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TheProjectGutenbergEBookofLeavesofGrass,byWaltWhitman
ThiseBookisfortheuseofanyoneanywhereatnocostandwith
almostnorestrictionswhatsoever.Youmaycopyit,giveitawayor
re-useitunderthetermsoftheProjectGutenbergLicenseincluded
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Title:LeavesofGrass
Author:WaltWhitman
ReleaseDate:August24,2008[EBook#1322]
LastUpdated:November5,2012
Language:English
***STARTOFTHISPROJECTGUTENBERGEBOOKLEAVESOFGRASS***
ProducedbyG.Fuhrman,andDavidWidger
LEAVESOFGRASS
ByWaltWhitman
Come,saidmysoul,
SuchversesformyBodyletuswrite,(forweareone,)
ThatshouldIafterreturn,
Or,long,longhence,inotherspheres,
Theretosomegroupofmatesthechantsresuming,
(TallyingEarth'ssoil,trees,winds,tumultuouswaves,)
Everwithpleas'dsmileImaykeepon,
Everandeveryettheversesowning—as,first,Ihereandnow
SigningforSoulandBody,settothemmyname,
WaltWhitman
CONTENTS
BOOKI.INSCRIPTIONS
One's-SelfISing
AsIPonder'dinSilence
InCabin'dShipsatSea
ToForeignLands
ToaHistorian
ToTheeOldCause
Eidolons
ForHimISing
WhenIReadtheBook
BeginningMyStudies
Beginners
TotheStates
OnJourneysThroughtheStates
ToaCertainCantatrice
MeImperturbe
Savantism
TheShipStarting
IHearAmericaSinging
WhatPlaceIsBesieged?
StillThoughtheOneISing
ShutNotYourDoors
PoetstoCome
ToYou
ThouReader
BOOKII.
BOOKIII.
BOOKIV.CHILDRENOFADAM
FromPent-UpAchingRivers
ISingtheBodyElectric
AWomanWaitsforMe
SpontaneousMe
OneHourtoMadnessandJoy
OutoftheRollingOceantheCrowd
AgesandAgesReturningatIntervals
WeTwo,HowLongWeWereFool'd
OHymen!OHymenee!
IAmHeThatAcheswithLove
NativeMoments
OnceIPass'dThroughaPopulousCity
IHeardYouSolemn-SweetPipesoftheOrgan
FacingWestfromCalifornia'sShores
AsAdamEarlyintheMorning
BOOKV.CALAMUS
ScentedHerbageofMyBreast
WhoeverYouAreHoldingMeNowinHand
ForYou,ODemocracy
TheseISinginginSpring
NotHeavingfromMyRibb'dBreastOnly
OftheTerribleDoubtofAppearances
TheBaseofAllMetaphysics
RecordersAgesHence
WhenIHeardattheCloseoftheDay
AreYoutheNewPersonDrawnTowardMe?
RootsandLeavesThemselvesAlone
NotHeatFlamesUpandConsumes
TrickleDrops
CityofOrgies
BeholdThisSwarthyFace
ISawinLouisianaaLive-OakGrowing
ToaStranger
ThisMomentYearningandThoughtful
IHearItWasChargedAgainstMe
ThePrairie-GrassDividing
WhenIPerusetheConquer'dFame
WeTwoBoysTogetherClinging
APromisetoCalifornia
HeretheFrailestLeavesofMe
NoLabor-SavingMachine
AGlimpse
ALeafforHandinHand
Earth,MyLikeness
IDream'dinaDream
WhatThinkYouITakeMyPeninHand?
TotheEastandtotheWest
SometimeswithOneILove
ToaWesternBoy
FastAnchor'dEternalOLove!
AmongtheMultitude
OYouWhomIOftenandSilentlyCome
ThatShadowMyLikeness
FullofLifeNow
BOOKVI.
BOOKVII.
BOOKVIII.
BOOKIX.
BOOKX.
BOOKXI.
BOOKXII.
BOOKXIII.
BOOKXIV.
BOOKXV.
BOOKXVI.
Youth,Day,OldAgeandNight
BOOKXVII.BIRDSOFPASSAGE
Pioneers!OPioneers!
ToYou
France[the18thYearoftheseStates
MyselfandMine
YearofMeteors[1859-60
WithAntecedents
BOOKXVIII
BOOKXIX.SEA-DRIFT
AsIEbb'dwiththeOceanofLife
Tears
TotheMan-of-War-Bird
AboardataShip'sHelm
OntheBeachatNight
TheWorldbelowtheBrine
OntheBeachatNightAlone
SongforAllSeas,AllShips
PatrolingBarnegat
AftertheSea-Ship
BOOKXX.BYTHEROADSIDE
Europe[The72dand73dYearsofTheseStates]
AHand-Mirror
Gods
Germs
Thoughts
Perfections
OMe!OLife!
ToaPresident
ISitandLookOut
ToRichGivers
TheDallianceoftheEagles
RoaminginThought[AfterreadingHegel]
AFarmPicture
AChild'sAmaze
TheRunner
BeautifulWomen
MotherandBabe
Thought
Visor'd
Thought
GlidingO'erall
HastNeverCometoTheeanHour
Thought
ToOldAge
LocationsandTimes
Offerings
ToTheStates[ToIdentifythe16th,17th,or18thPresidentiad]
BOOKXXI.DRUM-TAPS
EighteenSixty-One
Beat!Beat!Drums!
FromPaumanokStartingIFlyLikeaBird
SongoftheBanneratDaybreak
RiseODaysfromYourFathomlessDeeps
Virginia—TheWest
CityofShips
TheCentenarian'sStory
CavalryCrossingaFord
BivouaconaMountainSide
AnArmyCorpsontheMarch
BytheBivouac'sFitfulFlame
ComeUpfromtheFieldsFather
VigilStrangeIKeptontheFieldOneNight
AMarchintheRanksHard-Prest,andtheRoadUnknown
ASightinCampintheDaybreakGrayandDim
AsToilsomeIWander'dVirginia'sWoods
NotthePilot
YearThatTrembledandReel'dBeneathMe
TheWound-Dresser
Long,TooLongAmerica
GiveMetheSplendidSilentSun
DirgeforTwoVeterans
OvertheCarnageRosePropheticaVoice
ISawOldGeneralatBay
TheArtilleryman'sVision
EthiopiaSalutingtheColors
NotYouthPertainstoMe
RaceofVeterans
WorldTakeGoodNotice
OTan-FacedPrairie-Boy
LookDownFairMoon
Reconciliation
HowSolemnAsOnebyOne[WashingtonCity,1865]
AsILaywithMyHeadinYourLapCamerado
DelicateCluster
ToaCertainCivilian
Lo,VictressonthePeaks
SpiritWhoseWorkIsDone[WashingtonCity,1865]
AdieutoaSoldier
TurnOLibertad
TotheLeaven'dSoilTheyTrod
BOOKXXII.MEMORIESOFPRESIDENTLINCOLN
OCaptain!MyCaptain!
Hush'dBetheCampsTo-Day[May4,1865
ThisDustWasOncetheMan
BOOKXXIII.
Reversals
BOOKXXIV.AUTUMNRIVULETS
TheReturnoftheHeroes
ThereWasaChildWentForth
OldIreland
TheCityDead-House
ThisCompost
ToaFoil'dEuropeanRevolutionaire
UnnamedLand
SongofPrudence
TheSingerinthePrison
WarbleforLilac-Time
OutlinesforaTomb[G.P.,Buried1870]
OutfromBehindThisMask[ToConfrontaPortrait]
Vocalism
ToHimThatWasCrucified
YouFelonsonTrialinCourts
LawsforCreations
ToaCommonProstitute
IWasLookingaLongWhile
Thought
Miracles
SparklesfromtheWheel
ToaPupil
UnfoldedoutoftheFolds
WhatAmIAfterAll
Kosmos
OthersMayPraiseWhatTheyLike
WhoLearnsMyLessonComplete?
Tests
TheTorch
OStarofFrance[1870-71]
TheOx-Tamer
WanderingatMorn
WithAllThyGifts
MyPicture-Gallery
ThePrairieStates
BOOKXXV.
BOOKXXVI.
BOOKXXVII.
BOOKXXVIII.
Transpositions
BOOKXXIX.
BOOKXXX.WHISPERSOFHEAVENLYDEATH
WhispersofHeavenlyDeath
ChantingtheSquareDeific
OfHimILoveDayandNight
Yet,Yet,YeDowncastHours
AsIfaPhantomCaress'dMe
Assurances
QuicksandYears
ThatMusicAlwaysRoundMe
WhatShipPuzzledatSea
ANoiselessPatientSpider
OLivingAlways,AlwaysDying
ToOneShortlytoDie
NightonthePrairies
Thought
TheLastInvocation
AsIWatchthePloughmanPloughing
PensiveandFaltering
BOOKXXXI.
APaumanokPicture
BOOKXXXII.FROMNOONTOSTARRYNIGHT
Faces
TheMysticTrumpeter
ToaLocomotiveinWinter
OMagnet-South
Mannahatta
AllIsTruth
ARiddleSong
Excelsior
AhPoverties,Wincings,andSulkyRetreats
Thoughts
Mediums
Weavein,MyHardyLife
Spain,1873-74
ByBroadPotomac'sShore
FromFarDakota'sCanyons[June25,1876]
OldWar-Dreams
Thick-SprinkledBunting
AsIWalkTheseBroadMajesticDays
AClearMidnight
BOOKXXXIII.SONGSOFPARTING
YearsoftheModern
AshesofSoldiers
Thoughts
SongatSunset
AsatThyPortalsAlsoDeath
MyLegacy
PensiveonHerDeadGazing
CampsofGreen
TheSobbingoftheBells[Midnight,Sept.19-20,1881]
AsTheyDrawtoaClose
Joy,Shipmate,Joy!
TheUntoldWant
Portals
TheseCarols
NowFinaletotheShore
SoLong!
BOOKXXXIV.SANDSATSEVENTY
Paumanok
FromMontaukPoint
ToThoseWho'veFail'd
ACarolClosingSixty-Nine
TheBravestSoldiers
AFontofType
AsISitWritingHere
MyCanaryBird
QueriestoMySeventiethYear
TheWallaboutMartyrs
TheFirstDandelion
America
Memories
To-DayandThee
AftertheDazzleofDay
AbrahamLincoln,BornFeb.12,1809
OutofMay'sShowsSelected
HalcyonDays
ElectionDay,November,1884
WithHusky-HaughtyLips,OSea!
DeathofGeneralGrant
RedJacket(FromAloft)
Washington'sMonumentFebruary,1885
OfThatBlitheThroatofThine
Broadway
ToGettheFinalLiltofSongs
OldSaltKossabone
TheDeadTenor
Continuities
Yonnondio
Life
"GoingSomewhere"
SmalltheThemeofMyChant
TrueConquerors
TheUnitedStatestoOldWorldCritics
TheCalmingThoughtofAll
ThanksinOldAge
LifeandDeath
TheVoiceoftheRain
SoonShalltheWinter'sFoilBeHere
WhileNotthePastForgetting
TheDyingVeteran
StrongerLessons
APrairieSunset
TwentyYears
OrangeBudsbyMailfromFlorida
Twilight
YouLingeringSparseLeavesofMe
NotMeagre,LatentBoughsAlone
TheDeadEmperor
AstheGreek'sSignalFlame
TheDismantledShip
NowPrecedentSongs,Farewell
AnEveningLull
OldAge'sLambentPeaks
AftertheSupperandTalk
BOOKXXXV.GOOD-BYEMYFANCY
LingeringLastDrops
Good-ByeMyFancy
On,ontheSame,YeJocundTwain!
MY71stYear
Apparitions
ThePallidWreath
AnEndedDay
OldAge'sShip&CraftyDeath's
TothePendingYear
Shakspere-Bacon'sCipher
Long,LongHence
Bravo,ParisExposition!
InterpolationSounds
TotheSun-SetBreeze
OldChants
AChristmasGreeting
SoundsoftheWinter
ATwilightSong
WhentheFull-GrownPoetCame
Osceola
AVoicefromDeath
APersianLesson
TheCommonplace
"TheRoundedCatalogueDivineComplete"
Mirages
L.ofG.'sPurport
TheUnexpress'd
GrandIstheSeen
UnseenBuds
Good-ByeMyFancy!
BOOKI.INSCRIPTIONS
One's-SelfISing
One's-selfIsing,asimpleseparateperson,
YetutterthewordDemocratic,thewordEn-Masse.
OfphysiologyfromtoptotoeIsing,
NotphysiognomyalonenorbrainaloneisworthyfortheMuse,Isay
theFormcompleteisworthierfar,
TheFemaleequallywiththeMaleIsing.
OfLifeimmenseinpassion,pulse,andpower,
Cheerful,forfreestactionform'dunderthelawsdivine,
TheModernManIsing.
AsIponder'dinsilence,
Returninguponmypoems,considering,lingeringlong,
APhantomarosebeforemewithdistrustfulaspect,
Terribleinbeauty,age,andpower,
Thegeniusofpoetsofoldlands,
Astomedirectinglikeflameitseyes,
Withfingerpointingtomanyimmortalsongs,
Andmenacingvoice,Whatsingestthou?itsaid,
Know'stthounotthereisbutonethemeforever-enduringbards?
AndthatisthethemeofWar,thefortuneofbattles,
Themakingofperfectsoldiers.
Beitso,thenIanswer'd,
I too haughty Shade also sing war, and a longer and greater one
thanany,
Wagedinmybookwithvaryingfortune,withflight,advance
andretreat,victorydeferr'dandwavering,
(Yetmethinkscertain,orasgoodascertain,atthelast,)the
fieldtheworld,
Forlifeanddeath,fortheBodyandfortheeternalSoul,
Lo,Itooamcome,chantingthechantofbattles,
Iaboveallpromotebravesoldiers.
InCabin'dShipsatSea
Incabin'dshipsatsea,
Theboundlessblueoneverysideexpanding,
With whistling winds and music of the waves, the large imperious
waves,
Orsomelonebarkbuoy'donthedensemarine,
Wherejoyousfulloffaith,spreadingwhitesails,
Shecleavestheethermidthesparkleandthefoamofday,orunder
manyastaratnight,
BysailorsyoungandoldhaplywillI,areminiscenceoftheland,
beread,
Infullrapportatlast.
Hereareourthoughts,voyagers'thoughts,
Here not the land, firm land, alone appears, may then by them be
said,
The sky o'erarches here, we feel the undulating deck beneath our
feet,
Wefeelthelongpulsation,ebbandflowofendlessmotion,
Thetonesofunseenmystery,thevagueandvastsuggestionsofthe
brinyworld,theliquid-flowingsyllables,
The perfume, the faint creaking of the cordage, the melancholy
rhythm,
Theboundlessvistaandthehorizonfaranddimareallhere,
Andthisisocean'spoem.
ThenfalternotObook,fulfilyourdestiny,
Younotareminiscenceofthelandalone,
Youtooasalonebarkcleavingtheether,purpos'dIknownot
whither,yeteverfulloffaith,
Consorttoeveryshipthatsails,sailyou!
Bear forth to them folded my love, (dear mariners, for you I fold
it
hereineveryleaf;)
Speed on my book! spread your white sails my little bark athwart
the
imperiouswaves,
Chant on, sail on, bear o'er the boundless blue from me to every
sea,
Thissongformarinersandalltheirships.
ToForeignLands
I heard that you ask'd for something to prove this puzzle the New
World,
AndtodefineAmerica,herathleticDemocracy,
Therefore I send you my poems that you behold in them what you
wanted.
ToaHistorian
Youwhocelebratebygones,
Whohaveexploredtheoutward,thesurfacesoftheraces,thelife
thathasexhibiteditself,
Whohavetreatedofmanasthecreatureofpolitics,aggregates,
rulersandpriests,
I,habitanoftheAlleghanies,treatingofhimasheisinhimself
inhisownrights,
Pressingthepulseofthelifethathasseldomexhibiteditself,
(thegreatprideofmaninhimself,)
ChanterofPersonality,outliningwhatisyettobe,
Iprojectthehistoryofthefuture.
ToTheeOldCause
Totheeoldcause!
Thoupeerless,passionate,goodcause,
Thoustern,remorseless,sweetidea,
Deathlessthroughouttheages,races,lands,
Afterastrangesadwar,greatwarforthee,
(Ithinkallwarthroughtimewasreallyfought,andeverwillbe
reallyfought,forthee,)
Thesechantsforthee,theeternalmarchofthee.
(AwarOsoldiersnotforitselfalone,
Far,farmorestoodsilentlywaitingbehind,nowtoadvanceinthis
book.)
Thouorbofmanyorbs!
Thouseethingprinciple!thouwell-kept,latentgerm!thoucentre!
Aroundtheideaoftheethewarrevolving,
Withallitsangryandvehementplayofcauses,
(Withvastresultstocomeforthriceathousandyears,)
Theserecitativesforthee,—mybookandthewarareone,
MergedinitsspiritIandmine,asthecontesthingedonthee,
Asawheelonitsaxisturns,thisbookunwittingtoitself,
Aroundtheideaofthee.
Eidolons
Imetaseer,
Passingthehuesandobjectsoftheworld,
Thefieldsofartandlearning,pleasure,sense,
Togleaneidolons.
Putinthychantssaidhe,
Nomorethepuzzlinghournorday,norsegments,parts,putin,
Put first before the rest as light for all and entrance-song of
all,
Thatofeidolons.
Everthedimbeginning,
Everthegrowth,theroundingofthecircle,
Everthesummitandthemergeatlast,(tosurelystartagain,)
Eidolons!eidolons!
Everthemutable,
Evermaterials,changing,crumbling,re-cohering,
Evertheateliers,thefactoriesdivine,
Issuingeidolons.
Lo,Ioryou,
Orwoman,man,orstate,knownorunknown,
Weseemingsolidwealth,strength,beautybuild,
Butreallybuildeidolons.
Theostentevanescent,
Thesubstanceofanartist'smoodorsavan'sstudieslong,
Orwarrior's,martyr's,hero'stoils,
Tofashionhiseidolon.
Ofeveryhumanlife,
(The units gather'd, posted, not a thought, emotion, deed, left
out,)
Thewholeorlargeorsmallsumm'd,addedup,
Initseidolon.
Theold,oldurge,
Basedontheancientpinnacles,lo,newer,higherpinnacles,
Fromscienceandthemodernstillimpell'd,
Theold,oldurge,eidolons.
Thepresentnowandhere,
America'sbusy,teeming,intricatewhirl,
Ofaggregateandsegregateforonlythencereleasing,
To-day'seidolons.
Thesewiththepast,
Ofvanish'dlands,ofallthereignsofkingsacrossthesea,
Oldconquerors,oldcampaigns,oldsailors'voyages,
Joiningeidolons.
Densities,growth,facades,
Strataofmountains,soils,rocks,gianttrees,
Far-born,far-dying,livinglong,toleave,
Eidolonseverlasting.
Exalte,rapt,ecstatic,
Thevisiblebuttheirwombofbirth,
Oforbictendenciestoshapeandshapeandshape,
Themightyearth-eidolon.
Allspace,alltime,
(Thestars,theterribleperturbationsofthesuns,
Swelling,collapsing,ending,servingtheirlonger,shorteruse,)
Fill'dwitheidolonsonly.
Thenoiselessmyriads,
Theinfiniteoceanswheretheriversempty,
Theseparatecountlessfreeidentities,likeeyesight,
Thetruerealities,eidolons.
Notthistheworld,
Northesetheuniverses,theytheuniverses,
Purportandend,everthepermanentlifeoflife,
Eidolons,eidolons.
Beyondthylectureslearn'dprofessor,
Beyond thy telescope or spectroscope observer keen, beyond all
mathematics,
Beyond the doctor's surgery, anatomy, beyond the chemist with his
chemistry,
Theentitiesofentities,eidolons.
Unfix'dyetfix'd,
Evershallbe,everhavebeenandare,
Sweepingthepresenttotheinfinitefuture,
Eidolons,eidolons,eidolons.
Theprophetandthebard,
Shallyetmaintainthemselves,inhigherstagesyet,
ShallmediatetotheModern,toDemocracy,interpretyettothem,
Godandeidolons.
Andtheemysoul,
Joys,ceaselessexercises,exaltations,
Thyyearningamplyfedatlast,preparedtomeet,
Thymates,eidolons.
Thybodypermanent,
Thebodylurkingtherewithinthybody,
Theonlypurportoftheformthouart,therealImyself,
Animage,aneidolon.
Thyverysongsnotinthysongs,
Nospecialstrainstosing,noneforitself,
Butfromthewholeresulting,risingatlastandfloating,
Aroundfull-orb'deidolon.
ForHimISing
ForhimIsing,
Iraisethepresentonthepast,
(Assomeperennialtreeoutofitsroots,thepresentonthepast,)
WithtimeandspaceIhimdilateandfusetheimmortallaws,
Tomakehimselfbythemthelawuntohimself.
WhenIReadtheBook
WhenIreadthebook,thebiographyfamous,
Andisthisthen(saidI)whattheauthorcallsaman'slife?
AndsowillsomeonewhenIamdeadandgonewritemylife?
(Asifanymanreallyknewaughtofmylife,
Why even I myself I often think know little or nothing of my real
life,
Onlyafewhints,afewdiffusedfaintclewsandindirections
Iseekformyownusetotraceouthere.)
BeginningMyStudies
Beginningmystudiesthefirststeppleas'dmesomuch,
Themerefactconsciousness,theseforms,thepowerofmotion,
Theleastinsectoranimal,thesenses,eyesight,love,
ThefirststepIsayawedmeandpleas'dmesomuch,
Ihavehardlygoneandhardlywish'dtogoanyfarther,
Butstopandloiterallthetimetosingitinecstaticsongs.
Beginners
Howtheyareprovidedforupontheearth,(appearingatintervals,)
Howdearanddreadfultheyaretotheearth,
Howtheyinuretothemselvesasmuchastoany—whataparadox
appearstheirage,
Howpeoplerespondtothem,yetknowthemnot,
Howthereissomethingrelentlessintheirfatealltimes,
Howalltimesmischoosetheobjectsoftheiradulationandreward,
Andhowthesameinexorablepricemuststillbepaidforthesame
greatpurchase.
TotheStates
TotheStatesoranyoneofthem,oranycityoftheStates,Resist
much,obeylittle,
Onceunquestioningobedience,oncefullyenslaved,
Oncefullyenslaved,nonation,state,cityofthisearth,ever
afterwardresumesitsliberty.
OnjourneysthroughtheStateswestart,
(Aythroughtheworld,urgedbythesesongs,
Sailinghenceforthtoeveryland,toeverysea,)
Wewillinglearnersofall,teachersofall,andloversofall.
Wehavewatch'dtheseasonsdispensingthemselvesandpassingon,
Andhavesaid,Whyshouldnotamanorwomandoasmuchasthe
seasons,andeffuseasmuch?
Wedwellawhileineverycityandtown,
WepassthroughKanada,theNorth-east,thevastvalleyofthe
Mississippi,andtheSouthernStates,
WeconferonequaltermswitheachoftheStates,
Wemaketrialofourselvesandinvitemenandwomentohear,
Wesaytoourselves,Remember,fearnot,becandid,promulgethe
bodyandthesoul,
Dwellawhileandpasson,becopious,temperate,chaste,magnetic,
Andwhatyoueffusemaythenreturnastheseasonsreturn,
Andmaybejustasmuchastheseasons.
Here,takethisgift,
Iwasreservingitforsomehero,speaker,orgeneral,
Onewhoshouldservethegoodoldcause,thegreatidea,the
progressandfreedomoftherace,
Somebraveconfronterofdespots,somedaringrebel;
ButIseethatwhatIwasreservingbelongstoyoujustasmuchas
toany.
MeImperturbe
Meimperturbe,standingateaseinNature,
Masterofallormistressofall,aplombinthemidstofirrational
things,
Imbuedasthey,passive,receptive,silentasthey,
Findingmyoccupation,poverty,notoriety,foibles,crimes,less
importantthanIthought,
MetowardtheMexicansea,orintheMannahattaortheTennessee,
orfarnorthorinland,
Ariverman,oramanofthewoodsorofanyfarm-lifeofthese
Statesorofthecoast,orthelakesorKanada,
Me wherever my life is lived, O to be self-balanced for
contingencies,
Toconfrontnight,storms,hunger,ridicule,accidents,rebuffs,as
thetreesandanimalsdo.
Savantism
ThitherasIlookIseeeachresultandgloryretracingitselfand
nestlingclose,alwaysobligated,
Thitherhours,months,years—thithertrades,compacts,
establishments,eventhemostminute,
Thither every-day life, speech, utensils, politics, persons,
estates;
Thitherwealso,Iwithmyleavesandsongs,trustful,admirant,
Asafathertohisfathergoingtakeshischildrenalongwithhim.
TheShipStarting
Lo,theunboundedsea,
Onitsbreastashipstarting,spreadingallsails,carryingeven
hermoonsails.
Thepennantisflyingaloftasshespeedsshespeedssostately—
belowemulouswavespressforward,
Theysurroundtheshipwithshiningcurvingmotionsandfoam.
IHearAmericaSinging
IhearAmericasinging,thevariedcarolsIhear,
Thoseofmechanics,eachonesinginghisasitshouldbeblitheand
strong,
Thecarpentersinginghisashemeasureshisplankorbeam,
The mason singing his as he makes ready for work, or leaves off
work,
Theboatmansingingwhatbelongstohiminhisboat,thedeckhand
singingonthesteamboatdeck,
The shoemaker singing as he sits on his bench, the hatter singing
as
hestands,
Thewood-cutter'ssong,theploughboy'sonhiswayinthemorning,
oratnoonintermissionoratsundown,
Thedelicioussingingofthemother,oroftheyoungwifeatwork,
orofthegirlsewingorwashing,
Eachsingingwhatbelongstohimorherandtononeelse,
Thedaywhatbelongstotheday—atnightthepartyofyoung
fellows,robust,friendly,
Singingwithopenmouthstheirstrongmelodioussongs.
Whatplaceisbesieged,andvainlytriestoraisethesiege?
Lo,Isendtothatplaceacommander,swift,brave,immortal,
Andwithhimhorseandfoot,andparksofartillery,
Andartillery-men,thedeadliestthateverfiredgun.
StillthoughtheoneIsing,
(One,yetofcontradictionsmade,)IdedicatetoNationality,
Ileaveinhimrevolt,(Olatentrightofinsurrection!O
quenchless,indispensablefire!)
ShutNotYourDoors
Shutnotyourdoorstomeproudlibraries,
Forthatwhichwaslackingonallyourwell-fill'dshelves,yet
neededmost,Ibring,
Forthfromthewaremerging,abookIhavemade,
Thewordsofmybooknothing,thedriftofiteverything,
A book separate, not link'd with the rest nor felt by the
intellect,
Butyouyeuntoldlatencieswillthrilltoeverypage.
PoetstoCome
Poetstocome!orators,singers,musicianstocome!
Notto-dayistojustifymeandanswerwhatIamfor,
Butyou,anewbrood,native,athletic,continental,greaterthan
beforeknown,
Arouse!foryoumustjustifyme.
Imyselfbutwriteoneortwoindicativewordsforthefuture,
I but advance a moment only to wheel and hurry back in the
darkness.
Iamamanwho,saunteringalongwithoutfullystopping,turnsa
casuallookuponyouandthenavertshisface,
Leavingittoyoutoproveanddefineit,
Expectingthemainthingsfromyou.
ToYou
Stranger,ifyoupassingmeetmeanddesiretospeaktome,why
shouldyounotspeaktome?
AndwhyshouldInotspeaktoyou?
ThouReader
ThoureaderthrobbestlifeandprideandlovethesameasI,
Thereforefortheethefollowingchants.
BOOKII
StartingfromPaumanok
1
Startingfromfish-shapePaumanokwhereIwasborn,
Well-begotten,andrais'dbyaperfectmother,
Afterroamingmanylands,loverofpopulouspavements,
DwellerinMannahattamycity,oronsouthernsavannas,
Orasoldiercamp'dorcarryingmyknapsackandgun,oraminer
inCalifornia,
OrrudeinmyhomeinDakota'swoods,mydietmeat,mydrinkfrom
thespring,
Orwithdrawntomuseandmeditateinsomedeeprecess,
Farfromtheclankofcrowdsintervalspassingraptandhappy,
AwareofthefreshfreegivertheflowingMissouri,awareof
mightyNiagara,
Awareofthebuffaloherdsgrazingtheplains,thehirsuteand
strong-breastedbull,
Of earth, rocks, Fifth-month flowers experienced, stars, rain,
snow,
myamaze,
Havingstudiedthemocking-bird'stonesandtheflightofthe
mountain-hawk,
Andheardatdawntheunrivall'done,thehermitthrushfromthe
swamp-cedars,
Solitary,singingintheWest,IstrikeupforaNewWorld.
2
Victory,union,faith,identity,time,
Theindissolublecompacts,riches,mystery,
Eternalprogress,thekosmos,andthemodernreports.
Thisthenislife,
Here is what has come to the surface after so many throes and
convulsions.
Howcurious!howreal!
Underfootthedivinesoil,overheadthesun.
Seerevolvingtheglobe,
Theancestor-continentsawaygroup'dtogether,
Thepresentandfuturecontinentsnorthandsouth,withtheisthmus
between.
See,vasttracklessspaces,
Asinadreamtheychange,theyswiftlyfill,
Countlessmassesdebouchuponthem,
Theyarenowcover'dwiththeforemostpeople,arts,institutions,
known.
See,projectedthroughtime,
Formeanaudienceinterminable.
Withfirmandregularsteptheywend,theyneverstop,
Successionsofmen,Americanos,ahundredmillions,
Onegenerationplayingitspartandpassingon,
Anothergenerationplayingitspartandpassingoninitsturn,
Withfacesturn'dsidewaysorbackwardtowardsmetolisten,
Witheyesretrospectivetowardsme.
3
Americanos!conquerors!marcheshumanitarian!
Foremost!centurymarches!Libertad!masses!
Foryouaprogrammeofchants.
Chantsoftheprairies,
Chants of the long-running Mississippi, and down to the Mexican
sea,
ChantsofOhio,Indiana,Illinois,Iowa,WisconsinandMinnesota,
Chants going forth from the centre from Kansas, and thence
equidistant,
Shootinginpulsesoffireceaselesstovivifyall.
4
TakemyleavesAmerica,takethemSouthandtakethemNorth,
Makewelcomeforthemeverywhere,fortheyareyourownoff-spring,
SurroundthemEastandWest,fortheywouldsurroundyou,
Andyouprecedents,connectlovinglywiththem,fortheyconnect
lovinglywithyou.
Iconn'doldtimes,
Isatstudyingatthefeetofthegreatmasters,
NowifeligibleOthatthegreatmastersmightreturnandstudyme.
InthenameoftheseStatesshallIscorntheantique?
Whythesearethechildrenoftheantiquetojustifyit.
5
Deadpoets,philosophs,priests,
Martyrs,artists,inventors,governmentslongsince,
Language-shapersonothershores,
Nationsoncepowerful,nowreduced,withdrawn,ordesolate,
IdarenotproceedtillIrespectfullycreditwhatyouhaveleft
waftedhither,
Ihaveperusedit,ownitisadmirable,(movingawhileamongit,)
Thinknothingcaneverbegreater,nothingcaneverdeservemore
thanitdeserves,
Regardingitallintentlyalongwhile,thendismissingit,
Istandinmyplacewithmyowndayhere.
Herelandsfemaleandmale,
Heretheheir-shipandheiress-shipoftheworld,heretheflameof
materials,
Herespiritualitythetranslatress,theopenly-avow'd,
Theever-tending,thefinaleofvisibleforms,
Thesatisfier,afterduelong-waitingnowadvancing,
Yesherecomesmymistressthesoul.
6
Thesoul,
Foreverandforever—longerthansoilisbrownandsolid—longer
thanwaterebbsandflows.
Iwillmakethepoemsofmaterials,forIthinktheyaretobethe
mostspiritualpoems,
AndIwillmakethepoemsofmybodyandofmortality,
For I think I shall then supply myself with the poems of my soul
and
ofimmortality.
IwillmakeasongfortheseStatesthatnooneStatemayunderany
circumstancesbesubjectedtoanotherState,
AndIwillmakeasongthatthereshallbecomitybydayandby
nightbetweenalltheStates,andbetweenanytwoofthem,
AndIwillmakeasongfortheearsofthePresident,fullof
weaponswithmenacingpoints,
Andbehindtheweaponscountlessdissatisfiedfaces;
AndasongmakeIoftheOneform'doutofall,
Thefang'dandglitteringOnewhoseheadisoverall,
ResolutewarlikeOneincludingandoverall,
(Howeverhightheheadofanyelsethatheadisoverall.)
Iwillacknowledgecontemporarylands,
I will trail the whole geography of the globe and salute
courteously
everycitylargeandsmall,
Andemployments!Iwillputinmypoemsthatwithyouisheroism
uponlandandsea,
AndIwillreportallheroismfromanAmericanpointofview.
Iwillsingthesongofcompanionship,
Iwillshowwhatalonemustfinallycompactthese,
Ibelievethesearetofoundtheirownidealofmanlylove,
indicatingitinme,
Iwillthereforeletflamefrommetheburningfiresthatwere
threateningtoconsumeme,
Iwillliftwhathastoolongkeptdownthosesmoulderingfires,
Iwillgivethemcompleteabandonment,
Iwillwritetheevangel-poemofcomradesandoflove,
ForwhobutIshouldunderstandlovewithallitssorrowandjoy?
AndwhobutIshouldbethepoetofcomrades?
7
Iamthecredulousmanofqualities,ages,races,
Iadvancefromthepeopleintheirownspirit,
Hereiswhatsingsunrestrictedfaith.
Omnes!omnes!letothersignorewhattheymay,
Imakethepoemofevilalso,Icommemoratethatpartalso,
Iammyselfjustasmuchevilasgood,andmynationis—andIsay
thereisinfactnoevil,
(Or if there is I say it is just as important to you, to the land
or
tome,asanythingelse.)
Itoo,followingmanyandfollow'dbymany,inaugurateareligion,
I
descendintothearena,
(ItmaybeIamdestin'dtouttertheloudestcriesthere,the
winner'spealingshouts,
Whoknows?theymayrisefrommeyet,andsoaraboveeverything.)
Eachisnotforitsownsake,
I say the whole earth and all the stars in the sky are for
religion'ssake.
Isaynomanhaseveryetbeenhalfdevoutenough,
Nonehaseveryetadoredorworship'dhalfenough,
Nonehasbeguntothinkhowdivinehehimselfis,andhowcertain
thefutureis.
IsaythattherealandpermanentgrandeuroftheseStatesmustbe
theirreligion,
Otherwisethereisjustnorealandpermanentgrandeur;
(Norcharacternorlifeworthythenamewithoutreligion,
Norlandnormanorwomanwithoutreligion.)
8
Whatareyoudoingyoungman?
Are you so earnest, so given up to literature, science, art,
amours?
Theseostensiblerealities,politics,points?
Yourambitionorbusinesswhateveritmaybe?
Itiswell—againstsuchIsaynotaword,Iamtheirpoetalso,
Butbehold!suchswiftlysubside,burntupforreligion'ssake,
Fornotallmatterisfueltoheat,impalpableflame,theessential
lifeoftheearth,
Anymorethansucharetoreligion.
9
Whatdoyouseeksopensiveandsilent?
Whatdoyouneedcamerado?
Dearsondoyouthinkitislove?
Listendearson—listenAmerica,daughterorson,
Itisapainfulthingtoloveamanorwomantoexcess,andyetit
satisfies,itisgreat,
But there is something else very great, it makes the whole
coincide,
It,magnificent,beyondmaterials,withcontinuoushandssweepsand
providesforall.
10
Know you, solely to drop in the earth the germs of a greater
religion,
ThefollowingchantseachforitskindIsing.
Mycomrade!
Foryoutosharewithmetwogreatnesses,andathirdonerising
inclusiveandmoreresplendent,
ThegreatnessofLoveandDemocracy,andthegreatnessofReligion.
Melangemineown,theunseenandtheseen,
Mysteriousoceanwherethestreamsempty,
Propheticspiritofmaterialsshiftingandflickeringaroundme,
Livingbeings,identitiesnowdoubtlessnearusintheairthatwe
knownotof,
Contactdailyandhourlythatwillnotreleaseme,
Theseselecting,theseinhintsdemandedofme.
Nothewithadailykissonwardfromchildhoodkissingme,
Haswindedandtwistedaroundmethatwhichholdsmetohim,
AnymorethanIamheldtotheheavensandallthespiritualworld,
Afterwhattheyhavedonetome,suggestingthemes.
Osuchthemes—equalities!Odivineaverage!
Warblingsunderthesun,usher'dasnow,oratnoon,orsetting,
Strainsmusicalflowingthroughages,nowreachinghither,
Itaketoyourrecklessandcompositechords,addtothem,and
cheerfullypassthemforward.
11
AsIhavewalk'dinAlabamamymorningwalk,
Ihaveseenwheretheshe-birdthemocking-birdsatonhernestin
thebriershatchingherbrood.
Ihaveseenthehe-birdalso,
Ihavepaus'dtohearhimnearathandinflatinghisthroatand
joyfullysinging.
AndwhileIpaus'ditcametomethatwhathereallysangforwas
notthereonly,
Norforhismatenorhimselfonly,norallsentbackbytheechoes,
Butsubtle,clandestine,awaybeyond,
Achargetransmittedandgiftoccultforthosebeingborn.
12
Democracy!nearathandtoyouathroatisnowinflatingitselfand
joyfullysinging.
Mafemme!forthebroodbeyondusandofus,
Forthosewhobelonghereandthosetocome,
Iexultanttobereadyforthemwillnowshakeoutcarolsstronger
andhaughtierthanhaveeveryetbeenhearduponearth.
Iwillmakethesongsofpassiontogivethemtheirway,
And your songs outlaw'd offenders, for I scan you with kindred
eyes,
andcarryyouwithmethesameasany.
Iwillmakethetruepoemofriches,
Toearnforthebodyandthemindwhateveradheresandgoesforward
andisnotdroptbydeath;
Iwilleffuseegotismandshowitunderlyingall,andIwillbethe
bardofpersonality,
AndIwillshowofmaleandfemalethateitherisbuttheequalof
theother,
And sexual organs and acts! do you concentrate in me, for I am
determin'd
to tell you with courageous clear voice to prove you
illustrious,
AndIwillshowthatthereisnoimperfectioninthepresent,and
canbenoneinthefuture,
And I will show that whatever happens to anybody it may be turn'd
to
beautifulresults,
AndIwillshowthatnothingcanhappenmorebeautifulthandeath,
And I will thread a thread through my poems that time and events
are
compact,
Andthatallthethingsoftheuniverseareperfectmiracles,each
asprofoundasany.
Iwillnotmakepoemswithreferencetoparts,
ButIwillmakepoems,songs,thoughts,withreferencetoensemble,
AndIwillnotsingwithreferencetoaday,butwithreferenceto
alldays,
AndIwillnotmakeapoemnortheleastpartofapoembuthas
referencetothesoul,
Becausehavinglook'dattheobjectsoftheuniverse,Ifindthere
is no one nor any particle of one but has reference to the
soul.
13
Wassomebodyaskingtoseethesoul?
See,yourownshapeandcountenance,persons,substances,beasts,
thetrees,therunningrivers,therocksandsands.
Allholdspiritualjoysandafterwardsloosenthem;
Howcantherealbodyeverdieandbeburied?
Ofyourrealbodyandanyman'sorwoman'srealbody,
Itemforitemitwilleludethehandsofthecorpse-cleanersand
passtofittingspheres,
Carryingwhathasaccruedtoitfromthemomentofbirthtothe
momentofdeath.
Notthetypessetupbytheprinterreturntheirimpression,the
meaning,themainconcern,
Anymorethanaman'ssubstanceandlifeorawoman'ssubstanceand
lifereturninthebodyandthesoul,
Indifferentlybeforedeathandafterdeath.
Behold,thebodyincludesandisthemeaning,themainconcernand
includesandisthesoul;
Whoever you are, how superb and how divine is your body, or any
part
ofit!
14
Whoeveryouare,toyouendlessannouncements!
Daughterofthelandsdidyouwaitforyourpoet?
Didyouwaitforonewithaflowingmouthandindicativehand?
TowardthemaleoftheStates,andtowardthefemaleoftheStates,
Exultingwords,wordstoDemocracy'slands.
Interlink'd,food-yieldinglands!
Landofcoalandiron!landofgold!landofcotton,sugar,rice!
Landofwheat,beef,pork!landofwoolandhemp!landoftheapple
andthegrape!
Landofthepastoralplains,thegrass-fieldsoftheworld!landof
thosesweet-air'dinterminableplateaus!
Landoftheherd,thegarden,thehealthyhouseofadobie!
Landswherethenorth-westColumbiawinds,andwherethesouth-west
Coloradowinds!
LandoftheeasternChesapeake!landoftheDelaware!
LandofOntario,Erie,Huron,Michigan!
LandoftheOldThirteen!Massachusettsland!landofVermontand
Connecticut!
Landoftheoceanshores!landofsierrasandpeaks!
Landofboatmenandsailors!fishermen'sland!
Inextricablelands!theclutch'dtogether!thepassionateones!
Thesidebyside!theelderandyoungerbrothers!thebony-limb'd!
Thegreatwomen'sland!thefeminine!theexperiencedsistersand
theinexperiencedsisters!
Farbreath'dland!Arcticbraced!Mexicanbreez'd!thediverse!the
compact!
ThePennsylvanian!theVirginian!thedoubleCarolinian!
Oallandeachwell-lovedbyme!myintrepidnations!OIatany
rateincludeyouallwithperfectlove!
I cannot be discharged from you! not from one any sooner than
another!
Odeath!Oforallthat,Iamyetofyouunseenthishourwith
irrepressiblelove,
WalkingNewEngland,afriend,atraveler,
Splashingmybarefeetintheedgeofthesummerrippleson
Paumanok'ssands,
Crossingtheprairies,dwellingagaininChicago,dwellinginevery
town,
Observingshows,births,improvements,structures,arts,
Listeningtooratorsandoratressesinpublichalls,
Of and through the States as during life, each man and woman my
neighbor,
TheLouisianian,theGeorgian,asneartome,andIasneartohim
andher,
TheMississippianandArkansianyetwithme,andIyetwithanyof
them,
Yet upon the plains west of the spinal river, yet in my house of
adobie,
Yetreturningeastward,yetintheSeasideStateorinMaryland,
YetKanadiancheerilybravingthewinter,thesnowandicewelcome
tome,
YetatruesoneitherofMaineoroftheGraniteState,orthe
NarragansettBayState,ortheEmpireState,
Yetsailingtoothershorestoannexthesame,yetwelcomingevery
newbrother,
Herebyapplyingtheseleavestothenewonesfromthehourthey
unitewiththeoldones,
Comingamongthenewonesmyselftobetheircompanionandequal,
comingpersonallytoyounow,
Enjoiningyoutoacts,characters,spectacles,withme.
15
Withmewithfirmholding,yethaste,hasteon.
Foryourlifeadheretome,
(ImayhavetobepersuadedmanytimesbeforeIconsenttogive
myselfreallytoyou,butwhatofthat?
MustnotNaturebepersuadedmanytimes?)
NodaintydolceaffettuosoI,
Bearded,sun-burnt,gray-neck'd,forbidding,Ihavearrived,
TobewrestledwithasIpassforthesolidprizesoftheuniverse,
ForsuchIaffordwhoevercanperseveretowinthem.
16
OnmywayamomentIpause,
Hereforyou!andhereforAmerica!
StillthepresentIraisealoft,stillthefutureoftheStatesI
harbingegladandsublime,
And for the past I pronounce what the air holds of the red
aborigines.
Theredaborigines,
Leaving natural breaths, sounds of rain and winds, calls as of
birds
andanimalsinthewoods,syllabledtousfornames,
Okonee,Koosa,Ottawa,Monongahela,Sauk,Natchez,Chattahoochee,
Kaqueta,Oronoco,
Wabash,Miami,Saginaw,Chippewa,Oshkosh,Walla-Walla,
LeavingsuchtotheStatestheymelt,theydepart,chargingthe
waterandthelandwithnames.
17
Expandingandswift,henceforth,
Elements,breeds,adjustments,turbulent,quickandaudacious,
Aworldprimalagain,vistasofgloryincessantandbranching,
A new race dominating previous ones and grander far, with new
contests,
New politics, new literatures and religions, new inventions and
arts.
These,myvoiceannouncing—Iwillsleepnomorebutarise,
Youoceansthathavebeencalmwithinme!howIfeelyou,
fathomless,stirring,preparingunprecedentedwavesandstorms.
18
See,steamerssteamingthroughmypoems,
See,inmypoemsimmigrantscontinuallycomingandlanding,
See,inarriere,thewigwam,thetrail,thehunter'shut,theflatboat,
the maize-leaf, the claim, the rude fence, and the backwoods
village,
See, on the one side the Western Sea and on the other the Eastern
Sea,
how they advance and retreat upon my poems as upon their own
shores,
See, pastures and forests in my poems—see, animals wild and tame—
see,
beyond the Kaw, countless herds of buffalo feeding on short
curlygrass,
See,inmypoems,cities,solid,vast,inland,withpavedstreets,
withironandstoneedifices,ceaselessvehicles,andcommerce,
See,themany-cylinder'dsteamprinting-press—see,theelectric
telegraphstretchingacrossthecontinent,
See,throughAtlantica'sdepthspulsesAmericanEuropereaching,
pulsesofEuropedulyreturn'd,
See, the strong and quick locomotive as it departs, panting,
blowing
thesteam-whistle,
See,ploughmenploughingfarms—see,minersdiggingmines—see,
thenumberlessfactories,
See,mechanicsbusyattheirbencheswithtools—seefromamongthem
superiorjudges,philosophs,Presidents,emerge,drestin
workingdresses,
See,loungingthroughtheshopsandfieldsoftheStates,me
well-belov'd,close-heldbydayandnight,
Heartheloudechoesofmysongsthere—readthehintscomeatlast.
19
Ocameradoclose!Oyouandmeatlast,andustwoonly.
Oawordtoclearone'spathaheadendlessly!
Osomethingecstaticandundemonstrable!Omusicwild!
OnowItriumph—andyoushallalso;
Ohandinhand—Owholesomepleasure—Oonemoredesirerandlover!
Otohastefirmholding—tohaste,hasteonwithme.
BOOKIII
SongofMyself
1
Icelebratemyself,andsingmyself,
AndwhatIassumeyoushallassume,
Foreveryatombelongingtomeasgoodbelongstoyou.
Iloafeandinvitemysoul,
Ileanandloafeatmyeaseobservingaspearofsummergrass.
Mytongue,everyatomofmyblood,form'dfromthissoil,thisair,
Bornhereofparentsbornherefromparentsthesame,andtheir
parentsthesame,
I,nowthirty-sevenyearsoldinperfecthealthbegin,
Hopingtoceasenottilldeath.
Creedsandschoolsinabeyance,
Retiring back a while sufficed at what they are, but never
forgotten,
Iharborforgoodorbad,Ipermittospeakateveryhazard,
Naturewithoutcheckwithoriginalenergy.
2
Housesandroomsarefullofperfumes,theshelvesarecrowdedwith
perfumes,
Ibreathethefragrancemyselfandknowitandlikeit,
Thedistillationwouldintoxicatemealso,butIshallnotletit.
Theatmosphereisnotaperfume,ithasnotasteofthe
distillation,itisodorless,
Itisformymouthforever,Iaminlovewithit,
Iwillgotothebankbythewoodandbecomeundisguisedandnaked,
Iammadforittobeincontactwithme.
Thesmokeofmyownbreath,
Echoes, ripples, buzz'd whispers, love-root, silk-thread, crotch
andvine,
My respiration and inspiration, the beating of my heart, the
passing
ofbloodandairthroughmylungs,
Thesniffofgreenleavesanddryleaves,andoftheshoreand
dark-color'dsea-rocks,andofhayinthebarn,
Thesoundofthebelch'dwordsofmyvoiceloos'dtotheeddiesof
thewind,
Afewlightkisses,afewembraces,areachingaroundofarms,
Theplayofshineandshadeonthetreesasthesuppleboughswag,
The delight alone or in the rush of the streets, or along the
fields
andhill-sides,
Thefeelingofhealth,thefull-noontrill,thesongofmerising
frombedandmeetingthesun.
