Both Uses of
despot
in
Leaves of Grass
- To a Certain Cantatrice Here, take this gift, I was reserving it for some hero, speaker, or general, One who should serve the good old cause, the great idea, the progress and freedom of the race, Some brave confronter of despots, some daring rebel; But I see that what I was reserving belongs to you just as much as to any.†
Chpt 1
- For the great Idea, the idea of perfect and free individuals, For that, the bard walks in advance, leader of leaders, The attitude of him cheers up slaves and horrifies foreign despots.†
Chpt 23 *
Definition:
-
(despot) a ruler with absolute power -- especially one who abuses that power