NICANOR.
Confidence in thee.
Thou hast the nobler virtues of thy race,
Without the failings that attend those virtues.
Thou canst be strong, and yet not tyrannous,
Canst righteous be and not intolerant.
Let there be peace between us.
The Annotated Edition
NICANOR. by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Read aloud in ~1 minOpen reading mode →
In this brief poem, the speaker talks to someone named Nicanor, complimenting him for embodying the finest traits of his people while steering clear of the common flaws associated with those traits.
- Themes
- freedom, identity, justice
§01Quick summary
What this poem is about
In this brief poem, the speaker talks to someone named Nicanor, complimenting him for embodying the finest traits of his people while steering clear of the common flaws associated with those traits. The speaker appreciates Nicanor's strength that avoids crossing into bullying and his righteousness that doesn't slip into bigotry. The poem concludes with a straightforward plea for peace between them.
§02Themes
Recurring themes
§03Line by line
Stanza by stanza, with notes
Confidence in thee.
Editor's note
The poem begins with a strong assertion of trust. The speaker doesn't gradually work up to confidence; instead, they state it plainly, creating a tone of respect and straightforwardness. It feels like a toast or a formal expression of faith in someone else.
Thou hast the nobler virtues of thy race, / Without the failings that attend those virtues.
Editor's note
The speaker notes that Nicanor is part of a group with clear strengths — but also some weaknesses. There's a deeper compliment here: it suggests Nicanor has transcended the usual traits of his people, taking the good while leaving behind the bad. The term "attend" is crucial — it implies that these shortcomings aren’t unavoidable, but rather companions that *typically* come along, and Nicanor has succeeded in moving past them.
Thou canst be strong, and yet not tyrannous, / Canst righteous be and not intolerant.
Editor's note
These two lines create a strong parallel structure. Each line identifies a virtue (strength, righteousness) and then describes the corruption that can arise from it (tyranny, intolerance). The takeaway is that Nicanor embodies these virtues without allowing them to turn sour. It's uncommon to find strength without tyranny and righteousness without intolerance — the speaker is highlighting that Nicanor has accomplished something truly challenging.
Let there be peace between us.
Editor's note
The closing line moves from praise to a heartfelt appeal. After expressing admiration, the speaker straightforwardly asks for peace. This implies that the two parties may have different backgrounds or histories of conflict. The line's simplicity adds to its impact—it's neither a demand nor a formal agreement, just a genuine human wish expressed openly.
§04Tone & mood
How this poem feels
The tone is calm and respectful, carrying the weight of a formal address. There's a warmth beneath it, but the speaker maintains their composure—this is admiration shared with dignity, not excessive praise. The final line adds a touch of genuine hope, lightly easing the formality to make it feel more personal.
§05Symbols & metaphors
Symbols & metaphors
- Strength without tyranny
- This pairing symbolizes the ideal of power used justly. It reflects the rare leader or individual who wields authority without abusing it — a standard that Longfellow truly admires and recognizes as uncommon.
- Righteousness without intolerance
- A symbol of moral conviction that stays open instead of rigid. It highlights the difference between holding principles and using them as weapons against others—a distinction the poem considers essential to true character.
- Peace
- The closing word holds the entire poem's significance. It's not merely about the lack of conflict; it's a deliberate decision to offer goodwill over a gap — be it cultural, political, or personal.
§06Historical context
Historical context
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow composed this poem in the mid-to-late nineteenth century, a time when issues like cultural difference, national identity, and the ethics of power were significant in American society. He had a keen interest in historical and literary figures who connected different worlds, and the name Nicanor has origins in both ancient Greek and Hebrew traditions — most notably as a Macedonian general in the Books of Maccabees, a character who navigated various cultures and powers. Whether Longfellow was thinking of that particular Nicanor or using the name in a broader sense, the poem serves as a reflection on what it means to embrace the positive aspects of one's heritage while avoiding its negative traits. Known for his humanist perspective and his belief in the potential for reconciliation across differences, Longfellow captures this idea succinctly in five concise lines.
§07FAQ
Questions readers ask
The poem doesn't explicitly name a specific historical figure, but the name Nicanor is closely tied to ancient history — particularly a Macedonian general mentioned in the Books of Maccabees in the Bible. Longfellow probably tapped into that connection to portray a character caught between different cultures and powers. You can interpret Nicanor either as a literal historical figure or as a symbolic representation of a group of people.
The speaker points out that Nicanor's people — regardless of their group identity — possess real strengths and admirable traits. This acknowledgment makes it clear that these qualities are authentic, not just a figment of imagination. The following line notes that those same virtues typically come with their share of flaws, yet Nicanor has succeeded in embracing the positives while avoiding the negatives.
Because both of those corruptions are the natural shadows of the virtues they follow. Strength, when left unchecked, can slide into domination. Righteousness, when taken to extremes, can lead to contempt for those who disagree. The poem highlights that virtues have a dark side, and steering clear of that dark side requires real character.
The poem consists of a single five-line stanza crafted in blank verse, featuring unrhymed lines with a loose iambic rhythm. This absence of rhyme creates a conversational tone, making it feel like the speaker is directly addressing Nicanor rather than putting on a performance. The parallel structure in lines three and four ("Thou canst be strong... Canst righteous be...") stands out as the poem's most intentional formal choice.
It implies that the two parties originate from distinct backgrounds—perhaps different nations, cultures, or even opposing sides in a conflict. After praising Nicanor extensively, the speaker ends with this straightforward request, suggesting that peace remains uncertain. It's an invitation for connection, not a confirmed agreement.
This poem seems to be a brief, standalone piece instead of a segment from a longer narrative. Longfellow created many similar short poems alongside his well-known longer pieces like *The Song of Hiawatha* and *Evangeline*. It feels like a character study or a snippet of a dramatic monologue—one voice speaking to another during an intense moment.
The central themes are identity, justice, and peace. The poem explores how to embrace the best parts of your heritage while letting go of its darker aspects. It presents this idea as a vital basis for building trust and fostering reconciliation among people from diverse backgrounds.
Longfellow was a humanist who saw the potential for understanding across cultural and national boundaries. He translated poetry from many languages and dedicated his career to fostering dialogue between different traditions. This poem reflects that belief — suggesting that one can respect their heritage while opting for decency instead of dominance.
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