Have you reckon'd a thousand acres much? have you reckon'd the
earthmuch?
Haveyoupractis'dsolongtolearntoread?
Haveyoufeltsoproudtogetatthemeaningofpoems?
Stopthisdayandnightwithmeandyoushallpossesstheoriginof
allpoems,
You shall possess the good of the earth and sun, (there are
millions
ofsunsleft,)
You shall no longer take things at second or third hand, nor look
through
theeyesofthedead,norfeedonthespectresinbooks,
Youshallnotlookthroughmyeyeseither,nortakethingsfromme,
Youshalllistentoallsidesandfilterthemfromyourself.
3
Ihaveheardwhatthetalkersweretalking,thetalkofthe
beginningandtheend,
ButIdonottalkofthebeginningortheend.
Therewasneveranymoreinceptionthanthereisnow,
Noranymoreyouthoragethanthereisnow,
Andwillneverbeanymoreperfectionthanthereisnow,
Noranymoreheavenorhellthanthereisnow.
Urgeandurgeandurge,
Alwaystheprocreanturgeoftheworld.
Outofthedimnessoppositeequalsadvance,alwayssubstanceand
increase,alwayssex,
Always a knit of identity, always distinction, always a breed of
life.
Toelaborateisnoavail,learn'dandunlearn'dfeelthatitisso.
Sureasthemostcertainsure,plumbintheuprights,well
entretied,bracedinthebeams,
Stoutasahorse,affectionate,haughty,electrical,
Iandthismysteryherewestand.
Clearandsweetismysoul,andclearandsweetisallthatisnot
mysoul.
Lackonelacksboth,andtheunseenisprovedbytheseen,
Tillthatbecomesunseenandreceivesproofinitsturn.
Showingthebestanddividingitfromtheworstagevexesage,
Knowingtheperfectfitnessandequanimityofthings,whilethey
discussIamsilent,andgobatheandadmiremyself.
Welcome is every organ and attribute of me, and of any man hearty
andclean,
Notaninchnoraparticleofaninchisvile,andnoneshallbe
lessfamiliarthantherest.
Iamsatisfied—Isee,dance,laugh,sing;
Asthehuggingandlovingbed-fellowsleepsatmysidethroughthe
night,
andwithdrawsatthepeepofthedaywithstealthytread,
Leaving me baskets cover'd with white towels swelling the house
with
theirplenty,
Shall I postpone my acceptation and realization and scream at my
eyes,
Thattheyturnfromgazingafteranddowntheroad,
Andforthwithcipherandshowmetoacent,
Exactlythevalueofoneandexactlythevalueoftwo,andwhichis
ahead?
4
Trippersandaskerssurroundme,
PeopleImeet,theeffectuponmeofmyearlylifeorthewardand
cityIlivein,orthenation,
The latest dates, discoveries, inventions, societies, authors old
andnew,
Mydinner,dress,associates,looks,compliments,dues,
TherealorfanciedindifferenceofsomemanorwomanIlove,
Thesicknessofoneofmyfolksorofmyself,orill-doingorloss
orlackofmoney,ordepressionsorexaltations,
Battles, the horrors of fratricidal war, the fever of doubtful
news,
thefitfulevents;
Thesecometomedaysandnightsandgofrommeagain,
ButtheyarenottheMemyself.
ApartfromthepullingandhaulingstandswhatIam,
Standsamused,complacent,compassionating,idle,unitary,
Looks down, is erect, or bends an arm on an impalpable certain
rest,
Lookingwithside-curvedheadcuriouswhatwillcomenext,
Bothinandoutofthegameandwatchingandwonderingatit.
BackwardIseeinmyowndayswhereIsweatedthroughfogwith
linguistsandcontenders,
Ihavenomockingsorarguments,Iwitnessandwait.
5
I believe in you my soul, the other I am must not abase itself to
you,
Andyoumustnotbeabasedtotheother.
Loafewithmeonthegrass,loosethestopfromyourthroat,
Notwords,notmusicorrhymeIwant,notcustomorlecture,not
eventhebest,
OnlythelullIlike,thehumofyourvalvedvoice.
Imindhowoncewelaysuchatransparentsummermorning,
How you settled your head athwart my hips and gently turn'd over
uponme,
Andpartedtheshirtfrommybosom-bone,andplungedyourtongue
tomybare-striptheart,
And reach'd till you felt my beard, and reach'd till you held my
feet.
Swiftly arose and spread around me the peace and knowledge that
pass
alltheargumentoftheearth,
AndIknowthatthehandofGodisthepromiseofmyown,
AndIknowthatthespiritofGodisthebrotherofmyown,
Andthatallthemeneverbornarealsomybrothers,andthewomen
mysistersandlovers,
Andthatakelsonofthecreationislove,
Andlimitlessareleavesstiffordroopinginthefields,
Andbrownantsinthelittlewellsbeneaththem,
And mossy scabs of the worm fence, heap'd stones, elder, mullein
and
poke-weed.
6
AchildsaidWhatisthegrass?fetchingittomewithfullhands;
How could I answer the child? I do not know what it is any more
thanhe.
Iguessitmustbetheflagofmydisposition,outofhopefulgreen
stuffwoven.
OrIguessitisthehandkerchiefoftheLord,
Ascentedgiftandremembrancerdesignedlydropt,
Bearingtheowner'snamesomewayinthecorners,thatwemaysee
andremark,andsayWhose?
Or I guess the grass is itself a child, the produced babe of the
vegetation.
OrIguessitisauniformhieroglyphic,
Anditmeans,Sproutingalikeinbroadzonesandnarrowzones,
Growingamongblackfolksasamongwhite,
Kanuck,Tuckahoe,Congressman,Cuff,Igivethemthesame,I
receivethemthesame.
Andnowitseemstomethebeautifuluncuthairofgraves.
TenderlywillIuseyoucurlinggrass,
Itmaybeyoutranspirefromthebreastsofyoungmen,
ItmaybeifIhadknownthemIwouldhavelovedthem,
Itmaybeyouarefromoldpeople,orfromoffspringtakensoonout
oftheirmothers'laps,
Andhereyouarethemothers'laps.
Thisgrassisverydarktobefromthewhiteheadsofoldmothers,
Darkerthanthecolorlessbeardsofoldmen,
Darktocomefromunderthefaintredroofsofmouths.
OIperceiveafterallsomanyutteringtongues,
And I perceive they do not come from the roofs of mouths for
nothing.
I wish I could translate the hints about the dead young men and
women,
Andthehintsaboutoldmenandmothers,andtheoffspringtaken
soonoutoftheirlaps.
Whatdoyouthinkhasbecomeoftheyoungandoldmen?
Andwhatdoyouthinkhasbecomeofthewomenandchildren?
Theyarealiveandwellsomewhere,
Thesmallestsproutshowsthereisreallynodeath,
Andifevertherewasitledforwardlife,anddoesnotwaitatthe
endtoarrestit,
Andceas'dthemomentlifeappear'd.
Allgoesonwardandoutward,nothingcollapses,
Andtodieisdifferentfromwhatanyonesupposed,andluckier.
7
Hasanyonesupposeditluckytobeborn?
I hasten to inform him or her it is just as lucky to die, and I
knowit.
Ipassdeathwiththedyingandbirthwiththenew-wash'dbabe,and
amnotcontain'dbetweenmyhatandboots,
Andperusemanifoldobjects,notwoalikeandeveryonegood,
Theearthgoodandthestarsgood,andtheiradjunctsallgood.
Iamnotanearthnoranadjunctofanearth,
Iamthemateandcompanionofpeople,alljustasimmortaland
fathomlessasmyself,
(Theydonotknowhowimmortal,butIknow.)
Everykindforitselfanditsown,formeminemaleandfemale,
Formethosethathavebeenboysandthatlovewomen,
For me the man that is proud and feels how it stings to be
slighted,
Formethesweet-heartandtheoldmaid,formemothersandthe
mothersofmothers,
Formelipsthathavesmiled,eyesthathaveshedtears,
Formechildrenandthebegettersofchildren.
Undrape!youarenotguiltytome,norstalenordiscarded,
Iseethroughthebroadclothandginghamwhetherorno,
And am around, tenacious, acquisitive, tireless, and cannot be
shakenaway.
8
Thelittleonesleepsinitscradle,
I lift the gauze and look a long time, and silently brush away
flies
withmyhand.
Theyoungsterandthered-facedgirlturnasideupthebushyhill,
Ipeeringlyviewthemfromthetop.
Thesuicidesprawlsonthebloodyfloorofthebedroom,
Iwitnessthecorpsewithitsdabbledhair,Inotewherethepistol
hasfallen.
Theblabofthepave,tiresofcarts,sluffofboot-soles,talkof
thepromenaders,
Theheavyomnibus,thedriverwithhisinterrogatingthumb,the
clankoftheshodhorsesonthegranitefloor,
Thesnow-sleighs,clinking,shoutedjokes,peltsofsnow-balls,
Thehurrahsforpopularfavorites,thefuryofrous'dmobs,
The flap of the curtain'd litter, a sick man inside borne to the
hospital,
Themeetingofenemies,thesuddenoath,theblowsandfall,
Theexcitedcrowd,thepolicemanwithhisstarquicklyworkinghis
passagetothecentreofthecrowd,
Theimpassivestonesthatreceiveandreturnsomanyechoes,
What groans of over-fed or half-starv'd who fall sunstruck or in
fits,
Whatexclamationsofwomentakensuddenlywhohurryhomeand
givebirthtobabes,
Whatlivingandburiedspeechisalwaysvibratinghere,whathowls
restrain'dbydecorum,
Arrestsofcriminals,slights,adulterousoffersmade,acceptances,
rejectionswithconvexlips,
Imindthemortheshoworresonanceofthem—IcomeandIdepart.
9
Thebigdoorsofthecountrybarnstandopenandready,
Thedriedgrassoftheharvest-timeloadstheslow-drawnwagon,
Theclearlightplaysonthebrowngrayandgreenintertinged,
Thearmfulsarepack'dtothesaggingmow.
Iamthere,Ihelp,Icamestretch'datopoftheload,
Ifeltitssoftjolts,onelegreclinedontheother,
Ijumpfromthecross-beamsandseizethecloverandtimothy,
Androllheadoverheelsandtanglemyhairfullofwisps.
10
AlonefarinthewildsandmountainsIhunt,
Wanderingamazedatmyownlightnessandglee,
Inthelateafternoonchoosingasafespottopassthenight,
Kindlingafireandbroilingthefresh-kill'dgame,
Falling asleep on the gather'd leaves with my dog and gun by my
side.
TheYankeeclipperisunderhersky-sails,shecutsthesparkleand
scud,
Myeyessettletheland,Ibendatherproworshoutjoyouslyfrom
thedeck.
Theboatmenandclam-diggersaroseearlyandstoptforme,
Ituck'dmytrowser-endsinmybootsandwentandhadagoodtime;
Youshouldhavebeenwithusthatdayroundthechowder-kettle.
Isawthemarriageofthetrapperintheopenairinthefarwest,
thebridewasaredgirl,
Her father and his friends sat near cross-legged and dumbly
smoking,
theyhadmoccasinstotheirfeetandlargethickblankets
hangingfromtheirshoulders,
On a bank lounged the trapper, he was drest mostly in skins, his
luxuriant
beard and curls protected his neck, he held his bride by the
hand,
She had long eyelashes, her head was bare, her coarse straight
locks
descendeduponhervoluptuouslimbsandreach'dtoherfeet.
Therunawayslavecametomyhouseandstoptoutside,
Iheardhismotionscracklingthetwigsofthewoodpile,
Through the swung half-door of the kitchen I saw him limpsy and
weak,
Andwentwherehesatonalogandledhiminandassuredhim,
Andbroughtwaterandfill'datubforhissweatedbodyandbruis'd
feet,
Andgavehimaroomthatenter'dfrommyown,andgavehimsome
coarsecleanclothes,
Andrememberperfectlywellhisrevolvingeyesandhisawkwardness,
Andrememberputtingplastersonthegallsofhisneckandankles;
Hestaidwithmeaweekbeforehewasrecuperatedandpass'dnorth,
Ihadhimsitnextmeattable,myfire-locklean'dinthecorner.
11
Twenty-eightyoungmenbathebytheshore,
Twenty-eightyoungmenandallsofriendly;
Twenty-eightyearsofwomanlylifeandallsolonesome.
Sheownsthefinehousebytheriseofthebank,
Shehideshandsomeandrichlydrestafttheblindsofthewindow.
Whichoftheyoungmendoesshelikethebest?
Ahthehomeliestofthemisbeautifultoher.
Whereareyouoffto,lady?forIseeyou,
Yousplashinthewaterthere,yetstaystockstillinyourroom.
Dancingandlaughingalongthebeachcamethetwenty-ninthbather,
Therestdidnotseeher,butshesawthemandlovedthem.
The beards of the young men glisten'd with wet, it ran from their
longhair,
Littlestreamspass'dallovertheirbodies.
Anunseenhandalsopass'dovertheirbodies,
Itdescendedtremblinglyfromtheirtemplesandribs.
The young men float on their backs, their white bellies bulge to
the
sun,theydonotaskwhoseizesfasttothem,
They do not know who puffs and declines with pendant and bending
arch,
Theydonotthinkwhomtheysousewithspray.
12
Thebutcher-boyputsoffhiskilling-clothes,orsharpenshisknife
atthestallinthemarket,
Iloiterenjoyinghisreparteeandhisshuffleandbreak-down.
Blacksmithswithgrimedandhairychestsenvirontheanvil,
Each has his main-sledge, they are all out, there is a great heat
in
thefire.
Fromthecinder-strew'dthresholdIfollowtheirmovements,
Thelithesheeroftheirwaistsplaysevenwiththeirmassivearms,
Overhandthehammersswing,overhandsoslow,overhandsosure,
Theydonothasten,eachmanhitsinhisplace.
13
The negro holds firmly the reins of his four horses, the block
swags
underneathonitstied-overchain,
Thenegrothatdrivesthelongdrayofthestone-yard,steadyand
tallhestandspois'dononelegonthestring-piece,
Hisblueshirtexposeshisampleneckandbreastandloosensover
hiship-band,
Hisglanceiscalmandcommanding,hetossestheslouchofhishat
awayfromhisforehead,
The sun falls on his crispy hair and mustache, falls on the black
of
hispolish'dandperfectlimbs.
I behold the picturesque giant and love him, and I do not stop
there,
Igowiththeteamalso.
Inmethecaresseroflifewherevermoving,backwardaswellas
forwardsluing,
Tonichesasideandjuniorbending,notapersonorobjectmissing,
Absorbingalltomyselfandforthissong.
Oxen that rattle the yoke and chain or halt in the leafy shade,
what
isthatyouexpressinyoureyes?
ItseemstomemorethanalltheprintIhavereadinmylife.
Mytreadscaresthewood-drakeandwood-duckonmydistantand
day-longramble,
Theyrisetogether,theyslowlycirclearound.
Ibelieveinthosewing'dpurposes,
Andacknowledgered,yellow,white,playingwithinme,
Andconsidergreenandvioletandthetuftedcrownintentional,
Anddonotcallthetortoiseunworthybecausesheisnotsomething
else,
Andthejayinthewoodsneverstudiedthegamut,yettrillspretty
welltome,
Andthelookofthebaymareshamessillinessoutofme.
14
Thewildganderleadshisflockthroughthecoolnight,
Ya-honkhesays,andsoundsitdowntomelikeaninvitation,
Thepertmaysupposeitmeaningless,butIlisteningclose,
Finditspurposeandplaceuptheretowardthewintrysky.
Thesharp-hoof'dmooseofthenorth,thecatonthehouse-sill,the
chickadee,theprairie-dog,
Thelitterofthegruntingsowastheytugatherteats,
Thebroodoftheturkey-henandshewithherhalf-spreadwings,
Iseeinthemandmyselfthesameoldlaw.
Thepressofmyfoottotheearthspringsahundredaffections,
TheyscornthebestIcandotorelatethem.
Iamenamour'dofgrowingout-doors,
Ofmenthatliveamongcattleortasteoftheoceanorwoods,
Ofthebuildersandsteerersofshipsandthewieldersofaxesand
mauls,andthedriversofhorses,
Icaneatandsleepwiththemweekinandweekout.
Whatiscommonest,cheapest,nearest,easiest,isMe,
Megoinginformychances,spendingforvastreturns,
Adorningmyselftobestowmyselfonthefirstthatwilltakeme,
Notaskingtheskytocomedowntomygoodwill,
Scatteringitfreelyforever.
15
Thepurecontraltosingsintheorganloft,
Thecarpenterdresseshisplank,thetongueofhisforeplane
whistlesitswildascendinglisp,
ThemarriedandunmarriedchildrenridehometotheirThanksgiving
dinner,
Thepilotseizestheking-pin,heheavesdownwithastrongarm,
The mate stands braced in the whale-boat, lance and harpoon are
ready,
Theduck-shooterwalksbysilentandcautiousstretches,
Thedeaconsareordain'dwithcross'dhandsatthealtar,
The spinning-girl retreats and advances to the hum of the big
wheel,
ThefarmerstopsbythebarsashewalksonaFirst-dayloafeand
looksattheoatsandrye,
Thelunaticiscarriedatlasttotheasylumaconfirm'dcase,
(Hewillneversleepanymoreashedidinthecotinhismother's
bed-room;)
Thejourprinterwithgrayheadandgauntjawsworksathiscase,
He turns his quid of tobacco while his eyes blurr with the
manuscript;
Themalform'dlimbsaretiedtothesurgeon'stable,
Whatisremoveddropshorriblyinapail;
The quadroon girl is sold at the auction-stand, the drunkard nods
by
thebar-roomstove,
Themachinistrollsuphissleeves,thepolicemantravelshisbeat,
thegate-keepermarkswhopass,
Theyoungfellowdrivestheexpress-wagon,(Ilovehim,thoughIdo
notknowhim;)
Thehalf-breedstrapsonhislightbootstocompeteintherace,
Thewesternturkey-shootingdrawsoldandyoung,someleanontheir
rifles,somesitonlogs,
Out from the crowd steps the marksman, takes his position, levels
hispiece;
Thegroupsofnewly-comeimmigrantscoverthewharforlevee,
Asthewoolly-pateshoeinthesugar-field,theoverseerviewsthem
fromhissaddle,
Thebuglecallsintheball-room,thegentlemenrunfortheir
partners,thedancersbowtoeachother,
Theyouthliesawakeinthecedar-roof'dgarretandharkstothe
musicalrain,
TheWolverinesetstrapsonthecreekthathelpsfilltheHuron,
The squaw wrapt in her yellow-hemm'd cloth is offering moccasins
and
bead-bagsforsale,
Theconnoisseurpeersalongtheexhibition-gallerywithhalf-shut
eyesbentsideways,
Asthedeck-handsmakefastthesteamboattheplankisthrownfor
theshore-goingpassengers,
The young sister holds out the skein while the elder sister winds
it
offinaball,andstopsnowandthenfortheknots,
Theone-yearwifeisrecoveringandhappyhavingaweekagoborne
herfirstchild,
The clean-hair'd Yankee girl works with her sewing-machine or in
the
factoryormill,
Thepaving-manleansonhistwo-handedrammer,thereporter'slead
fliesswiftlyoverthenote-book,thesign-painterislettering
withblueandgold,
Thecanalboytrotsonthetow-path,thebook-keepercountsathis
desk,theshoemakerwaxeshisthread,
Theconductorbeatstimeforthebandandalltheperformersfollow
him,
Thechildisbaptized,theconvertismakinghisfirstprofessions,
Theregattaisspreadonthebay,theraceisbegun,(howthewhite
sailssparkle!)
Thedroverwatchinghisdrovesingsouttothemthatwouldstray,
The pedler sweats with his pack on his back, (the purchaser
higgling
abouttheoddcent;)
Thebrideunrumplesherwhitedress,theminute-handoftheclock
movesslowly,
Theopium-eaterreclineswithrigidheadandjust-open'dlips,
Theprostitutedraggleshershawl,herbonnetbobsonhertipsyand
pimpledneck,
Thecrowdlaughatherblackguardoaths,themenjeerandwinkto
eachother,
(Miserable!Idonotlaughatyouroathsnorjeeryou;)
ThePresidentholdingacabinetcouncilissurroundedbythegreat
Secretaries,
On the piazza walk three matrons stately and friendly with twined
arms,
The crew of the fish-smack pack repeated layers of halibut in the
hold,
TheMissouriancrossestheplainstotinghiswaresandhiscattle,
Asthefare-collectorgoesthroughthetrainhegivesnoticebythe
jinglingofloosechange,
Thefloor-menarelayingthefloor,thetinnersaretinningthe
roof,themasonsarecallingformortar,
Insinglefileeachshoulderinghishodpassonwardthelaborers;
Seasonspursuingeachothertheindescribablecrowdisgather'd,it
is the fourth of Seventh-month, (what salutes of cannon and
smallarms!)
Seasonspursuingeachothertheplougherploughs,themowermows,
andthewinter-grainfallsintheground;
Offonthelakesthepike-fisherwatchesandwaitsbytheholein
thefrozensurface,
The stumps stand thick round the clearing, the squatter strikes
deep
withhisaxe,
Flatboatmen make fast towards dusk near the cotton-wood or pecantrees,
Coon-seekersgothroughtheregionsoftheRedriverorthrough
those drain'd by the Tennessee, or through those of the
Arkansas,
Torches shine in the dark that hangs on the Chattahooche or
Altamahaw,
Patriarchs sit at supper with sons and grandsons and greatgrandsons
aroundthem,
In walls of adobie, in canvas tents, rest hunters and trappers
after
theirday'ssport,
Thecitysleepsandthecountrysleeps,
Thelivingsleepfortheirtime,thedeadsleepfortheirtime,
Theoldhusbandsleepsbyhiswifeandtheyounghusbandsleepsby
hiswife;
Andthesetendinwardtome,andItendoutwardtothem,
AndsuchasitistobeofthesemoreorlessIam,
AndoftheseoneandallIweavethesongofmyself.
16
Iamofoldandyoung,ofthefoolishasmuchasthewise,
Regardlessofothers,everregardfulofothers,
Maternalaswellaspaternal,achildaswellasaman,
Stuff'dwiththestuffthatiscoarseandstuff'dwiththestuff
thatisfine,
OneoftheNationofmanynations,thesmallestthesameandthe
largestthesame,
ASouthernersoonasaNortherner,aplanternonchalantand
hospitabledownbytheOconeeIlive,
AYankeeboundmyownwayreadyfortrade,myjointsthelimberest
jointsonearthandthesternestjointsonearth,
AKentuckianwalkingthevaleoftheElkhorninmydeer-skin
leggings,aLouisianianorGeorgian,
A boatman over lakes or bays or along coasts, a Hoosier, Badger,
Buckeye;
AthomeonKanadiansnow-shoesorupinthebush,orwithfishermen
offNewfoundland,
At home in the fleet of ice-boats, sailing with the rest and
tacking,
AthomeonthehillsofVermontorinthewoodsofMaine,orthe
Texanranch,
ComradeofCalifornians,comradeoffreeNorth-Westerners,(loving
theirbigproportions,)
Comradeofraftsmenandcoalmen,comradeofallwhoshakehands
andwelcometodrinkandmeat,
Alearnerwiththesimplest,ateacherofthethoughtfullest,
Anovicebeginningyetexperientofmyriadsofseasons,
OfeveryhueandcasteamI,ofeveryrankandreligion,
Afarmer,mechanic,artist,gentleman,sailor,quaker,
Prisoner,fancy-man,rowdy,lawyer,physician,priest.
Iresistanythingbetterthanmyowndiversity,
Breathetheairbutleaveplentyafterme,
Andamnotstuckup,andaminmyplace.
(Themothandthefish-eggsareintheirplace,
The bright suns I see and the dark suns I cannot see are in their
place,
Thepalpableisinitsplaceandtheimpalpableisinitsplace.)
17
These are really the thoughts of all men in all ages and lands,
they
arenotoriginalwithme,
Iftheyarenotyoursasmuchasminetheyarenothing,ornextto
nothing,
If they are not the riddle and the untying of the riddle they are
nothing,
Iftheyarenotjustascloseastheyaredistanttheyarenothing.
Thisisthegrassthatgrowswhereverthelandisandthewateris,
Thisthecommonairthatbathestheglobe.
18
WithmusicstrongIcome,withmycornetsandmydrums,
Iplaynotmarchesforacceptedvictorsonly,Iplaymarchesfor
conquer'dandslainpersons.
Haveyouheardthatitwasgoodtogaintheday?
Ialsosayitisgoodtofall,battlesarelostinthesamespirit
inwhichtheyarewon.
Ibeatandpoundforthedead,
Iblowthroughmyembouchuresmyloudestandgayestforthem.
Vivastothosewhohavefail'd!
Andtothosewhosewar-vesselssankinthesea!
Andtothosethemselveswhosankinthesea!
Andtoallgeneralsthatlostengagements,andallovercomeheroes!
And the numberless unknown heroes equal to the greatest heroes
known!
19
Thisisthemealequallyset,thisthemeatfornaturalhunger,
It is for the wicked just same as the righteous, I make
appointments
withall,
Iwillnothaveasinglepersonslightedorleftaway,
Thekept-woman,sponger,thief,areherebyinvited,
Theheavy-lipp'dslaveisinvited,thevenerealeeisinvited;
Thereshallbenodifferencebetweenthemandtherest.
This is the press of a bashful hand, this the float and odor of
hair,
Thisthetouchofmylipstoyours,thisthemurmurofyearning,
Thisthefar-offdepthandheightreflectingmyownface,
Thisthethoughtfulmergeofmyself,andtheoutletagain.
DoyouguessIhavesomeintricatepurpose?
WellIhave,fortheFourth-monthshowershave,andthemicaonthe
sideofarockhas.
DoyoutakeitIwouldastonish?
Doesthedaylightastonish?doestheearlyredstarttwittering
throughthewoods?
DoIastonishmorethanthey?
ThishourItellthingsinconfidence,
Imightnottelleverybody,butIwilltellyou.
20
Whogoesthere?hankering,gross,mystical,nude;
HowisitIextractstrengthfromthebeefIeat?
Whatisamananyhow?whatamI?whatareyou?
AllImarkasmyownyoushalloffsetitwithyourown,
Elseitweretimelostlisteningtome.
Idonotsnivelthatsniveltheworldover,
Thatmonthsarevacuumsandthegroundbutwallowandfilth.
Whimperingandtrucklingfoldwithpowdersforinvalids,conformity
goestothefourth-remov'd,
IwearmyhatasIpleaseindoorsorout.
WhyshouldIpray?whyshouldIvenerateandbeceremonious?
Havingpriedthroughthestrata,analyzedtoahair,counsel'dwith
doctorsandcalculatedclose,
Ifindnosweeterfatthanstickstomyownbones.
In all people I see myself, none more and not one a barley-corn
less,
AndthegoodorbadIsayofmyselfIsayofthem.
IknowIamsolidandsound,
Tometheconvergingobjectsoftheuniverseperpetuallyflow,
Allarewrittentome,andImustgetwhatthewritingmeans.
IknowIamdeathless,
Iknowthisorbitofminecannotbesweptbyacarpenter'scompass,
IknowIshallnotpasslikeachild'scarlacuecutwithaburnt
stickatnight.
IknowIamaugust,
Idonottroublemyspirittovindicateitselforbeunderstood,
Iseethattheelementarylawsneverapologize,
(IreckonIbehavenoprouderthanthelevelIplantmyhouseby,
afterall.)
IexistasIam,thatisenough,
IfnootherintheworldbeawareIsitcontent,
AndifeachandallbeawareIsitcontent.
One world is aware and by far the largest to me, and that is
myself,
AndwhetherIcometomyownto-dayorintenthousandorten
millionyears,
I can cheerfully take it now, or with equal cheerfulness I can
wait.
Myfootholdistenon'dandmortis'dingranite,
Ilaughatwhatyoucalldissolution,
AndIknowtheamplitudeoftime.
21
IamthepoetoftheBodyandIamthepoetoftheSoul,
Thepleasuresofheavenarewithmeandthepainsofhellarewith
me,
ThefirstIgraftandincreaseuponmyself,thelatterItranslate
intonewtongue.
Iamthepoetofthewomanthesameastheman,
AndIsayitisasgreattobeawomanastobeaman,
AndIsaythereisnothinggreaterthanthemotherofmen.
Ichantthechantofdilationorpride,
Wehavehadduckinganddeprecatingaboutenough,
Ishowthatsizeisonlydevelopment.
Haveyououtstripttherest?areyouthePresident?
Itisatrifle,theywillmorethanarrivethereeveryone,and
stillpasson.
Iamhethatwalkswiththetenderandgrowingnight,
Icalltotheearthandseahalf-heldbythenight.
Press close bare-bosom'd night—press close magnetic nourishing
night!
Nightofsouthwinds—nightofthelargefewstars!
Stillnoddingnight—madnakedsummernight.
SmileOvoluptuouscool-breath'dearth!
Earthoftheslumberingandliquidtrees!
Earthofdepartedsunset—earthofthemountainsmisty-topt!
Earthofthevitreouspourofthefullmoonjusttingedwithblue!
Earthofshineanddarkmottlingthetideoftheriver!
Earth of the limpid gray of clouds brighter and clearer for my
sake!
Far-swoopingelbow'dearth—richapple-blossom'dearth!
Smile,foryourlovercomes.
Prodigal,youhavegivenmelove—thereforeItoyougivelove!
Ounspeakablepassionatelove.
ThrusterholdingmetightandthatIholdtight!
Wehurteachotherasthebridegroomandthebridehurteachother.
22
Yousea!Iresignmyselftoyoualso—Iguesswhatyoumean,
Ibeholdfromthebeachyourcrookedfingers,
Ibelieveyourefusetogobackwithoutfeelingofme,
We must have a turn together, I undress, hurry me out of sight of
theland,
Cushionmesoft,rockmeinbillowydrowse,
Dashmewithamorouswet,Icanrepayyou.
Seaofstretch'dground-swells,
Seabreathingbroadandconvulsivebreaths,
Sea of the brine of life and of unshovell'd yet always-ready
graves,
Howlerandscooperofstorms,capriciousanddaintysea,
Iamintegralwithyou,Itooamofonephaseandofallphases.
PartakerofinfluxandeffluxI,extollerofhateandconciliation,
Extollerofamiesandthosethatsleepineachothers'arms.
Iamheattestingsympathy,
(Shall I make my list of things in the house and skip the house
that
supportsthem?)
Iamnotthepoetofgoodnessonly,Idonotdeclinetobethepoet
ofwickednessalso.
Whatblurtisthisaboutvirtueandaboutvice?
Evilpropelsmeandreformofevilpropelsme,Istandindifferent,
Mygaitisnofault-finder'sorrejecter'sgait,
Imoistentherootsofallthathasgrown.
Didyoufearsomescrofulaoutoftheunflaggingpregnancy?
Did you guess the celestial laws are yet to be work'd over and
rectified?
Ifindonesideabalanceandtheantipedalsideabalance,
Softdoctrineassteadyhelpasstabledoctrine,
Thoughtsanddeedsofthepresentourrouseandearlystart.
Thisminutethatcomestomeoverthepastdecillions,
Thereisnobetterthanitandnow.
What behaved well in the past or behaves well to-day is not such
wonder,
The wonder is always and always how there can be a mean man or an
infidel.
23
Endlessunfoldingofwordsofages!
Andmineawordofthemodern,thewordEn-Masse.
Awordofthefaiththatneverbalks,
Here or henceforward it is all the same to me, I accept Time
absolutely.
Italoneiswithoutflaw,italoneroundsandcompletesall,
Thatmysticbafflingwonderalonecompletesall.
IacceptRealityanddarenotquestionit,
Materialismfirstandlastimbuing.
Hurrahforpositivescience!longliveexactdemonstration!
Fetchstonecropmixtwithcedarandbranchesoflilac,
Thisisthelexicographer,thisthechemist,thismadeagrammarof
theoldcartouches,
Thesemarinersputtheshipthroughdangerousunknownseas.
Thisisthegeologist,thisworkswiththescalper,andthisisa
mathematician.
Gentlemen,toyouthefirsthonorsalways!
Yourfactsareuseful,andyettheyarenotmydwelling,
Ibutenterbythemtoanareaofmydwelling.
Lesstheremindersofpropertiestoldmywords,
And more the reminders they of life untold, and of freedom and
extrication,
Andmakeshortaccountofneutersandgeldings,andfavormenand
womenfullyequipt,
Andbeatthegongofrevolt,andstopwithfugitivesandthemthat
plotandconspire.
24
WaltWhitman,akosmos,ofManhattantheson,
Turbulent,fleshy,sensual,eating,drinkingandbreeding,
No sentimentalist, no stander above men and women or apart from
them,
Nomoremodestthanimmodest.
Unscrewthelocksfromthedoors!
Unscrewthedoorsthemselvesfromtheirjambs!
Whoeverdegradesanotherdegradesme,
Andwhateverisdoneorsaidreturnsatlasttome.
Throughmetheafflatussurgingandsurging,throughmethecurrent
andindex.
Ispeakthepass-wordprimeval,Igivethesignofdemocracy,
ByGod!Iwillacceptnothingwhichallcannothavetheir
counterpartofonthesameterms.
Throughmemanylongdumbvoices,
Voicesoftheinterminablegenerationsofprisonersandslaves,
Voicesofthediseas'danddespairingandofthievesanddwarfs,
Voicesofcyclesofpreparationandaccretion,
Andofthethreadsthatconnectthestars,andofwombsandofthe
father-stuff,
Andoftherightsofthemtheothersaredownupon,
Ofthedeform'd,trivial,flat,foolish,despised,
Fogintheair,beetlesrollingballsofdung.
Throughmeforbiddenvoices,
Voicesofsexesandlusts,voicesveil'dandIremovetheveil,
Voicesindecentbymeclarifiedandtransfigur'd.
Idonotpressmyfingersacrossmymouth,
Ikeepasdelicatearoundthebowelsasaroundtheheadandheart,
Copulationisnomoreranktomethandeathis.
Ibelieveinthefleshandtheappetites,
Seeing,hearing,feeling,aremiracles,andeachpartandtagofme
isamiracle.
DivineamIinsideandout,andImakeholywhateverItouchoram
touch'dfrom,
Thescentofthesearm-pitsaromafinerthanprayer,
Thisheadmorethanchurches,bibles,andallthecreeds.
IfIworshiponethingmorethananotheritshallbethespreadof
myownbody,oranypartofit,
Translucentmouldofmeitshallbeyou!
Shadedledgesandrestsitshallbeyou!
Firmmasculinecolteritshallbeyou!
Whatevergoestothetilthofmeitshallbeyou!
Youmyrichblood!yourmilkystreampalestrippingsofmylife!
Breastthatpressesagainstotherbreastsitshallbeyou!
Mybrainitshallbeyouroccultconvolutions!
Rootofwash'dsweet-flag!timorouspond-snipe!nestofguarded
duplicateeggs!itshallbeyou!
Mix'dtussledhayofhead,beard,brawn,itshallbeyou!
Tricklingsapofmaple,fibreofmanlywheat,itshallbeyou!
Sunsogenerousitshallbeyou!
Vaporslightingandshadingmyfaceitshallbeyou!
Yousweatybrooksanddewsitshallbeyou!
Windswhosesoft-ticklinggenitalsrubagainstmeitshallbeyou!
Broadmuscularfields,branchesofliveoak,lovingloungerinmy
windingpaths,itshallbeyou!
HandsIhavetaken,faceIhavekiss'd,mortalIhaveevertouch'd,
itshallbeyou.
Idoteonmyself,thereisthatlotofmeandallsoluscious,
Eachmomentandwhateverhappensthrillsmewithjoy,
I cannot tell how my ankles bend, nor whence the cause of my
faintestwish,
NorthecauseofthefriendshipIemit,northecauseofthe
friendshipItakeagain.
ThatIwalkupmystoop,Ipausetoconsiderifitreallybe,
Amorning-gloryatmywindowsatisfiesmemorethanthemetaphysics
ofbooks.
Tobeholdtheday-break!
Thelittlelightfadestheimmenseanddiaphanousshadows,
Theairtastesgoodtomypalate.
Heftsofthemovingworldatinnocentgambolssilentlyrising
freshlyexuding,
Scootingobliquelyhighandlow.
SomethingIcannotseeputsupwardlibidinousprongs,
Seasofbrightjuicesuffuseheaven.
Theearthbytheskystaidwith,thedailycloseoftheirjunction,
Theheav'dchallengefromtheeastthatmomentovermyhead,
Themockingtaunt,Seethenwhetheryoushallbemaster!
25
Dazzlingandtremendoushowquickthesun-risewouldkillme,
IfIcouldnotnowandalwayssendsun-riseoutofme.
Wealsoascenddazzlingandtremendousasthesun,
WefoundourownOmysoulinthecalmandcoolofthedaybreak.
Myvoicegoesafterwhatmyeyescannotreach,
With the twirl of my tongue I encompass worlds and volumes of
worlds.
Speechisthetwinofmyvision,itisunequaltomeasureitself,
Itprovokesmeforever,itsayssarcastically,
Waltyoucontainenough,whydon'tyouletitoutthen?
ComenowIwillnotbetantalized,youconceivetoomuchof
articulation,
DoyounotknowOspeechhowthebudsbeneathyouarefolded?
Waitingingloom,protectedbyfrost,
Thedirtrecedingbeforemypropheticalscreams,
Iunderlyingcausestobalancethematlast,
My knowledge my live parts, it keeping tally with the meaning of
allthings,
Happiness,(whichwhoeverhearsmelethimorhersetoutinsearch
ofthisday.)
MyfinalmeritIrefuseyou,IrefuseputtingfrommewhatIreally
am,
Encompassworlds,butnevertrytoencompassme,
Icrowdyoursleekestandbestbysimplylookingtowardyou.
Writingandtalkdonotproveme,
Icarrytheplenumofproofandeverythingelseinmyface,
WiththehushofmylipsIwhollyconfoundtheskeptic.
26
NowIwilldonothingbutlisten,
To accrue what I hear into this song, to let sounds contribute
towardit.
I hear bravuras of birds, bustle of growing wheat, gossip of
flames,
clackofstickscookingmymeals,
IhearthesoundIlove,thesoundofthehumanvoice,
Ihearallsoundsrunningtogether,combined,fusedorfollowing,
Sounds of the city and sounds out of the city, sounds of the day
andnight,
Talkativeyoungonestothosethatlikethem,theloudlaughof
work-peopleattheirmeals,
The angry base of disjointed friendship, the faint tones of the
sick,
Thejudgewithhandstighttothedesk,hispallidlipspronouncing
adeath-sentence,
Theheave'e'yoofstevedoresunladingshipsbythewharves,the
refrainoftheanchor-lifters,
The ring of alarm-bells, the cry of fire, the whirr of swiftstreaking
engines and hose-carts with premonitory tinkles and color'd
lights,
Thesteam-whistle,thesolidrollofthetrainofapproachingcars,
The slow march play'd at the head of the association marching two
andtwo,
(Theygotoguardsomecorpse,theflag-topsaredrapedwithblack
muslin.)
Ihearthevioloncello,('tistheyoungman'sheart'scomplaint,)
Ihearthekey'dcornet,itglidesquicklyinthroughmyears,
Itshakesmad-sweetpangsthroughmybellyandbreast.
Ihearthechorus,itisagrandopera,
Ahthisindeedismusic—thissuitsme.
Atenorlargeandfreshasthecreationfillsme,
Theorbicflexofhismouthispouringandfillingmefull.
Ihearthetrain'dsoprano(whatworkwithhersisthis?)
TheorchestrawhirlsmewiderthanUranusflies,
ItwrenchessuchardorsfrommeIdidnotknowIpossess'dthem,
Itsailsme,Idabwithbarefeet,theyarelick'dbytheindolent
waves,
Iamcutbybitterandangryhail,Ilosemybreath,
Steep'd amid honey'd morphine, my windpipe throttled in fakes of
death,
Atlengthletupagaintofeelthepuzzleofpuzzles,
AndthatwecallBeing.
27
Tobeinanyform,whatisthat?
(Roundandroundwego,allofus,andevercomebackthither,)
Ifnothinglaymoredevelop'dthequahauginitscallousshellwere
enough.
Mineisnocallousshell,
IhaveinstantconductorsallovermewhetherIpassorstop,
Theyseizeeveryobjectandleaditharmlesslythroughme.
Imerelystir,press,feelwithmyfingers,andamhappy,
To touch my person to some one else's is about as much as I can
stand.
28
Isthisthenatouch?quiveringmetoanewidentity,
Flamesandethermakingarushformyveins,
Treacheroustipofmereachingandcrowdingtohelpthem,
Myfleshandbloodplayingoutlightningtostrikewhatishardly
differentfrommyself,
Onallsidesprurientprovokersstiffeningmylimbs,
Strainingtheudderofmyheartforitswithhelddrip,
Behavinglicentioustowardme,takingnodenial,
Deprivingmeofmybestasforapurpose,
Unbuttoningmyclothes,holdingmebythebarewaist,
Deluding my confusion with the calm of the sunlight and pasture-
fields,
Immodestlyslidingthefellow-sensesaway,
Theybribedtoswapoffwithtouchandgoandgrazeattheedgesof
me,
Noconsideration,noregardformydrainingstrengthormyanger,
Fetchingtherestoftheherdaroundtoenjoythemawhile,
Thenallunitingtostandonaheadlandandworryme.
Thesentriesdeserteveryotherpartofme,
Theyhaveleftmehelplesstoaredmarauder,
Theyallcometotheheadlandtowitnessandassistagainstme.
Iamgivenupbytraitors,
Italkwildly,Ihavelostmywits,Iandnobodyelseamthe
greatesttraitor,
Iwentmyselffirsttotheheadland,myownhandscarriedmethere.
You villain touch! what are you doing? my breath is tight in its
throat,
Unclenchyourfloodgates,youaretoomuchforme.
29
Blindlovingwrestlingtouch,sheath'dhoodedsharp-tooth'dtouch!
Diditmakeyouacheso,leavingme?
Partingtrack'dbyarriving,perpetualpaymentofperpetualloan,
Richshoweringrain,andrecompensericherafterward.
Sproutstakeandaccumulate,standbythecurbprolificandvital,
Landscapesprojectedmasculine,full-sizedandgolden.
30
Alltruthswaitinallthings,
Theyneitherhastentheirowndeliverynorresistit,
Theydonotneedtheobstetricforcepsofthesurgeon,
Theinsignificantisasbigtomeasany,
(Whatislessormorethanatouch?)
Logicandsermonsneverconvince,
Thedampofthenightdrivesdeeperintomysoul.
(Onlywhatprovesitselftoeverymanandwomanisso,
Onlywhatnobodydeniesisso.)
Aminuteandadropofmesettlemybrain,
Ibelievethesoggyclodsshallbecomeloversandlamps,
Andacompendofcompendsisthemeatofamanorwoman,
And a summit and flower there is the feeling they have for each
other,
Andtheyaretobranchboundlesslyoutofthatlessonuntilit
becomesomnific,
Anduntiloneandallshalldelightus,andwethem.
31
I believe a leaf of grass is no less than the journey work of the
stars,
And the pismire is equally perfect, and a grain of sand, and the
egg
ofthewren,
Andthetree-toadisachef-d'oeuvreforthehighest,
Andtherunningblackberrywouldadorntheparlorsofheaven,
Andthenarrowesthingeinmyhandputstoscornallmachinery,
Andthecowcrunchingwithdepress'dheadsurpassesanystatue,
Andamouseismiracleenoughtostaggersextillionsofinfidels.
IfindIincorporategneiss,coal,long-threadedmoss,fruits,
grains,esculentroots,
Andamstucco'dwithquadrupedsandbirdsallover,
Andhavedistancedwhatisbehindmeforgoodreasons,
ButcallanythingbackagainwhenIdesireit.
Invainthespeedingorshyness,
Invaintheplutonicrockssendtheiroldheatagainstmyapproach,
Invainthemastodonretreatsbeneathitsownpowder'dbones,
Invainobjectsstandleaguesoffandassumemanifoldshapes,
Invaintheoceansettlinginhollowsandthegreatmonsterslying
low,
Invainthebuzzardhousesherselfwiththesky,
Invainthesnakeslidesthroughthecreepersandlogs,
Invaintheelktakestotheinnerpassesofthewoods,
Invaintherazor-bill'dauksailsfarnorthtoLabrador,
Ifollowquickly,Iascendtothenestinthefissureofthecliff.
32
IthinkIcouldturnandlivewithanimals,theyaresoplacidand
self-contain'd,
Istandandlookatthemlongandlong.
Theydonotsweatandwhineabouttheircondition,
Theydonotlieawakeinthedarkandweepfortheirsins,
TheydonotmakemesickdiscussingtheirdutytoGod,
Notoneisdissatisfied,notoneisdementedwiththemaniaof
owningthings,
Notonekneelstoanother,nortohiskindthatlivedthousandsof
yearsago,
Notoneisrespectableorunhappyoverthewholeearth.
SotheyshowtheirrelationstomeandIacceptthem,
Theybringmetokensofmyself,theyevincethemplainlyintheir
possession.
Iwonderwheretheygetthosetokens,
DidIpassthatwayhugetimesagoandnegligentlydropthem?
Myselfmovingforwardthenandnowandforever,
Gatheringandshowingmorealwaysandwithvelocity,
Infiniteandomnigenous,andthelikeoftheseamongthem,
Nottooexclusivetowardthereachersofmyremembrancers,
PickingouthereonethatIlove,andnowgowithhimonbrotherly
terms.
A gigantic beauty of a stallion, fresh and responsive to my
caresses,
Headhighintheforehead,widebetweentheears,
Limbsglossyandsupple,taildustingtheground,
Eyes full of sparkling wickedness, ears finely cut, flexibly
moving.
Hisnostrilsdilateasmyheelsembracehim,
His well-built limbs tremble with pleasure as we race around and
return.
Ibutuseyouaminute,thenIresignyou,stallion,
WhydoIneedyourpaceswhenImyselfout-gallopthem?
EvenasIstandorsitpassingfasterthanyou.
33
SpaceandTime!nowIseeitistrue,whatIguess'dat,
WhatIguess'dwhenIloaf'donthegrass,
WhatIguess'dwhileIlayaloneinmybed,
And again as I walk'd the beach under the paling stars of the
morning.
Mytiesandballastsleaveme,myelbowsrestinsea-gaps,
Iskirtsierras,mypalmscovercontinents,
Iamafootwithmyvision.
