The beating of "The Drum" depicts the negative, painful, and devastating blow that warfare can bring to a society. In The Drum the author (John Scott of Amwell) tells how men from city and country come to enlist in the army when the faint beating of the drum comes to town. These men give up their everyday lives to fight in a war. When the command comes to fight these men march to battle, hearts beating like a drum to fight and possibly die on foreign soil. And with this courageous part of war the drums beating also carries anguish and sorrow, with war and warfare comes death and ruin to not only the people in the war but those at home. Many of the men are maimed, and some die during the battles, wives are left to support families, children are left fatherless and brotherless, many mothers lose their sons. It isn't until war is over that the beating of the drum is ceased along with the beating hearts of the fallen.
             Some of the values shown in this poem are, Courage for leaving satisfactory lives and fighting for the unknown. Brotherhood for the many that unite to fight as one for the same main cause even though they come from many various different places. Sorrow that the widows, children, families face after losing a loved one. Anguish is shown because of the ruin that this beating drum has brought to the lands. Negativity is shown by the fact that even though a war might be won the loss suffered elsewhere could have a greater impact.
             I believe the attitude towards war is negative in this poem. It tells how the beating of the drum brings men to fight and die. The poem provides an image of the devastation that war brings to both the land and the households of the fallen or wounded. It depicts the agony and suffered to the many that are officially involved in the war. Until, the beating of this drum is ceased the pain and sorrow will carry on.
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