from “The Cumberland” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow to answer the question. Which lines from the beginning of this poem use figurative language to describe the strength of the attacking ship, the Merrimac? (1 point) Responses “At anchor in Hampton Roads we lay, / On board of the Cumberland, sloop-of-war;” “At anchor in Hampton Roads we lay, / On board of the Cumberland , sloop-of-war;” “Then far away to the south uprose / A little feather of snow-white smoke,” “Then far away to the south uprose / A little feather of snow-white smoke,” “As hail rebounds from a roof of slate, / Rebounds our heavier hail / From each iron scale / Of the monster’s hide.” “As hail rebounds from a roof of slate, / Rebounds our heavier hail / From each iron scale / Of the monster’s hide.” “We are not idle, but send her straight. / Defiance back in a full broadside!”
1 answer
The lines that use figurative language to describe the strength of the attacking ship, the Merrimac, are:
“As hail rebounds from a roof of slate, / Rebounds our heavier hail / From each iron scale / Of the monster’s hide.”
This passage uses simile and metaphor to illustrate the power and resilience of the ships in battle. The comparison to hail and the description of the Merrimac as a "monster" suggests its formidable nature.