Bythecity'squadrangularhouses—inloghuts,campingwithlumbermen,
Along the ruts of the turnpike, along the dry gulch and rivulet
bed,
Weedingmyonion-patchorhosingrowsofcarrotsandparsnips,
crossingsavannas,trailinginforests,
Prospecting,gold-digging,girdlingthetreesofanewpurchase,
Scorch'dankle-deepbythehotsand,haulingmyboatdownthe
shallowriver,
Wherethepantherwalkstoandfroonalimboverhead,wherethe
buckturnsfuriouslyatthehunter,
Wheretherattlesnakesunshisflabbylengthonarock,wherethe
otterisfeedingonfish,
Wherethealligatorinhistoughpimplessleepsbythebayou,
Wheretheblackbearissearchingforrootsorhoney,wherethe
beaverpatsthemudwithhispaddle-shapedtall;
Overthegrowingsugar,overtheyellow-flower'dcottonplant,over
thericeinitslowmoistfield,
Overthesharp-peak'dfarmhouse,withitsscallop'dscumand
slendershootsfromthegutters,
Overthewesternpersimmon,overthelong-leav'dcorn,overthe
delicateblue-flowerflax,
Overthewhiteandbrownbuckwheat,ahummerandbuzzertherewith
therest,
Over the dusky green of the rye as it ripples and shades in the
breeze;
Scalingmountains,pullingmyselfcautiouslyup,holdingonbylow
scraggedlimbs,
Walking the path worn in the grass and beat through the leaves of
thebrush,
Wherethequailiswhistlingbetwixtthewoodsandthewheat-lot,
WherethebatfliesintheSeventh-montheve,wherethegreat
goldbugdropsthroughthedark,
Wherethebrookputsoutoftherootsoftheoldtreeandflowsto
themeadow,
Wherecattlestandandshakeawayflieswiththetremulous
shudderingoftheirhides,
Where the cheese-cloth hangs in the kitchen, where andirons
straddle
the hearth-slab, where cobwebs fall in festoons from the
rafters;
Where trip-hammers crash, where the press is whirling its
cylinders,
Whereverthehumanheartbeatswithterriblethroesunderitsribs,
Wherethepear-shapedballoonisfloatingaloft,(floatinginit
myselfandlookingcomposedlydown,)
Wherethelife-carisdrawnontheslip-noose,wheretheheat
hatchespale-greeneggsinthedentedsand,
Wheretheshe-whaleswimswithhercalfandneverforsakesit,
Wherethesteam-shiptrailshind-waysitslongpennantofsmoke,
Wherethefinofthesharkcutslikeablackchipoutofthewater,
Wherethehalf-burn'dbrigisridingonunknowncurrents,
Whereshellsgrowtoherslimydeck,wherethedeadarecorrupting
below;
Wherethedense-starr'dflagisborneattheheadoftheregiments,
ApproachingManhattanupbythelong-stretchingisland,
Under Niagara, the cataract falling like a veil over my
countenance,
Uponadoor-step,uponthehorse-blockofhardwoodoutside,
Upontherace-course,orenjoyingpicnicsorjigsoragoodgameof
base-ball,
Athe-festivals,withblackguardgibes,ironicallicense,
bull-dances,drinking,laughter,
Atthecider-milltastingthesweetsofthebrownmash,suckingthe
juicethroughastraw,
Atapple-peelingswantingkissesforalltheredfruitIfind,
Atmusters,beach-parties,friendlybees,huskings,house-raisings;
Wherethemocking-birdsoundshisdeliciousgurgles,cackles,
screams,weeps,
Where the hay-rick stands in the barn-yard, where the dry-stalks
are
scatter'd,wherethebrood-cowwaitsinthehovel,
Wherethebulladvancestodohismasculinework,wherethestudto
themare,wherethecockistreadingthehen,
Where the heifers browse, where geese nip their food with short
jerks,
Where sun-down shadows lengthen over the limitless and lonesome
prairie,
Whereherdsofbuffalomakeacrawlingspreadofthesquaremiles
farandnear,
Wherethehumming-birdshimmers,wheretheneckofthelong-lived
swaniscurvingandwinding,
Wherethelaughing-gullscootsbytheshore,whereshelaughsher
near-humanlaugh,
Wherebee-hivesrangeonagraybenchinthegardenhalfhidbythe
highweeds,
Whereband-neck'dpartridgesroostinaringonthegroundwith
theirheadsout,
Whereburialcoachesenterthearch'dgatesofacemetery,
Wherewinterwolvesbarkamidwastesofsnowandicicledtrees,
Wheretheyellow-crown'dheroncomestotheedgeofthemarshat
nightandfeedsuponsmallcrabs,
Wherethesplashofswimmersanddiverscoolsthewarmnoon,
Wherethekaty-didworksherchromaticreedonthewalnut-treeover
thewell,
Throughpatchesofcitronsandcucumberswithsilver-wiredleaves,
Throughthesalt-lickororangeglade,orunderconicalfirs,
Throughthegymnasium,throughthecurtain'dsaloon,throughthe
officeorpublichall;
Pleas'dwiththenativeandpleas'dwiththeforeign,pleas'dwith
thenewandold,
Pleas'dwiththehomelywomanaswellasthehandsome,
Pleas'd with the quakeress as she puts off her bonnet and talks
melodiously,
Pleas'dwiththetuneofthechoirofthewhitewash'dchurch,
Pleas'dwiththeearnestwordsofthesweatingMethodistpreacher,
impress'dseriouslyatthecamp-meeting;
Lookinginattheshop-windowsofBroadwaythewholeforenoon,
flattingthefleshofmynoseonthethickplateglass,
Wanderingthesameafternoonwithmyfaceturn'duptotheclouds,
ordownalaneoralongthebeach,
Myrightandleftarmsroundthesidesoftwofriends,andIinthe
middle;
Cominghomewiththesilentanddark-cheek'dbush-boy,(behindme
heridesatthedrapeoftheday,)
Far from the settlements studying the print of animals' feet, or
the
moccasinprint,
Bythecotinthehospitalreachinglemonadetoafeverishpatient,
Nigh the coffin'd corpse when all is still, examining with a
candle;
Voyagingtoeveryporttodickerandadventure,
Hurryingwiththemoderncrowdaseagerandfickleasany,
HottowardoneIhate,readyinmymadnesstoknifehim,
Solitary at midnight in my back yard, my thoughts gone from me a
longwhile,
WalkingtheoldhillsofJudaeawiththebeautifulgentleGodbymy
side,
Speedingthroughspace,speedingthroughheavenandthestars,
Speedingamidthesevensatellitesandthebroadring,andthe
diameterofeightythousandmiles,
Speedingwithtail'dmeteors,throwingfire-ballsliketherest,
Carryingthecrescentchildthatcarriesitsownfullmotherinits
belly,
Storming,enjoying,planning,loving,cautioning,
Backingandfilling,appearinganddisappearing,
Itreaddayandnightsuchroads.
Ivisittheorchardsofspheresandlookattheproduct,
Andlookatquintillionsripen'dandlookatquintillionsgreen.
Iflythoseflightsofafluidandswallowingsoul,
Mycourserunsbelowthesoundingsofplummets.
Ihelpmyselftomaterialandimmaterial,
Noguardcanshutmeoff,nolawpreventme.
Ianchormyshipforalittlewhileonly,
Mymessengerscontinuallycruiseawayorbringtheirreturnstome.
Igohuntingpolarfursandtheseal,leapingchasmswitha
pike-pointedstaff,clingingtotopplesofbrittleandblue.
Iascendtotheforetruck,
Itakemyplacelateatnightinthecrow's-nest,
Wesailthearcticsea,itisplentylightenough,
Through the clear atmosphere I stretch around on the wonderful
beauty,
TheenormousmassesoficepassmeandIpassthem,thesceneryis
plaininalldirections,
Thewhite-toptmountainsshowinthedistance,Iflingoutmy
fanciestowardthem,
Weareapproachingsomegreatbattle-fieldinwhichwearesoonto
beengaged,
Wepassthecolossaloutpostsoftheencampment,wepasswithstill
feetandcaution,
Orweareenteringbythesuburbssomevastandruin'dcity,
Theblocksandfallenarchitecturemorethanallthelivingcities
oftheglobe.
Iamafreecompanion,Ibivouacbyinvadingwatchfires,
Iturnthebridegroomoutofbedandstaywiththebridemyself,
Itightenherallnighttomythighsandlips.
My voice is the wife's voice, the screech by the rail of the
stairs,
Theyfetchmyman'sbodyupdrippinganddrown'd.
Iunderstandthelargeheartsofheroes,
Thecourageofpresenttimesandalltimes,
Howtheskippersawthecrowdedandrudderlesswreckofthe
steamship,andDeathchasingitupanddownthestorm,
How he knuckled tight and gave not back an inch, and was faithful
of
daysandfaithfulofnights,
Andchalk'dinlargelettersonaboard,Beofgoodcheer,wewill
notdesertyou;
Howhefollow'dwiththemandtack'dwiththemthreedaysand
wouldnotgiveitup,
Howhesavedthedriftingcompanyatlast,
Howthelankloose-gown'dwomenlook'dwhenboatedfromthe
sideoftheirpreparedgraves,
Howthesilentold-facedinfantsandtheliftedsick,andthe
sharp-lipp'dunshavedmen;
All this I swallow, it tastes good, I like it well, it becomes
mine,
Iamtheman,Isuffer'd,Iwasthere.
Thedisdainandcalmnessofmartyrs,
Themotherofold,condemn'dforawitch,burntwithdrywood,her
childrengazingon,
Thehoundedslavethatflagsintherace,leansbythefence,
blowing,cover'dwithsweat,
The twinges that sting like needles his legs and neck, the
murderous
buckshotandthebullets,
AlltheseIfeeloram.
Iamthehoundedslave,Iwinceatthebiteofthedogs,
Hellanddespairareuponme,crackandagaincrackthemarksmen,
Iclutchtherailsofthefence,mygoredribs,thinn'dwiththe
oozeofmyskin,
Ifallontheweedsandstones,
Theridersspurtheirunwillinghorses,haulclose,
Tauntmydizzyearsandbeatmeviolentlyovertheheadwithwhipstocks.
Agoniesareoneofmychangesofgarments,
Idonotaskthewoundedpersonhowhefeels,Imyselfbecomethe
woundedperson,
MyhurtsturnlividuponmeasIleanonacaneandobserve.
Iamthemash'dfiremanwithbreast-bonebroken,
Tumblingwallsburiedmeintheirdebris,
Heat and smoke I inspired, I heard the yelling shouts of my
comrades,
Iheardthedistantclickoftheirpicksandshovels,
Theyhaveclear'dthebeamsaway,theytenderlyliftmeforth.
I lie in the night air in my red shirt, the pervading hush is for
mysake,
PainlessafterallIlieexhaustedbutnotsounhappy,
Whiteandbeautifularethefacesaroundme,theheadsarebared
oftheirfire-caps,
Thekneelingcrowdfadeswiththelightofthetorches.
Distantanddeadresuscitate,
They show as the dial or move as the hands of me, I am the clock
myself.
Iamanoldartillerist,Itellofmyfort'sbombardment,
Iamthereagain.
Againthelongrollofthedrummers,
Againtheattackingcannon,mortars,
Againtomylisteningearsthecannonresponsive.
Itakepart,Iseeandhearthewhole,
Thecries,curses,roar,theplauditsforwell-aim'dshots,
Theambulanzaslowlypassingtrailingitsreddrip,
Workmensearchingafterdamages,makingindispensablerepairs,
The fall of grenades through the rent roof, the fan-shaped
explosion,
Thewhizzoflimbs,heads,stone,wood,iron,highintheair.
Againgurglesthemouthofmydyinggeneral,hefuriouslywaves
withhishand,
HegaspsthroughtheclotMindnotme—mind—theentrenchments.
34
NowItellwhatIknewinTexasinmyearlyyouth,
(ItellnotthefallofAlamo,
NotoneescapedtotellthefallofAlamo,
ThehundredandfiftyaredumbyetatAlamo,)
'Tis the tale of the murder in cold blood of four hundred and
twelve
youngmen.
Retreating they had form'd in a hollow square with their baggage
for
breastworks,
Ninehundredlivesoutofthesurroundingenemies,ninetimestheir
number,wasthepricetheytookinadvance,
Theircolonelwaswoundedandtheirammunitiongone,
Theytreatedforanhonorablecapitulation,receiv'dwritingand
seal,gaveuptheirarmsandmarch'dbackprisonersofwar.
Theywerethegloryoftheraceofrangers,
Matchlesswithhorse,rifle,song,supper,courtship,
Large,turbulent,generous,handsome,proud,andaffectionate,
Bearded,sunburnt,drestinthefreecostumeofhunters,
Notasingleoneoverthirtyyearsofage.
ThesecondFirst-daymorningtheywerebroughtoutinsquadsand
massacred,itwasbeautifulearlysummer,
Theworkcommencedaboutfiveo'clockandwasoverbyeight.
Noneobey'dthecommandtokneel,
Somemadeamadandhelplessrush,somestoodstarkandstraight,
A few fell at once, shot in the temple or heart, the living and
dead
laytogether,
The maim'd and mangled dug in the dirt, the new-comers saw them
there,
Somehalf-kill'dattemptedtocrawlaway,
Theseweredespatch'dwithbayonetsorbatter'dwiththebluntsof
muskets,
Ayouthnotseventeenyearsoldseiz'dhisassassintilltwomore
cametoreleasehim,
Thethreewerealltornandcover'dwiththeboy'sblood.
Ateleveno'clockbegantheburningofthebodies;
Thatisthetaleofthemurderofthefourhundredandtwelveyoung
men.
35
Wouldyouhearofanold-timesea-fight?
Wouldyoulearnwhowonbythelightofthemoonandstars?
Listtotheyarn,asmygrandmother'sfatherthesailortolditto
me.
OurfoewasnoskulkinhisshipItellyou,(saidhe,)
HiswasthesurlyEnglishpluck,andthereisnotougherortruer,
andneverwas,andneverwillbe;
Alongthelower'devehecamehorriblyrakingus.
Weclosedwithhim,theyardsentangled,thecannontouch'd,
Mycaptainlash'dfastwithhisownhands.
Wehadreceiv'dsomeeighteenpoundshotsunderthewater,
Onourlower-gun-decktwolargepieceshadburstatthefirstfire,
killingallaroundandblowingupoverhead.
Fightingatsun-down,fightingatdark,
Teno'clockatnight,thefullmoonwellup,ourleaksonthegain,
andfivefeetofwaterreported,
Themaster-at-armsloosingtheprisonersconfinedintheafter-hold
togivethemachanceforthemselves.
Thetransittoandfromthemagazineisnowstoptbythesentinels,
Theyseesomanystrangefacestheydonotknowwhomtotrust.
Ourfrigatetakesfire,
Theotherasksifwedemandquarter?
Ifourcolorsarestruckandthefightingdone?
NowIlaughcontent,forIhearthevoiceofmylittlecaptain,
We have not struck, he composedly cries, we have just begun our
part
ofthefighting.
Onlythreegunsareinuse,
One is directed by the captain himself against the enemy's mainmast,
Twowellserv'dwithgrapeandcanistersilencehismusketryand
clearhisdecks.
Thetopsalonesecondthefireofthislittlebattery,especially
themain-top,
Theyholdoutbravelyduringthewholeoftheaction.
Notamoment'scease,
Theleaksgainfastonthepumps,thefireeatstowardthepowdermagazine.
Oneofthepumpshasbeenshotaway,itisgenerallythoughtweare
sinking.
Serenestandsthelittlecaptain,
Heisnothurried,hisvoiceisneitherhighnorlow,
Hiseyesgivemorelighttousthanourbattle-lanterns.
Towardtwelvethereinthebeamsofthemoontheysurrendertous.
36
Stretch'dandstillliesthemidnight,
Twogreathullsmotionlessonthebreastofthedarkness,
Ourvesselriddledandslowlysinking,preparationstopasstothe
onewehaveconquer'd,
Thecaptainonthequarter-deckcoldlygivinghisordersthrougha
countenancewhiteasasheet,
Nearbythecorpseofthechildthatserv'dinthecabin,
Thedeadfaceofanoldsaltwithlongwhitehairandcarefully
curl'dwhiskers,
The flames spite of all that can be done flickering aloft and
below,
Thehuskyvoicesofthetwoorthreeofficersyetfitforduty,
Formlessstacksofbodiesandbodiesbythemselves,dabsofflesh
uponthemastsandspars,
Cut of cordage, dangle of rigging, slight shock of the soothe of
waves,
Blackandimpassiveguns,litterofpowder-parcels,strongscent,
Afewlargestarsoverhead,silentandmournfulshining,
Delicatesniffsofsea-breeze,smellsofsedgygrassandfieldsby
theshore,death-messagesgiveninchargetosurvivors,
Thehissofthesurgeon'sknife,thegnawingteethofhissaw,
Wheeze,cluck,swashoffallingblood,shortwildscream,andlong,
dull,taperinggroan,
Theseso,theseirretrievable.
37
Youlaggardsthereonguard!looktoyourarms!
Inattheconquer'ddoorstheycrowd!Iampossess'd!
Embodyallpresencesoutlaw'dorsuffering,
Seemyselfinprisonshapedlikeanotherman,
Andfeelthedullunintermittedpain.
For me the keepers of convicts shoulder their carbines and keep
watch,
ItisIletoutinthemorningandbarr'datnight.
Notamutineerwalkshandcuff'dtojailbutIamhandcuff'dtohim
andwalkbyhisside,
(Iamlessthejollyonethere,andmorethesilentonewithsweat
onmytwitchinglips.)
NotayoungsteristakenforlarcenybutIgouptoo,andamtried
andsentenced.
Not a cholera patient lies at the last gasp but I also lie at the
lastgasp,
My face is ash-color'd, my sinews gnarl, away from me people
retreat.
AskersembodythemselvesinmeandIamembodiedinthem,
Iprojectmyhat,sitshame-faced,andbeg.
38
Enough!enough!enough!
SomehowIhavebeenstunn'd.Standback!
Give me a little time beyond my cuff'd head, slumbers, dreams,
gaping,
Idiscovermyselfonthevergeofausualmistake.
ThatIcouldforgetthemockersandinsults!
ThatIcouldforgetthetricklingtearsandtheblowsofthe
bludgeonsandhammers!
ThatIcouldlookwithaseparatelookonmyowncrucifixionand
bloodycrowning.
Iremembernow,
Iresumetheoverstaidfraction,
The grave of rock multiplies what has been confided to it, or to
anygraves,
Corpsesrise,gashesheal,fasteningsrollfromme.
Itroopforthreplenish'dwithsupremepower,oneofanaverage
unendingprocession,
Inlandandsea-coastwego,andpassallboundarylines,
Ourswiftordinancesontheirwayoverthewholeearth,
Theblossomswewearinourhatsthegrowthofthousandsofyears.
Eleves,Isaluteyou!comeforward!
Continueyourannotations,continueyourquestionings.
39
Thefriendlyandflowingsavage,whoishe?
Ishewaitingforcivilization,orpastitandmasteringit?
IshesomeSouthwesternerrais'dout-doors?isheKanadian?
IshefromtheMississippicountry?Iowa,Oregon,California?
Themountains?prairie-life,bush-life?orsailorfromthesea?
Whereverhegoesmenandwomenacceptanddesirehim,
They desire he should like them, touch them, speak to them, stay
withthem.
Behaviorlawlessassnow-flakes,wordssimpleasgrass,uncomb'd
head,laughter,andnaivete,
Slow-steppingfeet,commonfeatures,commonmodesandemanations,
Theydescendinnewformsfromthetipsofhisfingers,
They are wafted with the odor of his body or breath, they fly out
of
theglanceofhiseyes.
40
FlauntofthesunshineIneednotyourbask—lieover!
Youlightsurfacesonly,Iforcesurfacesanddepthsalso.
Earth!youseemtolookforsomethingatmyhands,
Say,oldtop-knot,whatdoyouwant?
Manorwoman,ImighttellhowIlikeyou,butcannot,
Andmighttellwhatitisinmeandwhatitisinyou,butcannot,
And might tell that pining I have, that pulse of my nights and
days.
Behold,Idonotgivelecturesoralittlecharity,
WhenIgiveIgivemyself.
Youthere,impotent,looseintheknees,
Openyourscarf'dchopstillIblowgritwithinyou,
Spreadyourpalmsandlifttheflapsofyourpockets,
Iamnottobedenied,Icompel,Ihavestoresplentyandtospare,
AndanythingIhaveIbestow.
Idonotaskwhoyouare,thatisnotimportanttome,
YoucandonothingandbenothingbutwhatIwillinfoldyou.
Tocotton-fielddrudgeorcleanerofpriviesIlean,
OnhisrightcheekIputthefamilykiss,
AndinmysoulIswearIneverwilldenyhim.
OnwomenfitforconceptionIstartbiggerandnimblerbabes.
(ThisdayIamjettingthestuffoffarmorearrogantrepublics.)
Toanyonedying,thitherIspeedandtwisttheknobofthedoor.
Turnthebed-clothestowardthefootofthebed,
Letthephysicianandthepriestgohome.
Iseizethedescendingmanandraisehimwithresistlesswill,
Odespairer,hereismyneck,
ByGod,youshallnotgodown!hangyourwholeweightuponme.
Idilateyouwithtremendousbreath,Ibuoyyouup,
EveryroomofthehousedoIfillwithanarm'dforce,
Loversofme,bafflersofgraves.
Sleep—Iandtheykeepguardallnight,
Notdoubt,notdeceaseshalldaretolayfingeruponyou,
Ihaveembracedyou,andhenceforthpossessyoutomyself,
And when you rise in the morning you will find what I tell you is
so.
41
Iamhebringinghelpforthesickastheypantontheirbacks,
AndforstronguprightmenIbringyetmoreneededhelp.
Iheardwhatwassaidoftheuniverse,
Hearditandhearditofseveralthousandyears;
Itismiddlingwellasfarasitgoes—butisthatall?
MagnifyingandapplyingcomeI,
Outbiddingatthestarttheoldcautioushucksters,
TakingmyselftheexactdimensionsofJehovah,
LithographingKronos,Zeushisson,andHerculeshisgrandson,
BuyingdraftsofOsiris,Isis,Belus,Brahma,Buddha,
InmyportfolioplacingManitoloose,Allahonaleaf,thecrucifix
engraved,
WithOdinandthehideous-facedMexitliandeveryidolandimage,
Takingthemallforwhattheyareworthandnotacentmore,
Admittingtheywerealiveanddidtheworkoftheirdays,
(They bore mites as for unfledg'd birds who have now to rise and
fly
andsingforthemselves,)
Acceptingtheroughdeificsketchestofilloutbetterinmyself,
bestowingthemfreelyoneachmanandwomanIsee,
Discoveringasmuchormoreinaframerframingahouse,
Puttinghigherclaimsforhimtherewithhisroll'd-upsleeves
drivingthemalletandchisel,
Not objecting to special revelations, considering a curl of smoke
or
a hair on the back of my hand just as curious as any
revelation,
Ladsaholdoffire-enginesandhook-and-ladderropesnolesstome
thanthegodsoftheantiquewars,
Mindingtheirvoicespealthroughthecrashofdestruction,
Theirbrawnylimbspassingsafeovercharr'dlaths,theirwhite
foreheadswholeandunhurtoutoftheflames;
Bythemechanic'swifewithherbabeathernippleintercedingfor
everypersonborn,
Threescythesatharvestwhizzinginarowfromthreelustyangels
withshirtsbagg'doutattheirwaists,
The snag-tooth'd hostler with red hair redeeming sins past and to
come,
Sellingallhepossesses,travelingonfoottofeelawyersforhis
brotherandsitbyhimwhileheistriedforforgery;
What was strewn in the amplest strewing the square rod about me,
and
notfillingthesquarerodthen,
Thebullandthebugneverworshipp'dhalfenough,
Dunganddirtmoreadmirablethanwasdream'd,
Thesupernaturalofnoaccount,myselfwaitingmytimetobeoneof
thesupremes,
ThedaygettingreadyformewhenIshalldoasmuchgoodasthe
best,andbeasprodigious;
Bymylife-lumps!becomingalreadyacreator,
Puttingmyselfhereandnowtotheambush'dwomboftheshadows.
42
Acallinthemidstofthecrowd,
Myownvoice,orotundsweepingandfinal.
Comemychildren,
Comemyboysandgirls,mywomen,householdandintimates,
Nowtheperformerlauncheshisnerve,hehaspass'dhispreludeon
thereedswithin.
Easilywrittenloose-finger'dchords—Ifeelthethrumofyour
climaxandclose.
Myheadsluesroundonmyneck,
Musicrolls,butnotfromtheorgan,
Folksarearoundme,buttheyarenohouseholdofmine.
Everthehardunsunkground,
Ever the eaters and drinkers, ever the upward and downward sun,
ever
theairandtheceaselesstides,
Evermyselfandmyneighbors,refreshing,wicked,real,
Evertheoldinexplicablequery,everthatthorn'dthumb,that
breathofitchesandthirsts,
Everthevexer'shoot!hoot!tillwefindwheretheslyonehides
andbringhimforth,
Everlove,everthesobbingliquidoflife,
Everthebandageunderthechin,everthetrestlesofdeath.
Hereandtherewithdimesontheeyeswalking,
Tofeedthegreedofthebellythebrainsliberallyspooning,
Tickets buying, taking, selling, but in to the feast never once
going,
Manysweating,ploughing,thrashing,andthenthechaffforpayment
receiving,
Afewidlyowning,andtheythewheatcontinuallyclaiming.
ThisisthecityandIamoneofthecitizens,
Whateverintereststherestinterestsme,politics,wars,markets,
newspapers,schools,
Themayorandcouncils,banks,tariffs,steamships,factories,
stocks,stores,realestateandpersonalestate.
Thelittleplentifulmanikinsskippingaroundincollarsandtail'd
coats
Iamawarewhotheyare,(theyarepositivelynotwormsorfleas,)
Iacknowledgetheduplicatesofmyself,theweakestandshallowest
isdeathlesswithme,
WhatIdoandsaythesamewaitsforthem,
Everythoughtthatfloundersinmethesamefloundersinthem.
Iknowperfectlywellmyownegotism,
Knowmyomnivorouslinesandmustnotwriteanyless,
Andwouldfetchyouwhoeveryouareflushwithmyself.
Notwordsofroutinethissongofmine,
Butabruptlytoquestion,toleapbeyondyetnearerbring;
Thisprintedandboundbook—buttheprinterandthe
printing-officeboy?
Thewell-takenphotographs—butyourwifeorfriendcloseandsolid
inyourarms?
Theblackshipmail'dwithiron,hermightygunsinherturrets—but
thepluckofthecaptainandengineers?
Inthehousesthedishesandfareandfurniture—butthehostand
hostess,andthelookoutoftheireyes?
Theskyupthere—yethereornextdoor,oracrosstheway?
Thesaintsandsagesinhistory—butyouyourself?
Sermons,creeds,theology—butthefathomlesshumanbrain,
Andwhatisreason?andwhatislove?andwhatislife?
43
Idonotdespiseyoupriests,alltime,theworldover,
Myfaithisthegreatestoffaithsandtheleastoffaiths,
Enclosing worship ancient and modern and all between ancient and
modern,
Believing I shall come again upon the earth after five thousand
years,
Waiting responses from oracles, honoring the gods, saluting the
sun,
Makingafetichofthefirstrockorstump,powowingwithsticksin
thecircleofobis,
Helpingthellamaorbrahminashetrimsthelampsoftheidols,
Dancingyetthroughthestreetsinaphallicprocession,raptand
austereinthewoodsagymnosophist,
Drinkingmeadfromtheskull-cap,toShastasandVedasadmirant,
mindingtheKoran,
Walkingtheteokallis,spottedwithgorefromthestoneandknife,
beatingtheserpent-skindrum,
AcceptingtheGospels,acceptinghimthatwascrucified,knowing
assuredlythatheisdivine,
Tothemasskneelingorthepuritan'sprayerrising,orsitting
patientlyinapew,
Rantingandfrothinginmyinsanecrisis,orwaitingdead-liketill
myspiritarousesme,
Looking forth on pavement and land, or outside of pavement and
land,
Belongingtothewindersofthecircuitofcircuits.
OneofthatcentripetalandcentrifugalgangIturnandtalklike
manleavingchargesbeforeajourney.
Down-hearteddoubtersdullandexcluded,
Frivolous, sullen, moping, angry, affected, dishearten'd,
atheistical,
Iknoweveryoneofyou,Iknowtheseaoftorment,doubt,despair
andunbelief.
Howtheflukessplash!
How they contort rapid as lightning, with spasms and spouts of
blood!
Beatpeacebloodyflukesofdoubtersandsullenmopers,
Itakemyplaceamongyouasmuchasamongany,
Thepastisthepushofyou,me,all,preciselythesame,
And what is yet untried and afterward is for you, me, all,
precisely
thesame.
Idonotknowwhatisuntriedandafterward,
ButIknowitwillinitsturnprovesufficient,andcannotfail.
Eachwhopassesisconsider'd,eachwhostopsisconsider'd,not
singleonecanitfall.
Itcannotfalltheyoungmanwhodiedandwasburied,
Northeyoungwomanwhodiedandwasputbyhisside,
Northelittlechildthatpeep'dinatthedoor,andthendrewback
andwasneverseenagain,
Northeoldmanwhohaslivedwithoutpurpose,andfeelsitwith
bitternessworsethangall,
Norhiminthepoorhousetubercledbyrumandthebaddisorder,
Northenumberlessslaughter'dandwreck'd,northebrutishkoboo
call'dtheordureofhumanity,
Northesacsmerelyfloatingwithopenmouthsforfoodtoslipin,
Nor any thing in the earth, or down in the oldest graves of the
earth,
Noranythinginthemyriadsofspheres,northemyriadsofmyriads
thatinhabitthem,
Northepresent,northeleastwispthatisknown.
44
Itistimetoexplainmyself—letusstandup.
WhatisknownIstripaway,
IlaunchallmenandwomenforwardwithmeintotheUnknown.
Theclockindicatesthemoment—butwhatdoeseternityindicate?
Wehavethusfarexhaustedtrillionsofwintersandsummers,
Therearetrillionsahead,andtrillionsaheadofthem.
Birthshavebroughtusrichnessandvariety,
Andotherbirthswillbringusrichnessandvariety.
Idonotcallonegreaterandonesmaller,
Thatwhichfillsitsperiodandplaceisequaltoany.
Weremankindmurderousorjealousuponyou,mybrother,mysister?
Iamsorryforyou,theyarenotmurderousorjealousuponme,
Allhasbeengentlewithme,Ikeepnoaccountwithlamentation,
(WhathaveItodowithlamentation?)
Iamanacmeofthingsaccomplish'd,andIanencloserofthingsto
be.
Myfeetstrikeanapexoftheapicesofthestairs,
On every step bunches of ages, and larger bunches between the
steps,
Allbelowdulytravel'd,andstillImountandmount.
Riseafterrisebowthephantomsbehindme,
AfardownIseethehugefirstNothing,IknowIwaseventhere,
Iwaitedunseenandalways,andsleptthroughthelethargicmist,
Andtookmytime,andtooknohurtfromthefetidcarbon.
LongIwashugg'dclose—longandlong.
Immensehavebeenthepreparationsforme,
Faithfulandfriendlythearmsthathavehelp'dme.
Cyclesferriedmycradle,rowingandrowinglikecheerfulboatmen,
Forroomtomestarskeptasideintheirownrings,
Theysentinfluencestolookafterwhatwastoholdme.
BeforeIwasbornoutofmymothergenerationsguidedme,
Myembryohasneverbeentorpid,nothingcouldoverlayit.
Foritthenebulacoheredtoanorb,
Thelongslowstratapiledtorestiton,
Vastvegetablesgaveitsustenance,
Monstroussauroidstransporteditintheirmouthsanddepositedit
withcare.
Allforceshavebeensteadilyemploy'dtocompleteanddelightme,
NowonthisspotIstandwithmyrobustsoul.
45
Ospanofyouth!ever-push'delasticity!
Omanhood,balanced,floridandfull.
Myloverssuffocateme,
Crowdingmylips,thickintheporesofmyskin,
Jostlingmethroughstreetsandpublichalls,comingnakedtomeat
night,
Cryingbyday,Ahoy!fromtherocksoftheriver,swingingand
chirpingovermyhead,
Callingmynamefromflower-beds,vines,tangledunderbrush,
Lightingoneverymomentofmylife,
Bussingmybodywithsoftbalsamicbusses,
Noiselesslypassinghandfulsoutoftheirheartsandgivingthemto
bemine.
Oldagesuperblyrising!Owelcome,ineffablegraceofdyingdays!
Everyconditionpromulgesnotonlyitself,itpromulgeswhatgrows
afterandoutofitself,
Andthedarkhushpromulgesasmuchasany.
Iopenmyscuttleatnightandseethefar-sprinkledsystems,
And all I see multiplied as high as I can cipher edge but the rim
of
thefarthersystems.
Widerandwidertheyspread,expanding,alwaysexpanding,
Outwardandoutwardandforeveroutward.
Mysunhashissunandroundhimobedientlywheels,
Hejoinswithhispartnersagroupofsuperiorcircuit,
Andgreatersetsfollow,makingspecksofthegreatestinsidethem.
Thereisnostoppageandnevercanbestoppage,
IfI,you,andtheworlds,andallbeneathorupontheirsurfaces,
werethismomentreducedbacktoapallidfloat,itwould
notavailthelongrun,
Weshouldsurelybringupagainwherewenowstand,
Andsurelygoasmuchfarther,andthenfartherandfarther.
Afewquadrillionsoferas,afewoctillionsofcubicleagues,do
nothazardthespanormakeitimpatient,
Theyarebutparts,anythingisbutapart.
Seeeversofar,thereislimitlessspaceoutsideofthat,
Counteversomuch,thereislimitlesstimearoundthat.
Myrendezvousisappointed,itiscertain,
TheLordwillbethereandwaittillIcomeonperfectterms,
ThegreatCamerado,thelovertrueforwhomIpinewillbethere.
46
I know I have the best of time and space, and was never measured
and
neverwillbemeasured.
Itrampaperpetualjourney,(comelistenall!)
My signs are a rain-proof coat, good shoes, and a staff cut from
thewoods,
Nofriendofminetakeshiseaseinmychair,
Ihavenochair,nochurch,nophilosophy,
Ileadnomantoadinner-table,library,exchange,
ButeachmanandeachwomanofyouIleaduponaknoll,
Mylefthandhookingyouroundthewaist,
My right hand pointing to landscapes of continents and the public
road.
NotI,notanyoneelsecantravelthatroadforyou,
Youmusttravelitforyourself.
Itisnotfar,itiswithinreach,
Perhapsyouhavebeenonitsinceyouwerebornanddidnotknow,
Perhapsitiseverywhereonwaterandonland.
Shoulder your duds dear son, and I will mine, and let us hasten
forth,
Wonderfulcitiesandfreenationsweshallfetchaswego.
Ifyoutire,givemebothburdens,andrestthechuffofyourhand
onmyhip,
Andinduetimeyoushallrepaythesameservicetome,
Forafterwestartweneverliebyagain.
This day before dawn I ascended a hill and look'd at the crowded
heaven,
AndIsaidtomyspiritWhenwebecometheenfoldersofthoseorbs,
andthepleasureandknowledgeofeverythinginthem,shallwe
befill'dandsatisfiedthen?
AndmyspiritsaidNo,webutlevelthatlifttopassandcontinue
beyond.
YouarealsoaskingmequestionsandIhearyou,
IanswerthatIcannotanswer,youmustfindoutforyourself.
Sitawhiledearson,
Herearebiscuitstoeatandhereismilktodrink,
But as soon as you sleep and renew yourself in sweet clothes, I
kissyou
withagood-bykissandopenthegateforyouregresshence.
Longenoughhaveyoudream'dcontemptibledreams,
NowIwashthegumfromyoureyes,
Youmusthabityourselftothedazzleofthelightandofevery
momentofyourlife.
Longhaveyoutimidlywadedholdingaplankbytheshore,
NowIwillyoutobeaboldswimmer,
Tojumpoffinthemidstofthesea,riseagain,nodtome,shout,
andlaughinglydashwithyourhair.
47
Iamtheteacherofathletes,
He that by me spreads a wider breast than my own proves the width
ofmyown,
Hemosthonorsmystylewholearnsunderittodestroytheteacher.
TheboyIlove,thesamebecomesamannotthroughderivedpower,
butinhisownright,
Wickedratherthanvirtuousoutofconformityorfear,
Fondofhissweetheart,relishingwellhissteak,
Unrequited love or a slight cutting him worse than sharp steel
cuts,
First-ratetoride,tofight,tohitthebull'seye,tosaila
skiff,tosingasongorplayonthebanjo,
Preferringscarsandthebeardandfacespittedwithsmall-poxover
alllatherers,
Andthosewell-tann'dtothosethatkeepoutofthesun.
Iteachstrayingfromme,yetwhocanstrayfromme?
Ifollowyouwhoeveryouarefromthepresenthour,
Mywordsitchatyourearstillyouunderstandthem.
Idonotsaythesethingsforadollarortofillupthetimewhile
Iwaitforaboat,
(It is you talking just as much as myself, I act as the tongue of
you,
Tiedinyourmouth,inmineitbeginstobeloosen'd.)
IswearIwillneveragainmentionloveordeathinsideahouse,
And I swear I will never translate myself at all, only to him or
her
whoprivatelystayswithmeintheopenair.
Ifyouwouldunderstandmegototheheightsorwater-shore,
The nearest gnat is an explanation, and a drop or motion of waves
key,
Themaul,theoar,thehand-saw,secondmywords.
Noshutter'droomorschoolcancommunewithme,
Butroughsandlittlechildrenbetterthanthey.
Theyoungmechanicisclosesttome,heknowsmewell,
Thewoodmanthattakeshisaxeandjugwithhimshalltakemewith
himallday,
The farm-boy ploughing in the field feels good at the sound of my
voice,
Invesselsthatsailmywordssail,Igowithfishermenandseamen
andlovethem.
Thesoldiercamp'doruponthemarchismine,
Onthenighterethependingbattlemanyseekme,andIdonotfail
them,
Onthatsolemnnight(itmaybetheirlast)thosethatknowmeseek
me.
My face rubs to the hunter's face when he lies down alone in his
blanket,
Thedriverthinkingofmedoesnotmindthejoltofhiswagon,
Theyoungmotherandoldmothercomprehendme,
The girl and the wife rest the needle a moment and forget where
theyare,
TheyandallwouldresumewhatIhavetoldthem.
48
Ihavesaidthatthesoulisnotmorethanthebody,
AndIhavesaidthatthebodyisnotmorethanthesoul,
Andnothing,notGod,isgreatertoonethanone'sselfis,
Andwhoeverwalksafurlongwithoutsympathywalkstohisown
funeraldrestinhisshroud,
And I or you pocketless of a dime may purchase the pick of the
earth,
Andtoglancewithaneyeorshowabeaninitspodconfoundsthe
learningofalltimes,
Andthereisnotradeoremploymentbuttheyoungmanfollowingit
maybecomeahero,
And there is no object so soft but it makes a hub for the wheel'd
universe,
And I say to any man or woman, Let your soul stand cool and
composed
beforeamillionuniverses.
AndIsaytomankind,BenotcuriousaboutGod,
ForIwhoamcuriousabouteachamnotcuriousaboutGod,
(NoarrayoftermscansayhowmuchIamatpeaceaboutGodand
aboutdeath.)
I hear and behold God in every object, yet understand God not in
theleast,
NordoIunderstandwhotherecanbemorewonderfulthanmyself.
WhyshouldIwishtoseeGodbetterthanthisday?
I see something of God each hour of the twenty-four, and each
momentthen,
InthefacesofmenandwomenIseeGod,andinmyownfaceinthe
glass,
I find letters from God dropt in the street, and every one is
sign'd
byGod'sname,
AndIleavethemwheretheyare,forIknowthatwheresoe'erIgo,
Otherswillpunctuallycomeforeverandever.
49
AndastoyouDeath,andyoubitterhugofmortality,itisidleto
trytoalarmme.
Tohisworkwithoutflinchingtheaccoucheurcomes,
Iseetheelder-handpressingreceivingsupporting,
Ireclinebythesillsoftheexquisiteflexibledoors,
Andmarktheoutlet,andmarkthereliefandescape.
AndastoyouCorpseIthinkyouaregoodmanure,butthatdoesnot
offendme,
Ismellthewhiterosessweet-scentedandgrowing,
I reach to the leafy lips, I reach to the polish'd breasts of
melons.
AndastoyouLifeIreckonyouaretheleavingsofmanydeaths,
(NodoubtIhavediedmyselftenthousandtimesbefore.)
IhearyouwhisperingthereOstarsofheaven,
Osuns—Ograssofgraves—Operpetualtransfersandpromotions,
IfyoudonotsayanythinghowcanIsayanything?
Oftheturbidpoolthatliesintheautumnforest,
Ofthemoonthatdescendsthesteepsofthesoughingtwilight,
Toss,sparklesofdayanddusk—tossontheblackstemsthatdecay
inthemuck,
Tosstothemoaninggibberishofthedrylimbs.
Iascendfromthemoon,Iascendfromthenight,
Iperceivethattheghastlyglimmerisnoondaysunbeamsreflected,
And debouch to the steady and central from the offspring great or
small.
50
There is that in me—I do not know what it is—but I know it is in
me.
Wrench'dandsweaty—calmandcoolthenmybodybecomes,
Isleep—Isleeplong.
Idonotknowit—itiswithoutname—itisawordunsaid,
Itisnotinanydictionary,utterance,symbol.
SomethingitswingsonmorethantheearthIswingon,
Toitthecreationisthefriendwhoseembracingawakesme.
Perhaps I might tell more. Outlines! I plead for my brothers and
sisters.
DoyouseeOmybrothersandsisters?
Itisnotchaosordeath—itisform,union,plan—itiseternal
life—itisHappiness.
51
Thepastandpresentwilt—Ihavefill'dthem,emptiedthem.
Andproceedtofillmynextfoldofthefuture.
Listenerupthere!whathaveyoutoconfidetome?
LookinmyfacewhileIsnuffthesidleofevening,
(Talk honestly, no one else hears you, and I stay only a minute
longer.)
DoIcontradictmyself?
VerywellthenIcontradictmyself,
(Iamlarge,Icontainmultitudes.)
Iconcentratetowardthemthatarenigh,Iwaitonthedoor-slab.
Who has done his day's work? who will soonest be through with his
supper?
Whowishestowalkwithme?
WillyouspeakbeforeIamgone?willyouprovealreadytoolate?
52
Thespottedhawkswoopsbyandaccusesme,hecomplainsofmygab
andmyloitering.
Itooamnotabittamed,Itooamuntranslatable,
Isoundmybarbaricyawpovertheroofsoftheworld.
Thelastscudofdayholdsbackforme,
It flings my likeness after the rest and true as any on the
shadow'dwilds,
Itcoaxesmetothevaporandthedusk.
Idepartasair,Ishakemywhitelocksattherunawaysun,
Ieffusemyfleshineddies,anddriftitinlacyjags.
IbequeathmyselftothedirttogrowfromthegrassIlove,
Ifyouwantmeagainlookformeunderyourboot-soles.
YouwillhardlyknowwhoIamorwhatImean,
ButIshallbegoodhealthtoyounevertheless,
Andfilterandfibreyourblood.
Failingtofetchmeatfirstkeepencouraged,
Missingmeoneplacesearchanother,
Istopsomewherewaitingforyou.
TotheGardentheWorld
Tothegardentheworldanewascending,
Potentmates,daughters,sons,preluding,
Thelove,thelifeoftheirbodies,meaningandbeing,
Curiousherebeholdmyresurrectionafterslumber,
Therevolvingcyclesintheirwidesweephavingbroughtmeagain,
Amorous,mature,allbeautifultome,allwondrous,
Mylimbsandthequiveringfirethateverplaysthroughthem,for
reasons,mostwondrous,
ExistingIpeerandpenetratestill,
Contentwiththepresent,contentwiththepast,
BymysideorbackofmeEvefollowing,
Orinfront,andIfollowingherjustthesame.
Frompent-upachingrivers,
FromthatofmyselfwithoutwhichIwerenothing,
FromwhatIamdetermin'dtomakeillustrious,evenifIstandsole
amongmen,
Frommyownvoiceresonant,singingthephallus,
Singingthesongofprocreation,
Singing the need of superb children and therein superb grown
people,
Singingthemuscularurgeandtheblending,
Singingthebedfellow'ssong,(Oresistlessyearning!
Oforanyandeachthebodycorrelativeattracting!
O for you whoever you are your correlative body! O it, more than
all
else,youdelighting!)
Fromthehungrygnawthateatsmenightandday,
Fromnativemoments,frombashfulpains,singingthem,
SeekingsomethingyetunfoundthoughIhavediligentlysoughtit
manyalongyear,
Singingthetruesongofthesoulfitfulatrandom,
RenascentwithgrossestNatureoramonganimals,
Ofthat,ofthemandwhatgoeswiththemmypoemsinforming,
Ofthesmellofapplesandlemons,ofthepairingofbirds,
Ofthewetofwoods,ofthelappingofwaves,
Ofthemadpushesofwavesupontheland,Ithemchanting,
Theoverturelightlysounding,thestrainanticipating,
Thewelcomenearness,thesightoftheperfectbody,
Theswimmerswimmingnakedinthebath,ormotionlessonhisback
lyingandfloating,
The female form approaching, I pensive, love-flesh tremulous
aching,
Thedivinelistformyselforyouorforanyonemaking,
The face, the limbs, the index from head to foot, and what it
arouses,
Themysticdeliria,themadnessamorous,theutterabandonment,
(HarkcloseandstillwhatInowwhispertoyou,
Iloveyou,Oyouentirelypossessme,
OthatyouandIescapefromtherestandgoutterlyoff,freeand
lawless,
Twohawksintheair,twofishesswimmingintheseanotmore
lawlessthanwe;)
Thefuriousstormthroughmecareering,Ipassionatelytrembling.
Theoathoftheinseparablenessoftwotogether,ofthewomanthat
lovesmeandwhomIlovemorethanmylife,thatoathswearing,
(OIwillinglystakeallforyou,
Oletmebelostifitmustbeso!
OyouandI!whatisittouswhattherestdoorthink?
Whatisallelsetous?onlythatweenjoyeachotherandexhaust
eachotherifitmustbeso;)
Fromthemaster,thepilotIyieldthevesselto,
The general commanding me, commanding all, from him permission
taking,
Fromtimetheprogrammehastening,(Ihaveloiter'dtoolongasit
is,)
Fromsex,fromthewarpandfromthewoof,
Fromprivacy,fromfrequentrepiningsalone,
Fromplentyofpersonsnearandyettherightpersonnotnear,
Fromthesoftslidingofhandsovermeandthrustingoffingers
throughmyhairandbeard,
Fromthelongsustain'dkissuponthemouthorbosom,
Fromtheclosepressurethatmakesmeoranymandrunk,fainting
withexcess,
Fromwhatthedivinehusbandknows,fromtheworkoffatherhood,
From exultation, victory and relief, from the bedfellow's embrace
in
thenight,
Fromtheact-poemsofeyes,hands,hipsandbosoms,
Fromtheclingofthetremblingarm,
Fromthebendingcurveandtheclinch,
Fromsidebysidethepliantcoverletoff-throwing,
From the one so unwilling to have me leave, and me just as
unwilling
toleave,
(YetamomentOtenderwaiter,andIreturn,)
Fromthehourofshiningstarsanddroppingdews,
FromthenightamomentIemergingflittingout,
Celebrateyouactdivineandyouchildrenpreparedfor,
Andyoustalwartloins.
1
Isingthebodyelectric,
ThearmiesofthoseIloveengirthmeandIengirththem,
TheywillnotletmeofftillIgowiththem,respondtothem,
And discorrupt them, and charge them full with the charge of the
soul.
Was it doubted that those who corrupt their own bodies conceal
themselves?
And if those who defile the living are as bad as they who defile
thedead?
Andifthebodydoesnotdofullyasmuchasthesoul?
Andifthebodywerenotthesoul,whatisthesoul?
2
Theloveofthebodyofmanorwomanbalksaccount,thebodyitself
balksaccount,
Thatofthemaleisperfect,andthatofthefemaleisperfect.
Theexpressionofthefacebalksaccount,
Buttheexpressionofawell-mademanappearsnotonlyinhisface,
It is in his limbs and joints also, it is curiously in the joints
of
hishipsandwrists,
Itisinhiswalk,thecarriageofhisneck,theflexofhiswaist
andknees,dressdoesnothidehim,
The strong sweet quality he has strikes through the cotton and
broadcloth,
Toseehimpassconveysasmuchasthebestpoem,perhapsmore,
Youlingertoseehisback,andthebackofhisneckandshoulderside.
Thesprawlandfulnessofbabes,thebosomsandheadsofwomen,the
foldsoftheirdress,theirstyleaswepassinthestreet,the
contouroftheirshapedownwards,
Theswimmernakedintheswimming-bath,seenasheswimsthrough
thetransparentgreen-shine,orlieswithhisfaceupandrolls
silentlytoandfromtheheaveofthewater,
Thebendingforwardandbackwardofrowersinrow-boats,the
horse-maninhissaddle,
Girls,mothers,house-keepers,inalltheirperformances,
Thegroupoflaborersseatedatnoon-timewiththeiropen
dinner-kettles,andtheirwiveswaiting,
Thefemalesoothingachild,thefarmer'sdaughterinthegardenor
cow-yard,
Theyoungfellowhosingcorn,thesleigh-driverdrivinghissix
horsesthroughthecrowd,
Thewrestleofwrestlers,twoapprentice-boys,quitegrown,lusty,
good-natured, native-born, out on the vacant lot at sundown
afterwork,
Thecoatsandcapsthrowndown,theembraceofloveandresistance,
The upper-hold and under-hold, the hair rumpled over and blinding
theeyes;
Themarchoffiremenintheirowncostumes,theplayofmasculine
musclethroughclean-settingtrowsersandwaist-straps,
Theslowreturnfromthefire,thepausewhenthebellstrikes
suddenlyagain,andthelisteningonthealert,
Thenatural,perfect,variedattitudes,thebenthead,thecurv'd
neckandthecounting;
Such-likeIlove—Iloosenmyself,passfreely,amatthemother's
breastwiththelittlechild,
Swimwiththeswimmers,wrestlewithwrestlers,marchinlinewith
thefiremen,andpause,listen,count.
3
Iknewaman,acommonfarmer,thefatheroffivesons,
Andinthemthefathersofsons,andinthemthefathersofsons.
Thismanwasawonderfulvigor,calmness,beautyofperson,
Theshapeofhishead,thepaleyellowandwhiteofhishairand
beard,theimmeasurablemeaningofhisblackeyes,therichness
andbreadthofhismanners,
TheseIusedtogoandvisithimtosee,hewaswisealso,
Hewassixfeettall,hewasovereightyyearsold,hissonswere
massive,clean,bearded,tan-faced,handsome,
Theyandhisdaughterslovedhim,allwhosawhimlovedhim,
They did not love him by allowance, they loved him with personal
love,
Hedrankwateronly,thebloodshow'dlikescarletthroughthe
clear-brownskinofhisface,
Hewasafrequentgunnerandfisher,hesail'dhisboathimself,he
hadafineonepresentedtohimbyaship-joiner,hehad
fowling-piecespresentedtohimbymenthatlovedhim,
When he went with his five sons and many grand-sons to hunt or
fish,
you would pick him out as the most beautiful and vigorous of
thegang,
Youwouldwishlongandlongtobewithhim,youwouldwishtosit
byhimintheboatthatyouandhemighttoucheachother.
4
Ihaveperceiv'dthattobewiththoseIlikeisenough,
Tostopincompanywiththerestateveningisenough,
To be surrounded by beautiful, curious, breathing, laughing flesh
isenough,
Topassamongthemortouchanyone,orrestmyarmeversolightly
roundhisorherneckforamoment,whatisthisthen?
Idonotaskanymoredelight,Iswiminitasinasea.
Thereissomethinginstayingclosetomenandwomenandlooking
onthem,andinthecontactandodorofthem,thatpleasesthe
soulwell,
Allthingspleasethesoul,butthesepleasethesoulwell.
5
Thisisthefemaleform,
Adivinenimbusexhalesfromitfromheadtofoot,
Itattractswithfierceundeniableattraction,
I am drawn by its breath as if I were no more than a helpless
vapor,
allfallsasidebutmyselfandit,
Books,art,religion,time,thevisibleandsolidearth,andwhat
wasexpectedofheavenorfear'dofhell,arenowconsumed,
Madfilaments,ungovernableshootsplayoutofit,theresponse
likewiseungovernable,
Hair,bosom,hips,bendoflegs,negligentfallinghandsall
diffused,minetoodiffused,
Ebb stung by the flow and flow stung by the ebb, love-flesh
swelling
anddeliciouslyaching,
Limitlesslimpidjetsoflovehotandenormous,quiveringjellyof
love,white-blowanddeliriousnice,
Bridegroom night of love working surely and softly into the
prostratedawn,
Undulatingintothewillingandyieldingday,
Lostinthecleaveoftheclaspingandsweet-flesh'dday.
This the nucleus—after the child is born of woman, man is born of
woman,
Thisthebathofbirth,thisthemergeofsmallandlarge,andthe
outletagain.
Benotashamedwomen,yourprivilegeenclosestherest,andisthe
exitoftherest,
Youarethegatesofthebody,andyouarethegatesofthesoul.
Thefemalecontainsallqualitiesandtempersthem,
Sheisinherplaceandmoveswithperfectbalance,
Sheisallthingsdulyveil'd,sheisbothpassiveandactive,
She is to conceive daughters as well as sons, and sons as well as
daughters.
AsIseemysoulreflectedinNature,
AsIseethroughamist,Onewithinexpressiblecompleteness,
sanity,beauty,
See the bent head and arms folded over the breast, the Female I
see.
6
Themaleisnotlessthesoulnormore,hetooisinhisplace,
Hetooisallqualities,heisactionandpower,
Theflushoftheknownuniverseisinhim,
Scornbecomeshimwell,andappetiteanddefiancebecomehimwell,
Thewildestlargestpassions,blissthatisutmost,sorrowthatis
utmostbecomehimwell,prideisforhim,
Thefull-spreadprideofmaniscalmingandexcellenttothesoul,
Knowledgebecomeshim,helikesitalways,hebringseverythingto
thetestofhimself,
Whateverthesurvey,whatevertheseaandthesailhestrikes
soundingsatlastonlyhere,
(Whereelsedoeshestrikesoundingsexcepthere?)
Theman'sbodyissacredandthewoman'sbodyissacred,
Nomatterwhoitis,itissacred—isitthemeanestoneinthe
laborers'gang?
Isitoneofthedull-facedimmigrantsjustlandedonthewharf?
Eachbelongshereoranywherejustasmuchasthewell-off,justas
muchasyou,
Eachhashisorherplaceintheprocession.
(Allisaprocession,
Theuniverseisaprocessionwithmeasuredandperfectmotion.)
Doyouknowsomuchyourselfthatyoucallthemeanestignorant?
Doyousupposeyouhavearighttoagoodsight,andheorshehas
norighttoasight?
Do you think matter has cohered together from its diffuse float,
and
the soil is on the surface, and water runs and vegetation
sprouts,
Foryouonly,andnotforhimandher?
7
Aman'sbodyatauction,
(For before the war I often go to the slave-mart and watch the
sale,)
Ihelptheauctioneer,theslovendoesnothalfknowhisbusiness.
Gentlemenlookonthiswonder,
Whateverthebidsofthebidderstheycannotbehighenoughforit,
Forittheglobelaypreparingquintillionsofyearswithoutone
animalorplant,
Forittherevolvingcyclestrulyandsteadilyroll'd.
Inthisheadtheall-bafflingbrain,
Initandbelowitthemakingsofheroes.
Examinetheselimbs,red,black,orwhite,theyarecunningin
tendonandnerve,
Theyshallbestriptthatyoumayseethem.
Exquisitesenses,life-liteyes,pluck,volition,
Flakes of breast-muscle, pliant backbone and neck, flesh not
flabby,
good-sizedarmsandlegs,
Andwonderswithinthereyet.
Withinthererunsblood,
Thesameoldblood!thesamered-runningblood!
Thereswellsandjetsaheart,thereallpassions,desires,
reachings,aspirations,
(Doyouthinktheyarenottherebecausetheyarenotexpress'din
parlorsandlecture-rooms?)
Thisisnotonlyoneman,thisthefatherofthosewhoshallbe
fathersintheirturns,
Inhimthestartofpopulousstatesandrichrepublics,
Of him countless immortal lives with countless embodiments and
enjoyments.
Howdoyouknowwhoshallcomefromtheoffspringofhisoffspring
throughthecenturies?
(Whomightyoufindyouhavecomefromyourself,ifyoucouldtrace
backthroughthecenturies?)
8
Awoman'sbodyatauction,
Shetooisnotonlyherself,sheistheteemingmotherofmothers,
She is the bearer of them that shall grow and be mates to the
mothers.
Haveyoueverlovedthebodyofawoman?
Haveyoueverlovedthebodyofaman?
Do you not see that these are exactly the same to all in all
nations
andtimesallovertheearth?
Ifanythingissacredthehumanbodyissacred,
Andthegloryandsweetofamanisthetokenofmanhooduntainted,
Andinmanorwomanaclean,strong,firm-fibredbody,ismore
beautifulthanthemostbeautifulface.
Have you seen the fool that corrupted his own live body? or the
fool
thatcorruptedherownlivebody?
Fortheydonotconcealthemselves,andcannotconcealthemselves.
9
Omybody!Idarenotdesertthelikesofyouinothermenand
women,northelikesofthepartsofyou,
Ibelievethelikesofyouaretostandorfallwiththelikesof
thesoul,(andthattheyarethesoul,)
Ibelievethelikesofyoushallstandorfallwithmypoems,and
thattheyaremypoems,
Man's,woman's,child,youth's,wife's,husband's,mother's,
father's,youngman's,youngwoman'spoems,
Head,neck,hair,ears,dropandtympanoftheears,
Eyes,eye-fringes,irisoftheeye,eyebrows,andthewakingor
sleepingofthelids,
Mouth, tongue, lips, teeth, roof of the mouth, jaws, and the jawhinges,
Nose,nostrilsofthenose,andthepartition,
Cheeks, temples, forehead, chin, throat, back of the neck, neckslue,
Strongshoulders,manlybeard,scapula,hind-shoulders,andthe
ampleside-roundofthechest,
Upper-arm,armpit,elbow-socket,lower-arm,arm-sinews,arm-bones,
Wristandwrist-joints,hand,palm,knuckles,thumb,forefinger,
finger-joints,finger-nails,
Broad breast-front, curling hair of the breast, breast-bone,
breast-side,
Ribs,belly,backbone,jointsofthebackbone,
Hips,hip-sockets,hip-strength,inwardandoutwardround,
man-balls,man-root,
Strongsetofthighs,wellcarryingthetrunkabove,
Leg-fibres,knee,knee-pan,upper-leg,under-leg,
Ankles,instep,foot-ball,toes,toe-joints,theheel;
All attitudes, all the shapeliness, all the belongings of my or
your
bodyorofanyone'sbody,maleorfemale,
Thelung-sponges,thestomach-sac,thebowelssweetandclean,
Thebraininitsfoldsinsidetheskull-frame,
Sympathies,heart-valves,palate-valves,sexuality,maternity,
Womanhood, and all that is a woman, and the man that comes from
woman,
The womb, the teats, nipples, breast-milk, tears, laughter,
weeping,
love-looks,love-perturbationsandrisings,
Thevoice,articulation,language,whispering,shoutingaloud,
Food,drink,pulse,digestion,sweat,sleep,walking,swimming,
Poise on the hips, leaping, reclining, embracing, arm-curving and
tightening,
The continual changes of the flex of the mouth, and around the
eyes,
Theskin,thesunburntshade,freckles,hair,
Thecurioussympathyonefeelswhenfeelingwiththehandthenaked
meatofthebody,
Thecirclingriversthebreath,andbreathingitinandout,
The beauty of the waist, and thence of the hips, and thence
downward
towardtheknees,
Thethinredjellieswithinyouorwithinme,thebonesandthe
marrowinthebones,
Theexquisiterealizationofhealth;
OIsaythesearenotthepartsandpoemsofthebodyonly,butof
thesoul,
OIsaynowthesearethesoul!
AWomanWaitsforMe
Awomanwaitsforme,shecontainsall,nothingislacking,
Yetallwerelackingifsexwerelacking,orifthemoistureofthe
rightmanwerelacking.
Sexcontainsall,bodies,souls,
Meanings,proofs,purities,delicacies,results,promulgations,
Songs, commands, health, pride, the maternal mystery, the seminal
milk,
Allhopes,benefactions,bestowals,allthepassions,loves,
beauties,delightsoftheearth,
Allthegovernments,judges,gods,follow'dpersonsoftheearth,
Thesearecontain'dinsexaspartsofitselfandjustificationsof
itself.
Without shame the man I like knows and avows the deliciousness of
hissex,
WithoutshamethewomanIlikeknowsandavowshers.
NowIwilldismissmyselffromimpassivewomen,
Iwillgostaywithherwhowaitsforme,andwiththosewomenthat
arewarm-bloodedandsufficientforme,
Iseethattheyunderstandmeanddonotdenyme,
Iseethattheyareworthyofme,Iwillbetherobusthusbandof
thosewomen.
TheyarenotonejotlessthanIam,
Theyaretann'dinthefacebyshiningsunsandblowingwinds,
Theirfleshhastheolddivinesupplenessandstrength,
Theyknowhowtoswim,row,ride,wrestle,shoot,run,strike,
retreat,advance,resist,defendthemselves,
Theyareultimateintheirownright—theyarecalm,clear,
well-possess'dofthemselves.
Idrawyouclosetome,youwomen,
Icannotletyougo,Iwoulddoyougood,
I am for you, and you are for me, not only for our own sake, but
for
others'sakes,
Envelop'dinyousleepgreaterheroesandbards,
Theyrefusetoawakeatthetouchofanymanbutme.
ItisI,youwomen,Imakemyway,
Iamstern,acrid,large,undissuadable,butIloveyou,
Idonothurtyouanymorethanisnecessaryforyou,
IpourthestufftostartsonsanddaughtersfitfortheseStates,
I
presswithslowrudemuscle,
Ibracemyselfeffectually,Ilistentonoentreaties,
I dare not withdraw till I deposit what has so long accumulated
withinme.
ThroughyouIdrainthepent-upriversofmyself,
InyouIwrapathousandonwardyears,
OnyouIgraftthegraftsofthebest-belovedofmeandAmerica,
ThedropsIdistiluponyoushallgrowfierceandathleticgirls,
newartists,musicians,andsingers,
ThebabesIbegetuponyouaretobegetbabesintheirturn,
Ishalldemandperfectmenandwomenoutofmylove-spendings,
Ishallexpectthemtointerpenetratewithothers,asIandyou
inter-penetratenow,
Ishallcountonthefruitsofthegushingshowersofthem,asI
countonthefruitsofthegushingshowersIgivenow,
Ishalllookforlovingcropsfromthebirth,life,death,
immortality,Iplantsolovinglynow.
SpontaneousMe
Spontaneousme,Nature,
Thelovingday,themountingsun,thefriendIamhappywith,
Thearmofmyfriendhangingidlyovermyshoulder,
Thehillsidewhiten'dwithblossomsofthemountainash,
Thesamelateinautumn,thehuesofred,yellow,drab,purple,and
lightanddarkgreen,
Therichcoverletofthegrass,animalsandbirds,theprivate
untrimm'dbank,theprimitiveapples,thepebble-stones,
Beautifuldrippingfragments,thenegligentlistofoneafter
anotherasIhappentocallthemtomeorthinkofthem,
Therealpoems,(whatwecallpoemsbeingmerelypictures,)
Thepoemsoftheprivacyofthenight,andofmenlikeme,
ThispoemdroopingshyandunseenthatIalwayscarry,andthatall
mencarry,
(Know once for all, avow'd on purpose, wherever are men like me,
are
ourlustylurkingmasculinepoems,)
Love-thoughts,love-juice,love-odor,love-yielding,love-climbers,
andtheclimbingsap,
Arms and hands of love, lips of love, phallic thumb of love,
breasts
oflove,belliespress'dandgluedtogetherwithlove,
Earthofchastelove,lifethatisonlylifeafterlove,
Thebodyofmylove,thebodyofthewomanIlove,thebodyofthe
man,thebodyoftheearth,
Softforenoonairsthatblowfromthesouth-west,
The hairy wild-bee that murmurs and hankers up and down, that
gripesthe
full-grownlady-flower,curvesuponherwithamorousfirmlegs,
takes
hiswillofher,andholdshimselftremulousandtighttillhe
is
satisfied;
Thewetofwoodsthroughtheearlyhours,
Twosleepersatnightlyingclosetogetherastheysleep,onewith
anarmslantingdownacrossandbelowthewaistoftheother,
The smell of apples, aromas from crush'd sage-plant, mint, birchbark,
Theboy'slongings,theglowandpressureasheconfidestomewhat
hewasdreaming,
Thedeadleafwhirlingitsspiralwhirlandfallingstilland
contenttotheground,
Theno-form'dstingsthatsights,people,objects,stingmewith,
Thehubb'dstingofmyself,stingingmeasmuchasitevercanany
one,
Thesensitive,orbic,underlapp'dbrothers,thatonlyprivileged
feelersmaybeintimatewheretheyare,
Thecuriousroamerthehandroamingalloverthebody,thebashful
withdrawingoffleshwherethefingerssoothinglypauseand
edgethemselves,
Thelimpidliquidwithintheyoungman,
Thevex'dcorrosionsopensiveandsopainful,
Thetorment,theirritabletidethatwillnotbeatrest,
ThelikeofthesameIfeel,thelikeofthesameinothers,
Theyoungmanthatflushesandflushes,andtheyoungwomanthat
flushesandflushes,
Theyoungmanthatwakesdeepatnight,thehothandseekingto
represswhatwouldmasterhim,
The mystic amorous night,the strange half-welcome pangs, visions,
sweats,
Thepulsepoundingthroughpalmsandtremblingencirclingfingers,
theyoungmanallcolor'd,red,ashamed,angry;
Thesouseuponmeofmyloverthesea,asIliewillingandnaked,
Themerrimentofthetwinbabesthatcrawloverthegrassinthe
sun,themotherneverturninghervigilanteyesfromthem,
Thewalnut-trunk,thewalnut-husks,andtheripeningorripen'd
long-roundwalnuts,
Thecontinenceofvegetables,birds,animals,
The consequent meanness of me should I skulk or find myself
indecent,
while birds and animals never once skulk or find themselves
indecent,
The great chastity of paternity, to match the great chastity of
maternity,
The oath of procreation I have sworn, my Adamic and fresh
daughters,
The greed that eats me day and night with hungry gnaw, till I
saturate
whatshallproduceboystofillmyplacewhenIamthrough,
Thewholesomerelief,repose,content,
Andthisbunchpluck'datrandomfrommyself,
Ithasdoneitswork—Itossitcarelesslytofallwhereitmay.
Onehourtomadnessandjoy!Ofurious!Oconfinemenot!
(Whatisthisthatfreesmesoinstorms?
Whatdomyshoutsamidlightningsandragingwindsmean?)
Otodrinkthemysticdeliriadeeperthananyotherman!
Osavageandtenderachings!(Ibequeaththemtoyoumychildren,
Itellthemtoyou,forreasons,Obridegroomandbride.)
Otobeyieldedtoyouwhoeveryouare,andyoutobeyieldedtome
indefianceoftheworld!
OtoreturntoParadise!Obashfulandfeminine!
Otodrawyoutome,toplantonyouforthefirsttimethelipsof
adetermin'dman.
Othepuzzle,thethrice-tiedknot,thedeepanddarkpool,all
untiedandillumin'd!
Otospeedwherethereisspaceenoughandairenoughatlast!
Tobeabsolv'dfromprevioustiesandconventions,Ifrommineand
youfromyours!
Tofindanewunthought-ofnonchalancewiththebestofNature!
Tohavethegagremov'dfromone'smouth!
Tohavethefeelingto-dayoranydayIamsufficientasIam.
Osomethingunprov'd!somethinginatrance!
Toescapeutterlyfromothers'anchorsandholds!
Todrivefree!tolovefree!todashrecklessanddangerous!
Tocourtdestructionwithtaunts,withinvitations!
Toascend,toleaptotheheavensoftheloveindicatedtome!
Torisethitherwithmyinebriatesoul!
Tobelostifitmustbeso!
Tofeedtheremainderoflifewithonehouroffulnessandfreedom!
Withonebriefhourofmadnessandjoy.
Outoftherollingoceanthecrowdcameadropgentlytome,
WhisperingIloveyou,beforelongIdie,
Ihavetravel'dalongwaymerelytolookonyoutotouchyou,
ForIcouldnotdietillIoncelook'donyou,
ForIfear'dImightafterwardloseyou.
Nowwehavemet,wehavelook'd,wearesafe,
Returninpeacetotheoceanmylove,
Itooampartofthatoceanmylove,wearenotsomuchseparated,
Beholdthegreatrondure,thecohesionofall,howperfect!
Butasforme,foryou,theirresistibleseaistoseparateus,
As for an hour carrying us diverse, yet cannot carry us diverse
forever;
Benotimpatient—alittlespace—knowyouIsalutetheair,the
oceanandtheland,
Everydayatsundownforyourdearsakemylove.
Agesandagesreturningatintervals,
Undestroy'd,wanderingimmortal,
Lusty,phallic,withthepotentoriginalloins,perfectlysweet,
I,chanterofAdamicsongs,
ThroughthenewgardentheWest,thegreatcitiescalling,
Deliriate,thuspreludewhatisgenerated,offeringthese,offering
myself,
Bathingmyself,bathingmysongsinSex,
Offspringofmyloins.
Wetwo,howlongwewerefool'd,
Nowtransmuted,weswiftlyescapeasNatureescapes,
WeareNature,longhavewebeenabsent,butnowwereturn,
Webecomeplants,trunks,foliage,roots,bark,
Wearebeddedintheground,wearerocks,
Weareoaks,wegrowintheopeningssidebyside,
Webrowse,wearetwoamongthewildherdsspontaneousasany,
Wearetwofishesswimmingintheseatogether,
We are what locust blossoms are, we drop scent around lanes
mornings
andevenings,
Wearealsothecoarsesmutofbeasts,vegetables,minerals,
Wearetwopredatoryhawks,wesoaraboveandlookdown,
Wearetworesplendentsuns,weitiswhobalanceourselvesorbic
andstellar,weareastwocomets,
Weprowlfang'dandfour-footedinthewoods,wespringonprey,
Wearetwocloudsforenoonsandafternoonsdrivingoverhead,
Weareseasmingling,wearetwoofthosecheerfulwavesrolling
overeachotherandinterwettingeachother,
We are what the atmosphere is, transparent, receptive, pervious,
impervious,
We are snow, rain, cold, darkness, we are each product and
influence
oftheglobe,
We have circled and circled till we have arrived home again, we
two,
Wehavevoidedallbutfreedomandallbutourownjoy.
OHymen!OHymenee!
Ohymen!Ohymenee!whydoyoutantalizemethus?
Owhystingmeforaswiftmomentonly?
Whycanyounotcontinue?Owhydoyounowcease?
Isitbecauseifyoucontinuedbeyondtheswiftmomentyouwould
sooncertainlykillme?
Iamhethatacheswithamorouslove;
Doestheearthgravitate?doesnotallmatter,aching,attractall
matter?
SothebodyofmetoallImeetorknow.
NativeMoments
Nativemoments—whenyoucomeuponme—ahyouareherenow,
Givemenowlibidinousjoysonly,
Givemethedrenchofmypassions,givemelifecoarseandrank,
To-dayIgoconsortwithNature'sdarlings,to-nighttoo,
Iamforthosewhobelieveinloosedelights,Isharethemidnight
orgiesofyoungmen,
Idancewiththedancersanddrinkwiththedrinkers,
Theechoesringwithourindecentcalls,Ipickoutsomelowperson
formydearestfriend,
Heshallbelawless,rude,illiterate,heshallbeonecondemn'dby
othersfordeedsdone,
I will play a part no longer, why should I exile myself from my
companions?
Oyoushunn'dpersons,Iatleastdonotshunyou,
Icomeforthwithinyourmidst,Iwillbeyourpoet,
Iwillbemoretoyouthantoanyoftherest.
Once I pass'd through a populous city imprinting my brain for
future
usewithitsshows,architecture,customs,traditions,
YetnowofallthatcityIrememberonlyawomanIcasuallymet
therewhodetain'dmeforloveofme,
Daybydayandnightbynightweweretogether—allelsehaslong
beenforgottenbyme,
IrememberIsayonlythatwomanwhopassionatelyclungtome,
Againwewander,welove,weseparateagain,
Againsheholdsmebythehand,Imustnotgo,
Iseeherclosebesidemewithsilentlipssadandtremulous.
Iheardyousolemn-sweetpipesoftheorganaslastSundaymornI
pass'dthechurch,
Windsofautumn,asIwalk'dthewoodsatduskIheardyourlongstretch'dsighsupabovesomournful,
IheardtheperfectItaliantenorsingingattheopera,Iheardthe
sopranointhemidstofthequartetsinging;
Heartofmylove!youtooIheardmurmuringlowthroughoneofthe
wristsaroundmyhead,
Heardthepulseofyouwhenallwasstillringinglittlebellslast
nightundermyear.
FacingwestfromCalifornia'sshores,
Inquiring,tireless,seekingwhatisyetunfound,
I,achild,veryold,overwaves,towardsthehouseofmaternity,
thelandofmigrations,lookafar,
LookofftheshoresofmyWesternsea,thecirclealmostcircled;
ForstartingwestwardfromHindustan,fromthevalesofKashmere,
FromAsia,fromthenorth,fromtheGod,thesage,andthehero,
Fromthesouth,fromtheflowerypeninsulasandthespiceislands,
Longhavingwander'dsince,roundtheearthhavingwander'd,
NowIfacehomeagain,verypleas'dandjoyous,
(ButwhereiswhatIstartedforsolongago?
Andwhyisityetunfound?)
AsAdamearlyinthemorning,
Walkingforthfromthebowerrefresh'dwithsleep,
BeholdmewhereIpass,hearmyvoice,approach,
Touchme,touchthepalmofyourhandtomybodyasIpass,
Benotafraidofmybody.
BOOKV.CALAMUS
InPathsUntrodden
Inpathsuntrodden,
Inthegrowthbymarginsofpond-waters,
Escapedfromthelifethatexhibitsitself,
Fromallthestandardshithertopublish'd,fromthepleasures,
profits,conformities,
WhichtoolongIwasofferingtofeedmysoul,
Clear to me now standards not yet publish'd, clear to me that my
soul,
ThatthesoulofthemanIspeakforrejoicesincomrades,
Herebymyselfawayfromtheclankoftheworld,
Tallyingandtalk'dtoherebytonguesaromatic,
Nolongerabash'd,(forinthissecludedspotIcanrespondasI
wouldnotdareelsewhere,)
Stronguponmethelifethatdoesnotexhibititself,yetcontains
alltherest,
Resolv'dtosingnosongsto-daybutthoseofmanlyattachment,
Projectingthemalongthatsubstantiallife,
Bequeathinghencetypesofathleticlove,
AfternoonthisdeliciousNinth-monthinmyforty-firstyear,
Iproceedforallwhoareorhavebeenyoungmen,
Totellthesecretmynightsanddays,
Tocelebratetheneedofcomrades.
Scentedherbageofmybreast,
LeavesfromyouIglean,Iwrite,tobeperusedbestafterwards,
Tomb-leaves,body-leavesgrowingupabovemeabovedeath,
Perennialroots,tallleaves,Othewintershallnotfreezeyou
delicateleaves,
Everyyearshallyoubloomagain,outfromwhereyouretiredyou
shallemergeagain;
OIdonotknowwhethermanypassingbywilldiscoveryouorinhale
yourfaintodor,butIbelieveafewwill;
Oslenderleaves!Oblossomsofmyblood!Ipermityoutotellin
yourownwayoftheheartthatisunderyou,
OIdonotknowwhatyoumeanthereunderneathyourselves,youare
nothappiness,
YouareoftenmorebitterthanIcanbear,youburnandstingme,
Yetyouarebeautifultomeyoufainttingedroots,youmakeme
thinkofdeath,
Deathisbeautifulfromyou,(whatindeedisfinallybeautiful
exceptdeathandlove?)
OIthinkitisnotforlifeIamchantingheremychantoflovers,
Ithinkitmustbefordeath,
For how calm, how solemn it grows to ascend to the atmosphere of
lovers,
DeathorlifeIamthenindifferent,mysouldeclinestoprefer,
(Iamnotsurebutthehighsoulofloverswelcomesdeathmost,)
IndeedOdeath,Ithinknowtheseleavesmeanpreciselythesameas
youmean,
Grow up taller sweet leaves that I may see! grow up out of my
breast!
Springawayfromtheconceal'dheartthere!
Donotfoldyourselfsoinyourpink-tingedrootstimidleaves!
Donotremaindowntheresoashamed,herbageofmybreast!
ComeIamdetermin'dtounbarethisbroadbreastofmine,Ihave
longenoughstifledandchoked;
EmblematicandcapriciousbladesIleaveyou,nowyouservemenot,
IwillsaywhatIhavetosaybyitself,
Iwillsoundmyselfandcomradesonly,Iwillneveragainuttera
callonlytheircall,
IwillraisewithitimmortalreverberationsthroughtheStates,
Iwillgiveanexampletoloverstotakepermanentshapeandwill
throughtheStates,
Throughmeshallthewordsbesaidtomakedeathexhilarating,
GivemeyourtonethereforeOdeath,thatImayaccordwithit,
Give me yourself, for I see that you belong to me now above all,
and
arefoldedinseparablytogether,youloveanddeathare,
Nor will I allow you to balk me any more with what I was calling
life,
Fornowitisconvey'dtomethatyouarethepurportsessential,
That you hide in these shifting forms of life, for reasons, and
that
theyaremainlyforyou,
Thatyoubeyondthemcomeforthtoremain,therealreality,
Thatbehindthemaskofmaterialsyoupatientlywait,nomatterhow
long,
Thatyouwillonedayperhapstakecontrolofall,
Thatyouwillperhapsdissipatethisentireshowofappearance,
That may-be you are what it is all for, but it does not last so
verylong,
Butyouwilllastverylong.
Whoeveryouareholdingmenowinhand,
Withoutonethingallwillbeuseless,
Igiveyoufairwarningbeforeyouattemptmefurther,
Iamnotwhatyousupposed,butfardifferent.
Whoishethatwouldbecomemyfollower?
Whowouldsignhimselfacandidateformyaffections?
Thewayissuspicious,theresultuncertain,perhapsdestructive,
Youwouldhavetogiveupallelse,Ialonewouldexpecttobeyour
soleandexclusivestandard,
Yournovitiatewouldeventhenbelongandexhausting,
Thewholepasttheoryofyourlifeandallconformitytothelives
aroundyouwouldhavetobeabandon'd,
Thereforereleasemenowbeforetroublingyourselfanyfurther,let
goyourhandfrommyshoulders,
Putmedownanddepartonyourway.
Orelsebystealthinsomewoodfortrial,
Orbackofarockintheopenair,
(Forinanyroof'droomofahouseIemergenot,norincompany,
AndinlibrariesIlieasonedumb,agawk,orunborn,ordead,)
Butjustpossiblywithyouonahighhill,firstwatchinglestany
personformilesaroundapproachunawares,
Orpossiblywithyousailingatsea,oronthebeachoftheseaor
somequietisland,
HeretoputyourlipsuponmineIpermityou,
Withthecomrade'slong-dwellingkissorthenewhusband'skiss,
ForIamthenewhusbandandIamthecomrade.
Orifyouwill,thrustingmebeneathyourclothing,
WhereImayfeelthethrobsofyourheartorrestuponyourhip,
Carrymewhenyougoforthoverlandorsea;
Forthusmerelytouchingyouisenough,isbest,
And thus touching you would I silently sleep and be carried
eternally.
Buttheseleavesconningyouconatperil,
Fortheseleavesandmeyouwillnotunderstand,
Theywilleludeyouatfirstandstillmoreafterward,Iwill
certainlyeludeyou.
Even while you should think you had unquestionably caught me,
behold!
AlreadyyouseeIhaveescapedfromyou.
ForitisnotforwhatIhaveputintoitthatIhavewrittenthis
book,
Norisitbyreadingityouwillacquireit,
Nordothoseknowmebestwhoadmiremeandvauntinglypraiseme,
Norwillthecandidatesformylove(unlessatmostaveryfew)
provevictorious,
Norwillmypoemsdogoodonly,theywilldojustasmuchevil,
perhapsmore,
Forallisuselesswithoutthatwhichyoumayguessatmanytimes
andnothit,thatwhichIhintedat;
Thereforereleasemeanddepartonyourway.
ForYou,ODemocracy
Come,Iwillmakethecontinentindissoluble,
Iwillmakethemostsplendidracethesunevershoneupon,
Iwillmakedivinemagneticlands,
Withtheloveofcomrades,
Withthelife-longloveofcomrades.
I will plant companionship thick as trees along all the rivers of
America,
and along the shores of the great lakes, and all over the
prairies,
I will make inseparable cities with their arms about each other's
necks,
Bytheloveofcomrades,
Bythemanlyloveofcomrades.
Foryouthesefromme,ODemocracy,toserveyoumafemme!
Foryou,foryouIamtrillingthesesongs.
TheseIsinginginspringcollectforlovers,
(For who but I should understand lovers and all their sorrow and
joy?
AndwhobutIshouldbethepoetofcomrades?)
Collecting I traverse the garden the world, but soon I pass the
gates,
Now along the pond-side, now wading in a little, fearing not the
wet,
Nowbythepost-and-railfenceswheretheoldstonesthrownthere,
pick'dfromthefields,haveaccumulated,
(Wild-flowersandvinesandweedscomeupthroughthestonesand
partlycoverthem,beyondtheseIpass,)
Far,farintheforest,orsaunteringlaterinsummer,beforeI
thinkwhereIgo,
Solitary, smelling the earthy smell, stopping now and then in the
silence,
AloneIhadthought,yetsoonatroopgathersaroundme,
Some walk by my side and some behind, and some embrace my arms or
neck,
Theythespiritsofdearfriendsdeadoralive,thickertheycome,
a
greatcrowd,andIinthemiddle,
Collecting,dispensing,singing,thereIwanderwiththem,
Pluckingsomethingfortokens,tossingtowardwhoeverisnearme,
Here,lilac,withabranchofpine,
Here,outofmypocket,somemosswhichIpull'doffalive-oakin
Floridaasithungtrailingdown,
Here,somepinksandlaurelleaves,andahandfulofsage,
AndherewhatInowdrawfromthewater,wadinginthepondside,
(OhereIlastsawhimthattenderlylovesme,andreturnsagain
nevertoseparatefromme,
Andthis,Othisshallhenceforthbethetokenofcomrades,this
calamus-rootshall,
Interchangeityouthswitheachother!letnonerenderitback!)
Andtwigsofmapleandabunchofwildorangeandchestnut,
Andstemsofcurrantsandplum-blows,andthearomaticcedar,
TheseIcompass'daroundbyathickcloudofspirits,
Wandering,pointtoortouchasIpass,orthrowthemlooselyfrom
me,
Indicating to each one what he shall have, giving something to
each;
ButwhatIdrewfromthewaterbythepond-side,thatIreserve,
I will give of it, but only to them that love as I myself am
capable
ofloving.
Notheavingfrommyribb'dbreastonly,
Notinsighsatnightinragedissatisfiedwithmyself,
Notinthoselong-drawn,ill-supprestsighs,
Notinmanyanoathandpromisebroken,
Notinmywilfulandsavagesoul'svolition,
Notinthesubtlenourishmentoftheair,
Notinthisbeatingandpoundingatmytemplesandwrists,
Not in the curious systole and diastole within which will one day
cease,
Notinmanyahungrywishtoldtotheskiesonly,
Not in cries, laughter, defiancies, thrown from me when alone far
in
thewilds,
Notinhuskypantingsthroughclinch'dteeth,
Notinsoundedandresoundedwords,chatteringwords,echoes,dead
words,
NotinthemurmursofmydreamswhileIsleep,
Northeothermurmursoftheseincredibledreamsofeveryday,
Nor in the limbs and senses of my body that take you and dismiss
you
continually—notthere,
NotinanyorallofthemOadhesiveness!Opulseofmylife!
Need I that you exist and show yourself any more than in these
songs.
Oftheterribledoubtofappearances,
Oftheuncertaintyafterall,thatwemaybedeluded,
Thatmay-berelianceandhopearebutspeculationsafterall,
Thatmay-beidentitybeyondthegraveisabeautifulfableonly,
May-bethethingsIperceive,theanimals,plants,men,hills,
shiningandflowingwaters,
Theskiesofdayandnight,colors,densities,forms,may-bethese
are(asdoubtlesstheyare)onlyapparitions,andthereal
somethinghasyettobeknown,
(How often they dart out of themselves as if to confound me and
mockme!
How often I think neither I know, nor any man knows, aught of
them,)
May-be seeming to me what they are (as doubtless they indeed but
seem)
asfrommypresentpointofview,andmightprove(asofcourse
they
would) nought of what they appear, or nought anyhow, from
entirely
changedpointsofview;
Tometheseandthelikeofthesearecuriouslyanswer'dbymy
lovers,mydearfriends,
WhenhewhomIlovetravelswithmeorsitsalongwhileholdingme
bythehand,
When the subtle air, the impalpable, the sense that words and
reason
holdnot,surroundusandpervadeus,
ThenIamchargedwithuntoldanduntellablewisdom,Iamsilent,I
requirenothingfurther,
Icannotanswerthequestionofappearancesorthatofidentity
beyondthegrave,
ButIwalkorsitindifferent,Iamsatisfied,
Heaholdofmyhandhascompletelysatisfiedme.
Andnowgentlemen,
AwordIgivetoremaininyourmemoriesandminds,
Asbaseandfinaletooforallmetaphysics.
(Sotothestudentstheoldprofessor,
Atthecloseofhiscrowdedcourse.)
Havingstudiedthenewandantique,theGreekandGermanicsystems,
Kanthavingstudiedandstated,FichteandSchellingandHegel,
StatedtheloreofPlato,andSocratesgreaterthanPlato,
AndgreaterthanSocratessoughtandstated,Christdivinehaving
studiedlong,
Iseereminiscentto-daythoseGreekandGermanicsystems,
Seethephilosophiesall,Christianchurchesandtenetssee,
Yet underneath Socrates clearly see, and underneath Christ the
divineIsee,
The dear love of man for his comrade, the attraction of friend to
friend,
Ofthewell-marriedhusbandandwife,ofchildrenandparents,
Ofcityforcityandlandforland.
RecordersAgesHence
Recordersageshence,
Come,Iwilltakeyoudownunderneaththisimpassiveexterior,I
willtellyouwhattosayofme,
Publish my name and hang up my picture as that of the tenderest
lover,
The friend the lover's portrait, of whom his friend his lover was
fondest,
Who was not proud of his songs, but of the measureless ocean of
love
withinhim,andfreelypour'ditforth,
Who often walk'd lonesome walks thinking of his dear friends, his
lovers,
Whopensiveawayfromonehelov'doftenlaysleeplessand
dissatisfiedatnight,
Whoknewtoowellthesick,sickdreadlesttheonehelov'dmight
secretlybeindifferenttohim,
Whose happiest days were far away through fields, in woods, on
hills,
he and another wandering hand in hand, they twain apart from
othermen,
Who oft as he saunter'd the streets curv'd with his arm the
shoulder
of his friend, while the arm of his friend rested upon him
also.
WhenIheardatthecloseofthedayhowmynamehadbeenreceiv'd
with plaudits in the capitol, still it was not a happy night
for
methatfollow'd,
AndelsewhenIcarous'd,orwhenmyplanswereaccomplish'd,still
Iwasnothappy,
ButthedaywhenIroseatdawnfromthebedofperfecthealth,
refresh'd,singing,inhalingtheripebreathofautumn,
WhenIsawthefullmooninthewestgrowpaleanddisappearinthe
morninglight,
WhenIwander'daloneoverthebeach,andundressingbathed,
laughingwiththecoolwaters,andsawthesunrise,
AndwhenIthoughthowmydearfriendmyloverwasonhisway
coming,OthenIwashappy,
Otheneachbreathtastedsweeter,andallthatdaymyfood
nourish'dmemore,andthebeautifuldaypass'dwell,
Andthenextcamewithequaljoy,andwiththenextateveningcame
myfriend,
AndthatnightwhileallwasstillIheardthewatersrollslowly
continuallyuptheshores,
I heard the hissing rustle of the liquid and sands as directed to
me
whisperingtocongratulateme,
FortheoneIlovemostlaysleepingbymeunderthesamecoverin
thecoolnight,
In the stillness in the autumn moonbeams his face was inclined
towardme,
And his arm lay lightly around my breast—and that night I was
happy.
Areyouthenewpersondrawntowardme?
Tobeginwithtakewarning,Iamsurelyfardifferentfromwhatyou
suppose;
Doyousupposeyouwillfindinmeyourideal?
Doyouthinkitsoeasytohavemebecomeyourlover?
Doyouthinkthefriendshipofmewouldbeunalloy'dsatisfaction?
DoyouthinkIamtrustyandfaithful?
Doyouseenofurtherthanthisfacade,thissmoothandtolerant
mannerofme?
Do you suppose yourself advancing on real ground toward a real
heroicman?
HaveyounothoughtOdreamerthatitmaybeallmaya,illusion?
Rootsandleavesthemselvesalonearethese,
Scentsbroughttomenandwomenfromthewildwoodsandpond-side,
Breast-sorrelandpinksoflove,fingersthatwindaroundtighter
thanvines,
Gushesfromthethroatsofbirdshidinthefoliageoftreesasthe
sunisrisen,
Breezes of land and love set from living shores to you on the
living
sea,toyouOsailors!
Frost-mellow'dberriesandThird-monthtwigsoffer'dfreshtoyoung
personswanderingoutinthefieldswhenthewinterbreaksup,
Love-budsputbeforeyouandwithinyouwhoeveryouare,
Budstobeunfoldedontheoldterms,
Ifyoubringthewarmthofthesuntothemtheywillopenandbring
form,color,perfume,toyou,
Ifyoubecomethealimentandthewettheywillbecomeflowers,
fruits,tallbranchesandtrees.
Notheatflamesupandconsumes,
Notsea-waveshurryinandout,
Not the air delicious and dry, the air of ripe summer, bears
lightly
alongwhitedown-ballsofmyriadsofseeds,
Waited,sailinggracefully,todropwheretheymay;
Notthese,Ononeofthesemorethantheflamesofme,consuming,
burningforhislovewhomIlove,
OnonemorethanIhurryinginandout;
Doesthetidehurry,seekingsomething,andnevergiveup?OIthe
same,
Onordown-ballsnorperfumes,northehighrain-emittingclouds,
arebornethroughtheopenair,
Anymorethanmysoulisbornethroughtheopenair,
WaftedinalldirectionsOlove,forfriendship,foryou.
TrickleDrops
Trickledrops!myblueveinsleaving!
Odropsofme!trickle,slowdrops,
Candidfrommefalling,drip,bleedingdrops,
Fromwoundsmadetofreeyouwhenceyouwereprison'd,
Frommyface,frommyforeheadandlips,
Frommybreast,fromwithinwhereIwasconceal'd,pressforthred
drops,confessiondrops,
Staineverypage,staineverysongIsing,everywordIsay,bloody
drops,
Letthemknowyourscarletheat,letthemglisten,
Saturatethemwithyourselfallashamedandwet,
GlowuponallIhavewrittenorshallwrite,bleedingdrops,
Letitallbeseeninyourlight,blushingdrops.
CityofOrgies
Cityoforgies,walksandjoys,
City whom that I have lived and sung in your midst will one day
make
Notthepageantsofyou,notyourshiftingtableaus,your
spectacles,repayme,
Not the interminable rows of your houses, nor the ships at the
wharves,
Northeprocessionsinthestreets,northebrightwindowswith
goodsinthem,
Nor to converse with learn'd persons, or bear my share in the
soiree
orfeast;
Notthose,butasIpassOManhattan,yourfrequentandswiftflash
ofeyesofferingmelove,
Offeringresponsetomyown—theserepayme,
Lovers,continuallovers,onlyrepayme.
Beholdthisswarthyface,thesegrayeyes,
Thisbeard,thewhitewooluncliptuponmyneck,
Mybrownhandsandthesilentmannerofmewithoutcharm;
YetcomesoneaManhattaneseandeveratpartingkissesmelightly
onthelipswithrobustlove,
AndIonthecrossingofthestreetorontheship'sdeckgivea
kissinreturn,
WeobservethatsaluteofAmericancomradeslandandsea,
Wearethosetwonaturalandnonchalantpersons.
IsawinLouisianaalive-oakgrowing,
Allalonestooditandthemosshungdownfromthebranches,
Withoutanycompanionitgrewthereutteringjoyousofdarkgreen,
Anditslook,rude,unbending,lusty,mademethinkofmyself,
But I wonder'd how it could utter joyous leaves standing alone
there
withoutitsfriendnear,forIknewIcouldnot,
AndIbrokeoffatwigwithacertainnumberofleavesuponitand
twinedarounditalittlemoss,
Andbroughtitaway,andIhaveplaceditinsightinmyroom,
Itisnotneededtoremindmeasofmyowndearfriends,
(ForIbelievelatelyIthinkoflittleelsethanofthem,)
Yet it remains to me a curious token, it makes me think of manly
love;
Forallthat,andthoughthelive-oakglistensthereinLouisiana
solitaryinawideinawideflatspace,
Utteringjoyousleavesallitslifewithoutafriendalovernear,
IknowverywellIcouldnot.
ToaStranger
Passingstranger!youdonotknowhowlonginglyIlookuponyou,
YoumustbeheIwasseeking,orsheIwasseeking,(itcomestome
asofadream,)
Ihavesomewheresurelylivedalifeofjoywithyou,
Allisrecall'dasweflitbyeachother,fluid,affectionate,
chaste,matured,
Yougrewupwithme,wereaboywithmeoragirlwithme,
Iatewithyouandsleptwithyou,yourbodyhasbecomenotyours
onlynorleftmybodymineonly,
Yougivemethepleasureofyoureyes,face,flesh,aswepass,you
takeofmybeard,breast,hands,inreturn,
Iamnottospeaktoyou,IamtothinkofyouwhenIsitaloneor
wakeatnightalone,
Iamtowait,IdonotdoubtIamtomeetyouagain,
IamtoseetoitthatIdonotloseyou.
Thismomentyearningandthoughtfulsittingalone,
It seems to me there are other men in other lands yearning and
thoughtful,
ItseemstomeIcanlookoverandbeholdtheminGermany,Italy,
France,Spain,
Orfar,faraway,inChina,orinRussiaortalkingotherdialects,
AnditseemstomeifIcouldknowthosemenIshouldbecome
attachedtothemasIdotomeninmyownlands,
OIknowweshouldbebrethrenandlovers,
IknowIshouldbehappywiththem.
I hear it was charged against me that I sought to destroy
institutions,
ButreallyIamneitherfornoragainstinstitutions,
(WhatindeedhaveIincommonwiththem?orwhatwiththe
destructionofthem?)
OnlyIwillestablishintheMannahattaandineverycityofthese
Statesinlandandseaboard,
Andinthefieldsandwoods,andaboveeverykeellittleorlarge
thatdentsthewater,
Withoutedificesorrulesortrusteesoranyargument,
Theinstitutionofthedearloveofcomrades.
Theprairie-grassdividing,itsspecialodorbreathing,
Idemandofitthespiritualcorresponding,
Demandthemostcopiousandclosecompanionshipofmen,
Demandthebladestoriseofwords,acts,beings,
Thoseoftheopenatmosphere,coarse,sunlit,fresh,nutritious,
Thosethatgotheirowngait,erect,steppingwithfreedomand
command,leadingnotfollowing,
Thosewithanever-quell'daudacity,thosewithsweetandlusty
fleshclearoftaint,
Those that look carelessly in the faces of Presidents and
governors,
astosayWhoareyou?
Those of earth-born passion, simple, never constrain'd, never
obedient,
ThoseofinlandAmerica.
WhenIperusetheconquer'dfameofheroesandthevictoriesof
mightygenerals,Idonotenvythegenerals,
Nor the President in his Presidency, nor the rich in his great
house,
ButwhenIhearofthebrotherhoodoflovers,howitwaswiththem,
Howtogetherthroughlife,throughdangers,odium,unchanging,long
andlong,
Throughyouthandthroughmiddleandoldage,howunfaltering,how
affectionateandfaithfultheywere,
Then I am pensive—I hastily walk away fill'd with the bitterest
envy.
Wetwoboystogetherclinging,
Onetheotherneverleaving,
Upanddowntheroadsgoing,NorthandSouthexcursionsmaking,
Powerenjoying,elbowsstretching,fingersclutching,
Arm'dandfearless,eating,drinking,sleeping,loving.
Nolawlessthanourselvesowning,sailing,soldiering,thieving,
threatening,
Misers, menials, priests alarming, air breathing, water drinking,
on
theturforthesea-beachdancing,
Cities wrenching, ease scorning, statutes mocking, feebleness
chasing,
Fulfillingourforay.
ApromisetoCalifornia,
Or inland to the great pastoral Plains, and on to Puget sound and
Oregon;
Sojourning east a while longer, soon I travel toward you, to
remain,
toteachrobustAmericanlove,
ForIknowverywellthatIandrobustlovebelongamongyou,
inland,andalongtheWesternsea;
FortheseStatestendinlandandtowardtheWesternsea,andIwill
also.
Herethefrailestleavesofmeandyetmystrongestlasting,
HereIshadeandhidemythoughts,Imyselfdonotexposethem,
Andyettheyexposememorethanallmyotherpoems.
Nolabor-savingmachine,
NordiscoveryhaveImade,
NorwillIbeabletoleavebehindmeanywealthybequesttofound
hospitalorlibrary,
NorreminiscenceofanydeedofcourageforAmerica,
Norliterarysuccessnorintellect;norbookforthebook-shelf,
ButafewcarolsvibratingthroughtheairIleave,
Forcomradesandlovers.
AGlimpse
Aglimpsethroughanintersticecaught,
Ofacrowdofworkmenanddriversinabar-roomaroundthestove
lateofawinternight,andIunremark'dseatedinacorner,
OfayouthwholovesmeandwhomIlove,silentlyapproachingand
seatinghimselfnear,thathemayholdmebythehand,
Alongwhileamidthenoisesofcomingandgoing,ofdrinkingand
oathandsmuttyjest,
Therewetwo,content,happyinbeingtogether,speakinglittle,
perhapsnotaword.
ALeafforHandinHand
Aleafforhandinhand;
Younaturalpersonsoldandyoung!
YouontheMississippiandonallthebranchesandbayousof
theMississippi!
Youfriendlyboatmenandmechanics!youroughs!
Youtwain!andallprocessionsmovingalongthestreets!
IwishtoinfusemyselfamongyoutillIseeitcommonforyouto
walkhandinhand.
Earth,MyLikeness
Earth,mylikeness,
Thoughyoulooksoimpassive,ampleandsphericthere,
Inowsuspectthatisnotall;
I now suspect there is something fierce in you eligible to burst
forth,
Foranathleteisenamour'dofme,andIofhim,
But toward him there is something fierce and terrible in me
eligible
toburstforth,
Idarenottellitinwords,noteveninthesesongs.
IDream'dinaDream
Idream'dinadreamIsawacityinvincibletotheattacksofthe
wholeoftherestoftheearth,
Idream'dthatwasthenewcityofFriends,
Nothing was greater there than the quality of robust love, it led
therest,
Itwasseeneveryhourintheactionsofthemenofthatcity,
Andinalltheirlooksandwords.
WhatthinkyouItakemypeninhandtorecord?
Thebattle-ship,perfect-model'd,majestic,thatIsawpassthe
offingto-dayunderfullsail?
Thesplendorsofthepastday?orthesplendorofthenightthat
envelopsme?
Orthevauntedgloryandgrowthofthegreatcityspreadaroundme?
—no;
ButmerelyoftwosimplemenIsawto-dayonthepierinthemidst
ofthecrowd,partingthepartingofdearfriends,
Theonetoremainhungontheother'sneckandpassionatelykiss'd
him,
While the one to depart tightly prest the one to remain in his
arms.
TotheEastandtotheWest,
TothemanoftheSeasideStateandofPennsylvania,
TotheKanadianofthenorth,totheSouthernerIlove,
Thesewithperfecttrusttodepictyouasmyself,thegermsarein
allmen,
IbelievethemainpurportoftheseStatesistofoundasuperb
friendship,exalte,previouslyunknown,
BecauseIperceiveitwaits,andhasbeenalwayswaiting,latentin
allmen.
SometimeswithoneIloveIfillmyselfwithrageforfearIeffuse
unreturn'dlove,
ButnowIthinkthereisnounreturn'dlove,thepayiscertainone
wayoranother,
(Ilovedacertainpersonardentlyandmylovewasnotreturn'd,
YetoutofthatIhavewrittenthesesongs.)
ToaWesternBoy
ManythingstoabsorbIteachtohelpyoubecomeeleveofmine;
Yetifbloodlikeminecirclenotinyourveins,
If you be not silently selected by lovers and do not silently
selectlovers,
Ofwhatuseisitthatyouseektobecomeeleveofmine?
Fast-anchor'deternalOlove!OwomanIlove!
O bride! O wife! more resistless than I can tell, the thought of
you!
Thenseparate,asdisembodiedoranotherborn,
Ethereal,thelastathleticreality,myconsolation,
Iascend,IfloatintheregionsofyourloveOman,
Osharerofmyrovinglife.
AmongtheMultitude
Amongthemenandwomenthemultitude,
Iperceiveonepickingmeoutbysecretanddivinesigns,
Acknowledgingnoneelse,notparent,wife,husband,brother,child,
anynearerthanIam,
Somearebaffled,butthatoneisnot—thatoneknowsme.
Ahloverandperfectequal,
Imeantthatyoushoulddiscovermesobyfaintindirections,
AndIwhenImeetyoumeantodiscoveryoubythelikeinyou.
O you whom I often and silently come where you are that I may be
withyou,
AsIwalkbyyoursideorsitnear,orremaininthesameroomwith
you,
Littleyouknowthesubtleelectricfirethatforyoursakeis
playingwithinme.
Thatshadowmylikenessthatgoestoandfroseekingalivelihood,
chattering,chaffering,
HowoftenIfindmyselfstandingandlookingatitwhereitflits,
HowoftenIquestionanddoubtwhetherthatisreallyme;
Butamongmyloversandcarolingthesesongs,
OIneverdoubtwhetherthatisreallyme.
FullofLifeNow
Fulloflifenow,compact,visible,
I,fortyyearsoldtheeighty-thirdyearoftheStates,
Tooneacenturyhenceoranynumberofcenturieshence,
Toyouyetunbornthese,seekingyou.
WhenyoureadtheseIthatwasvisibleambecomeinvisible,
Nowitisyou,compact,visible,realizingmypoems,seekingme,
FancyinghowhappyyouwereifIcouldbewithyouandbecomeyour
comrade;
BeitasifIwerewithyou.(BenottoocertainbutIamnowwith
you.)
BOOKVI
SalutauMonde!
1
OtakemyhandWaltWhitman!
Suchglidingwonders!suchsightsandsounds!
Suchjoin'dunendedlinks,eachhook'dtothenext,
Eachansweringall,eachsharingtheearthwithall.
WhatwidenswithinyouWaltWhitman?
Whatwavesandsoilsexuding?
Whatclimes?whatpersonsandcitiesarehere?
Whoaretheinfants,someplaying,someslumbering?
Whoarethegirls?whoarethemarriedwomen?
Whoarethegroupsofoldmengoingslowlywiththeirarmsabout
eachother'snecks?
Whatriversarethese?whatforestsandfruitsarethese?
Whatarethemountainscall'dthatrisesohighinthemists?
Whatmyriadsofdwellingsaretheyfill'dwithdwellers?
2
Withinmelatitudewidens,longitudelengthens,
Asia, Africa, Europe, are to the east—America is provided for in
thewest,
Bandingthebulgeoftheearthwindsthehotequator,
Curiouslynorthandsouthturntheaxis-ends,
Withinmeisthelongestday,thesunwheelsinslantingrings,it
doesnotsetformonths,
Stretch'dinduetimewithinmethemidnightsunjustrisesabove
thehorizonandsinksagain,
Withinmezones,seas,cataracts,forests,volcanoes,groups,
Malaysia,Polynesia,andthegreatWestIndianislands.
3
WhatdoyouhearWaltWhitman?
Iheartheworkmansingingandthefarmer'swifesinging,
Ihearinthedistancethesoundsofchildrenandofanimalsearly
intheday,
IhearemulousshoutsofAustralianspursuingthewildhorse,
IheartheSpanishdancewithcastanetsinthechestnutshade,to
therebeckandguitar,
IhearcontinualechoesfromtheThames,
IhearfierceFrenchlibertysongs,
I hear of the Italian boat-sculler the musical recitative of old
poems,
IhearthelocustsinSyriaastheystrikethegrainandgrasswith
theshowersoftheirterribleclouds,
IheartheCopticrefraintowardsundown,pensivelyfallingonthe
breastoftheblackvenerablevastmothertheNile,
I hear the chirp of the Mexican muleteer, and the bells of the
mule,
IheartheArabmuezzincallingfromthetopofthemosque,
I hear the Christian priests at the altars of their churches, I
hear
theresponsivebaseandsoprano,
I hear the cry of the Cossack, and the sailor's voice putting to
sea
atOkotsk,
I hear the wheeze of the slave-coffle as the slaves march on, as
the
huskygangspassonbytwosandthrees,fasten'dtogether
withwrist-chainsandankle-chains,
IheartheHebrewreadinghisrecordsandpsalms,
IheartherhythmicmythsoftheGreeks,andthestronglegendsof
theRomans,
I hear the tale of the divine life and bloody death of the
beautiful
GodtheChrist,
IheartheHindooteachinghisfavoritepupiltheloves,wars,
adages, transmitted safely to this day from poets who wrote
three
thousandyearsago.
4
WhatdoyouseeWaltWhitman?
Whoaretheyyousalute,andthatoneafteranothersaluteyou?
Iseeagreatroundwonderrollingthroughspace,
Iseediminutefarms,hamlets,ruins,graveyards,jails,factories,
palaces, hovels, huts of barbarians, tents of nomads upon the
surface,
Iseetheshadedpartononesidewherethesleepersaresleeping,
andthesunlitpartontheotherside,
Iseethecuriousrapidchangeofthelightandshade,
Iseedistantlands,asrealandneartotheinhabitantsofthemas
mylandistome.
Iseeplenteouswaters,
Iseemountainpeaks,IseethesierrasofAndeswheretheyrange,
IseeplainlytheHimalayas,ChianShahs,Altays,Ghauts,
IseethegiantpinnaclesofElbruz,Kazbek,Bazardjusi,
IseetheStyrianAlps,andtheKarnacAlps,
IseethePyrenees,Balks,Carpathians,andtothenorththe
Dofrafields,andoffatseamountHecla,
IseeVesuviusandEtna,themountainsoftheMoon,andtheRed
mountainsofMadagascar,
IseetheLybian,Arabian,andAsiaticdeserts,
IseehugedreadfulArcticandAntarcticicebergs,
Iseethesuperioroceansandtheinferiorones,theAtlanticand
Pacific, the sea of Mexico, the Brazilian sea, and the sea of
Peru,
ThewatersofHindustan,theChinasea,andthegulfofGuinea,
TheJapanwaters,thebeautifulbayofNagasakiland-lock'dinits
mountains,
ThespreadoftheBaltic,Caspian,Bothnia,theBritishshores,and
thebayofBiscay,
The clear-sunn'd Mediterranean, and from one to another of its
islands,
TheWhitesea,andtheseaaroundGreenland.
Ibeholdthemarinersoftheworld,
Some are in storms, some in the night with the watch on the
lookout,
Somedriftinghelplessly,somewithcontagiousdiseases.
Ibeholdthesailandsteamshipsoftheworld,someinclustersin
port,someontheirvoyages,
SomedoublethecapeofStorms,somecapeVerde,otherscapes
Guardafui,Bon,orBajadore,
OthersDondrahead,otherspassthestraitsofSunda,otherscape
Lopatka,othersBehring'sstraits,
OtherscapeHorn,otherssailthegulfofMexicooralongCubaor
Hayti,othersHudson'sbayorBaffin'sbay,
OtherspassthestraitsofDover,othersentertheWash,othersthe
firth of Solway, others round cape Clear, others the Land's
End,
OtherstraversetheZuyderZeeortheScheld,
OthersascomersandgoersatGibraltarortheDardanelles,
Otherssternlypushtheirwaythroughthenorthernwinter-packs,
OthersdescendorascendtheObiortheLena,
OtherstheNigerortheCongo,otherstheIndus,theBurampooter
andCambodia,
Otherswaitsteam'dupreadytostartintheportsofAustralia,
WaitatLiverpool,Glasgow,Dublin,Marseilles,Lisbon,Naples,
Hamburg,Bremen,Bordeaux,theHague,Copenhagen,
WaitatValparaiso,RioJaneiro,Panama.
5
Iseethetracksoftherailroadsoftheearth,
IseetheminGreatBritain,IseetheminEurope,
IseetheminAsiaandinAfrica.
Iseetheelectrictelegraphsoftheearth,
Iseethefilamentsofthenewsofthewars,deaths,losses,gains,
passions,ofmyrace.
Iseethelongriver-stripesoftheearth,
IseetheAmazonandtheParaguay,
IseethefourgreatriversofChina,theAmour,theYellowRiver,
theYiang-tse,andthePearl,
IseewheretheSeineflows,andwheretheDanube,theLoire,the
Rhone,andtheGuadalquiverflow,
IseethewindingsoftheVolga,theDnieper,theOder,
I see the Tuscan going down the Arno, and the Venetian along the
Po,
IseetheGreekseamansailingoutofEginabay.
6
I see the site of the old empire of Assyria, and that of Persia,
and
thatofIndia,
IseethefallingoftheGangesoverthehighrimofSaukara.
IseetheplaceoftheideaoftheDeityincarnatedbyavatarsin
humanforms,
I see the spots of the successions of priests on the earth,
oracles,
sacrificers, brahmins, sabians, llamas, monks, muftis,
exhorters,
Iseewheredruidswalk'dthegrovesofMona,Iseethemistletoe
andvervain,
I see the temples of the deaths of the bodies of Gods, I see the
old
signifiers.
IseeChristeatingthebreadofhislastsupperinthemidstof
youthsandoldpersons,
IseewherethestrongdivineyoungmantheHerculestoil'd
faithfullyandlongandthendied,
Iseetheplaceoftheinnocentrichlifeandhaplessfateofthe
beautifulnocturnalson,thefull-limb'dBacchus,
IseeKneph,blooming,drestinblue,withthecrownoffeatherson
hishead,
I see Hermes, unsuspected, dying, well-belov'd, saying to the
people
Donotweepforme,
Thisisnotmytruecountry,Ihavelivedbanish'dfrommytrue
country,Inowgobackthere,
Ireturntothecelestialspherewhereeveryonegoesinhisturn.
7
Iseethebattle-fieldsoftheearth,grassgrowsuponthemand
blossomsandcorn,
Iseethetracksofancientandmodernexpeditions.
Iseethenamelessmasonries,venerablemessagesoftheunknown
events,heroes,recordsoftheearth.
Iseetheplacesofthesagas,
Iseepine-treesandfir-treestornbynorthernblasts,
Iseegranitebowldersandcliffs,Iseegreenmeadowsandlakes,
Iseetheburial-cairnsofScandinavianwarriors,
Iseethemraisedhighwithstonesbythemargeofrestlessoceans,
thatthedeadmen'sspiritswhentheyweariedoftheirquiet
gravesmightriseupthroughthemoundsandgazeonthetossing
billows, and be refresh'd by storms, immensity, liberty,
action.
IseethesteppesofAsia,
I see the tumuli of Mongolia, I see the tents of Kalmucks and
Baskirs,
Iseethenomadictribeswithherdsofoxenandcows,
I see the table-lands notch'd with ravines, I see the jungles and
deserts,
Iseethecamel,thewildsteed,thebustard,thefat-tail'dsheep,
theantelope,andtheburrowingwolf
IseethehighlandsofAbyssinia,
I see flocks of goats feeding, and see the fig-tree, tamarind,
date,
Andseefieldsofteff-wheatandplacesofverdureandgold.
IseetheBrazilianvaquero,
IseetheBolivianascendingmountSorata,
I see the Wacho crossing the plains, I see the incomparable rider
of
horseswithhislassoonhisarm,
Iseeoverthepampasthepursuitofwildcattlefortheirhides.
8
Iseetheregionsofsnowandice,
Iseethesharp-eyedSamoiedeandtheFinn,
Iseetheseal-seekerinhisboatpoisinghislance,
IseetheSiberianonhisslight-builtsledgedrawnbydogs,
Iseetheporpoise-hunters,Iseethewhale-crewsofthesouth
PacificandthenorthAtlantic,
Iseethecliffs,glaciers,torrents,valleys,ofSwitzerland—I
markthelongwintersandtheisolation.
I see the cities of the earth and make myself at random a part of
them,
IamarealParisian,
IamahabitanofVienna,St.Petersburg,Berlin,Constantinople,
IamofAdelaide,Sidney,Melbourne,
IamofLondon,Manchester,Bristol,Edinburgh,Limerick,
IamofMadrid,Cadiz,Barcelona,Oporto,Lyons,Brussels,Berne,
Frankfort,Stuttgart,Turin,Florence,
IbelonginMoscow,Cracow,Warsaw,ornorthwardinChristianiaor
Stockholm, or in Siberian Irkutsk, or in some street in
Iceland,
Idescenduponallthosecities,andrisefromthemagain.
10
Iseevaporsexhalingfromunexploredcountries,
Iseethesavagetypes,thebowandarrow,thepoison'dsplint,the
fetich,andtheobi.
IseeAfricanandAsiatictowns,
IseeAlgiers,Tripoli,Derne,Mogadore,Timbuctoo,Monrovia,
IseetheswarmsofPekin,Canton,Benares,Delhi,Calcutta,Tokio,
I see the Kruman in his hut, and the Dahoman and Ashantee-man in
theirhuts,
IseetheTurksmokingopiuminAleppo,
I see the picturesque crowds at the fairs of Khiva and those of
Herat,
IseeTeheran,IseeMuscatandMedinaandtheinterveningsands,
seethecaravanstoilingonward,
IseeEgyptandtheEgyptians,Iseethepyramidsandobelisks.
Ilookonchisell'dhistories,recordsofconqueringkings,
dynasties,cutinslabsofsand-stone,orongranite-blocks,
IseeatMemphismummy-pitscontainingmummiesembalm'd,
swathedinlinencloth,lyingtheremanycenturies,
Ilookonthefall'nTheban,thelarge-ball'deyes,the
side-droopingneck,thehandsfoldedacrossthebreast.
Iseeallthemenialsoftheearth,laboring,
Iseealltheprisonersintheprisons,
Iseethedefectivehumanbodiesoftheearth,
Theblind,thedeafanddumb,idiots,hunchbacks,lunatics,
The pirates, thieves, betrayers, murderers, slave-makers of the
earth,
Thehelplessinfants,andthehelplessoldmenandwomen.
Iseemaleandfemaleeverywhere,
Iseetheserenebrotherhoodofphilosophs,
Iseetheconstructivenessofmyrace,
Iseetheresultsoftheperseveranceandindustryofmyrace,
Iseeranks,colors,barbarisms,civilizations,Igoamongthem,I
mixindiscriminately,
AndIsalutealltheinhabitantsoftheearth.
11
Youwhoeveryouare!
YoudaughterorsonofEngland!
YouofthemightySlavictribesandempires!youRussinRussia!
You dim-descended, black, divine-soul'd African, large, fineheaded,
nobly-form'd,superblydestin'd,onequaltermswithme!
YouNorwegian!Swede!Dane!Icelander!youPrussian!
YouSpaniardofSpain!youPortuguese!
YouFrenchwomanandFrenchmanofFrance!
YouBelge!youliberty-loveroftheNetherlands!(youstockwhence
I
myselfhavedescended;)
YousturdyAustrian!youLombard!Hun!Bohemian!farmerofStyria!
YouneighboroftheDanube!
Youworking-manoftheRhine,theElbe,ortheWeser!youworkingwomantoo!
YouSardinian!youBavarian!Swabian!Saxon!Wallachian!Bulgarian!
YouRoman!Neapolitan!youGreek!
YoulithematadorinthearenaatSeville!
YoumountaineerlivinglawlesslyontheTaurusorCaucasus!
YouBokhhorse-herdwatchingyourmaresandstallionsfeeding!
Youbeautiful-bodiedPersianatfullspeedinthesaddleshooting
arrowstothemark!
YouChinamanandChinawomanofChina!youTartarofTartary!
Youwomenoftheearthsubordinatedatyourtasks!
YouJewjourneyinginyouroldagethrougheveryrisktostandonce
onSyrianground!
YouotherJewswaitinginalllandsforyourMessiah!
YouthoughtfulArmenianponderingbysomestreamoftheEuphrates!
you peering amid the ruins of Nineveh! you ascending mount
Ararat!
You foot-worn pilgrim welcoming the far-away sparkle of the
minarets
ofMecca!
YousheiksalongthestretchfromSueztoBab-el-mandebrulingyour
familiesandtribes!
You olive-grower tending your fruit on fields of Nazareth,
Damascus,
orlakeTiberias!
YouThibettraderonthewideinlandorbargainingintheshopsof
Lassa!
You Japanese man or woman! you liver in Madagascar, Ceylon,
Sumatra,Borneo!
All you continentals of Asia, Africa, Europe, Australia,
indifferent
ofplace!
Allyouonthenumberlessislandsofthearchipelagoesofthesea!
Andyouofcenturieshencewhenyoulistentome!
And you each and everywhere whom I specify not, but include just
thesame!
Healthtoyou!goodwilltoyouall,frommeandAmericasent!
Eachofusinevitable,
Each of us limitless—each of us with his or her right upon the
earth,
Eachofusallow'dtheeternalpurportsoftheearth,
Eachofushereasdivinelyasanyishere.
12
YouHottentotwithclickingpalate!youwoolly-hair'dhordes!
Youown'dpersonsdroppingsweat-dropsorblood-drops!
Youhumanformswiththefathomlessever-impressivecountenancesof
brutes!
Youpoorkoboowhomthemeanestoftherestlookdownuponforall
yourglimmeringlanguageandspirituality!
Youdwarf'dKamtschatkan,Greenlander,Lapp!
YouAustralnegro,naked,red,sooty,withprotrusivelip,
groveling,seekingyourfood!
YouCaffre,Berber,Soudanese!
Youhaggard,uncouth,untutor'dBedowee!
Youplague-swarmsinMadras,Nankin,Kaubul,Cairo!
YoubenightedroamerofAmazonia!youPatagonian!youFeejeeman!
Idonotpreferotherssoverymuchbeforeyoueither,
Idonotsayonewordagainstyou,awaybacktherewhereyoustand,
(Youwillcomeforwardinduetimetomyside.)
13
My spirit has pass'd in compassion and determination around the
wholeearth,
Ihavelook'dforequalsandloversandfoundthemreadyformein
alllands,
Ithinksomedivinerapporthasequalizedmewiththem.
Youvapors,IthinkIhaverisenwithyou,movedawaytodistant
continents,andfallendownthere,forreasons,
IthinkIhaveblownwithyouyouwinds;
YouwatersIhavefinger'deveryshorewithyou,
I have run through what any river or strait of the globe has run
through,
Ihavetakenmystandonthebasesofpeninsulasandonthehigh
embeddedrocks,tocrythence:
WhatcitiesthelightorwarmthpenetratesIpenetratethosecities
myself,
AllislandstowhichbirdswingtheirwayIwingmywaymyself.
Towardyouall,inAmerica'sname,
Iraisehightheperpendicularhand,Imakethesignal,
Toremainaftermeinsightforever,
Forallthehauntsandhomesofmen.
BOOKVII
SongoftheOpenRoad
1
Afootandlight-heartedItaketotheopenroad,
Healthy,free,theworldbeforeme,
ThelongbrownpathbeforemeleadingwhereverIchoose.
HenceforthIasknotgood-fortune,Imyselfamgood-fortune,
HenceforthIwhimpernomore,postponenomore,neednothing,
Donewithindoorcomplaints,libraries,querulouscriticisms,
StrongandcontentItraveltheopenroad.
Theearth,thatissufficient,
Idonotwanttheconstellationsanynearer,
Iknowtheyareverywellwheretheyare,
Iknowtheysufficeforthosewhobelongtothem.
(StillhereIcarrymyolddeliciousburdens,
Icarrythem,menandwomen,IcarrythemwithmewhereverIgo,
Iswearitisimpossibleformetogetridofthem,
Iamfill'dwiththem,andIwillfilltheminreturn.)
2
YouroadIenteruponandlookaround,Ibelieveyouarenotall
thatishere,
Ibelievethatmuchunseenisalsohere.
Heretheprofoundlessonofreception,norpreferencenordenial,
Theblackwithhiswoollyhead,thefelon,thediseas'd,the
illiterateperson,arenotdenied;
Thebirth,thehastingafterthephysician,thebeggar'stramp,the
drunkard'sstagger,thelaughingpartyofmechanics,
Theescapedyouth,therichperson'scarriage,thefop,theeloping
couple,
Theearlymarket-man,thehearse,themovingoffurnitureintothe
town,thereturnbackfromthetown,
Theypass,Ialsopass,anythingpasses,nonecanbeinterdicted,
Nonebutareaccepted,nonebutshallbedeartome.
3
Youairthatservesmewithbreathtospeak!
You objects that call from diffusion my meanings and give them
shape!
Youlightthatwrapsmeandallthingsindelicateequableshowers!
Youpathswornintheirregularhollowsbytheroadsides!
Ibelieveyouarelatentwithunseenexistences,youaresodearto
me.
Youflagg'dwalksofthecities!youstrongcurbsattheedges!
Youferries!youplanksandpostsofwharves!youtimber-lined
side!youdistantships!
Yourowsofhouses!youwindow-pierc'dfacades!youroofs!
Youporchesandentrances!youcopingsandironguards!
Youwindowswhosetransparentshellsmightexposesomuch!
Youdoorsandascendingsteps!youarches!
Yougraystonesofinterminablepavements!youtroddencrossings!
Fromallthathastouch'dyouIbelieveyouhaveimpartedto
yourselves,andnowwouldimpartthesamesecretlytome,
From the living and the dead you have peopled your impassive
surfaces,
andthespiritsthereofwouldbeevidentandamicablewithme.
4
Theearthexpandingrighthandandlefthand,
Thepicturealive,everypartinitsbestlight,
Themusicfallinginwhereitiswanted,andstoppingwhereitis
notwanted,
The cheerful voice of the public road, the gay fresh sentiment of
theroad.
OhighwayItravel,doyousaytomeDonotleaveme?
DoyousayVenturenot—ifyouleavemeyouarelost?
DoyousayIamalreadyprepared,Iamwell-beatenandundenied,
adheretome?
Opublicroad,IsaybackIamnotafraidtoleaveyou,yetIlove
you,
YouexpressmebetterthanIcanexpressmyself,
Youshallbemoretomethanmypoem.
Ithinkheroicdeedswereallconceiv'dintheopenair,andall
freepoemsalso,
IthinkIcouldstopheremyselfanddomiracles,
IthinkwhateverIshallmeetontheroadIshalllike,andwhoever
beholdsmeshalllikeme,
IthinkwhoeverIseemustbehappy.
5
From this hour I ordain myself loos'd of limits and imaginary
lines,
GoingwhereIlist,myownmastertotalandabsolute,
Listeningtoothers,consideringwellwhattheysay,
Pausing,searching,receiving,contemplating,
Gently, but with undeniable will, divesting myself of the holds
that
wouldholdme.
Iinhalegreatdraughtsofspace,
The east and the west are mine, and the north and the south are
mine.
Iamlarger,betterthanIthought,
IdidnotknowIheldsomuchgoodness.
Allseemsbeautifultome,
canrepeatovertomenandwomenYouhavedonesuchgoodtome
Iwoulddothesametoyou,
IwillrecruitformyselfandyouasIgo,
IwillscattermyselfamongmenandwomenasIgo,
Iwilltossanewgladnessandroughnessamongthem,
Whoeverdeniesmeitshallnottroubleme,
Whoeveracceptsmeheorsheshallbeblessedandshallblessme.
6
Nowifathousandperfectmenweretoappearitwouldnotamazeme,
Nowifathousandbeautifulformsofwomenappear'ditwouldnot
astonishme.
NowIseethesecretofthemakingofthebestpersons,
Itistogrowintheopenairandtoeatandsleepwiththeearth.
Hereagreatpersonaldeedhasroom,
(Suchadeedseizesupontheheartsofthewholeraceofmen,
Itseffusionofstrengthandwilloverwhelmslawandmocksall
authorityandallargumentagainstit.)
Hereisthetestofwisdom,
Wisdomisnotfinallytestedinschools,
Wisdom cannot be pass'd from one having it to another not having
it,
Wisdom is of the soul, is not susceptible of proof, is its own
proof,
Appliestoallstagesandobjectsandqualitiesandiscontent,
Isthecertaintyoftherealityandimmortalityofthings,andthe
excellenceofthings;
Something there is in the float of the sight of things that
provokes
itoutofthesoul.
NowIre-examinephilosophiesandreligions,
They may prove well in lecture-rooms, yet not prove at all under
the
spaciouscloudsandalongthelandscapeandflowingcurrents.
Hereisrealization,
Hereisamantallied—herealizesherewhathehasinhim,
Thepast,thefuture,majesty,love—iftheyarevacantofyou,you
arevacantofthem.
Onlythekernelofeveryobjectnourishes;
Whereishewhotearsoffthehusksforyouandme?
Whereishethatundoesstratagemsandenvelopesforyouandme?
Here is adhesiveness, it is not previously fashion'd, it is
apropos;
Doyouknowwhatitisasyoupasstobelovedbystrangers?
Doyouknowthetalkofthoseturningeye-balls?
7
Hereistheeffluxofthesoul,
Theeffluxofthesoulcomesfromwithinthroughembower'dgates,
everprovokingquestions,
These yearnings why are they? these thoughts in the darkness why
arethey?
Why are there men and women that while they are nigh me the
sunlight
expandsmyblood?
Whywhentheyleavemedomypennantsofjoysinkflatandlank?
WhyaretheretreesIneverwalkunderbutlargeandmelodious
thoughtsdescenduponme?
(I think they hang there winter and summer on those trees and
always
dropfruitasIpass;)
WhatisitIinterchangesosuddenlywithstrangers?
WhatwithsomedriverasIrideontheseatbyhisside?
What with some fisherman drawing his seine by the shore as I walk
by
andpause?
Whatgivesmetobefreetoawoman'sandman'sgood-will?what
givesthemtobefreetomine?
8
Theeffluxofthesoulishappiness,hereishappiness,
Ithinkitpervadestheopenair,waitingatalltimes,
Nowitflowsuntous,wearerightlycharged.
Hererisesthefluidandattachingcharacter,
Thefluidandattachingcharacteristhefreshnessandsweetnessof
manandwoman,
(Theherbsofthemorningsproutnofresherandsweetereveryday
outoftherootsofthemselves,thanitsproutsfreshandsweet
continuallyoutofitself.)
Towardthefluidandattachingcharacterexudesthesweatofthe
loveofyoungandold,
From it falls distill'd the charm that mocks beauty and
attainments,
Towarditheavestheshudderinglongingacheofcontact.
9
Allons!whoeveryouarecometravelwithme!
Travelingwithmeyoufindwhatnevertires.
Theearthnevertires,
The earth is rude, silent, incomprehensible at first, Nature is
rude
andincomprehensibleatfirst,
Be not discouraged, keep on, there are divine things well
envelop'd,
I swear to you there are divine things more beautiful than words
cantell.
Allons!wemustnotstophere,
However sweet these laid-up stores, however convenient this
dwelling
wecannotremainhere,
Howevershelter'dthisportandhowevercalmthesewaterswemust
notanchorhere,
Howeverwelcomethehospitalitythatsurroundsuswearepermitted
toreceiveitbutalittlewhile.
10
Allons!theinducementsshallbegreater,
Wewillsailpathlessandwildseas,
Wewillgowherewindsblow,wavesdash,andtheYankeeclipper
speedsbyunderfullsail.
Allons!withpower,liberty,theearth,theelements,
Health,defiance,gayety,self-esteem,curiosity;
Allons!fromallformules!
Fromyourformules,Obat-eyedandmaterialisticpriests.
Thestalecadaverblocksupthepassage—theburialwaitsnolonger.
Allons!yettakewarning!
Hetravelingwithmeneedsthebestblood,thews,endurance,
Nonemaycometothetrialtillheorshebringcourageandhealth,
Comenothereifyouhavealreadyspentthebestofyourself,
Onlythosemaycomewhocomeinsweetanddetermin'dbodies,
No diseas'd person, no rum-drinker or venereal taint is permitted
here.
(Iandminedonotconvincebyarguments,similes,rhymes,
Weconvincebyourpresence.)
11
Listen!Iwillbehonestwithyou,
Idonotoffertheoldsmoothprizes,butofferroughnewprizes,
Thesearethedaysthatmusthappentoyou:
Youshallnotheapupwhatiscall'driches,
Youshallscatterwithlavishhandallthatyouearnorachieve,
Youbutarriveatthecitytowhichyouweredestin'd,youhardly
settleyourselftosatisfactionbeforeyouarecall'dbyan
irresistiblecalltodepart,
Youshallbetreatedtotheironicalsmilesandmockingsofthose
whoremainbehindyou,
Whatbeckoningsofloveyoureceiveyoushallonlyanswerwith
passionatekissesofparting,
You shall not allow the hold of those who spread their reach'd
hands
towardyou.
12
Allons!afterthegreatCompanions,andtobelongtothem!
Theytooareontheroad—theyaretheswiftandmajesticmen—they
arethegreatestwomen,
Enjoyersofcalmsofseasandstormsofseas,
Sailorsofmanyaship,walkersofmanyamileofland,
Habitues of many distant countries, habitues of far-distant
dwellings,
Trustersofmenandwomen,observersofcities,solitarytoilers,
Pausersandcontemplatorsoftufts,blossoms,shellsoftheshore,
Dancersatwedding-dances,kissersofbrides,tenderhelpersof
children,bearersofchildren,
Soldiers of revolts, standers by gaping graves, lowerers-down of
coffins,
Journeyersoverconsecutiveseasons,overtheyears,thecurious
yearseachemergingfromthatwhichprecededit,
Journeyersaswithcompanions,namelytheirowndiversephases,
Forth-steppersfromthelatentunrealizedbaby-days,
Journeyers gayly with their own youth, journeyers with their
bearded
andwell-grain'dmanhood,
Journeyerswiththeirwomanhood,ample,unsurpass'd,content,
Journeyerswiththeirownsublimeoldageofmanhoodorwomanhood,
Old age, calm, expanded, broad with the haughty breadth of the
universe,
Oldage,flowingfreewiththedeliciousnear-byfreedomofdeath.
13
Allons!tothatwhichisendlessasitwasbeginningless,
Toundergomuch,trampsofdays,restsofnights,
Tomergeallinthetraveltheytendto,andthedaysandnights
theytendto,
Againtomergetheminthestartofsuperiorjourneys,
Toseenothinganywherebutwhatyoumayreachitandpassit,
Toconceivenotime,howeverdistant,butwhatyoumayreachitand
passit,
Tolookupordownnoroadbutitstretchesandwaitsforyou,
howeverlongbutitstretchesandwaitsforyou,
Toseenobeing,notGod'sorany,butyoualsogothither,
Toseenopossessionbutyoumaypossessit,enjoyingallwithout
labor or purchase, abstracting the feast yet not abstracting
one
particleofit,
Totakethebestofthefarmer'sfarmandtherichman'selegant
villa,andthechasteblessingsofthewell-marriedcouple,and
thefruitsoforchardsandflowersofgardens,
Totaketoyouruseoutofthecompactcitiesasyoupassthrough,
Tocarrybuildingsandstreetswithyouafterwardwhereveryougo,
Togatherthemindsofmenoutoftheirbrainsasyouencounter
them,togathertheloveoutoftheirhearts,
Totakeyourloversontheroadwithyou,forallthatyouleave
thembehindyou,
Toknowtheuniverseitselfasaroad,asmanyroads,asroadsfor
travelingsouls.
Allpartsawayfortheprogressofsouls,
All religion, all solid things, arts, governments—all that was or
is
apparent upon this globe or any globe, falls into niches and
corners
before the procession of souls along the grand roads of the
universe.
Oftheprogressofthesoulsofmenandwomenalongthegrandroads
of
the universe, all other progress is the needed emblem and
sustenance.
Foreveralive,foreverforward,
Stately,solemn,sad,withdrawn,baffled,mad,turbulent,feeble,
dissatisfied,
Desperate,proud,fond,sick,acceptedbymen,rejectedbymen,
They go! they go! I know that they go, but I know not where they
go,
ButIknowthattheygotowardthebest—towardsomethinggreat.
Whoeveryouare,comeforth!ormanorwomancomeforth!
Youmustnotstaysleepinganddallyingthereinthehouse,though
youbuiltit,orthoughithasbeenbuiltforyou.
Outofthedarkconfinement!outfrombehindthescreen!
Itisuselesstoprotest,Iknowallandexposeit.
Beholdthroughyouasbadastherest,
Throughthelaughter,dancing,dining,supping,ofpeople,
Insideofdressesandornaments,insideofthosewash'dandtrimm'd
faces,
Beholdasecretsilentloathinganddespair.
Nohusband,nowife,nofriend,trustedtoheartheconfession,
Another self, a duplicate of every one, skulking and hiding it
goes,
Formlessandwordlessthroughthestreetsofthecities,politeand
blandintheparlors,
Inthecarsofrailroads,insteamboats,inthepublicassembly,
Hometothehousesofmenandwomen,atthetable,inthebedroom,
everywhere,
Smartlyattired,countenancesmiling,formupright,deathunderthe
breast-bones,hellundertheskull-bones,
Under the broadcloth and gloves, under the ribbons and artificial
flowers,
Keepingfairwiththecustoms,speakingnotasyllableofitself,
Speakingofanythingelsebutneverofitself.
14
Allons!throughstrugglesandwars!
Thegoalthatwasnamedcannotbecountermanded.
Havethepaststrugglessucceeded?
Whathassucceeded?yourself?yournation?Nature?
Nowunderstandmewell—itisprovidedintheessenceofthingsthat
fromanyfruitionofsuccess,nomatterwhat,shallcomeforth
somethingtomakeagreaterstrugglenecessary.
Mycallisthecallofbattle,Inourishactiverebellion,
Hegoingwithmemustgowellarm'd,
He going with me goes often with spare diet, poverty, angry
enemies,
desertions.
15
Allons!theroadisbeforeus!
Itissafe—Ihavetriedit—myownfeethavetrieditwell—benot
detain'd!
Letthepaperremainonthedeskunwritten,andthebookonthe
shelfunopen'd!
Let the tools remain in the workshop! let the money remain
unearn'd!
Lettheschoolstand!mindnotthecryoftheteacher!
Letthepreacherpreachinhispulpit!letthelawyerpleadinthe
court,andthejudgeexpoundthelaw.
Camerado,Igiveyoumyhand!
Igiveyoumylovemorepreciousthanmoney,
Igiveyoumyselfbeforepreachingorlaw;
Willyougivemeyourself?willyoucometravelwithme?
Shallwestickbyeachotheraslongaswelive?
BOOKVIII
CrossingBrooklynFerry
1
Flood-tidebelowme!Iseeyoufacetoface!
Cloudsofthewest—suntherehalfanhourhigh—Iseeyoualsoface
toface.
Crowdsofmenandwomenattiredintheusualcostumes,howcurious
youaretome!
Ontheferry-boatsthehundredsandhundredsthatcross,returning
home,aremorecurioustomethanyousuppose,
Andyouthatshallcrossfromshoretoshoreyearshencearemore
tome,andmoreinmymeditations,thanyoumightsuppose.
2
Theimpalpablesustenanceofmefromallthingsatallhoursofthe
day,
The simple, compact, well-join'd scheme, myself disintegrated,
every
onedisintegratedyetpartofthescheme,
Thesimilitudesofthepastandthoseofthefuture,
The glories strung like beads on my smallest sights and hearings,
on
thewalkinthestreetandthepassageovertheriver,
Thecurrentrushingsoswiftlyandswimmingwithmefaraway,
Theothersthataretofollowme,thetiesbetweenmeandthem,
Thecertaintyofothers,thelife,love,sight,hearingofothers.
Others will enter the gates of the ferry and cross from shore to
shore,
Otherswillwatchtherunoftheflood-tide,
OtherswillseetheshippingofManhattannorthandwest,andthe
heightsofBrooklyntothesouthandeast,
Otherswillseetheislandslargeandsmall;
Fiftyyearshence,otherswillseethemastheycross,thesunhalf
anhourhigh,
Ahundredyearshence,oreversomanyhundredyearshence,others
willseethem,
Willenjoythesunset,thepouring-inoftheflood-tide,the
falling-backtotheseaoftheebb-tide.
3
Itavailsnot,timenorplace—distanceavailsnot,
Iamwithyou,youmenandwomenofageneration,oreversomany
generationshence,
Justasyoufeelwhenyoulookontheriverandsky,soIfelt,
Justasanyofyouisoneofalivingcrowd,Iwasoneofacrowd,
Justasyouarerefresh'dbythegladnessoftheriverandthe
brightflow,Iwasrefresh'd,
Justasyoustandandleanontherail,yethurrywiththeswift
current,Istoodyetwashurried,
Justasyoulookonthenumberlessmastsofshipsandthe
thick-stemm'dpipesofsteamboats,Ilook'd.
Itoomanyandmanyatimecross'dtheriverofold,
WatchedtheTwelfth-monthsea-gulls,sawthemhighintheair
floatingwithmotionlesswings,oscillatingtheirbodies,
Sawhowtheglisteningyellowlituppartsoftheirbodiesandleft
therestinstrongshadow,
Saw the slow-wheeling circles and the gradual edging toward the
south,
Sawthereflectionofthesummerskyinthewater,
Hadmyeyesdazzledbytheshimmeringtrackofbeams,
Look'd at the fine centrifugal spokes of light round the shape of
my
headinthesunlitwater,
Look'donthehazeonthehillssouthwardandsouth-westward,
Look'donthevaporasitflewinfleecestingedwithviolet,
Look'dtowardthelowerbaytonoticethevesselsarriving,
Sawtheirapproach,sawaboardthosethatwerenearme,
Saw the white sails of schooners and sloops, saw the ships at
anchor,
Thesailorsatworkintheriggingoroutastridethespars,
Theroundmasts,theswingingmotionofthehulls,theslender
serpentinepennants,
The large and small steamers in motion, the pilots in their
pilothouses,
The white wake left by the passage, the quick tremulous whirl of
thewheels,
Theflagsofallnations,thefallingofthematsunset,
Thescallop-edgedwavesinthetwilight,theladledcups,the
frolic-somecrestsandglistening,
Thestretchafargrowingdimmeranddimmer,thegraywallsofthe
granitestorehousesbythedocks,
On the river the shadowy group, the big steam-tug closely flank'd
on
eachsidebythebarges,thehay-boat,thebelatedlighter,
On the neighboring shore the fires from the foundry chimneys
burning
highandglaringlyintothenight,
Castingtheirflickerofblackcontrastedwithwildredandyellow
light over the tops of houses, and down into the clefts of
streets.
4
Theseandallelseweretomethesameastheyaretoyou,
Ilovedwellthosecities,lovedwellthestatelyandrapidriver,
ThemenandwomenIsawwereallneartome,
Othersthesame—otherswholookbackonmebecauseIlook'dforward
tothem,
(Thetimewillcome,thoughIstophereto-dayandto-night.)
5
Whatisitthenbetweenus?
Whatisthecountofthescoresorhundredsofyearsbetweenus?
Whateveritis,itavailsnot—distanceavailsnot,andplaceavails
not,
Itoolived,Brooklynofamplehillswasmine,
Itoowalk'dthestreetsofManhattanisland,andbathedinthe
watersaroundit,
Itoofeltthecuriousabruptquestioningsstirwithinme,
Inthedayamongcrowdsofpeoplesometimestheycameuponme,
InmywalkshomelateatnightorasIlayinmybedtheycameupon
me,
Itoohadbeenstruckfromthefloatforeverheldinsolution,
Itoohadreceiv'didentitybymybody,
ThatIwasIknewwasofmybody,andwhatIshouldbeIknewI
shouldbeofmybody.
6
Itisnotuponyoualonethedarkpatchesfall,
Thedarkthrewitspatchesdownuponmealso,
ThebestIhaddoneseem'dtomeblankandsuspicious,
My great thoughts as I supposed them, were they not in reality
meagre?
Norisityoualonewhoknowwhatitistobeevil,
Iamhewhoknewwhatitwastobeevil,
Itooknittedtheoldknotofcontrariety,
Blabb'd,blush'd,resented,lied,stole,grudg'd,
Hadguile,anger,lust,hotwishesIdarednotspeak,
Waswayward,vain,greedy,shallow,sly,cowardly,malignant,
Thewolf,thesnake,thehog,notwantinginme.
The cheating look, the frivolous word, the adulterous wish, not
wanting,
Refusals, hates, postponements, meanness, laziness, none of these
wanting,
Wasonewiththerest,thedaysandhapsoftherest,
Wascall'dbymynighestnamebyclearloudvoicesofyoungmenas
theysawmeapproachingorpassing,
FelttheirarmsonmyneckasIstood,orthenegligentleaningof
theirfleshagainstmeasIsat,
Saw many I loved in the street or ferry-boat or public assembly,
yet
nevertoldthemaword,
Livedthesamelifewiththerest,thesameoldlaughing,gnawing,
sleeping,
Play'dthepartthatstilllooksbackontheactororactress,
Thesameoldrole,therolethatiswhatwemakeit,asgreataswe
like,
Orassmallaswelike,orbothgreatandsmall.
7
CloseryetIapproachyou,
Whatthoughtyouhaveofmenow,Ihadasmuchofyou—Ilaidinmy
storesinadvance,
Iconsider'dlongandseriouslyofyoubeforeyouwereborn.
Whowastoknowwhatshouldcomehometome?
WhoknowsbutIamenjoyingthis?
Whoknows,forallthedistance,butIamasgoodaslookingatyou
now,forallyoucannotseeme?
8
Ah,whatcaneverbemorestatelyandadmirabletomethan
mast-hemm'dManhattan?
Riverandsunsetandscallop-edg'dwavesofflood-tide?
Thesea-gullsoscillatingtheirbodies,thehay-boatinthe
twilight,andthebelatedlighter?
What gods can exceed these that clasp me by the hand, and with
voicesI
love call me promptly and loudly by my nighest name as
approach?
What is more subtle than this which ties me to the woman or man
that
looksinmyface?
Whichfusesmeintoyounow,andpoursmymeaningintoyou?
Weunderstandthendowenot?
WhatIpromis'dwithoutmentioningit,haveyounotaccepted?
Whatthestudycouldnotteach—whatthepreachingcouldnot
accomplishisaccomplish'd,isitnot?
9
Flow on, river! flow with the flood-tide, and ebb with the ebbtide!
Frolicon,crestedandscallop-edg'dwaves!
Gorgeouscloudsofthesunset!drenchwithyoursplendorme,orthe
menandwomengenerationsafterme!
Crossfromshoretoshore,countlesscrowdsofpassengers!
Stand up, tall masts of Mannahatta! stand up, beautiful hills of
Brooklyn!
Throb,baffledandcuriousbrain!throwoutquestionsandanswers!
Suspendhereandeverywhere,eternalfloatofsolution!
Gaze, loving and thirsting eyes, in the house or street or public
assembly!
Soundout,voicesofyoungmen!loudlyandmusicallycallmebymy
nighestname!
Live, old life! play the part that looks back on the actor or
actress!
Playtheoldrole,therolethatisgreatorsmallaccordingasone
makesit!
Consider,youwhoperuseme,whetherImaynotinunknownwaysbe
lookinguponyou;
Befirm,railovertheriver,tosupportthosewholeanidly,yet
hastewiththehastingcurrent;
Flyon,sea-birds!flysideways,orwheelinlargecircleshighin
theair;
Receivethesummersky,youwater,andfaithfullyholdittillall
downcasteyeshavetimetotakeitfromyou!
Diverge,finespokesoflight,fromtheshapeofmyhead,orany
one'shead,inthesunlitwater!
Comeon,shipsfromthelowerbay!passupordown,white-sail'd
schooners,sloops,lighters!
Flauntaway,flagsofallnations!bedulylower'datsunset!
Burnhighyourfires,foundrychimneys!castblackshadowsat
nightfall! cast red and yellow light over the tops of the
houses!
Appearances,noworhenceforth,indicatewhatyouare,
Younecessaryfilm,continuetoenvelopthesoul,
About my body for me, and your body for you, be hung our divinest
aromas,
Thrive,cities—bringyourfreight,bringyourshows,ampleand
sufficientrivers,
Expand,beingthanwhichnoneelseisperhapsmorespiritual,
Keepyourplaces,objectsthanwhichnoneelseismorelasting.
Youhavewaited,youalwayswait,youdumb,beautifulministers,
We receive you with free sense at last, and are insatiate
henceforward,
Not you any more shall be able to foil us, or withhold yourselves
fromus,
We use you, and do not cast you aside—we plant you permanently
withinus,
Wefathomyounot—weloveyou—thereisperfectioninyoualso,
Youfurnishyourpartstowardeternity,
Greatorsmall,youfurnishyourpartstowardthesoul.
BOOKIX
SongoftheAnswerer
1
Nowlisttomymorning'sromanza,ItellthesignsoftheAnswerer,
To the cities and farms I sing as they spread in the sunshine
beforeme.
Ayoungmancomestomebearingamessagefromhisbrother,
Howshalltheyoungmanknowthewhetherandwhenofhisbrother?
Tellhimtosendmethesigns.AndIstandbeforetheyoungman
facetoface,andtakehisrighthandinmylefthandandhis
lefthandinmyrighthand,
AndIanswerforhisbrotherandformen,andIanswerforhimthat
answersforall,andsendthesesigns.
Him all wait for, him all yield up to, his word is decisive and
final,
Him they accept, in him lave, in him perceive themselves as amid
light,
Himtheyimmerseandheimmersesthem.
Beautifulwomen,thehaughtiestnations,laws,thelandscape,
people,animals,
Theprofoundearthanditsattributesandtheunquietocean,(so
tellImymorning'sromanza,)
All enjoyments and properties and money, and whatever money will
buy,
The best farms, others toiling and planting and he unavoidably
reaps,
The noblest and costliest cities, others grading and building and
he
domicilesthere,
Nothingforanyonebutwhatisforhim,nearandfarareforhim,
theshipsintheoffing,
Theperpetualshowsandmarchesonlandareforhimiftheyarefor
anybody.
Heputsthingsintheirattitudes,
Heputsto-dayoutofhimselfwithplasticityandlove,
Heplaceshisowntimes,reminiscences,parents,brothersand
sisters,associations,employment,politics,sothattherest
nevershamethemafterward,norassumetocommandthem.
HeistheAnswerer,
Whatcanbeanswer'dheanswers,andwhatcannotbeanswer'dhe
showshowitcannotbeanswer'd.
Amanisasummonsandchallenge,
(Itisvaintoskulk—doyouhearthatmockingandlaughter?doyou
heartheironicalechoes?)
Books,friendships,philosophers,priests,action,pleasure,pride,
beatupanddownseekingtogivesatisfaction,
Heindicatesthesatisfaction,andindicatesthemthatbeatupand
downalso.
Whicheverthesex,whatevertheseasonorplace,hemaygofreshly
andgentlyandsafelybydayorbynight,
Hehasthepass-keyofhearts,tohimtheresponseofthepryingof
handsontheknobs.
Hiswelcomeisuniversal,theflowofbeautyisnotmorewelcomeor
universalthanheis,
Thepersonhefavorsbydayorsleepswithatnightisblessed.
Everyexistencehasitsidiom,everythinghasanidiomandtongue,
Heresolvesalltonguesintohisownandbestowsituponmen,and
anymantranslates,andanymantranslateshimselfalso,
One part does not counteract another part, he is the joiner, he
sees
howtheyjoin.
He says indifferently and alike How are you friend? to the
President
athislevee,
And he says Good-day my brother, to Cudge that hoes in the sugarfield,
Andbothunderstandhimandknowthathisspeechisright.
Hewalkswithperfecteaseinthecapitol,
He walks among the Congress, and one Representative says to
another,
Hereisourequalappearingandnew.
Thenthemechanicstakehimforamechanic,
Andthesoldierssupposehimtobeasoldier,andthesailorsthat
hehasfollow'dthesea,
And the authors take him for an author, and the artists for an
artist,
Andthelaborersperceivehecouldlaborwiththemandlovethem,
Nomatterwhattheworkis,thatheistheonetofollowitorhas
follow'dit,
Nomatterwhatthenation,thathemightfindhisbrothersand
sistersthere.
TheEnglishbelievehecomesoftheirEnglishstock,
AJewtotheJewheseems,aRusstotheRuss,usualandnear,
removedfromnone.
Whoeverhelooksatinthetraveler'scoffee-houseclaimshim,
TheItalianorFrenchmanissure,theGermanissure,theSpaniard
issure,andtheislandCubanissure,
The engineer, the deck-hand on the great lakes, or on the
Mississippi
or St. Lawrence or Sacramento, or Hudson or Paumanok sound,
claimshim.
Thegentlemanofperfectbloodacknowledgeshisperfectblood,
Theinsulter,theprostitute,theangryperson,thebeggar,see
themselvesinthewaysofhim,hestrangelytransmutesthem,
Theyarenotvileanymore,theyhardlyknowthemselvestheyareso
grown.
2
Theindicationsandtallyoftime,
Perfectsanityshowsthemasteramongphilosophs,
Time,alwayswithoutbreak,indicatesitselfinparts,
Whatalwaysindicatesthepoetisthecrowdofthepleasantcompany
ofsingers,andtheirwords,
The words of the singers are the hours or minutes of the light or
dark,
but the words of the maker of poems are the general light and
dark,
Themakerofpoemssettlesjustice,reality,immortality,
Hisinsightandpowerencirclethingsandthehumanrace,
He is the glory and extract thus far of things and of the human
race.
Thesingersdonotbeget,onlythePoetbegets,
Thesingersarewelcom'd,understood,appearoftenenough,butrare
hasthedaybeen,likewisethespot,ofthebirthofthemaker
ofpoems,theAnswerer,
(Noteverycenturynoreveryfivecenturieshascontain'dsucha
day,forallitsnames.)
Thesingersofsuccessivehoursofcenturiesmayhaveostensible
names,butthenameofeachofthemisoneofthesingers,
Thenameofeachis,eye-singer,ear-singer,head-singer,
sweet-singer,night-singer,parlor-singer,love-singer,
weird-singer,orsomethingelse.
Allthistimeandatalltimeswaitthewordsoftruepoems,
Thewordsoftruepoemsdonotmerelyplease,
The true poets are not followers of beauty but the august masters
ofbeauty;
Thegreatnessofsonsistheexudingofthegreatnessofmothers
andfathers,
Thewordsoftruepoemsarethetuftandfinalapplauseofscience.
Divineinstinct,breadthofvision,thelawofreason,health,
rudenessofbody,withdrawnness,
Gayety, sun-tan, air-sweetness, such are some of the words of
poems.
Thesailorandtravelerunderliethemakerofpoems,theAnswerer,
The builder, geometer, chemist, anatomist, phrenologist, artist,
all
theseunderliethemakerofpoems,theAnswerer.
Thewordsofthetruepoemsgiveyoumorethanpoems,
Theygiveyoutoformforyourselfpoems,religions,politics,war,
peace,behavior,histories,essays,dailylife,andeverything
else,
Theybalanceranks,colors,races,creeds,andthesexes,
Theydonotseekbeauty,theyaresought,
Forevertouchingthemorcloseuponthemfollowsbeauty,longing,
fain,love-sick.
Theypreparefordeath,yetaretheynotthefinish,butratherthe
outset,
Theybringnonetohisorherterminusortobecontentandfull,
Whom they take they take into space to behold the birth of stars,
to
learnoneofthemeanings,
Tolaunchoffwithabsolutefaith,tosweepthroughtheceaseless
ringsandneverbequietagain.
BOOKX
OurOldFeuillage
Alwaysouroldfeuillage!
AlwaysFlorida'sgreenpeninsula—alwaysthepricelessdeltaof
Louisiana—alwaysthecotton-fieldsofAlabamaandTexas,
AlwaysCalifornia'sgoldenhillsandhollows,andthesilver
mountainsofNewMexico—alwayssoft-breath'dCuba,
Alwaysthevastslopedrain'dbytheSouthernsea,inseparablewith
theslopesdrain'dbytheEasternandWesternseas,
The area the eighty-third year of these States, the three and a
half
millionsofsquaremiles,
Theeighteenthousandmilesofsea-coastandbay-coastonthemain,
thethirtythousandmilesofrivernavigation,
The seven millions of distinct families and the same number of
dwellings—
always these, and more, branching forth into numberless
branches,
Always the free range and diversity—always the continent of
Democracy;
Alwaystheprairies,pastures,forests,vastcities,travelers,
Kanada,thesnows;
Alwaysthesecompactlandstiedatthehipswiththebeltstringing
thehugeovallakes;
AlwaystheWestwithstrongnativepersons,theincreasingdensity
there,
the habitans, friendly, threatening, ironical, scorning
invaders;
Allsights,South,North,East—alldeeds,promiscuouslydoneatall
times,
All characters, movements, growths, a few noticed, myriads
unnoticed,
ThroughMannahatta'sstreetsIwalking,thesethingsgathering,
Oninteriorriversbynightintheglareofpineknots,steamboats
woodingup,
Sunlight by day on the valley of the Susquehanna, and on the
valleys
ofthePotomacandRappahannock,andthevalleysoftheRoanoke
andDelaware,
In their northerly wilds beasts of prey haunting the Adirondacks
the
hills,orlappingtheSaginawwaterstodrink,
Inalonesomeinletasheldrakelostfromtheflock,sittingonthe
waterrockingsilently,
In farmers' barns oxen in the stable, their harvest labor done,
they
reststanding,theyaretootired,
Afar on arctic ice the she-walrus lying drowsily while her cubs
playaround,
Thehawksailingwheremenhavenotyetsail'd,thefarthestpolar
sea,ripply,crystalline,open,beyondthefloes,
Whitedriftspooningaheadwheretheshipinthetempestdashes,
On solid land what is done in cities as the bells strike midnight
together,
Inprimitivewoodsthesoundstherealsosounding,thehowlofthe
wolf, the scream of the panther, and the hoarse bellow of the
elk,
InwinterbeneaththehardblueiceofMooseheadlake,insummer
visiblethroughtheclearwaters,thegreattroutswimming,
InlowerlatitudesinwarmerairintheCarolinasthelargeblack
buzzardfloatingslowlyhighbeyondthetreetops,
Below,theredcedarfestoon'dwithtylandria,thepinesand
cypresses growing out of the white sand that spreads far and
flat,
Rude boats descending the big Pedee, climbing plants, parasites
with
color'dflowersandberriesenvelopinghugetrees,
Thewavingdraperyonthelive-oaktrailinglongandlow,
noiselesslywavedbythewind,
ThecampofGeorgiawagonersjustafterdark,thesupper-firesand
thecookingandeatingbywhitesandnegroes,
Thirtyorfortygreatwagons,themules,cattle,horses,feeding
fromtroughs,
Theshadows,gleams,upundertheleavesoftheoldsycamore-trees,
theflameswiththeblacksmokefromthepitch-pinecurlingand
rising;
Southernfishermenfishing,thesoundsandinletsofNorth
Carolina'scoast,theshad-fisheryandtheherring-fishery,the
large sweep-seines, the windlasses on shore work'd by horses,
the
clearing,curing,andpacking-houses;
Deepintheforestinpineywoodsturpentinedroppingfromthe
incisionsinthetrees,therearetheturpentineworks,
Therearethenegroesatworkingoodhealth,thegroundinall
directionsiscover'dwithpinestraw;
In Tennessee and Kentucky slaves busy in the coalings, at the
forge,
bythefurnace-blaze,oratthecorn-shucking,
InVirginia,theplanter'ssonreturningafteralongabsence,
joyfullywelcom'dandkiss'dbytheagedmulattonurse,
Onriversboatmensafelymoor'datnightfallintheirboatsunder
shelterofhighbanks,
Someoftheyoungermendancetothesoundofthebanjoorfiddle,
otherssitonthegunwalesmokingandtalking;
Lateintheafternoonthemocking-bird,theAmericanmimic,singing
intheGreatDismalSwamp,
Therearethegreenishwaters,theresinousodor,theplenteous
moss,thecypress-tree,andthejuniper-tree;
Northward,youngmenofMannahatta,thetargetcompanyfroman
excursionreturninghomeatevening,themusket-muzzlesall
bearbunchesofflowerspresentedbywomen;
Childrenatplay,oronhisfather'slapayoungboyfallenasleep,
(howhislipsmove!howhesmilesinhissleep!)
Thescoutridingonhorsebackovertheplainswestofthe
Mississippi,heascendsaknollandsweepshiseyesaround;
Californialife,theminer,bearded,dress'dinhisrudecostume,
thestanchCaliforniafriendship,thesweetair,thegravesone
inpassingmeetssolitaryjustasidethehorse-path;
DowninTexasthecotton-field,thenegro-cabins,driversdriving
mulesoroxenbeforerudecarts,cottonbalespiledonbanks
andwharves;
Encirclingall,vast-dartingupandwide,theAmericanSoul,with
equalhemispheres,oneLove,oneDilationorPride;
Inarrierethepeace-talkwiththeIroquoistheaborigines,the
calumet,thepipeofgood-will,arbitration,andindorsement,
Thesachemblowingthesmokefirsttowardthesunandthentoward
theearth,
The drama of the scalp-dance enacted with painted faces and
guttural
exclamations,
Thesettingoutofthewar-party,thelongandstealthymarch,
Thesinglefile,theswinginghatchets,thesurpriseandslaughter
ofenemies;
Alltheacts,scenes,ways,persons,attitudesoftheseStates,
reminiscences,institutions,
AlltheseStatescompact,everysquaremileoftheseStateswithout
exceptingaparticle;
Me pleas'd, rambling in lanes and country fields, Paumanok's
fields,
Observingthespiralflightoftwolittleyellowbutterflies
shufflingbetweeneachother,ascendinghighintheair,
Thedartingswallow,thedestroyerofinsects,thefalltraveler
southwardbutreturningnorthwardearlyinthespring,
The country boy at the close of the day driving the herd of cows
and
shoutingtothemastheyloitertobrowsebytheroadside,
Thecitywharf,Boston,Philadelphia,Baltimore,Charleston,New
Orleans,SanFrancisco,
Thedepartingshipswhenthesailorsheaveatthecapstan;
Evening—meinmyroom—thesettingsun,
Thesettingsummersunshininginmyopenwindow,showingthe
swarmofflies,suspended,balancingintheairinthecentre
oftheroom,dartingathwart,upanddown,castingswift
shadowsinspecksontheoppositewallwheretheshineis;
The athletic American matron speaking in public to crowds of
listeners,
Males,females,immigrants,combinations,thecopiousness,the
individualityoftheStates,eachforitself—themoneymakers,
Factories,machinery,themechanicalforces,thewindlass,lever,
pulley,allcertainties,
Thecertaintyofspace,increase,freedom,futurity,
Inspacethesporades,thescatter'dislands,thestars—onthefirm
earth,thelands,mylands,
O lands! all so dear to me—what you are, (whatever it is,) I
puttingit
at random in these songs, become a part of that, whatever it
is,
Southwardthere,Iscreaming,withwingsslowflapping,withthe
myriadsofgullswinteringalongthecoastsofFlorida,
OtherwaysthereatwixtthebanksoftheArkansaw,theRioGrande,
theNueces,theBrazos,theTombigbee,theRedRiver,the
SaskatchawanortheOsage,Iwiththespringwaterslaughing
andskippingandrunning,
Northward,onthesands,onsomeshallowbayofPaumanok,Iwith
partiesofsnowyheronswadinginthewettoseekwormsand
aquaticplants,
Retreating,triumphantlytwittering,theking-bird,frompiercing
the crow with its bill, for amusement—and I triumphantly
twittering,
Themigratingflockofwildgeesealightinginautumntorefresh
themselves,thebodyoftheflockfeed,thesentinelsoutside
move around with erect heads watching, and are from time to
time
reliev'dbyothersentinels—andIfeedingandtakingturns
withtherest,
InKanadianforeststhemoose,largeasanox,corner'dbyhunters,
risingdesperatelyonhishind-feet,andplungingwithhis
fore-feet,thehoofsassharpasknives—andI,plungingatthe
hunters,corner'danddesperate,
IntheMannahatta,streets,piers,shipping,store-houses,andthe
countlessworkmenworkingintheshops,
AndItoooftheMannahatta,singingthereof—andnolessinmyself
thanthewholeoftheMannahattainitself,
SingingthesongofThese,myever-unitedlands—mybodynomore
inevitablyunited,parttopart,andmadeoutofathousand
diversecontributionsoneidentity,anymorethanmylands
areinevitablyunitedandmadeONEIDENTITY;
Nativities,climates,thegrassofthegreatpastoralPlains,
Cities, labors, death, animals,products, war, good and evil—these
me,
Theseaffording,inalltheirparticulars,theoldfeuillagetome
and to America, how can I do less than pass the clew of the
union
ofthem,toaffordtheliketoyou?
Whoeveryouare!howcanIbutofferyoudivineleaves,thatyou
alsobeeligibleasIam?
HowcanIbutasherechanting,inviteyouforyourselftocollect
bouquetsoftheincomparablefeuillageoftheseStates?
BOOKXI
ASongofJoys
Otomakethemostjubilantsong!
Fullofmusic—fullofmanhood,womanhood,infancy!
Fullofcommonemployments—fullofgrainandtrees.
O for the voices of animals—O for the swiftness and balance of
fishes!
Oforthedroppingofraindropsinasong!
Oforthesunshineandmotionofwavesinasong!
Othejoyofmyspirit—itisuncaged—itdartslikelightning!
Itisnotenoughtohavethisglobeoracertaintime,
Iwillhavethousandsofglobesandalltime.
Otheengineer'sjoys!togowithalocomotive!
Tohearthehissofsteam,themerryshriek,thesteam-whistle,the
laughinglocomotive!
Topushwithresistlesswayandspeedoffinthedistance.
Othegleesomesaunteroverfieldsandhillsides!
Theleavesandflowersofthecommonestweeds,themoistfresh
stillnessofthewoods,
The exquisite smell of the earth at daybreak, and all through the
forenoon.
Othehorseman'sandhorsewoman'sjoys!
Thesaddle,thegallop,thepressureupontheseat,thecool
gurglingbytheearsandhair.
Othefireman'sjoys!
Ihearthealarmatdeadofnight,
Ihearbells,shouts!Ipassthecrowd,Irun!
Thesightoftheflamesmaddensmewithpleasure.
Othejoyofthestrong-brawn'dfighter,toweringinthearenain
perfect condition, conscious of power, thirsting to meet his
opponent.
Othejoyofthatvastelementalsympathywhichonlythehumansoul
is
capable of generating and emitting in steady and limitless
floods.
Othemother'sjoys!
Thewatching,theendurance,thepreciouslove,theanguish,the
patientlyyieldedlife.
Otheofincrease,growth,recuperation,
Thejoyofsoothingandpacifying,thejoyofconcordandharmony.
OtogobacktotheplacewhereIwasborn,
Tohearthebirdssingoncemore,
Torambleaboutthehouseandbarnandoverthefieldsoncemore,
Andthroughtheorchardandalongtheoldlanesoncemore.
O to have been brought up on bays, lagoons, creeks, or along the
coast,
Tocontinueandbeemploy'dthereallmylife,
Thebrinyanddampsmell,theshore,thesaltweedsexposedatlow
water,
Theworkoffishermen,theworkoftheeel-fisherandclam-fisher;
Icomewithmyclam-rakeandspade,Icomewithmyeel-spear,
Isthetideout?IJointhegroupofclam-diggersontheflats,
I laugh and work with them, I joke at my work like a mettlesome
youngman;
InwinterItakemyeel-basketandeel-spearandtraveloutonfoot
ontheice—Ihaveasmallaxetocutholesintheice,
Beholdmewell-clothedgoinggaylyorreturningintheafternoon,
mybroodoftoughboysaccompanyingme,
Mybroodofgrownandpart-grownboys,wholovetobewithno
oneelsesowellastheylovetobewithme,
Bydaytoworkwithme,andbynighttosleepwithme.
Another time in warm weather out in a boat, to lift the lobsterpots
wheretheyaresunkwithheavystones,(Iknowthebuoys,)
OthesweetnessoftheFifth-monthmorninguponthewaterasIrow
justbeforesunrisetowardthebuoys,
Ipullthewickerpotsupslantingly,thedarkgreenlobstersare
desperatewiththeirclawsasItakethemout,Iinsert
woodenpegsinthe'ointsoftheirpincers,
Igotoalltheplacesoneafteranother,andthenrowbacktothe
shore,
There in a huge kettle of boiling water the lobsters shall be
boil'd
tilltheircolorbecomesscarlet.
Anothertimemackerel-taking,
Voracious, mad for the hook, near the surface, they seem to fill
the
waterformiles;
Anothertimefishingforrock-fishinChesapeakebay,Ioneofthe
brown-facedcrew;
Another time trailing for blue-fish off Paumanok, I stand with
bracedbody,
Myleftfootisonthegunwale,myrightarmthrowsfaroutthe
coilsofslenderrope,
In sight around me the quick veering and darting of fifty skiffs,
my
companions.
Oboatingontherivers,
ThevoyagedowntheSt.Lawrence,thesuperbscenery,thesteamers,
Theshipssailing,theThousandIslands,theoccasionaltimber-raft
andtheraftsmenwithlong-reachingsweep-oars,
The little huts on the rafts, and the stream of smoke when they
cook
supperatevening.
(Osomethingperniciousanddread!
Somethingfarawayfromapunyandpiouslife!
Somethingunproved!somethinginatrance!
Somethingescapedfromtheanchorageanddrivingfree.)
Otoworkinmines,orforgingiron,
Foundrycasting,thefoundryitself,therudehighroof,theample
andshadow'dspace,
Thefurnace,thehotliquidpour'doutandrunning.
Otoresumethejoysofthesoldier!
To feel the presence of a brave commanding officer—to feel his
sympathy!
Tobeholdhiscalmness—tobewarm'dintheraysofhissmile!
Togotobattle—tohearthebuglesplayandthedrumsbeat!
To hear the crash of artillery—to see the glittering of the
bayonets
andmusket-barrelsinthesun!
Toseemenfallanddieandnotcomplain!
Totastethesavagetasteofblood—tobesodevilish!
Togloatsooverthewoundsanddeathsoftheenemy.
Othewhaleman'sjoys!OIcruisemyoldcruiseagain!
I feel the ship's motion under me, I feel the Atlantic breezes
fanningme,
Ihearthecryagainsentdownfromthemast-head,There—sheblows!
AgainIspringuptheriggingtolookwiththerest—wedescend,
wildwithexcitement,
Ileapinthelower'dboat,werowtowardourpreywherehelies,
Weapproachstealthyandsilent,Iseethemountainousmass,
lethargic,basking,
Iseetheharpooneerstandingup,Iseetheweapondartfromhis
vigorousarm;
Oswiftagainfaroutintheoceanthewoundedwhale,settling,
runningtowindward,towsme,
AgainIseehimrisetobreathe,werowcloseagain,
Iseealancedriventhroughhisside,press'ddeep,turn'dinthe
wound,
Againwebackoff,Iseehimsettleagain,thelifeisleavinghim
fast,
Asheriseshespoutsblood,Iseehimswimincirclesnarrowerand
narrower,swiftlycuttingthewater—Iseehimdie,
Hegivesoneconvulsiveleapinthecentreofthecircle,andthen
fallsflatandstillinthebloodyfoam.
Otheoldmanhoodofme,mynoblestjoyofall!
Mychildrenandgrand-children,mywhitehairandbeard,
My largeness, calmness, majesty, out of the long stretch of my
life.
Oripen'djoyofwomanhood!Ohappinessatlast!
Iammorethaneightyyearsofage,Iamthemostvenerablemother,
Howclearismymind—howallpeopledrawnightome!
Whatattractionsarethesebeyondanybefore?whatbloommore
thanthebloomofyouth?
Whatbeautyisthisthatdescendsuponmeandrisesoutofme?
Otheorator'sjoys!
Toinflatethechest,torollthethunderofthevoiceoutfromthe
ribsandthroat,
Tomakethepeoplerage,weep,hate,desire,withyourself,
ToleadAmerica—toquellAmericawithagreattongue.
O the joy of my soul leaning pois'd on itself, receiving identity
through
materials and loving them, observing characters and absorbing
them,
Mysoulvibratedbacktomefromthem,fromsight,hearing,touch,
reason,articulation,comparison,memory,andthelike,
The real life of my senses and flesh transcending my senses and
flesh,
Mybodydonewithmaterials,mysightdonewithmymaterialeyes,
Provedtomethisdaybeyondcavilthatitisnotmymaterialeyes
whichfinallysee,
Normymaterialbodywhichfinallyloves,walks,laughs,shouts,
embraces,procreates.
Othefarmer'sjoys!
Ohioan's,Illinoisian's,Wisconsinese',Kanadian's,Iowan's,
Kansian's,Missourian's,Oregonese'joys!
Toriseatpeepofdayandpassforthnimblytowork,
Toploughlandinthefallforwinter-sowncrops,
Toploughlandinthespringformaize,
To train orchards, to graft the trees, to gather apples in the
fall.
Otobatheintheswimming-bath,orinagoodplacealongshore,
To splash the water! to walk ankle-deep, or race naked along the
shore.
Otorealizespace!
Theplenteousnessofall,thattherearenobounds,
Toemergeandbeofthesky,ofthesunandmoonandflying
clouds,asonewiththem.
Othejoyamanlyself-hood!
Tobeserviletonone,todefertonone,nottoanytyrantknownor
unknown,
Towalkwitherectcarriage,astepspringyandelastic,
Tolookwithcalmgazeorwithaflashingeye,
Tospeakwithafullandsonorousvoiceoutofabroadchest,
To confront with your personality all the other personalities of
theearth.
Knowistthoutheexcellentjoysofyouth?
Joys of the dear companions and of the merry word and laughing
face?
Joyofthegladlight-beamingday,joyofthewide-breath'dgames?
Joyofsweetmusic,joyofthelightedball-roomandthedancers?
Joyoftheplenteousdinner,strongcarouseanddrinking?
YetOmysoulsupreme!
Knowistthouthejoysofpensivethought?
Joysofthefreeandlonesomeheart,thetender,gloomyheart?
Joys of the solitary walk, the spirit bow'd yet proud, the
suffering
andthestruggle?
Theagonisticthroes,theecstasies,joysofthesolemnmusingsday
ornight?
JoysofthethoughtofDeath,thegreatspheresTimeandSpace?
Propheticjoysofbetter,loftierlove'sideals,thedivinewife,
thesweet,eternal,perfectcomrade?
Joysallthineownundyingone,joysworthytheeOsoul.
OwhileIlivetobetheruleroflife,notaslave,
Tomeetlifeasapowerfulconqueror,
Nofumes,noennui,nomorecomplaintsorscornfulcriticisms,
Totheseproudlawsoftheair,thewaterandtheground,proving
myinteriorsoulimpregnable,
Andnothingexteriorshallevertakecommandofme.
Fornotlife'sjoysaloneIsing,repeating—thejoyofdeath!
ThebeautifultouchofDeath,soothingandbenumbingafewmoments,
forreasons,
Myself discharging my excrementitious body to be burn'd, or
render'd
topowder,orburied,
Myrealbodydoubtlesslefttomeforotherspheres,
Myvoidedbodynothingmoretome,returningtothepurifications,
furtheroffices,eternalusesoftheearth.
Otoattractbymorethanattraction!
HowitisIknownot—yetbehold!thesomethingwhichobeysnone
oftherest,
Itisoffensive,neverdefensive—yethowmagneticitdraws.
Otostruggleagainstgreatodds,tomeetenemiesundaunted!
Tobeentirelyalonewiththem,tofindhowmuchonecanstand!
Tolookstrife,torture,prison,popularodium,facetoface!
Tomountthescaffold,toadvancetothemuzzlesofgunswith
perfectnonchalance!
TobeindeedaGod!
Otosailtoseainaship!
Toleavethissteadyunendurableland,
To leave the tiresome sameness of the streets, the sidewalks and
the
houses,
ToleaveyouOyousolidmotionlessland,andenteringaship,
Tosailandsailandsail!
Otohavelifehenceforthapoemofnewjoys!
Todance,claphands,exult,shout,skip,leap,rollon,floaton!
Tobeasailoroftheworldboundforallports,
A ship itself, (see indeed these sails I spread to the sun and
air,)
Aswiftandswellingshipfullofrichwords,fullofjoys.
BOOKXII
SongoftheBroad-Axe
1
Weaponshapely,naked,wan,
Headfromthemother'sbowelsdrawn,
Woodedfleshandmetalbone,limbonlyoneandliponlyone,
Gray-blueleafbyred-heatgrown,helveproducedfromalittleseed
sown,
Restingthegrassamidandupon,
Tobelean'dandtoleanon.
Strongshapesandattributesofstrongshapes,masculinetrades,
sightsandsounds.
Longvariedtrainofanemblem,dabsofmusic,
Fingers of the organist skipping staccato over the keys of the
greatorgan.
2
Welcomeareallearth'slands,eachforitskind,
Welcomearelandsofpineandoak,
Welcomearelandsofthelemonandfig,
Welcomearelandsofgold,
Welcomearelandsofwheatandmaize,welcomethoseofthegrape,
Welcomearelandsofsugarandrice,
Welcomethecotton-lands,welcomethoseofthewhitepotatoand
sweetpotato,
Welcomearemountains,flats,sands,forests,prairies,
Welcometherichbordersofrivers,table-lands,openings,
Welcomethemeasurelessgrazing-lands,welcometheteemingsoilof
orchards,flax,honey,hemp;
Welcomejustasmuchtheothermorehard-facedlands,
Landsrichaslandsofgoldorwheatandfruitlands,
Landsofmines,landsofthemanlyandruggedores,
Landsofcoal,copper,lead,tin,zinc,
Landsofiron—landsofthemakeoftheaxe.
3
Thelogatthewood-pile,theaxesupportedbyit,
The sylvan hut, the vine over the doorway, the space clear'd for
garden,
Theirregulartappingofraindownontheleavesafterthestormis
lull'd,
Thewallingandmoaningatintervals,thethoughtofthesea,
The thought of ships struck in the storm and put on their beam
ends,
andthecuttingawayofmasts,
The sentiment of the huge timbers of old-fashion'd houses and
barns,
Theremember'dprintornarrative,thevoyageataventureofmen,
families,goods,
Thedisembarkation,thefoundingofanewcity,
The voyage of those who sought a New England and found it, the
outset
anywhere,
ThesettlementsoftheArkansas,Colorado,Ottawa,Willamette,
Theslowprogress,thescantfare,theaxe,rifle,saddle-bags;
Thebeautyofalladventurousanddaringpersons,
The beauty of wood-boys and wood-men with their clear untrimm'd
faces,
The beauty of independence, departure, actions that rely on
themselves,
TheAmericancontemptforstatutesandceremonies,theboundless
impatienceofrestraint,
Theloosedriftofcharacter,theinklingthroughrandomtypes,the
solidification;
Thebutcherintheslaughter-house,thehandsaboardschoonersand
sloops,theraftsman,thepioneer,
Lumbermenintheirwintercamp,daybreakinthewoods,stripesof
snowonthelimbsoftrees,theoccasionalsnapping,
The glad clear sound of one's own voice, the merry song, the
natural
lifeofthewoods,thestrongday'swork,
Theblazingfireatnight,thesweettasteofsupper,thetalk,the
bedofhemlock-boughsandthebear-skin;
Thehouse-builderatworkincitiesoranywhere,
Thepreparatoryjointing,squaring,sawing,mortising,
The hoist-up of beams, the push of them in their places, laying
them
regular,
Settingthestudsbytheirtenonsinthemortisesaccordingasthey
wereprepared,
Theblowsofmalletsandhammers,theattitudesofthemen,their
curv'dlimbs,
Bending, standing, astride the beams, driving in pins, holding on
by
postsandbraces,
Thehook'darmovertheplate,theotherarmwieldingtheaxe,
Thefloor-menforcingtheplanksclosetobenail'd,
Theirposturesbringingtheirweaponsdownwardonthebearers,
Theechoesresoundingthroughthevacantbuilding:
Thehugestorehousecarriedupinthecitywellunderway,
The six framing-men, two in the middle and two at each end,
carefully
bearingontheirshouldersaheavystickforacross-beam,
The crowded line of masons with trowels in their right hands
rapidly
layingthelongside-wall,twohundredfeetfromfronttorear,
Theflexibleriseandfallofbacks,thecontinualclickofthe
trowelsstrikingthebricks,
Thebricksoneafteranothereachlaidsoworkmanlikeinitsplace,
andsetwithaknockofthetrowel-handle,
Thepilesofmaterials,themortaronthemortar-boards,andthe
steadyreplenishingbythehod-men;
Spar-makers in the spar-yard, the swarming row of well-grown
apprentices,
Theswingoftheiraxesonthesquare-hew'dlogshapingittoward
theshapeofamast,
The brisk short crackle of the steel driven slantingly into the
pine,
Thebutter-color'dchipsflyingoffingreatflakesandslivers,
Thelimbermotionofbrawnyyoungarmsandhipsineasycostumes,
Theconstructorofwharves,bridges,piers,bulk-heads,floats,
staysagainstthesea;
Thecityfireman,thefirethatsuddenlyburstsforthinthe
close-pack'dsquare,
The arriving engines, the hoarse shouts, the nimble stepping and
daring,
Thestrongcommandthroughthefire-trumpets,thefallinginline,
theriseandfallofthearmsforcingthewater,
Theslender,spasmic,blue-whitejets,thebringingtobearofthe
hooksandladdersandtheirexecution,
Thecrashandcutawayofconnectingwood-work,orthroughfloors
ifthefiresmouldersunderthem,
The crowd with their lit faces watching, the glare and dense
shadows;
Theforgerathisforge-furnaceandtheuserofironafterhim,
Themakeroftheaxelargeandsmall,andthewelderandtemperer,
Thechooserbreathinghisbreathonthecoldsteelandtryingthe
edgewithhisthumb,
The one who clean-shapes the handle and sets it firmly in the
socket;
Theshadowyprocessionsoftheportraitsofthepastusersalso,
Theprimalpatientmechanics,thearchitectsandengineers,
Thefar-offAssyrianedificeandMizraedifice,
TheRomanlictorsprecedingtheconsuls,
TheantiqueEuropeanwarriorwithhisaxeincombat,
Theupliftedarm,theclatterofblowsonthehelmetedhead,
The death-howl, the limpsy tumbling body, the rush of friend and
foe
thither,
Thesiegeofrevoltedliegesdetermin'dforliberty,
Thesummonstosurrender,thebatteringatcastlegates,thetruce
andparley,
Thesackofanoldcityinitstime,
The bursting in of mercenaries and bigots tumultuously and
disorderly,
Roar,flames,blood,drunkenness,madness,
Goods freely rifled from houses and temples, screams of women in
the
gripeofbrigands,
Craft and thievery of camp-followers, men running, old persons
despairing,
Thehellofwar,thecrueltiesofcreeds,
Thelistofallexecutivedeedsandwordsjustorunjust,
Thepowerofpersonalityjustorunjust.
4
Muscleandpluckforever!
Whatinvigorateslifeinvigoratesdeath,
Andthedeadadvanceasmuchasthelivingadvance,
Andthefutureisnomoreuncertainthanthepresent,
Fortheroughnessoftheearthandofmanenclosesasmuchasthe
delicatesseoftheearthandofman,
Andnothingenduresbutpersonalqualities.
Whatdoyouthinkendures?
Doyouthinkagreatcityendures?
Or a teeming manufacturing state? or a prepared constitution? or
the
bestbuiltsteamships?
Or hotels of granite and iron? or any chef-d'oeuvres of
engineering,
forts,armaments?
Away!thesearenottobecherish'dforthemselves,
They fill their hour, the dancers dance, the musicians play for
them,
Theshowpasses,alldoeswellenoughofcourse,
Alldoesverywelltilloneflashofdefiance.
Agreatcityisthatwhichhasthegreatestmenandwomen,
Ifitbeafewraggedhutsitisstillthegreatestcityinthe
wholeworld.
5
Theplacewhereagreatcitystandsisnottheplaceofstretch'd
wharves,docks,manufactures,depositsofproducemerely,
Northeplaceofceaselesssalutesofnew-comersorthe
anchor-liftersofthedeparting,
Northeplaceofthetallestandcostliestbuildingsorshops
sellinggoodsfromtherestoftheearth,
Nor the place of the best libraries and schools, nor the place
where
moneyisplentiest,
Northeplaceofthemostnumerouspopulation.
Where the city stands with the brawniest breed of orators and
bards,
Wherethecitystandsthatisbelov'dbythese,andlovesthemin
returnandunderstandsthem,
Where no monuments exist to heroes but in the common words and
deeds,
Wherethriftisinitsplace,andprudenceisinitsplace,
Wherethemenandwomenthinklightlyofthelaws,
Wheretheslaveceases,andthemasterofslavesceases,
Where the populace rise at once against the never-ending audacity
of
electedpersons,
Wherefiercemenandwomenpourforthastheseatothewhistleof
deathpoursitssweepingandunriptwaves,
Where outside authority enters always after the precedence of
inside
authority,
Wherethecitizenisalwaystheheadandideal,andPresident,
Mayor,Governorandwhatnot,areagentsforpay,
Where children are taught to be laws to themselves, and to depend
on
themselves,
Whereequanimityisillustratedinaffairs,
Wherespeculationsonthesoulareencouraged,
Where women walk in public processions in the streets the same as
themen,
Where they enter the public assembly and take places the same as
themen;
Wherethecityofthefaithfulestfriendsstands,
Wherethecityofthecleanlinessofthesexesstands,
Wherethecityofthehealthiestfathersstands,
Wherethecityofthebest-bodiedmothersstands,
Therethegreatcitystands.
6
Howbeggarlyappearargumentsbeforeadefiantdeed!
Howthefloridnessofthematerialsofcitiesshrivelsbeforea
man'sorwoman'slook!
Allwaitsorgoesbydefaulttillastrongbeingappears;
A strong being is the proof of the race and of the ability of the
universe,
Whenheorsheappearsmaterialsareoveraw'd,
Thedisputeonthesoulstops,
The old customs and phrases are confronted, turn'd back, or laid
away.
Whatisyourmoney-makingnow?whatcanitdonow?
Whatisyourrespectabilitynow?
What are your theology, tuition, society, traditions, statutebooks,now?
Whereareyourjibesofbeingnow?
Whereareyourcavilsaboutthesoulnow?
7
A sterile landscape covers the ore, there is as good as the best
for
alltheforbiddingappearance,
Thereisthemine,therearetheminers,
The forge-furnace is there, the melt is accomplish'd, the
hammersmen
areathandwiththeirtongsandhammers,
Whatalwaysservedandalwaysservesisathand.
Thanthisnothinghasbetterserved,ithasservedall,
Servedthefluent-tonguedandsubtle-sensedGreek,andlongerethe
Greek,
Servedinbuildingthebuildingsthatlastlongerthanany,
ServedtheHebrew,thePersian,themostancientHindustanee,
Servedthemound-raiserontheMississippi,servedthosewhose
relicsremaininCentralAmerica,
ServedAlbictemplesinwoodsoronplains,withunhewnpillarsand
thedruids,
Servedtheartificialclefts,vast,high,silent,onthe
snow-cover'dhillsofScandinavia,
Servedthosewhotimeoutofmindmadeonthegranitewallsrough
sketchesofthesun,moon,stars,ships,oceanwaves,
Served the paths of the irruptions of the Goths, served the
pastoral
tribesandnomads,
Served the long distant Kelt, served the hardy pirates of the
Baltic,
Served before any of those the venerable and harmless men of
Ethiopia,
Servedthemakingofhelmsforthegalleysofpleasureandthe
makingofthoseforwar,
Servedallgreatworksonlandandallgreatworksonthesea,
Forthemediaevalagesandbeforethemediaevalages,
Servednotthelivingonlythenasnow,butservedthedead.
8
IseetheEuropeanheadsman,
He stands mask'd, clothed in red, with huge legs and strong naked
arms,
Andleansonaponderousaxe.
(Whomhaveyouslaughter'dlatelyEuropeanheadsman?
Whoseisthatblooduponyousowetandsticky?)
Iseetheclearsunsetsofthemartyrs,
Iseefromthescaffoldsthedescendingghosts,
Ghosts of dead lords, uncrown'd ladies, impeach'd ministers,
rejectedkings,
Rivals,traitors,poisoners,disgracedchieftainsandtherest.
Iseethosewhoinanylandhavediedforthegoodcause,
Theseedisspare,neverthelessthecropshallneverrunout,
(Mind you O foreign kings, O priests, the crop shall never run
out.)
Iseethebloodwash'dentirelyawayfromtheaxe,
Bothbladeandhelveareclean,
TheyspirtnomorethebloodofEuropeannobles,theyclaspnomore
thenecksofqueens.
Iseetheheadsmanwithdrawandbecomeuseless,
I see the scaffold untrodden and mouldy, I see no longer any axe
uponit,
Iseethemightyandfriendlyemblemofthepowerofmyownrace,
thenewest,largestrace.
9
(America!Idonotvauntmyloveforyou,
IhavewhatIhave.)
Theaxeleaps!
Thesolidforestgivesfluidutterances,
Theytumbleforth,theyriseandform,
Hut,tent,landing,survey,
Flail,plough,pick,crowbar,spade,
Shingle,rail,prop,wainscot,lamb,lath,panel,gable,
Citadel, ceiling, saloon, academy, organ, exhibition-house,
library,
Cornice,trellis,pilaster,balcony,window,turret,porch,
Hoe, rake, pitchfork, pencil, wagon, staff, saw, jack-plane,
mallet,
wedge,rounce,
Chair,tub,hoop,table,wicket,vane,sash,floor,
Work-box,chest,string'dinstrument,boat,frame,andwhatnot,
CapitolsofStates,andcapitolofthenationofStates,
Longstatelyrowsinavenues,hospitalsfororphansorforthepoor
orsick,
Manhattansteamboatsandclipperstakingthemeasureofallseas.
Theshapesarise!
Shapesoftheusingofaxesanyhow,andtheusersandallthat
neighborsthem,
CuttersdownofwoodandhaulersofittothePenobscotorKenebec,
DwellersincabinsamongtheCalifornianmountainsorbythelittle
lakes,orontheColumbia,
DwellerssouthonthebanksoftheGilaorRioGrande,friendly
gatherings,thecharactersandfun,
DwellersalongtheSt.Lawrence,ornorthinKanada,ordownbythe
Yellowstone,dwellersoncoastsandoffcoasts,
Seal-fishers, whalers, arctic seamen breaking passages through the
ice.
Theshapesarise!
Shapesoffactories,arsenals,foundries,markets,
Shapesofthetwo-threadedtracksofrailroads,
Shapes of the sleepers of bridges, vast frameworks, girders,
arches,
Shapes of the fleets of barges, tows, lake and canal craft, river
craft,
Ship-yardsanddry-docksalongtheEasternandWesternseas,andin
manyabayandby-place,
Thelive-oakkelsons,thepineplanks,thespars,the
hackmatack-rootsforknees,
Theshipsthemselvesontheirways,thetiersofscaffolds,the
workmenbusyoutsideandinside,
Thetoolslyingaround,thegreataugerandlittleauger,theadze,
bolt,line,square,gouge,andbead-plane.
10
Theshapesarise!
Theshapemeasur'd,saw'd,jack'd,join'd,stain'd,
Thecoffin-shapeforthedeadtoliewithininhisshroud,
Theshapegotoutinposts,inthebedsteadposts,inthepostsof
thebride'sbed,
Theshapeofthelittletrough,theshapeoftherockersbeneath,
theshapeofthebabe'scradle,
Theshapeofthefloor-planks,thefloor-planksfordancers'feet,
The shape of the planks of the family home, the home of the
friendly
parentsandchildren,
Theshapeoftheroofofthehomeofthehappyyoungmanand
woman,theroofoverthewell-marriedyoungmanandwoman,
The roof over the supper joyously cook'd by the chaste wife, and
joyously
eatenbythechastehusband,contentafterhisday'swork.
Theshapesarise!
Theshapeoftheprisoner'splaceinthecourt-room,andofhimor
herseatedintheplace,
Theshapeoftheliquor-barlean'dagainstbytheyoungrum-drinker
andtheoldrum-drinker,
The shape of the shamed and angry stairs trod by sneaking footsteps,
Theshapeoftheslysettee,andtheadulterousunwholesomecouple,
The shape of the gambling-board with its devilish winnings and
losings,
Theshapeofthestep-ladderfortheconvictedandsentenced
murderer,themurdererwithhaggardfaceandpinion'darms,
Thesheriffathandwithhisdeputies,thesilentandwhite-lipp'd
crowd,thedanglingoftherope.
Theshapesarise!
Shapesofdoorsgivingmanyexitsandentrances,
Thedoorpassingthedissever'dfriendflush'dandinhaste,
Thedoorthatadmitsgoodnewsandbadnews,
Thedoorwhencethesonlefthomeconfidentandpuff'dup,
Thedoorheenter'dagainfromalongandscandalousabsence,
diseas'd,brokendown,withoutinnocence,withoutmeans.
11
Hershapearises,
Shelessguardedthanever,yetmoreguardedthanever,
The gross and soil'd she moves among do not make her gross and
soil'd,
She knows the thoughts as she passes, nothing is conceal'd from
her,
Sheisnonethelessconsiderateorfriendlytherefor,
Sheisthebestbelov'd,itiswithoutexception,shehasnoreason
tofearandshedoesnotfear,
Oaths,quarrels,hiccupp'dsongs,smuttyexpressions,areidleto
herasshepasses,
Sheissilent,sheispossess'dofherself,theydonotoffendher,
She receives them as the laws of Nature receive them, she is
strong,
ShetooisalawofNature—thereisnolawstrongerthansheis.
12
Themainshapesarise!
ShapesofDemocracytotal,resultofcenturies,
Shapeseverprojectingothershapes,
Shapesofturbulentmanlycities,
Shapesofthefriendsandhome-giversofthewholeearth,
Shapesbracingtheearthandbracedwiththewholeearth.
BOOKXIII
SongoftheExposition
1
(Ahlittlerecksthelaborer,
HownearhisworkisholdinghimtoGod,
ThelovingLaborerthroughspaceandtime.)
Afterallnottocreateonly,orfoundonly,
Buttobringperhapsfromafarwhatisalreadyfounded,
Togiveitourownidentity,average,limitless,free,
Tofillthegrossthetorpidbulkwithvitalreligiousfire,
Nottorepelordestroysomuchasaccept,fuse,rehabilitate,
Toobeyaswellascommand,tofollowmorethantolead,
ThesealsoarethelessonsofourNewWorld;
WhilehowlittletheNewafterall,howmuchtheOld,OldWorld!
Longandlonghasthegrassbeengrowing,
Longandlonghastherainbeenfalling,
Longhastheglobebeenrollinground.
2
ComeMusemigratefromGreeceandIonia,
Crossoutpleasethoseimmenselyoverpaidaccounts,
That matter of Troy and Achilles' wrath, and AEneas', Odysseus'
wanderings,
Placard "Removed" and "To Let" on the rocks of your snowy
Parnassus,
RepeatatJerusalem,placethenoticehighonjaffa'sgateandon
MountMoriah,
ThesameonthewallsofyourGerman,FrenchandSpanishcastles,
andItaliancollections,
Forknowabetter,fresher,busiersphere,awide,untrieddomain
awaits,demandsyou.
3
Responsivetooursummons,
Orrathertoherlong-nurs'dinclination,
Join'dwithanirresistible,naturalgravitation,
Shecomes!Iheartherustlingofhergown,
Iscenttheodorofherbreath'sdeliciousfragrance,
Imarkherstepdivine,hercuriouseyesa-turning,rolling,
Uponthisveryscene.
Thedameofdames!canIbelievethen,
Those ancient temples, sculptures classic, could none of them
retainher?
NorshadesofVirgilandDante,normyriadmemories,poems,old
associations,magnetizeandholdontoher?
Butthatshe'sleftthemall—andhere?
Yes,ifyouwillallowmetosayso,
I,myfriends,ifyoudonot,canplainlyseeher,
Thesameundyingsoulofearth's,activity's,beauty's,heroism's
expression,
Outfromherevolutionshithercome,endedthestrataofherformer
themes,
Hiddenandcover'dbyto-day's,foundationofto-day's,
Ended,deceas'dthroughtime,hervoicebyCastaly'sfountain,
Silentthebroken-lipp'dSphynxinEgypt,silentallthosecenturybafflingtombs,
Ended for aye the epics of Asia's, Europe's helmeted warriors,
ended
theprimitivecallofthemuses,
Calliope'scallforeverclosed,Clio,Melpomene,Thaliadead,
Ended the stately rhythmus of Una and Oriana, ended the quest of
the
holyGraal,
Jerusalemahandfulofashesblownbythewind,extinct,
The Crusaders' streams of shadowy midnight troops sped with the
sunrise,
Amadis,Tancred,utterlygone,Charlemagne,Roland,Olivergone,
Palmerin,ogre,departed,vanish'dtheturretsthatUskfromits
watersreflected,
Arthurvanish'dwithallhisknights,MerlinandLancelotand
Galahad,allgone,dissolv'dutterlylikeanexhalation;
Pass'd!pass'd!forus,foreverpass'd,thatoncesomightyworld,
nowvoid,inanimate,phantomworld,
Embroider'd, dazzling, foreign world, with all its gorgeous
legends,myths,
Itskingsandcastlesproud,itspriestsandwarlikelordsand
courtlydames,
Pass'dtoitscharnelvault,coffin'dwithcrownandarmoron,
Blazon'dwithShakspere'spurplepage,
AnddirgedbyTennyson'ssweetsadrhyme.
I say I see, my friends, if you do not, the illustrious emigre,
(havingit
is true in her day, although the same, changed, journey'd
considerable,)
Makingdirectlyforthisrendezvous,vigorouslyclearingapathfor
herself,stridingthroughtheconfusion,
Bythudofmachineryandshrillsteam-whistleundismay'd,
Bluff'd not a bit by drain-pipe, gasometers, artificial
fertilizers,
Smilingandpleas'dwithpalpableintenttostay,
She'shere,install'damidthekitchenware!
4
Buthold—don'tIforgetmymanners?
Tointroducethestranger,(whatelseindeeddoIlivetochant
for?)totheeColumbia;
Inliberty'snamewelcomeimmortal!clasphands,
Andeverhenceforthsistersdearbeboth.
FearnotOMuse!trulynewwaysanddaysreceive,surroundyou,
Icandidlyconfessaqueer,queerrace,ofnovelfashion,
Andyetthesameoldhumanrace,thesamewithin,without,
Facesandheartsthesame,feelingsthesame,yearningsthesame,
Thesameoldlove,beautyandusethesame.
5
We do not blame thee elder World, nor really separate ourselves
fromthee,
(Wouldthesonseparatehimselffromthefather?)
Lookingbackonthee,seeingtheetothyduties,grandeurs,through
pastagesbending,building,
Webuildtooursto-day.
MightierthanEgypt'stombs,
FairerthanGrecia's,Roma'stemples,
ProuderthanMilan'sstatued,spiredcathedral,
MorepicturesquethanRhenishcastle-keeps,
Weplanevennowtoraise,beyondthemall,
Thygreatcathedralsacredindustry,notomb,
Akeepforlifeforpracticalinvention.
Asinawakingvision,
E'en while I chant I see it rise, I scan and prophesy outside and
in,
Itsmanifoldensemble.
Aroundapalace,loftier,fairer,amplerthananyyet,
Earth'smodernwonder,history'ssevenoutstripping,
Highrisingtierontierwithglassandironfacades,
Gladdeningthesunandsky,enhuedincheerfulesthues,
Bronze,lilac,robin's-egg,marineandcrimson,
Overwhosegoldenroofshallflaunt,beneaththybannerFreedom,
ThebannersoftheStatesandflagsofeveryland,
Abroodoflofty,fair,butlesserpalacesshallcluster.
Somewherewithintheirwallsshallallthatforwardsperfecthuman
lifebestarted,
Tried,taught,advanced,visiblyexhibited.
Notonlyalltheworldofworks,trade,products,
Butalltheworkmenoftheworldheretoberepresented.
Hereshallyoutraceinflowingoperation,
In every state of practical, busy movement, the rills of
civilization,
Materials here under your eye shall change their shape as if by
magic,
Thecottonshallbepick'dalmostintheveryfield,
Shallbedried,clean'd,ginn'd,baled,spunintothreadandcloth
beforeyou,
You shall see hands at work at all the old processes and all the
newones,
Youshallseethevariousgrainsandhowflourismadeandthen
breadbakedbythebakers,
You shall see the crude ores of California and Nevada passing on
and
ontilltheybecomebullion,
Youshallwatchhowtheprintersetstype,andlearnwhata
composing-stickis,
YoushallmarkinamazementtheHoepresswhirlingitscylinders,
sheddingtheprintedleavessteadyandfast,
The photograph, model, watch, pin, nail, shall be created before
you.
Inlargecalmhalls,astatelymuseumshallteachyoutheinfinite
lessonsofminerals,
Inanother,woods,plants,vegetationshallbeillustrated—in
anotheranimals,animallifeanddevelopment.
Onestatelyhouseshallbethemusichouse,
Othersforotherarts—learning,thesciences,shallallbehere,
None shall be slighted, none but shall here be honor'd, help'd,
exampled.
6
(This, this and these, America, shall be your pyramids and
obelisks,
YourAlexandrianPharos,gardensofBabylon,
YourtempleatOlympia.)
Themaleandfemalemanylaboringnot,
Shalleverhereconfrontthelaboringmany,
Withpreciousbenefitstoboth,glorytoall,
TotheeAmerica,andtheeeternalMuse.
AndhereshallyeinhabitpowerfulMatrons!
Inyourvaststatevasterthanalltheold,
Echoedthroughlong,longcenturiestocome,
Tosoundofdifferent,proudersongs,withstrongerthemes,
Practical,peacefullife,thepeople'slife,thePeoplethemselves,
Lifted,illumin'd,bathedinpeace—elate,secureinpeace.
7
Awaywiththemesofwar!awaywithwaritself!
Hencefrommyshudderingsighttonevermorereturnthatshowof
blacken'd,mutilatedcorpses!
Thathellunpentandraidofblood,fitforwildtigersorfor
lop-tonguedwolves,notreasoningmen,
Andinitssteadspeedindustry'scampaigns,
Withthyundauntedarmies,engineering,
Thypennantslabor,loosen'dtothebreeze,
Thybuglessoundingloudandclear.
Awaywitholdromance!
Awaywithnovels,plotsandplaysofforeigncourts,
Away with love-verses sugar'd in rhyme, the intrigues, amours of
idlers,
Fitted for only banquets of the night where dancers to late music
slide,
Theunhealthypleasures,extravagantdissipationsofthefew,
Withperfumes,heatandwine,beneaththedazzlingchandeliers.
Toyouyereverentsanesisters,
Iraiseavoiceforfarsuperberthemesforpoetsandforart,
Toexaltthepresentandthereal,
Toteachtheaveragemanthegloryofhisdailywalkandtrade,
To sing in songs how exercise and chemical life are never to be
baffled,
Tomanualworkforeachandall,toplough,hoe,dig,
Toplantandtendthetree,theberry,vegetables,flowers,
For every man to see to it that he really do something, for every
womantoo;
Tousethehammerandthesaw,(rip,orcross-cut,)
Tocultivateaturnforcarpentering,plastering,painting,
Toworkastailor,tailoress,nurse,hostler,porter,
To invent a little, something ingenious, to aid the washing,
cooking,
cleaning,
Andholditnodisgracetotakeahandatthemthemselves.
IsayIbringtheeMuseto-dayandhere,
Alloccupations,dutiesbroadandclose,
Toil,healthytoilandsweat,endless,withoutcessation,
Theold,oldpracticalburdens,interests,joys,
Thefamily,parentage,childhood,husbandandwife,
Thehouse-comforts,thehouseitselfandallitsbelongings,
Foodanditspreservation,chemistryappliedtoit,
Whateverformstheaverage,strong,complete,sweet-bloodedmanor
woman,theperfectlongevepersonality,
Andhelpsitspresentlifetohealthandhappiness,andshapesits
soul,
Fortheeternalreallifetocome.
With latest connections, works, the inter-transportation of the
world,
Steam-power,thegreatexpresslines,gas,petroleum,
Thesetriumphsofourtime,theAtlantic'sdelicatecable,
The Pacific railroad, the Suez canal, the Mont Cenis and Gothard
and
Hoosactunnels,theBrooklynbridge,
Thisearthallspann'dwithironrails,withlinesofsteamships
threadingineverysea,
Ourownrondure,thecurrentglobeIbring.
8
AndthouAmerica,
Thy offspring towering e'er so high, yet higher Thee above all
towering,
WithVictoryonthyleft,andatthyrighthandLaw;
ThouUnionholdingall,fusing,absorbing,toleratingall,
Thee,everthee,Ising.
Thou,alsothou,aWorld,
Withallthywidegeographies,manifold,different,distant,
Roundedbytheeinone—onecommonorbiclanguage,
OnecommonindivisibledestinyforAll.
And by the spells which ye vouchsafe to those your ministers in
earnest,
Iherepersonifyandcallmythemes,tomakethempassbeforeye.
Behold,America!(andthou,ineffableguestandsister!)
Fortheecometroopingupthywatersandthylands;
Behold!thyfieldsandfarms,thyfar-offwoodsandmountains,
Asinprocessioncoming.
Behold,theseaitself,
Andonitslimitless,heavingbreast,theships;
See,wheretheirwhitesails,bellyinginthewind,specklethe
greenandblue,
See,thesteamerscomingandgoing,steaminginoroutofport,
See,duskyandundulating,thelongpennantsofsmoke.
Behold,inOregon,farinthenorthandwest,
OrinMaine,farinthenorthandeast,thycheerfulaxemen,
Wieldingalldaytheiraxes.
Behold,onthelakes,thypilotsattheirwheels,thyoarsmen,
Howtheashwrithesunderthosemusculararms!
Therebythefurnace,andtherebytheanvil,
Beholdthysturdyblacksmithsswingingtheirsledges,
Overhandsosteady,overhandtheyturnandfallwithjoyousclank,
Likeatumultoflaughter.
Markthespiritofinventioneverywhere,thyrapidpatents,
Thycontinualworkshops,foundries,risenorrising,
See,fromtheirchimneyshowthetallflame-firesstream.
Mark,thyinterminablefarms,North,South,
Thywealthydaughter-states,EasternandWestern,
The varied products of Ohio, Pennsylvania, Missouri, Georgia,
Texas,
andtherest,
Thy limitless crops, grass, wheat, sugar, oil, corn, rice, hemp,
hops,
Thy barns all fill'd, the endless freight-train and the bulging
store-house,
Thegrapesthatripenonthyvines,theapplesinthyorchards,
Thyincalculablelumber,beef,pork,potatoes,thycoal,thygold
andsilver,
Theinexhaustibleironinthymines.
AllthineOsacredUnion!
Ships,farms,shops,barns,factories,mines,
CityandState,North,South,itemandaggregate,
Wededicate,dreadMother,alltothee!
Protectressabsolute,thou!bulwarkofall!
Forwellweknowthatwhilethougivesteachandall,(generousas
God,)
Withouttheeneitherallnoreach,norland,home,
Norship,normine,noranyherethisdaysecure,
Noraught,noranydaysecure.
9
Andthou,theEmblemwavingoverall!
Delicatebeauty,awordtothee,(itmaybesalutary,)
Rememberthouhastnotalwaysbeenashereto-daysocomfortably
ensovereign'd,
InotherscenesthanthesehaveIobserv'dtheeflag,
Notquitesotrimandwholeandfreshlybloominginfoldsof
stainlesssilk,
But I have seen thee bunting, to tatters torn upon thy splinter'd
staff,
Or clutch'd to some young color-bearer's breast with desperate
hands,
Savagelystruggledfor,forlifeordeath,foughtoverlong,
'Mid cannons' thunder-crash and many a curse and groan and yell,
and
rifle-volleyscrackingsharp,
And moving masses as wild demons surging, and lives as nothing
risk'd,
For thy mere remnant grimed with dirt and smoke and sopp'd in
blood,
Forsakeofthat,mybeauty,andthatthoumight'stdallyasnow
secureupthere,
ManyagoodmanhaveIseengounder.
Nowhereandtheseandhenceinpeace,allthineOFlag!
Andhereandhenceforthee,OuniversalMuse!andthouforthem!
AndhereandhenceOUnion,alltheworkandworkmenthine!
Noneseparatefromthee—henceforthOneonly,weandthou,
(For the blood of the children, what is it, only the blood
maternal?
Andlivesandworks,whataretheyallatlast,excepttheroadsto
faithanddeath?)
While we rehearse our measureless wealth, it is for thee, dear
Mother,
Weownitallandseveralto-dayindissolubleinthee;
Thinknotourchant,ourshow,merelyforproductsgrossorlucre—
itisforthee,thesoulinthee,electric,spiritual!
Ourfarms,inventions,crops,weowninthee!citiesandStatesin
thee!
Ourfreedomallinthee!ourverylivesinthee!
BOOKXIV
SongoftheRedwood-Tree
1
ACaliforniasong,
Aprophecyandindirection,athoughtimpalpabletobreatheasair,
Achorusofdryads,fading,departing,orhamadryadsdeparting,
Amurmuring,fateful,giantvoice,outoftheearthandsky,
Voiceofamightydyingtreeintheredwoodforestdense.
Farewellmybrethren,
FarewellOearthandsky,farewellyeneighboringwaters,
Mytimehasended,mytermhascome.
Alongthenortherncoast,
Justbackfromtherock-boundshoreandthecaves,
InthesalineairfromtheseaintheMendocinocountry,
Withthesurgeforbaseandaccompanimentlowandhoarse,
With crackling blows of axes sounding musically driven by strong
arms,
Rivendeepbythesharptonguesoftheaxes,thereintheredwood
forestdense,
Iheardthemighttreeitsdeath-chantchanting.
Thechoppersheardnot,thecampshantiesechoednot,
Thequick-ear'dteamstersandchainandjack-screwmenheardnot,
Asthewood-spiritscamefromtheirhauntsofathousandyearsto
jointherefrain,
ButinmysoulIplainlyheard.
Murmuringoutofitsmyriadleaves,
Downfromitsloftytoprisingtwohundredfeethigh,
Outofitsstalwarttrunkandlimbs,outofitsfoot-thickbark,
Thatchantoftheseasonsandtime,chantnotofthepastonlybut
thefuture.
Youuntoldlifeofme,
Andallyouvenerableandinnocentjoys,
Perennial hardy life of me with joys 'mid rain and many a summer
sun,
Andthewhitesnowsandnightandthewildwinds;
Othegreatpatientruggedjoys,mysoul'sstrongjoysunreck'dby
man,
(For know I bear the soul befitting me, I too have consciousness,
identity,
Andalltherocksandmountainshave,andalltheearth,)
Joysofthelifebefittingmeandbrothersmine,
Ourtime,ourtermhascome.
Noryieldwemournfullymajesticbrothers,
Wewhohavegrandlyfill'dourtime,
WithNature'scalmcontent,withtacithugedelight,
Wewelcomewhatwewroughtforthroughthepast,
Andleavethefieldforthem.
Forthempredictedlong,
Forasuperberrace,theytootograndlyfilltheirtime,
Forthemweabdicate,inthemourselvesyeforestkings.'
In them these skies and airs, these mountain peaks, Shasta,
Nevadas,
These huge precipitous cliffs, this amplitude, these valleys, far
Yosemite,
Tobeinthemabsorb'd,assimilated.
Thentoaloftierstrain,
Stillprouder,moreecstaticrosethechant,
Asiftheheirs,thedeitiesoftheWest,
Joiningwithmaster-tongueborepart.
NotwanfromAsia'sfetiches,
NorredfromEurope'solddynasticslaughter-house,
(Areaofmurder-plotsofthrones,withscentleftyetofwarsand
scaffoldseverywhere,
ButcomefromNature'slongandharmlessthroes,peacefullybuilded
thence,
Thesevirginlands,landsoftheWesternshore,
Tothenewculminatingman,toyou,theempirenew,
Youpromis'dlong,wepledge,wededicate.
Youoccultdeepvolitions,
Youaveragespiritualmanhood,purposeofall,pois'donyourself,
givingnottakinglaw,
Youwomanhooddivine,mistressandsourceofall,whencelifeand
loveandaughtthatcomesfromlifeandlove,
YouunseenmoralessenceofallthevastmaterialsofAmerica,age
uponageworkingindeaththesameaslife,)
Youthat,sometimesknown,oftenerunknown,reallyshapeandmould
theNewWorld,adjustingittoTimeandSpace,
You hidden national will lying in your abysms, conceal'd but ever
alert,
Youpastandpresentpurposestenaciouslypursued,may-be
unconsciousofyourselves,
Unswerv'dbyallthepassingerrors,perturbationsofthesurface;
Youvital,universal,deathlessgerms,beneathallcreeds,arts,
statutes,literatures,
Herebuildyourhomesforgood,establishhere,theseareasentire,
landsoftheWesternshore,
Wepledge,wededicatetoyou.
Formanofyou,yourcharacteristicrace,
Here may he hardy, sweet, gigantic grow, here tower proportionate
toNature,
Here climb the vast pure spaces unconfined, uncheck'd by wall or
roof,
Herelaughwithstormorsun,herejoy,herepatientlyinure,
Hereheedhimself,unfoldhimself,(notothers'formulasheed,)
herefillhistime,
Todulyfall,toaid,unreck'datlast,
Todisappear,toserve.
Thusonthenortherncoast,
Intheechoofteamsters'callsandtheclinkingchains,andthe
musicofchoppers'axes,
The falling trunk and limbs, the crash, the muffled shriek, the
groan,
Suchwordscombinedfromtheredwood-tree,asofvoicesecstatic,
ancientandrustling,
Thecentury-lasting,unseendryads,singing,withdrawing,
Alltheirrecessesofforestsandmountainsleaving,
FromtheCascaderangetotheWahsatch,orIdahofar,orUtah,
Tothedeitiesofthemodernhenceforthyielding,
Thechorusandindications,thevistasofcominghumanity,the
settlements,featuresall,
IntheMendocinowoodsIcaught.
2
TheflashingandgoldenpageantofCalifornia,
Thesuddenandgorgeousdrama,thesunnyandamplelands,
ThelongandvariedstretchfromPugetsoundtoColoradosouth,
Landsbathedinsweeter,rarer,healthierair,valleysandmountain
cliffs,
The fields of Nature long prepared and fallow, the silent, cyclic
chemistry,
Theslowandsteadyagesplodding,theunoccupiedsurfaceripening,
therichoresformingbeneath;
AtlasttheNewarriving,assuming,takingpossession,
Aswarmingandbusyracesettlingandorganizingeverywhere,
Shipscominginfromthewholeroundworld,andgoingouttothe
wholeworld,
ToIndiaandChinaandAustraliaandthethousandislandparadises
ofthePacific,
Populouscities,thelatestinventions,thesteamersontherivers,
therailroads,withmanyathriftyfarm,withmachinery,
Andwoolandwheatandthegrape,anddiggingsofyellowgold.
3
Butmoreinyouthanthese,landsoftheWesternshore,
(Thesebutthemeans,theimplements,thestanding-ground,)
Iseeinyou,certaintocome,thepromiseofthousandsofyears,
tillnowdeferr'd,
Promis'dtobefulfill'd,ourcommonkind,therace.
Thenewsocietyatlast,proportionatetoNature,
In man of you, more than your mountain peaks or stalwart trees
imperial,
Inwomanmore,farmore,thanallyourgoldorvines,orevenvital
air.
Freshcome,toanewworldindeed,yetlongprepared,
Iseethegeniusofthemodern,childoftherealandideal,
Clearingthegroundforbroadhumanity,thetrueAmerica,heirof
thepastsogrand,
Tobuildagranderfuture.
BOOKXV
ASongforOccupations
1
Asongforoccupations!
InthelaborofenginesandtradesandthelaboroffieldsIfind
thedevelopments,
Andfindtheeternalmeanings.
WorkmenandWorkwomen!
Werealleducationspracticalandornamentalwelldisplay'doutof
me,whatwoulditamountto?
WereIastheheadteacher,charitableproprietor,wisestatesman,
whatwoulditamountto?
Were I to you as the boss employing and paying you, would that
satisfyyou?
Thelearn'd,virtuous,benevolent,andtheusualterms,
Amanlikemeandnevertheusualterms.
NeitheraservantnoramasterI,
Itakenosooneralargepricethanasmallprice,Iwillhavemy
ownwhoeverenjoysme,
Iwillbeevenwithyouandyoushallbeevenwithme.
If you stand at work in a shop I stand as nigh as the nighest in
the
sameshop,
IfyoubestowgiftsonyourbrotherordearestfriendIdemandas
goodasyourbrotherordearestfriend,
Ifyourlover,husband,wife,iswelcomebydayornight,Imustbe
personallyaswelcome,
If you become degraded, criminal, ill, then I become so for your
sake,
Ifyourememberyourfoolishandoutlaw'ddeeds,doyouthinkI
cannotremembermyownfoolishandoutlaw'ddeeds?
If you carouse at the table I carouse at the opposite side of the
table,
Ifyoumeetsomestrangerinthestreetsandlovehimorher,why
Ioftenmeetstrangersinthestreetandlovethem.
Whywhathaveyouthoughtofyourself?
Isityouthenthatthoughtyourselfless?
IsityouthatthoughtthePresidentgreaterthanyou?
Ortherichbetteroffthanyou?ortheeducatedwiserthanyou?
(Becauseyouaregreasyorpimpled,orwereoncedrunk,orathief,
Orthatyouarediseas'd,orrheumatic,oraprostitute,
Or from frivolity or impotence, or that you are no scholar and
never
sawyournameinprint,
Doyougiveinthatyouareanylessimmortal?)
2
Soulsofmenandwomen!itisnotyouIcallunseen,unheard,
untouchableanduntouching,
ItisnotyouIgoargueproandconabout,andtosettlewhether
youarealiveorno,
Iownpubliclywhoyouare,ifnobodyelseowns.
Grown,half-grownandbabe,ofthiscountryandeverycountry,
in-doorsandout-doors,onejustasmuchastheother,Isee,
Andallelsebehindorthroughthem.
Thewife,andsheisnotonejotlessthanthehusband,
Thedaughter,andsheisjustasgoodastheson,
Themother,andsheiseverybitasmuchasthefather.
Offspringofignorantandpoor,boysapprenticedtotrades,
Youngfellowsworkingonfarmsandoldfellowsworkingonfarms,
Sailor-men,merchant-men,coasters,immigrants,
AlltheseIsee,butnigherandfartherthesameIsee,
Noneshallescapemeandnoneshallwishtoescapeme.
Ibringwhatyoumuchneedyetalwayshave,
Notmoney,amours,dress,eating,erudition,butasgood,
Isendnoagentormedium,offernorepresentativeofvalue,but
offerthevalueitself.
Thereissomethingthatcomestoonenowandperpetually,
It is not what is printed, preach'd, discussed, it eludes
discussion
andprint,
Itisnottobeputinabook,itisnotinthisbook,
Itisforyouwhoeveryouare,itisnofartherfromyouthanyour
hearingandsightarefromyou,
It is hinted by nearest, commonest, readiest, it is ever provoked
bythem.
Youmayreadinmanylanguages,yetreadnothingaboutit,
You may read the President's message and read nothing about it
there,
NothinginthereportsfromtheStatedepartmentorTreasury
department,orinthedailypapersorweeklypapers,
Or in the census or revenue returns, prices current, or any
accounts
ofstock.
3
Thesunandstarsthatfloatintheopenair,
Theapple-shapedearthandweuponit,surelythedriftofthemis
somethinggrand,
I do not know what it is except that it is grand, and that it is
happiness,
Andthattheenclosingpurportofushereisnotaspeculationor
bon-motorreconnoissance,
And that it is not something which by luck may turn out well for
us,
andwithoutluckmustbeafailureforus,
And not something which may yet be retracted in a certain
contingency.
Thelightandshade,thecurioussenseofbodyandidentity,the
greedthatwithperfectcomplaisancedevoursallthings,
The endless pride and outstretching of man, unspeakable joys and
sorrows,
The wonder every one sees in every one else he sees, and the
wonders
thatfilleachminuteoftimeforever,
Whathaveyoureckon'dthemfor,camerado?
Haveyoureckon'dthemforyourtradeorfarm-work?orforthe
profitsofyourstore?
Or to achieve yourself a position? or to fill a gentleman's
leisure,
oralady'sleisure?
Have you reckon'd that the landscape took substance and form that
it
mightbepaintedinapicture?
Ormenandwomenthattheymightbewrittenof,andsongssung?
Or the attraction of gravity, and the great laws and harmonious
combinations
andthefluidsoftheair,assubjectsforthesavans?
Orthebrownlandandtheblueseaformapsandcharts?
Orthestarstobeputinconstellationsandnamedfancynames?
Orthatthegrowthofseedsisforagriculturaltables,or
agricultureitself?
Oldinstitutions,thesearts,libraries,legends,collections,and
thepracticehandedalonginmanufactures,willweratethemso
high?
Willwerateourcashandbusinesshigh?Ihavenoobjection,
Iratethemashighasthehighest—thenachildbornofawomanand
manIratebeyondallrate.
WethoughtourUniongrand,andourConstitutiongrand,
Idonotsaytheyarenotgrandandgood,fortheyare,
Iamthisdayjustasmuchinlovewiththemasyou,
ThenIaminlovewithYou,andwithallmyfellowsupontheearth.
We consider bibles and religions divine—I do not say they are not
divine,
I say they have all grown out of you, and may grow out of you
still,
Itisnottheywhogivethelife,itisyouwhogivethelife,
Leavesarenotmoreshedfromthetrees,ortreesfromtheearth,
thantheyareshedoutofyou.
4
ThesumofallknownreverenceIaddupinyouwhoeveryouare,
The President is there in the White House for you, it is not you
who
arehereforhim,
The Secretaries act in their bureaus for you, not you here for
them,
TheCongressconveneseveryTwelfth-monthforyou,
Laws,courts,theformingofStates,thechartersofcities,the
goingandcomingofcommerceandmalls,areallforyou.
Listclosemyscholarsdear,
Doctrines,politicsandcivilizationexurgefromyou,
Sculpture and monuments and any thing inscribed anywhere are
talliedinyou,
Thegistofhistoriesandstatisticsasfarbackastherecords
reachisinyouthishour,andmythsandtalesthesame,
If you were not breathing and walking here, where would they all
be?
Themostrenown'dpoemswouldbeashes,orationsandplayswould
bevacuums.
Allarchitectureiswhatyoudotoitwhenyoulookuponit,
(Didyouthinkitwasinthewhiteorgraystone?orthelinesof
thearchesandcornices?)
All music is what awakes from you when you are reminded by the
instruments,
Itisnottheviolinsandthecornets,itisnottheoboenorthe
beatingdrums,northescoreofthebaritonesingersinginghis
sweetromanza,northatofthemen'schorus,northatofthe
women'schorus,
Itisnearerandfartherthanthey.
5
Willthewholecomebackthen?
Caneachseesignsofthebestbyalookinthelooking-glass?is
therenothinggreaterormore?
Doesallsittherewithyou,withthemysticunseensoul?
StrangeandhardthatparadoxtrueIgive,
Objectsgrossandtheunseensoulareone.
House-building,measuring,sawingtheboards,
Blacksmithing,glass-blowing,nail-making,coopering,tin-roofing,
shingle-dressing,
Ship-joining, dock-building, fish-curing, flagging of sidewalks by
flaggers,
The pump, the pile-driver, the great derrick, the coal-kiln and
brickkiln,
Coal-minesandallthatisdownthere,thelampsinthedarkness,
echoes,songs,whatmeditations,whatvastnativethoughts
lookingthroughsmutch'dfaces,
Iron-works,forge-firesinthemountainsorbyriver-banks,men
aroundfeelingthemeltwithhugecrowbars,lumpsofore,the
duecombiningofore,limestone,coal,
Theblast-furnaceandthepuddling-furnace,theloup-lumpatthe
bottomofthemeltatlast,therolling-mill,thestumpybars
ofpig-iron,thestrongclean-shapedTrailforrailroads,
Oil-works,silk-works,white-lead-works,thesugar-house,
steam-saws,thegreatmillsandfactories,
Stone-cutting, shapely trimmings for facades or window or doorlintels,
themallet,thetooth-chisel,thejibtoprotectthethumb,
Thecalking-iron,thekettleofboilingvault-cement,andthefire
underthekettle,
Thecotton-bale,thestevedore'shook,thesawandbuckofthe
sawyer,themouldofthemoulder,theworking-knifeofthe
butcher,theice-saw,andalltheworkwithice,
The work and tools of the rigger, grappler, sail-maker, blockmaker,
Goodsofgutta-percha,papier-mache,colors,brushes,brush-making,
glazier'simplements,
Theveneerandglue-pot,theconfectioner'sornaments,thedecanter
andglasses,theshearsandflat-iron,
Theawlandknee-strap,thepintmeasureandquartmeasure,the
counter and stool, the writing-pen of quill or metal, the
making
ofallsortsofedgedtools,
Thebrewery,brewing,themalt,thevats,everythingthatisdone
bybrewers,wine-makers,vinegar-makers,
Leather-dressing,coach-making,boiler-making,rope-twisting,
distilling,sign-painting,lime-burning,cotton-picking,
electroplating,electrotyping,stereotyping,
Stave-machines,planing-machines,reaping-machines,
ploughing-machines,thrashing-machines,steamwagons,
Thecartofthecarman,theomnibus,theponderousdray,
Pyrotechny, letting off color'd fireworks at night, fancy figures
andjets;
Beef on the butcher's stall, the slaughter-house of the butcher,
the
butcherinhiskilling-clothes,
Thepensoflivepork,thekilling-hammer,thehog-hook,the
scalder's tub, gutting, the cutter's cleaver, the packer's
maul,
andtheplenteouswinterworkofpork-packing,
Flour-works,grindingofwheat,rye,maize,rice,thebarrelsand
thehalfandquarterbarrels,theloadedbarges,thehighpiles
onwharvesandlevees,
Themenandtheworkofthemenonferries,railroads,coasters,
fish-boats,canals;
Thehourlyroutineofyourownoranyman'slife,theshop,yard,
store,orfactory,
Theseshowsallnearyoubydayandnight—workman!whoeveryou
are,yourdailylife!
Inthatandthemtheheftoftheheaviest—inthatandthemfarmore
thanyouestimated,(andfarlessalso,)
Inthemrealitiesforyouandme,inthempoemsforyouandme,
Inthem,notyourself-youandyoursoulencloseallthings,
regardlessofestimation,
In them the development good—in them all themes, hints,
possibilities.
Idonotaffirmthatwhatyouseebeyondisfutile,Idonotadvise
youtostop,
Idonotsayleadingsyouthoughtgreatarenotgreat,
ButIsaythatnoneleadtogreaterthantheseleadto.
6
Willyouseekafaroff?yousurelycomebackatlast,
In things best known to you finding the best, or as good as the
best,
Infolksnearesttoyoufindingthesweetest,strongest,lovingest,
Happiness,knowledge,notinanotherplacebutthisplace,notfor
anotherhourbutthishour,
Maninthefirstyouseeortouch,alwaysinfriend,brother,
nighestneighbor—womaninmother,sister,wife,
The popular tastes and employments taking precedence in poems or
anywhere,
YouworkwomenandworkmenoftheseStateshavingyourowndivine
andstronglife,
Andallelsegivingplacetomenandwomenlikeyou.
Whenthepsalmsingsinsteadofthesinger,
Whenthescriptpreachesinsteadofthepreacher,
Whenthepulpitdescendsandgoesinsteadofthecarverthatcarved
thesupportingdesk,
When I can touch the body of books by night or by day, and when
they
touchmybodybackagain,
When a university course convinces like a slumbering woman and
child
convince,
Whenthemintedgoldinthevaultsmileslikethenight-watchman's
daughter,
Whenwarranteedeedsloafeinchairsoppositeandaremyfriendly
companions,
Iintendtoreachthemmyhand,andmakeasmuchofthemasIdo
ofmenandwomenlikeyou.
BOOKXVI
ASongoftheRollingEarth
1
Asongoftherollingearth,andofwordsaccording,
Wereyouthinkingthatthosewerethewords,thoseuprightlines?
thosecurves,angles,dots?
No, those are not the words, the substantial words are in the
ground
andsea,
Theyareintheair,theyareinyou.
Wereyouthinkingthatthosewerethewords,thosedelicioussounds
outofyourfriends'mouths?
No,therealwordsaremoredeliciousthanthey.
Humanbodiesarewords,myriadsofwords,
(Inthebestpoemsre-appearsthebody,man'sorwoman's,
well-shaped,natural,gay,
Every part able, active, receptive, without shame or the need of
shame.)
Air,soil,water,fire—thosearewords,
Imyselfamawordwiththem—myqualitiesinterpenetratewith
theirs—mynameisnothingtothem,
Thoughitweretoldinthethreethousandlanguages,whatwould
air,soil,water,fire,knowofmyname?
Ahealthypresence,afriendlyorcommandinggesture,arewords,
sayings,meanings,
Thecharmsthatgowiththemerelooksofsomemenandwomen,
aresayingsandmeaningsalso.
Theworkmanshipofsoulsisbythoseinaudiblewordsoftheearth,
The masters know the earth's words and use them more than audible
words.
Ameliorationisoneoftheearth'swords,
Theearthneitherlagsnorhastens,
Ithasallattributes,growths,effects,latentinitselffromthe
jump,
It is not half beautiful only, defects and excrescences show just
as
muchasperfectionsshow.
Theearthdoesnotwithhold,itisgenerousenough,
Thetruthsoftheearthcontinuallywait,theyarenotsoconceal'd
either,
Theyarecalm,subtle,untransmissiblebyprint,
Theyareimbuedthroughallthingsconveyingthemselveswillingly,
Conveyingasentimentandinvitation,Iutterandutter,
Ispeaknot,yetifyouhearmenotofwhatavailamItoyou?
Tobear,tobetter,lackingtheseofwhatavailamI?
(Accouche!accouchez!
Willyourotyourownfruitinyourselfthere?
Willyousquatandstiflethere?)
Theearthdoesnotargue,
Isnotpathetic,hasnoarrangements,
Doesnotscream,haste,persuade,threaten,promise,
Makesnodiscriminations,hasnoconceivablefailures,
Closesnothing,refusesnothing,shutsnoneout,
Ofallthepowers,objects,states,itnotifies,shutsnoneout.
Theearthdoesnotexhibititselfnorrefusetoexhibititself,
possessesstillunderneath,
Underneaththeostensiblesounds,theaugustchorusofheroes,the
wailofslaves,
Persuasions of lovers, curses, gasps of the dying, laughter of
young
people,accentsofbargainers,
Underneaththesepossessingwordsthatneverfall.
To her children the words of the eloquent dumb great mother never
fail,
Thetruewordsdonotfail,formotiondoesnotfailandreflection
doesnotfall,
Also the day and night do not fall, and the voyage we pursue does
notfall.
Oftheinterminablesisters,
Oftheceaselesscotillonsofsisters,
Of the centripetal and centrifugal sisters, the elder and younger
sisters,
Thebeautifulsisterweknowdancesonwiththerest.
Withheramplebacktowardseverybeholder,
Withthefascinationsofyouthandtheequalfascinationsofage,
SitsshewhomItooloveliketherest,sitsundisturb'd,
Holding up in her hand what has the character of a mirror, while
her
eyesglancebackfromit,
Glanceasshesits,invitingnone,denyingnone,
Holdingamirrordayandnighttirelesslybeforeherownface.
Seenathandorseenatadistance,
Dulythetwenty-fourappearinpubliceveryday,
Dulyapproachandpasswiththeircompanionsoracompanion,
Looking from no countenances of their own, but from the
countenances
ofthosewhoarewiththem,
From the countenances of children or women or the manly
countenance,
Fromtheopencountenancesofanimalsorfrominanimatethings,
From the landscape or waters or from the exquisite apparition of
thesky,
Fromourcountenances,mineandyours,faithfullyreturningthem,
Every day in public appearing without fall, but never twice with
the
samecompanions.
Embracingman,embracingall,proceedthethreehundredand
sixty-fiveresistlesslyroundthesun;
Embracingall,soothing,supporting,followclosethreehundredand
sixty-fiveoffsetsofthefirst,sureandnecessaryasthey.
Tumblingonsteadily,nothingdreading,
Sunshine, storm, cold, heat, forever withstanding, passing,
carrying,
Thesoul'srealizationanddeterminationstillinheriting,
Thefluidvacuumaroundandaheadstillenteringanddividing,
Nobalkretarding,noanchoranchoring,onnorockstriking,
Swift,glad,content,unbereav'd,nothinglosing,
Ofallableandreadyatanytimetogivestrictaccount,
Thedivineshipsailsthedivinesea.
2
Whoeveryouare!motionandreflectionareespeciallyforyou,
Thedivineshipsailsthedivineseaforyou.
Whoeveryouare!youareheorsheforwhomtheearthissolidand
liquid,
Youareheorsheforwhomthesunandmoonhanginthesky,
Fornonemorethanyouarethepresentandthepast,
Fornonemorethanyouisimmortality.
Eachmantohimselfandeachwomantoherself,isthewordofthe
pastandpresent,andthetruewordofimmortality;
Noonecanacquireforanother—notone,
Notonecangrowforanother—notone.
Thesongistothesinger,andcomesbackmosttohim,
Theteachingistotheteacher,andcomesbackmosttohim,
Themurderistothemurderer,andcomesbackmosttohim,
Thetheftistothethief,andcomesbackmosttohim,
Theloveistothelover,andcomesbackmosttohim,
The gift is to the giver, and comes back most to him—it cannot
fail,
The oration is to the orator, the acting is to the actor and
actress
nottotheaudience,
Andnomanunderstandsanygreatnessorgoodnessbuthisown,or
theindicationofhisown.
3
Isweartheearthshallsurelybecompletetohimorherwhoshall
becomplete,
Theearthremainsjaggedandbrokenonlytohimorherwhoremains
jaggedandbroken.
Iswearthereisnogreatnessorpowerthatdoesnotemulatethose
oftheearth,
Therecanbenotheoryofanyaccountunlessitcorroboratethe
theoryoftheearth,
Nopolitics,song,religion,behavior,orwhatnot,isofaccount,
unlessitcomparewiththeamplitudeoftheearth,
Unlessitfacetheexactness,vitality,impartiality,rectitudeof
theearth.
IswearIbegintoseelovewithsweeterspasmsthanthatwhich
respondslove,
It is that which contains itself, which never invites and never
refuses.
IswearIbegintoseelittleornothinginaudiblewords,
Allmergestowardthepresentationoftheunspokenmeaningsofthe
earth,
Towardhimwhosingsthesongsofthebodyandofthetruthsofthe
earth,
Toward him who makes the dictionaries of words that print cannot
touch.
IswearIseewhatisbetterthantotellthebest,
Itisalwaystoleavethebestuntold.
WhenIundertaketotellthebestIfindIcannot,
Mytongueisineffectualonitspivots,
Mybreathwillnotbeobedienttoitsorgans,
Ibecomeadumbman.
Thebestoftheearthcannotbetoldanyhow,alloranyisbest,
Itisnotwhatyouanticipated,itischeaper,easier,nearer,
Thingsarenotdismiss'dfromtheplacestheyheldbefore,
Theearthisjustaspositiveanddirectasitwasbefore,
Facts, religions, improvements, politics, trades, are as real as
before,
Butthesoulisalsoreal,ittooispositiveanddirect,
Noreasoning,noproofhasestablish'dit,
Undeniablegrowthhasestablish'dit.
4
Thesetoechothetonesofsoulsandthephrasesofsouls,
(Iftheydidnotechothephrasesofsoulswhatweretheythen?
Iftheyhadnotreferencetoyouinespecialwhatweretheythen?)
I swear I will never henceforth have to do with the faith that
tells
thebest,
Iwillhavetodoonlywiththatfaiththatleavesthebestuntold.
Sayon,sayers!singon,singers!
Delve!mould!pilethewordsoftheearth!
Workon,ageafterage,nothingistobelost,
Itmayhavetowaitlong,butitwillcertainlycomeinuse,
Whenthematerialsareallpreparedandready,thearchitectsshall
appear.
Isweartoyouthearchitectsshallappearwithoutfall,
Isweartoyoutheywillunderstandyouandjustifyyou,
The greatest among them shall be he who best knows you, and
encloses
allandisfaithfultoall,
Heandtherestshallnotforgetyou,theyshallperceivethatyou
arenotaniotalessthanthey,
Youshallbefullyglorifiedinthem.
Youth, large, lusty, loving—youth full of grace, force,
fascination,
DoyouknowthatOldAgemaycomeafteryouwithequalgrace,
force,fascination?
Dayfull-blownandsplendid-dayoftheimmensesun,action,
ambition,laughter,
TheNightfollowsclosewithmillionsofsuns,andsleepand
restoringdarkness.
SongoftheUniversal
1
ComesaidtheMuse,
Singmeasongnopoetyethaschanted,
Singmetheuniversal.
Inthisbroadearthofours,
Amidthemeasurelessgrossnessandtheslag,
Enclosedandsafewithinitscentralheart,
Nestlestheseedperfection.
Byeverylifeashareormoreorless,
None born but it is born, conceal'd or unconceal'd the seed is
waiting.
2
Lo!keen-eyedtoweringscience,
Asfromtallpeaksthemodernoverlooking,
Successiveabsolutefiatsissuing.
Yetagain,lo!thesoul,aboveallscience,
Forithashistorygather'dlikehusksaroundtheglobe,
Forittheentirestar-myriadsrollthroughthesky.
Inspiralroutesbylongdetours,
(Asamuch-tackingshipuponthesea,)
Foritthepartialtothepermanentflowing,
Forittherealtotheidealtends.
Foritthemysticevolution,
Nottherightonlyjustified,whatwecallevilalsojustified.
Forthfromtheirmasks,nomatterwhat,
Fromthehugefesteringtrunk,fromcraftandguileandtears,
Healthtoemergeandjoy,joyuniversal.
Outofthebulk,themorbidandtheshallow,
Out of the bad majority, the varied countless frauds of men and
states,
Electric,antisepticyet,cleaving,suffusingall,
Onlythegoodisuniversal.
3
Overthemountain-growthsdiseaseandsorrow,
Anuncaughtbirdiseverhovering,hovering,
Highinthepurer,happierair.
Fromimperfection'smurkiestcloud,
Dartsalwaysforthonerayofperfectlight,
Oneflashofheaven'sglory.
Tofashion's,custom'sdiscord,
TothemadBabel-din,thedeafeningorgies,
Soothingeachlullastrainisheard,justheard,
Fromsomefarshorethefinalchorussounding.
Otheblesteyes,thehappyhearts,
Thatsee,thatknowtheguidingthreadsofine,
Alongthemightylabyrinth.
4
AndthouAmerica,
Forthescheme'sculmination,itsthoughtanditsreality,
Forthese(notforthyself)thouhastarrived.
Thoutoosurroundestall,
Embracing carrying welcoming all, thou too by pathways broad and
new,
Totheidealtendest.
Themeasure'dfaithsofotherlands,thegrandeursofthepast,
Arenotforthee,butgrandeursofthineown,
Deificfaithsandamplitudes,absorbing,comprehendingall,
Alleligibletoall.
All,allforimmortality,
Lovelikethelightsilentlywrappingall,
Nature'sameliorationblessingall,
Theblossoms,fruitsofages,orchardsdivineandcertain,
Forms,objects,growths,humanities,tospiritualimagesripening.
GivemeOGodtosingthatthought,
Giveme,givehimorherIlovethisquenchlessfaith,
InThyensemble,whateverelsewithheldwithholdnotfromus,
BeliefinplanofTheeenclosedinTimeandSpace,
Health,peace,salvationuniversal.
Isitadream?
Naybutthelackofitthedream,
Andfailingitlife'sloreandwealthadream,
Andalltheworldadream.
Pioneers!OPioneers!
Comemytan-facedchildren,
Followwellinorder,getyourweaponsready,
Haveyouyourpistols?haveyouyoursharp-edgedaxes?
Pioneers!Opioneers!
Forwecannottarryhere,
Wemustmarchmydarlings,wemustbearthebruntofdanger,
Wetheyouthfulsinewyraces,alltherestonusdepend,
Pioneers!Opioneers!
Oyouyouths,Westernyouths,
Soimpatient,fullofaction,fullofmanlyprideandfriendship,
PlainIseeyouWesternyouths,seeyoutrampingwiththeforemost,
Pioneers!Opioneers!
Havetheelderraceshalted?
Do they droop and end their lesson, wearied over there beyond the
seas?
Wetakeupthetasketernal,andtheburdenandthelesson,
Pioneers!Opioneers!
Allthepastweleavebehind,
Wedebouchuponanewermightierworld,variedworld,
Freshandstrongtheworldweseize,worldoflaborandthemarch,
Pioneers!Opioneers!
Wedetachmentssteadythrowing,
Downtheedges,throughthepasses,upthemountainssteep,
Conquering,holding,daring,venturingaswegotheunknownways,
Pioneers!Opioneers!
Weprimevalforestsfelling,
We the rivers stemming, vexing we and piercing deep the mines
within,
Wethesurfacebroadsurveying,wethevirginsoilupheaving,
Pioneers!Opioneers!
Coloradomenarewe,
From the peaks gigantic, from the great sierras and the high
plateaus,
Fromthemineandfromthegully,fromthehuntingtrailwecome,
Pioneers!Opioneers!
FromNebraska,fromArkansas,
Centralinlandracearewe,fromMissouri,withthecontinental
bloodintervein'd,
All the hands of comrades clasping, all the Southern, all the
Northern,
Pioneers!Opioneers!
Oresistlessrestlessrace!
Obelovedraceinall!Omybreastacheswithtenderloveforall!
OImournandyetexult,Iamraptwithloveforall,
Pioneers!Opioneers!
Raisethemightymothermistress,
Wavinghighthedelicatemistress,overallthestarrymistress,
(bendyourheadsall,)
Raise the fang'd and warlike mistress, stern, impassive, weapon'd
mistress,
Pioneers!Opioneers!
Seemychildren,resolutechildren,
Bythoseswarmsuponourrearwemustneveryieldorfalter,
Agesbackinghostlymillionsfrowningtherebehindusurging,
Pioneers!Opioneers!
Onandonthecompactranks,
With accessions ever waiting, with the places of the dead quickly
fill'd,
Throughthebattle,throughdefeat,movingyetandneverstopping,
Pioneers!Opioneers!
Otodieadvancingon!
Aretheresomeofustodroopanddie?hasthehourcome?
Then upon the march we fittest die, soon and sure the gap is
fill'd.
Pioneers!Opioneers!
Allthepulsesoftheworld,
Fallingintheybeatforus,withtheWesternmovementbeat,
Holdingsingleortogether,steadymovingtothefront,allforus,
Pioneers!Opioneers!
Life'sinvolv'dandvariedpageants,
Alltheformsandshows,alltheworkmenattheirwork,
Alltheseamenandthelandsmen,allthemasterswiththeirslaves,
Pioneers!Opioneers!
Allthehaplesssilentlovers,
Alltheprisonersintheprisons,alltherighteousandthewicked,
Allthejoyous,allthesorrowing,alltheliving,allthedying,
Pioneers!Opioneers!
Itoowithmysoulandbody,
We,acurioustrio,picking,wanderingonourway,
Through these shores amid the shadows, with the apparitions
pressing,
Pioneers!Opioneers!
Lo,thedartingbowlingorb!
Lo,thebrotherorbsaround,alltheclusteringsunsandplanets,
Allthedazzlingdays,allthemysticnightswithdreams,
Pioneers!Opioneers!
Theseareofus,theyarewithus,
All for primal needed work, while the followers there in embryo
waitbehind,
Weto-day'sprocessionheading,wetheroutefortravelclearing,
Pioneers!Opioneers!
OyoudaughtersoftheWest!
Oyouyoungandelderdaughters!Oyoumothersandyouwives!
Nevermustyoubedivided,inourranksyoumoveunited,
Pioneers!Opioneers!
Minstrelslatentontheprairies!
(Shrouded bards of other lands, you may rest, you have done your
work,)
SoonIhearyoucomingwarbling,soonyouriseandtrampamidus,
Pioneers!Opioneers!
Notfordelectationssweet,
Notthecushionandtheslipper,notthepeacefulandthestudious,
Nottherichessafeandpalling,notforusthetameenjoyment,
Pioneers!Opioneers!
Dothefeastersgluttonousfeast?
Dothecorpulentsleeperssleep?havetheylock'dandbolteddoors?
Stillbeoursthediethard,andtheblanketontheground,
Pioneers!Opioneers!
Hasthenightdescended?
Wastheroadoflatesotoilsome?didwestopdiscouragednodding
onourway?
YetapassinghourIyieldyouinyourtrackstopauseoblivious,
Pioneers!Opioneers!
Tillwithsoundoftrumpet,
Far, far off the daybreak call—hark! how loud and clear I hear it
wind,
Swift!totheheadofthearmy!—swift!springtoyourplaces,
Pioneers!Opioneers!
ToYou
Whoeveryouare,Ifearyouarewalkingthewalksofdreams,
I fear these supposed realities are to melt from under your feet
andhands,
Evennowyourfeatures,joys,speech,house,trade,manners,
troubles,follies,costume,crimes,dissipateawayfromyou,
Yourtruesoulandbodyappearbeforeme.
Theystandforthoutofaffairs,outofcommerce,shops,work,
farms,clothes,thehouse,buying,selling,eating,drinking,
suffering,dying.
Whoeveryouare,nowIplacemyhanduponyou,thatyoubemypoem,
Iwhisperwithmylipsclosetoyourear.
Ihavelovedmanywomenandmen,butIlovenonebetterthanyou.
OIhavebeendilatoryanddumb,
Ishouldhavemademywaystraighttoyoulongago,
I should have blabb'd nothing but you, I should have chanted
nothing
butyou.
Iwillleaveallandcomeandmakethehymnsofyou,
Nonehasunderstoodyou,butIunderstandyou,
None has done justice to you, you have not done justice to
yourself,
None but has found you imperfect, I only find no imperfection in
you,
Nonebutwouldsubordinateyou,Ionlyamhewhowillneverconsent
tosubordinateyou,
Ionlyamhewhoplacesoveryounomaster,owner,better,God,
beyondwhatwaitsintrinsicallyinyourself.
Painters have painted their swarming groups and the centre-figure
ofall,
From the head of the centre-figure spreading a nimbus of goldcolor'dlight,
ButIpaintmyriadsofheads,butpaintnoheadwithoutitsnimbus
ofgold-color'dlight,
Frommyhandfromthebrainofeverymanandwomanitstreams,
effulgentlyflowingforever.
OIcouldsingsuchgrandeursandgloriesaboutyou!
Youhavenotknownwhatyouare,youhaveslumber'duponyourself
allyourlife,
Youreyelidshavebeenthesameasclosedmostofthetime,
Whatyouhavedonereturnsalreadyinmockeries,
(Yourthrift,knowledge,prayers,iftheydonotreturnin
mockeries,whatistheirreturn?)
Themockeriesarenotyou,
UnderneaththemandwithinthemIseeyoulurk,
Ipursueyouwherenoneelsehaspursuedyou,
Silence,thedesk,theflippantexpression,thenight,the
accustom'droutine,iftheseconcealyoufromothersorfrom
yourself,theydonotconcealyoufromme,
Theshavedface,theunsteadyeye,theimpurecomplexion,ifthese
balkotherstheydonotbalkme,
Thepertapparel,thedeform'dattitude,drunkenness,greed,
prematuredeath,alltheseIpartaside.
Thereisnoendowmentinmanorwomanthatisnottalliedinyou,
There is no virtue, no beauty in man or woman, but as good is in
you,
Nopluck,noenduranceinothers,butasgoodisinyou,
No pleasure waiting for others, but an equal pleasure waits for
you.
As for me, I give nothing to any one except I give the like
carefully
toyou,
Isingthesongsofthegloryofnone,notGod,soonerthanIsing
thesongsofthegloryofyou.
Whoeveryouare!claimyourownatanyhazard!
TheseshowsoftheEastandWestaretamecomparedtoyou,
Theseimmensemeadows,theseinterminablerivers,youareimmense
andinterminableasthey,
These furies, elements, storms, motions of Nature, throes of
apparent
dissolution, you are he or she who is master or mistress over
them,
MasterormistressinyourownrightoverNature,elements,pain,
passion,dissolution.
The hopples fall from your ankles, you find an unfailing
sufficiency,
Oldoryoung,maleorfemale,rude,low,rejectedbytherest,
whateveryouarepromulgesitself,
Throughbirth,life,death,burial,themeansareprovided,nothing
isscanted,
Throughangers,losses,ambition,ignorance,ennui,whatyouare
picksitsway.
Agreatyearandplace
Aharshdiscordantnatalscreamout-sounding,totouchthemother's
heartcloserthananyyet.
Iwalk'dtheshoresofmyEasternsea,
Heardoverthewavesthelittlevoice,
Sawthedivineinfantwhereshewokemournfullywailing,amidthe
roarofcannon,curses,shouts,crashoffallingbuildings,
Wasnotsosickfromthebloodintheguttersrunning,norfromthe
single
corpses, nor those in heaps, nor those borne away in the
tumbrils,
Wasnotsodesperateatthebattuesofdeath—wasnotsoshock'dat
therepeatedfusilladesoftheguns.
Pale, silent, stern, what could I say to that long-accrued
retribution?
CouldIwishhumanitydifferent?
CouldIwishthepeoplemadeofwoodandstone?
Orthattherebenojusticeindestinyortime?
OLiberty!Omateforme!
Here too the blaze, the grape-shot and the axe, in reserve, to
fetch
themoutincaseofneed,
Heretoo,thoughlongreprest,canneverbedestroy'd,
Heretoocouldriseatlastmurderingandecstatic,
Heretoodemandingfullarrearsofvengeance.
HenceIsignthissaluteoverthesea,
AndIdonotdenythatterribleredbirthandbaptism,
ButrememberthelittlevoicethatIheardwailing,andwaitwith
perfecttrust,nomatterhowlong,
Andfromto-daysadandcogentImaintainthebequeath'dcause,as
foralllands,
AndIsendthesewordstoPariswithmylove,
AndIguesssomechansonnierstherewillunderstandthem,
ForIguessthereislatentmusicyetinFrance,floodsofit,
OIhearalreadythebustleofinstruments,theywillsoonbe
drowningallthatwouldinterruptthem,
OIthinktheeastwindbringsatriumphalandfreemarch,
Itreacheshither,itswellsmetoJoyfulmadness,
Iwillruntransposeitinwords,tojustify
Iwillyetsingasongforyoumafemme.
MyselfandMine
Myselfandminegymnasticever,
Tostandthecoldorheat,totakegoodaimwithagun,tosaila
boat,tomanagehorses,tobegetsuperbchildren,
Tospeakreadilyandclearly,tofeelathomeamongcommonpeople,
Andtoholdourowninterriblepositionsonlandandsea.
Notforanembroiderer,
(Therewillalwaysbeplentyofembroiderers,Iwelcomethemalso,)
Butforthefibreofthingsandforinherentmenandwomen.
Nottochiselornaments,
Buttochiselwithfreestroketheheadsandlimbsofplenteous
supreme Gods, that the States may realize them walking and
talking.
Letmehavemyownway,
Letotherspromulgethelaws,Iwillmakenoaccountofthelaws,
Let others praise eminent men and hold up peace, I hold up
agitation
andconflict,
Ipraisenoeminentman,Irebuketohisfacetheonethatwas
thoughtmostworthy.
(Whoareyou?andwhatareyousecretlyguiltyofallyourlife?
Willyouturnasideallyourlife?willyougrubandchatterall
yourlife?
And who are you, blabbing by rote, years, pages, languages,
reminiscences,
Unwitting to-day that you do not know how to speak properly a
singleword?)
Letothersfinishspecimens,Ineverfinishspecimens,
IstartthembyexhaustlesslawsasNaturedoes,freshandmodern
continually.
Igivenothingasduties,
WhatothersgiveasdutiesIgiveaslivingimpulses,
(ShallIgivetheheart'sactionasaduty?)
Letothersdisposeofquestions,Idisposeofnothing,Iarouse
unanswerablequestions,
WhoaretheyIseeandtouch,andwhataboutthem?
Whatabouttheselikesofmyselfthatdrawmesoclosebytender
directionsandindirections?
Icalltotheworldtodistrusttheaccountsofmyfriends,but
listentomyenemies,asImyselfdo,
I charge you forever reject those who would expound me, for I
cannot
expoundmyself,
Ichargethattherebenotheoryorschoolfoundedoutofme,
Ichargeyoutoleaveallfree,asIhaveleftallfree.
Afterme,vista!
OIseelifeisnotshort,butimmeasurablylong,
Ihenceforthtreadtheworldchaste,temperate,anearlyriser,a
steadygrower,
Everyhourthesemenofcenturies,andstillofcenturies.
Imustfollowupthesecontinuallessonsoftheair,water,earth,
IperceiveIhavenotimetolose.
Yearofmeteors!broodingyear!
Iwouldbindinwordsretrospectivesomeofyourdeedsandsigns,
Iwouldsingyourcontestforthe19thPresidentiad,
Iwouldsinghowanoldman,tall,withwhitehair,mountedthe
scaffoldinVirginia,
(Iwasathand,silentIstoodwithteethshutclose,Iwatch'd,
I stood very near you old man when cool and indifferent, but
trembling
withageandyourunheal'dwoundsyoumountedthescaffold;)
IwouldsinginmycopioussongyourcensusreturnsoftheStates,
Thetablesofpopulationandproducts,Iwouldsingofyourships
andtheircargoes,
TheproudblackshipsofManhattanarriving,somefill'dwith
immigrants,somefromtheisthmuswithcargoesofgold,
Songs thereof would I sing, to all that hitherward comes would
welcomegive,
AndyouwouldIsing,fairstripling!welcometoyoufromme,young
princeofEngland!
(RememberyousurgingManhattan'scrowdsasyoupass'dwithyour
cortegeofnobles?
ThereinthecrowdsstoodI,andsingledyououtwithattachment;)
NorforgetItosingofthewonder,theshipassheswamupmybay,
Well-shapedandstatelytheGreatEasternswamupmybay,shewas
600feetlong,
Her moving swiftly surrounded by myriads of small craft I forget
not
tosing;
Nor the comet that came unannounced out of the north flaring in
heaven,
Northestrangehugemeteor-processiondazzlingandclearshooting
overourheads,
(A moment, a moment long it sail'd its balls of unearthly light
over
ourheads,
Thendeparted,droptinthenight,andwasgone;)
Ofsuch,andfitfulasthey,Ising—withgleamsfromthemwould
gleamandpatchthesechants,
Your chants, O year all mottled with evil and good—year of
forebodings!
Yearofcometsandmeteorstransientandstrange—lo!evenhereone
equallytransientandstrange!
As I flit through you hastily, soon to fall and be gone, what is
thischant,
WhatamImyselfbutoneofyourmeteors?
WithAntecedents
1
Withantecedents,
Withmyfathersandmothersandtheaccumulationsofpastages,
Withallwhich,haditnotbeen,Iwouldnotnowbehere,asIam,
WithEgypt,India,Phenicia,GreeceandRome,
WiththeKelt,theScandinavian,theAlbandtheSaxon,
With antique maritime ventures, laws, artisanship, wars and
journeys,
Withthepoet,theskald,thesaga,themyth,andtheoracle,
Withthesaleofslaves,withenthusiasts,withthetroubadour,the
crusader,andthemonk,
With those old continents whence we have come to this new
continent,
Withthefadingkingdomsandkingsoverthere,
Withthefadingreligionsandpriests,
With the small shores we look back to from our own large and
presentshores,
Withcountlessyearsdrawingthemselvesonwardandarrivedatthese
years,
Youandmearrived—Americaarrivedandmakingthisyear,
Thisyear!sendingitselfaheadcountlessyearstocome.
2
Obutitisnottheyears—itisI,itisYou,
Wetouchalllawsandtallyallantecedents,
Wearetheskald,theoracle,themonkandtheknight,weeasily
includethemandmore,
We stand amid time beginningless and endless, we stand amid evil
andgood,
Allswingsaroundus,thereisasmuchdarknessaslight,
Theverysunswingsitselfanditssystemofplanetsaroundus,
Itssun,anditsagain,allswingaroundus.
Asforme,(torn,stormy,amidthesevehementdays,)
Ihavetheideaofall,andamallandbelieveinall,
Ibelievematerialismistrueandspiritualismistrue,Irejectno
part.
(HaveIforgottenanypart?anythinginthepast?
Cometomewhoeverandwhatever,tillIgiveyourecognition.)
IrespectAssyria,China,Teutonia,andtheHebrews,
Iadopteachtheory,myth,god,anddemigod,
Iseethattheoldaccounts,bibles,genealogies,aretrue,without
exception,
Iassertthatallpastdayswerewhattheymusthavebeen,
Andthattheycouldno-howhavebeenbetterthantheywere,
Andthatto-dayiswhatitmustbe,andthatAmericais,
Andthatto-dayandAmericacouldno-howbebetterthantheyare.
3
InthenameoftheseStatesandinyourandmyname,thePast,
And in the name of these States and in your and my name, the
Presenttime.
Iknowthatthepastwasgreatandthefuturewillbegreat,
AndIknowthatbothcuriouslyconjointinthepresenttime,
(ForthesakeofhimItypify,forthecommonaverageman'ssake,
yoursakeifyouarehe,)
And that where I am or you are this present day, there is the
centre
ofalldays,allraces,
Andthereisthemeaningtousofallthathasevercomeofraces
anddays,oreverwillcome.
BOOKXVIII
ABroadwayPageant
1
OvertheWesternseahitherfromNiphoncome,
Courteous,theswart-cheek'dtwo-swordedenvoys,
Leaningbackintheiropenbarouches,bare-headed,impassive,
Rideto-daythroughManhattan.
Libertad!IdonotknowwhetherothersbeholdwhatIbehold,
In the procession along with the nobles of Niphon, the errandbearers,
Bringing up the rear, hovering above, around, or in the ranks
marching,
ButIwillsingyouasongofwhatIbeholdLibertad.
Whenmillion-footedManhattanunpentdescendstoherpavements,
Whenthethunder-crackinggunsarousemewiththeproudroarlove,
Whentheround-mouth'dgunsoutofthesmokeandsmellIlove
spittheirsalutes,
Whenthefire-flashinggunshavefullyalertedme,and
heaven-cloudscanopymycitywithadelicatethinhaze,
Whengorgeousthecountlessstraightstems,theforestsatthe
wharves,thickenwithcolors,
Wheneveryshiprichlydrestcarriesherflagatthepeak,
Whenpennantstrailandstreet-festoonshangfromthewindows,
WhenBroadwayisentirelygivenuptofoot-passengersand
foot-standers,whenthemassisdensest,
Whenthefacadesofthehousesarealivewithpeople,wheneyes
gazerivetedtensofthousandsatatime,
Whentheguestsfromtheislandsadvance,whenthepageantmoves
forwardvisible,
Whenthesummonsismade,whentheanswerthatwaitedthousands
ofyearsanswers,
Itooarising,answering,descendtothepavements,mergewiththe
crowd,andgazewiththem.
2
Superb-facedManhattan!
ComradeAmericanos!tous,thenatlasttheOrientcomes.
Tous,mycity,
Whereourtall-toptmarbleandironbeautiesrangeonopposite
sides,towalkinthespacebetween,
To-dayourAntipodescomes.
TheOriginatresscomes,
Thenestoflanguages,thebequeatherofpoems,theraceofeld,
Floridwithblood,pensive,raptwithmusings,hotwithpassion,
Sultrywithperfume,withampleandflowinggarments,
Withsunburntvisage,withintensesoulandglitteringeyes,
TheraceofBrahmacomes.
See my cantabile! these and more are flashing to us from the
procession,
As it moves changing, a kaleidoscope divine it moves changing
beforeus.
Fornottheenvoysnorthetann'dJapaneefromhisislandonly,
LitheandsilenttheHindooappears,theAsiaticcontinentitself
appears,thepast,thedead,
Themurkynight-morningofwonderandfableinscrutable,
Theenvelop'dmysteries,theoldandunknownhive-bees,
Thenorth,theswelteringsouth,easternAssyria,theHebrews,the
ancientofancients,
Vastdesolatedcities,theglidingpresent,alloftheseandmore
areinthepageant-procession.
Geography,theworld,isinit,
TheGreatSea,thebroodofislands,Polynesia,thecoastbeyond,
Thecoastyouhencefortharefacing—youLibertad!fromyourWestern
goldenshores,
Thecountriestherewiththeirpopulations,themillionsen-masse
arecuriouslyhere,
Theswarmingmarket-places,thetempleswithidolsrangedalongthe
sidesorattheend,bonze,brahmin,andllama,
Mandarin,farmer,merchant,mechanic,andfisherman,
Thesinging-girlandthedancing-girl,theecstaticpersons,the
secludedemperors,
Confucius himself, the great poets and heroes, the warriors, the
castes,
all,
Trooping up, crowding from all directions, from the Altay
mountains,
FromThibet,fromthefourwindingandfar-flowingriversofChina,
Fromthesouthernpeninsulasandthedemi-continentalislands,from
Malaysia,
Theseandwhateverbelongstothempalpableshowforthtome,and
areseiz'dbyme,
AndIamseiz'dbythem,andfriendlilyheldbythem,
Till as here them all I chant, Libertad! for themselves and for
you.
ForItooraisingmyvoicejointheranksofthispageant,
Iamthechanter,Ichantaloudoverthepageant,
IchanttheworldonmyWesternsea,
Ichantcopioustheislandsbeyond,thickasstarsinthesky,
Ichantthenewempiregranderthananybefore,asinavisionit
comestome,
IchantAmericathemistress,Ichantagreatersupremacy,
Ichantprojectedathousandbloomingcitiesyetintimeonthose
groupsofsea-islands,
Mysail-shipsandsteam-shipsthreadingthearchipelagoes,
Mystarsandstripesflutteringinthewind,
Commerceopening,thesleepofageshavingdoneitswork,races
reborn,refresh'd,
Lives,worksresumed—theobjectIknownot—buttheold,theAsiatic
renew'dasitmustbe,
Commencingfromthisdaysurroundedbytheworld.
3
AndyouLibertadoftheworld!
Youshallsitinthemiddlewell-pois'dthousandsandthousandsof
years,
Asto-dayfromonesidethenoblesofAsiacometoyou,
Asto-morrowfromtheothersidethequeenofEnglandsendsher
eldestsontoyou.
Thesignisreversing,theorbisenclosed,
Theringiscircled,thejourneyisdone,
Thebox-lidisbutperceptiblyopen'd,neverthelesstheperfume
pourscopiouslyoutofthewholebox.
YoungLibertad!withthevenerableAsia,theall-mother,
BeconsideratewithhernowandeverhotLibertad,foryouareall,
Bendyourproudnecktothelong-offmothernowsendingmessages
overthearchipelagoestoyou,
Bendyourproudnecklowforonce,youngLibertad.
Herethechildrenstrayingwestwardsolong?sowidethetramping?
Were the precedent dim ages debouching westward from Paradise so
long?
Werethecenturiessteadilyfootingitthatway,allthewhile
unknown,foryou,forreasons?
Theyarejustified,theyareaccomplish'd,theyshallnowbeturn'd
theotherwayalso,totraveltowardyouthence,
They shall now also march obediently eastward for your sake
Libertad.
BOOKXIX.SEA-DRIFT
OutoftheCradleEndlesslyRocking
Outofthecradleendlesslyrocking,
Outofthemocking-bird'sthroat,themusicalshuttle,
OutoftheNinth-monthmidnight,
Overthesterilesandsandthefieldsbeyond,wherethechild
leavinghisbedwander'dalone,bareheaded,barefoot,
Downfromtheshower'dhalo,
Upfromthemysticplayofshadowstwiningandtwistingasifthey
werealive,
Outfromthepatchesofbriersandblackberries,
Fromthememoriesofthebirdthatchantedtome,
From your memories sad brother, from the fitful risings and
fallingsIheard,
Fromunderthatyellowhalf-moonlate-risenandswollenasifwith
tears,
Fromthosebeginningnotesofyearningandlovethereinthemist,
Fromthethousandresponsesofmyheartnevertocease,
Fromthemyriadthence-arous'dwords,
Fromthewordstrongerandmoredeliciousthanany,
Fromsuchasnowtheystartthescenerevisiting,
Asaflock,twittering,rising,oroverheadpassing,
Bornehither,erealleludesme,hurriedly,
Aman,yetbythesetearsalittleboyagain,
Throwingmyselfonthesand,confrontingthewaves,
I,chanterofpainsandjoys,uniterofhereandhereafter,
Takingallhintstousethem,butswiftlyleapingbeyondthem,
Areminiscencesing.
OncePaumanok,
When the lilac-scent was in the air and Fifth-month grass was
growing,
Upthisseashoreinsomebriers,
Twofeather'dguestsfromAlabama,twotogether,
Andtheirnest,andfourlight-greeneggsspottedwithbrown,
Andeverydaythehe-birdtoandfronearathand,
And every day the she-bird crouch'd on her nest, silent, with
brighteyes,
AndeverydayI,acuriousboy,nevertooclose,neverdisturbing
them,
Cautiouslypeering,absorbing,translating.
Shine!shine!shine!
Pourdownyourwarmth,greatsun.'
Whilewebask,wetwotogether.
Twotogether!
Windsblowsouth,orwindsblownorth,
Daycomewhite,ornightcomeblack,
Home,orriversandmountainsfromhome,
Singingalltime,mindingnotime,
Whilewetwokeeptogether.
Tillofasudden,
May-bekill'd,unknowntohermate,
Oneforenoontheshe-birdcrouch'dnotonthenest,
Norreturn'dthatafternoon,northenext,
Noreverappear'dagain.
Andthenceforwardallsummerinthesoundofthesea,
Andatnightunderthefullofthemoonincalmerweather,
Overthehoarsesurgingofthesea,
Orflittingfrombriertobrierbyday,
Isaw,Iheardatintervalstheremainingone,thehe-bird,
ThesolitaryguestfromAlabama.
Blow!blow!blow!
Blowupsea-windsalongPaumanok'sshore;
IwaitandIwaittillyoublowmymatetome.
Yes,whenthestarsglisten'd,
Allnightlongontheprongofamoss-scallop'dstake,
Downalmostamidtheslappingwaves,
Satthelonesingerwonderfulcausingtears.
Hecall'donhismate,
Hepour'dforththemeaningswhichIofallmenknow.
YesmybrotherIknow,
Therestmightnot,butIhavetreasur'deverynote,
Formorethanoncedimlydowntothebeachgliding,
Silent,avoidingthemoonbeams,blendingmyselfwiththeshadows,
Recallingnowtheobscureshapes,theechoes,thesoundsandsights
aftertheirsorts,
Thewhitearmsoutinthebreakerstirelesslytossing,
I,withbarefeet,achild,thewindwaftingmyhair,
Listen'dlongandlong.
Listen'dtokeep,tosing,nowtranslatingthenotes,
Followingyoumybrother.
Soothe!soothe!soothe!
Closeonitswavesoothesthewavebehind,
Andagainanotherbehindembracingandlapping,everyoneclose,
Butmylovesoothesnotme,notme.
Lowhangsthemoon,itroselate,
Itislagging—OIthinkitisheavywithlove,withlove.
Omadlytheseapushesupontheland,
Withlove,withlove.
Onight!doInotseemyloveflutteringoutamongthebreakers?
WhatisthatlittleblackthingIseethereinthewhite?
Loud!loud!loud!
LoudIcalltoyou,mylove!
HighandclearIshootmyvoiceoverthewaves,
Surelyyoumustknowwhoishere,ishere,
YoumustknowwhoIam,mylove.
Low-hangingmoon!
Whatisthatduskyspotinyourbrownyellow?
Oitistheshape,theshapeofmymate.'
Omoondonotkeepherfrommeanylonger.
Land!land!Oland!
Whichever way I turn, O I think you could give me my mate back
again
ifyouonlywould,
ForIamalmostsureIseeherdimlywhicheverwayIlook.
Orisingstars!
Perhaps the one I want so much will rise, will rise with some of
you.
Othroat!Otremblingthroat!
Soundclearerthroughtheatmosphere!
Piercethewoods,theearth,
SomewherelisteningtocatchyoumustbetheoneIwant.
Shakeoutcarols!
Solitaryhere,thenight'scarols!
Carolsoflonesomelove!death'scarols!
Carolsunderthatlagging,yellow,waningmoon!
Ounderthatmoonwhereshedroopsalmostdownintothesea!
Orecklessdespairingcarols.
Butsoft!sinklow!
Soft!letmejustmurmur,
Anddoyouwaitamomentyouhusky-nois'dsea,
ForsomewhereIbelieveIheardmymaterespondingtome,
Sofaint,Imustbestill,bestilltolisten,
But not altogether still, for then she might not come immediately
tome.
Hithermylove!
HereIam!here!
Withthisjust-sustain'dnoteIannouncemyselftoyou,
Thisgentlecallisforyoumylove,foryou.
Donotbedecoy'delsewhere,
Thatisthewhistleofthewind,itisnotmyvoice,
Thatisthefluttering,theflutteringofthespray,
Thosearetheshadowsofleaves.
Odarkness!Oinvain!
OIamverysickandsorrowful
Obrownhalointheskynearthemoon,droopinguponthesea!
Otroubledreflectioninthesea!
Othroat!Othrobbingheart!
AndIsinginguselessly,uselesslyallthenight.
Opast!Ohappylife!Osongsofjoy!
Intheair,inthewoods,overfields,
Loved!loved!loved!loved!loved!
Butmymatenomore,nomorewithme!
Wetwotogethernomore.
Theariasinking,
Allelsecontinuing,thestarsshining,
Thewindsblowing,thenotesofthebirdcontinuousechoing,
Withangrymoansthefierceoldmotherincessantlymoaning,
OnthesandsofPaumanok'sshoregrayandrustling,
Theyellowhalf-moonenlarged,saggingdown,drooping,thefaceof
theseaalmosttouching,
Theboyecstatic,withhisbarefeetthewaves,withhishairthe
atmospheredallying,
The love in the heart long pent, now loose, now at last
tumultuously
bursting,
Thearia'smeaning,theears,thesoul,swiftlydepositing,
Thestrangetearsdownthecheekscoursing,
Thecolloquythere,thetrio,eachuttering,
Theundertone,thesavageoldmotherincessantlycrying,
Totheboy'ssoul'squestionssullenlytiming,somedrown'dsecret
hissing,
Totheoutsettingbard.
Demonorbird!(saidtheboy'ssoul,)
Isitindeedtowardyourmateyousing?orisitreallytome?
ForI,thatwasachild,mytongue'susesleeping,nowIhaveheard
you,
NowinamomentIknowwhatIamfor,Iawake,
Andalreadyathousandsingers,athousandsongs,clearer,louder
andmoresorrowfulthanyours,
Athousandwarblingechoeshavestartedtolifewithinme,neverto
die.
Oyousingersolitary,singingbyyourself,projectingme,
Osolitarymelistening,nevermoreshallIceaseperpetuatingyou,
NevermoreshallIescape,nevermorethereverberations,
Nevermorethecriesofunsatisfiedlovebeabsentfromme,
NeveragainleavemetobethepeacefulchildIwasbeforewhat
thereinthenight,
Bytheseaundertheyellowandsaggingmoon,
Themessengertherearous'd,thefire,thesweethellwithin,
Theunknownwant,thedestinyofme.
Ogivemetheclue!(itlurksinthenightheresomewhere,)
OifIamtohavesomuch,letmehavemore!
Awordthen,(forIwillconquerit,)
Thewordfinal,superiortoall,
Subtle,sentup—whatisit?—Ilisten;
Areyouwhisperingit,andhavebeenallthetime,yousea-waves?
Isthatitfromyourliquidrimsandwetsands?
Wheretoanswering,thesea,
Delayingnot,hurryingnot,
Whisper'dmethroughthenight,andveryplainlybeforedaybreak,
Lisp'dtomethelowanddeliciousworddeath,
Andagaindeath,death,death,death
Hissing melodious, neither like the bird nor like my arous'd
child'sheart,
Butedgingnearasprivatelyformerustlingatmyfeet,
Creeping thence steadily up to my ears and laving me softly all
over,
Death,death,death,death,death.
WhichIdonotforget.
Butfusethesongofmyduskydemonandbrother,
ThathesangtomeinthemoonlightonPaumanok'sgraybeach,
Withthethousandresponsivesongsatrandom,
Myownsongsawakedfromthathour,
Andwiththemthekey,thewordupfromthewaves,
Thewordofthesweetestsongandallsongs,
Thatstronganddeliciouswordwhich,creepingtomyfeet,
(Orlikesomeoldcronerockingthecradle,swathedinsweet
garments,bendingaside,)
Theseawhisper'dme.
1
AsIebb'dwiththeoceanoflife,
AsIwendedtheshoresIknow,
AsIwalk'dwheretheripplescontinuallywashyouPaumanok,
Wheretheyrustleuphoarseandsibilant,
Wherethefierceoldmotherendlesslycriesforhercastaways,
Imusinglateintheautumnday,gazingoffsouthward,
HeldbythiselectricselfoutoftheprideofwhichIutterpoems,
Wasseiz'dbythespiritthattrailsinthelinesunderfoot,
The rim, the sediment that stands for all the water and all the
land
oftheglobe.
Fascinated, my eyes reverting from the south, dropt, to follow
those
slenderwindrows,
Chaff,straw,splintersofwood,weeds,andthesea-gluten,
Scum, scales from shining rocks, leaves of salt-lettuce, left by
thetide,
Mileswalking,thesoundofbreakingwavestheothersideofme,
PaumanokthereandthenasIthoughttheoldthoughtoflikenesses,
Theseyoupresentedtomeyoufish-shapedisland,
AsIwendedtheshoresIknow,
AsIwalk'dwiththatelectricselfseekingtypes.
2
AsIwendtotheshoresIknownot,
AsIlisttothedirge,thevoicesofmenandwomenwreck'd,
AsIinhaletheimpalpablebreezesthatsetinuponme,
Astheoceansomysteriousrollstowardmecloserandcloser,
Itoobutsignifyattheutmostalittlewash'd-updrift,
Afewsandsanddeadleavestogather,
Gather,andmergemyselfaspartofthesandsanddrift.
Obaffled,balk'd,benttotheveryearth,
Oppress'dwithmyselfthatIhavedaredtoopenmymouth,
Aware now that amid all that blab whose echoes recoil upon me I
have
notoncehadtheleastideawhoorwhatIam,
ButthatbeforeallmyarrogantpoemstherealMestandsyet
untouch'd,untold,altogetherunreach'd,
Withdrawnfar,mockingmewithmock-congratulatorysignsandbows,
With peals of distant ironical laughter at every word I have
written,
Pointinginsilencetothesesongs,andthentothesandbeneath.
IperceiveIhavenotreallyunderstoodanything,notasingle
object,andthatnomanevercan,
Naturehereinsightoftheseatakingadvantageofmetodartupon
meandstingme,
BecauseIhavedaredtoopenmymouthtosingatall.
3
Youoceansboth,Iclosewithyou,
Wemurmuralikereproachfullyrollingsandsanddrift,knowingnot
why,
Theselittleshredsindeedstandingforyouandmeandall.
Youfriableshorewithtrailsofdebris,
Youfish-shapedisland,Itakewhatisunderfoot,
Whatisyoursisminemyfather.
ItooPaumanok,
Itoohavebubbledup,floatedthemeasurelessfloat,andbeen
wash'donyourshores,
Itooambutatrailofdriftanddebris,
Itooleavelittlewrecksuponyou,youfish-shapedisland.
Ithrowmyselfuponyourbreastmyfather,
Iclingtoyousothatyoucannotunlooseme,
Iholdyousofirmtillyouanswermesomething.
Kissmemyfather,
TouchmewithyourlipsasItouchthoseIlove,
BreathetomewhileIholdyouclosethesecretofthemurmuringI
envy.
4
Ebb,oceanoflife,(theflowwillreturn,)
Ceasenotyourmoaningyoufierceoldmother,
Endlesslycryforyourcastaways,butfearnot,denynotme,
RustlenotupsohoarseandangryagainstmyfeetasItouchyouor
gatherfromyou.
Imeantenderlybyyouandall,
I gather for myself and for this phantom looking down where we
lead,
andfollowingmeandmine.
Meandmine,loosewindrows,littlecorpses,
Froth,snowywhite,andbubbles,
(See,frommydeadlipstheoozeexudingatlast,
See,theprismaticcolorsglisteningandrolling,)
Tuftsofstraw,sands,fragments,
Buoy'dhitherfrommanymoods,onecontradictinganother,
Fromthestorm,thelongcalm,thedarkness,theswell,
Musing,pondering,abreath,abrinytear,adabofliquidorsoil,
Upjustasmuchoutoffathomlessworkingsfermentedandthrown,
Alimpblossomortwo,torn,justasmuchoverwavesfloating,
driftedatrandom,
JustasmuchforusthatsobbingdirgeofNature,
Justasmuchwhencewecomethatblareofthecloud-trumpets,
We, capricious, brought hither we know not whence, spread out
beforeyou,
Youuptherewalkingorsitting,
Whoeveryouare,wetoolieindriftsatyourfeet.
Tears
Tears!tears!tears!
Inthenight,insolitude,tears,
Onthewhiteshoredripping,dripping,suck'dinbythesand,
Tears,notastarshining,alldarkanddesolate,
Moisttearsfromtheeyesofamuffledhead;
Owhoisthatghost?thatforminthedark,withtears?
Whatshapelesslumpisthat,bent,crouch'dthereonthesand?
Streamingtears,sobbingtears,throes,chokedwithwildcries;
O storm, embodied, rising, careering with swift steps along the
beach!
Owildanddismalnightstorm,withwind—Obelchinganddesperate!
Oshadesosedateanddecorousbyday,withcalmcountenanceand
regulatedpace,
But away at night as you fly, none looking—O then the unloosen'd
ocean,
Oftears!tears!tears!
Thouwhohastsleptallnightuponthestorm,
Wakingrenew'donthyprodigiouspinions,
(Burstthewildstorm?aboveitthouascended'st,
Andrestedonthesky,thyslavethatcradledthee,)
Nowabluepoint,far,farinheavenfloating,
AstothelightemerginghereondeckIwatchthee,
(Myselfaspeck,apointontheworld'sfloatingvast.)
Far,faratsea,
Afterthenight'sfiercedriftshavestrewntheshorewithwrecks,
Withre-appearingdayasnowsohappyandserene,
Therosyandelasticdawn,theflashingsun,
Thelimpidspreadofaircerulean,
Thoualsore-appearest.
Thouborntomatchthegale,(thouartallwings,)
Tocopewithheavenandearthandseaandhurricane,
Thoushipofairthatneverfurl'stthysails,
Days, even weeks untired and onward, through spaces, realms
gyrating,
AtduskthatlookistonSenegal,atmornAmerica,
Thatsport'stamidthelightning-flashandthunder-cloud,
Inthem,inthyexperiences,had'stthoumysoul,
Whatjoys!whatjoyswerethine!
AboardataShip'sHelm
Aboardataship'shelm,
Ayoungsteersmansteeringwithcare.
Throughfogonasea-coastdolefullyringing,
Anocean-bell—Oawarningbell,rock'dbythewaves.
Oyougivegoodnoticeindeed,youbellbythesea-reefsringing,
Ringing,ringing,towarntheshipfromitswreck-place.
ForasonthealertOsteersman,youmindtheloudadmonition,
The bows turn, the freighted ship tacking speeds away under her
graysails,
Thebeautifulandnobleshipwithallherpreciouswealthspeeds
awaygaylyandsafe.
ButOtheship,theimmortalship!Oshipaboardtheship!
Shipofthebody,shipofthesoul,voyaging,voyaging,voyaging.
OntheBeachatNight
Onthebeachatnight,
Standsachildwithherfather,
Watchingtheeast,theautumnsky.
Upthroughthedarkness,
While ravening clouds, the burial clouds, in black masses
spreading,
Lowersullenandfastathwartanddownthesky,
Amidatransparentclearbeltofetheryetleftintheeast,
Ascendslargeandcalmthelord-starJupiter,
Andnighathand,onlyaverylittleabove,
SwimthedelicatesistersthePleiades.
Fromthebeachthechildholdingthehandofherfather,
Thoseburial-cloudsthatlowervictorioussoontodevourall,
Watching,silentlyweeps.
Weepnot,child,
Weepnot,mydarling,
Withthesekissesletmeremoveyourtears,
Theraveningcloudsshallnotlongbevictorious,
Theyshallnotlongpossessthesky,theydevourthestarsonlyin
apparition,
Jupitershallemerge,bepatient,watchagainanothernight,the
Pleiadesshallemerge,
Theyareimmortal,allthosestarsbothsilveryandgoldenshall
shineoutagain,
The great stars and the little ones shall shine out again, they
endure,
Thevastimmortalsunsandthelong-enduringpensivemoonsshall
againshine.
Thendearestchildmournestthouonlyforjupiter?
Considerestthoualonetheburialofthestars?
Somethingthereis,
(Withmylipssoothingthee,addingIwhisper,
Igivetheethefirstsuggestion,theproblemandindirection,)
Somethingthereismoreimmortaleventhanthestars,
(Manytheburials,manythedaysandnights,passingaway,)
SomethingthatshallendurelongereventhanlustrousJupiter
Longerthansunoranyrevolvingsatellite,
OrtheradiantsistersthePleiades.
Theworldbelowthebrine,
Forestsatthebottomofthesea,thebranchesandleaves,
Sea-lettuce,vastlichens,strangeflowersandseeds,thethick
tangleopenings,andpinkturf,
Differentcolors,palegrayandgreen,purple,white,andgold,the
playoflightthroughthewater,
Dumbswimmersthereamongtherocks,coral,gluten,grass,rushes,
andthealimentoftheswimmers,
Sluggishexistencesgrazingtheresuspended,orslowlycrawling
closetothebottom,
Thesperm-whaleatthesurfaceblowingairandspray,ordisporting
withhisflukes,
Theleaden-eyedshark,thewalrus,theturtle,thehairy
sea-leopard,andthesting-ray,
Passions there, wars, pursuits, tribes, sight in those oceandepths,
breathingthatthick-breathingair,assomanydo,
Thechangethencetothesighthere,andtothesubtleairbreathed
bybeingslikeuswhowalkthissphere,
The change onward from ours to that of beings who walk other
spheres.
Onthebeachatnightalone,
Astheoldmotherswayshertoandfrosingingherhuskysong,
AsIwatchthebrightstarsshining,Ithinkathoughtoftheclef
oftheuniversesandofthefuture.
Avastsimilitudeinterlocksall,
Allspheres,grown,ungrown,small,large,suns,moons,planets,
Alldistancesofplacehoweverwide,
Alldistancesoftime,allinanimateforms,
All souls, all living bodies though they be ever so different, or
in
differentworlds,
All gaseous, watery, vegetable,mineral processes, the fishes, the
brutes,
Allnations,colors,barbarisms,civilizations,languages,
Allidentitiesthathaveexistedormayexistonthisglobe,orany
globe,
Alllivesanddeaths,allofthepast,present,future,
Thisvastsimilitudespansthem,andalwayshasspann'd,
Andshallforeverspanthemandcompactlyholdandenclosethem.
1
To-dayarudebriefrecitative,
Of ships sailing the seas, each with its special flag or shipsignal,
Ofunnamedheroesintheships—ofwavesspreadingandspreading
farastheeyecanreach,
Ofdashingspray,andthewindspipingandblowing,
Andoutoftheseachantforthesailorsofallnations,
Fitful,likeasurge.
Of sea-captains young or old, and the mates, and of all intrepid
sailors,
Ofthefew,verychoice,taciturn,whomfatecanneversurprisenor
deathdismay.
Pick'dsparinglywithoutnoisebytheeoldocean,chosenbythee,
Thou sea that pickest and cullest the race in time, and unitest
nations,
Suckledbythee,oldhuskynurse,embodyingthee,
Indomitable,untamedasthee.
(Evertheheroesonwateroronland,byonesortwosappearing,
Everthestockpreserv'dandneverlost,thoughrare,enoughfor
seedpreserv'd.)
2
FlauntoutOseayourseparateflagsofnations!
Flauntoutvisibleaseverthevariousship-signals!
Butdoyoureserveespeciallyforyourselfandforthesoulofman
oneflagabovealltherest,
Aspiritualwovensignalforallnations,emblemofmanelateabove
death,
Tokenofallbravecaptainsandallintrepidsailorsandmates,
Andallthatwentdowndoingtheirduty,
Reminiscent of them, twined from all intrepid captains young or
old,
A pennant universal, subtly waving all time, o'er all brave
sailors,
Allseas,allships.
PatrolingBarnegat
Wild,wildthestorm,andtheseahighrunning,
Steadytheroarofthegale,withincessantundertonemuttering,
Shoutsofdemoniaclaughterfitfullypiercingandpealing,
Waves,air,midnight,theirsavagesttrinitylashing,
Outintheshadowstheremilk-whitecombscareering,
Onbeachyslushandsandspirtsofsnowfierceslanting,
Wherethroughthemurktheeasterlydeath-windbreasting,
Throughcuttingswirlandspraywatchfulandfirmadvancing,
(Thatinthedistance!isthatawreck?istheredsignalflaring?)
Slushandsandofthebeachtirelesstilldaylightwending,
Steadily,slowly,throughhoarseroarneverremitting,
Alongthemidnightedgebythosemilk-whitecombscareering,
Agroupofdim,weirdforms,struggling,thenightconfronting,
Thatsavagetrinitywarilywatching.
AftertheSea-Ship
Afterthesea-ship,afterthewhistlingwinds,
Afterthewhite-graysailstauttotheirsparsandropes,
Below,amyriadmyriadwaveshastening,liftinguptheirnecks,
Tendinginceaselessflowtowardthetrackoftheship,
Wavesoftheoceanbubblingandgurgling,blithelyprying,
Waves,undulatingwaves,liquid,uneven,emulouswaves,
Towardthatwhirlingcurrent,laughingandbuoyant,withcurves,
Wherethegreatvesselsailingandtackingdisplacedthesurface,
Larger and smaller waves in the spread of the ocean yearnfully
flowing,
Thewakeofthesea-shipaftershepasses,flashingandfrolicsome
underthesun,
Amotleyprocessionwithmanyafleckoffoamandmanyfragments,
Followingthestatelyandrapidship,inthewakefollowing.
ABostonBallad[1854]
TogetbetimesinBostontownIrosethismorningearly,
Here'sagoodplaceatthecorner,Imuststandandseetheshow.
ClearthewaythereJonathan!
WayforthePresident'smarshal—wayforthegovernmentcannon!
WayfortheFederalfootanddragoons,(andtheapparitions
copiouslytumbling.)
IlovetolookontheStarsandStripes,Ihopethefifeswillplay
YankeeDoodle.
Howbrightshinethecutlassesoftheforemosttroops!
Everymanholdshisrevolver,marchingstiffthroughBostontown.
Afogfollows,antiquesofthesamecomelimping,
Someappearwooden-legged,andsomeappearbandagedandbloodless.
Whythisisindeedashow—ithascalledthedeadoutoftheearth!
Theoldgraveyardsofthehillshavehurriedtosee!
Phantoms!phantomscountlessbyflankandrear!
Cock'dhatsofmothymould—crutchesmadeofmist!
Armsinslings—oldmenleaningonyoungmen'sshoulders.
WhattroublesyouYankeephantoms?whatisallthischatteringof
baregums?
Doestheagueconvulseyourlimbs?doyoumistakeyourcrutchesfor
firelocksandlevelthem?
IfyoublindyoureyeswithtearsyouwillnotseethePresident's
marshal,
Ifyougroansuchgroansyoumightbalkthegovernmentcannon.
Forshameoldmaniacs—bringdownthosetoss'darms,andletyour
whitehairbe,
Here gape your great grandsons, their wives gaze at them from the
windows,
Seehowwelldress'd,seehoworderlytheyconductthemselves.
Worseandworse—can'tyoustandit?areyouretreating?
Isthishourwiththelivingtoodeadforyou?
Retreatthen—pell-mell!
Toyourgraves—back—backtothehillsoldlimpers!
Idonotthinkyoubelonghereanyhow.
Butthereisonethingthatbelongshere—shallItellyouwhatit
is,gentlemenofBoston?
I will whisper it to the Mayor, he shall send a committee to
England,
TheyshallgetagrantfromtheParliament,gowithacarttothe
royalvault,
DigoutKingGeorge'scoffin,unwraphimquickfromthe
graveclothes,boxuphisbonesforajourney,
FindaswiftYankeeclipper—hereisfreightforyou,black-bellied
clipper,
Upwithyouranchor—shakeoutyoursails—steerstraighttoward
Bostonbay.
Now call for the President's marshal again, bring out the
governmentcannon,
FetchhometheroarersfromCongress,makeanotherprocession,
guarditwithfootanddragoons.
Thiscentre-pieceforthem;
Look,allorderlycitizens—lookfromthewindows,women!
Thecommitteeopenthebox,setuptheregalribs,gluethosethat
willnotstay,
Clap the skull on top of the ribs, and clap a crown on top of the
skull.
Youhavegotyourrevenge,oldbuster—thecrowniscometoitsown,
andmorethanitsown.
Stickyourhandsinyourpockets,Jonathan—youareamademanfrom
thisday,
Youaremightycute—andhereisoneofyourbargains.
Suddenlyoutofitsstaleanddrowsylair,thelairofslaves,
Likelightningitle'ptforthhalfstartledatitself,
Its feet upon the ashes and the rags, its hands tight to the
throats
ofkings.
Ohopeandfaith!
Oachingcloseofexiledpatriots'lives!
Omanyasicken'dheart!
Turnbackuntothisdayandmakeyourselvesafresh.
Andyou,paidtodefilethePeople—youliars,mark!
Notfornumberlessagonies,murders,lusts,
Forcourtthievinginitsmanifoldmeanforms,wormingfromhis
simplicitythepoorman'swages,
Formanyapromiseswornbyroyallipsandbrokenandlaugh'datin
thebreaking,
Thenintheirpowernotforallthesedidtheblowsstrikerevenge,
ortheheadsofthenoblesfall;
ThePeoplescorn'dtheferocityofkings.
Butthesweetnessofmercybrew'dbitterdestruction,andthe
frighten'dmonarchscomeback,
Eachcomesinstatewithhistrain,hangman,priest,tax-gatherer,
Soldier,lawyer,lord,jailer,andsycophant.
Yetbehindallloweringstealing,lo,ashape,
Vagueasthenight,drapedinterminably,head,frontandform,in
scarletfolds,
Whosefaceandeyesnonemaysee,
Outofitsrobesonlythis,theredrobesliftedbythearm,
Onefingercrook'dpointedhighoverthetop,liketheheadofa
snakeappears.
Meanwhile corpses lie in new-made graves, bloody corpses of young
men,
Theropeofthegibbethangsheavily,thebulletsofprincesare
flying,thecreaturesofpowerlaughaloud,
Andallthesethingsbearfruits,andtheyaregood.
Thosecorpsesofyoungmen,
Thosemartyrsthathangfromthegibbets,thoseheartspierc'dby
thegraylead,
Coldandmotionlessastheyseemliveelsewherewithunslaughter'd
vitality.
TheyliveinotheryoungmenOkings!
Theyliveinbrothersagainreadytodefyyou,
Theywerepurifiedbydeath,theyweretaughtandexalted.
Notagraveofthemurder'dforfreedombutgrowsseedforfreedom,
initsturntobearseed,
Whichthewindscarryafarandre-sow,andtherainsandthesnows
nourish.
Notadisembodiedspiritcantheweaponsoftyrantsletloose,
But it stalks invisibly over the earth, whispering, counseling,
cautioning.
Liberty,letothersdespairofyou—Ineverdespairofyou.
Isthehouseshut?isthemasteraway?
Nevertheless,beready,benotwearyofwatching,
Hewillsoonreturn,hismessengerscomeanon.
AHand-Mirror
Holditupsternly—seethisitsendsback,(whoisit?isityou?)
Outsidefaircostume,withinashesandfilth,
Nomoreaflashingeye,nomoreasonorousvoiceorspringystep,
Nowsomeslave'seye,voice,hands,step,
Adrunkard'sbreath,unwholesomeeater'sface,venerealee'sflesh,
Lungsrottingawaypiecemeal,stomachsourandcankerous,
Jointsrheumatic,bowelscloggedwithabomination,
Bloodcirculatingdarkandpoisonousstreams,
Wordsbabble,hearingandtouchcallous,
Nobrain,noheartleft,nomagnetismofsex;
Suchfromonelookinthislooking-glassereyougohence,
Sucharesultsosoon—andfromsuchabeginning!
Gods
LoverdivineandperfectComrade,
Waitingcontent,invisibleyet,butcertain,
BethoumyGod.
Thou,thou,theIdealMan,
Fair,able,beautiful,content,andloving,
Completeinbodyanddilateinspirit,
BethoumyGod.
ODeath,(forLifehasserveditsturn,)
Openerandushertotheheavenlymansion,
BethoumyGod.
Aught,aughtofmightiest,bestIsee,conceive,orknow,
(Tobreakthestagnanttie—thee,theetofree,Osoul,)
BethoumyGod.
Allgreatideas,theraces'aspirations,
Allheroisms,deedsofraptenthusiasts,
BeyemyGods.
OrTimeandSpace,
OrshapeofEarthdivineandwondrous,
OrsomefairshapeIviewing,worship,
Orlustrousorbofsunorstarbynight,
BeyemyGods.
Germs
Forms,qualities,lives,humanity,language,thoughts,
Theonesknown,andtheonesunknown,theonesonthestars,
Thestarsthemselves,someshaped,othersunshaped,
Wonders as of those countries, the soil, trees, cities,
inhabitants,
whatevertheymaybe,
Splendidsuns,themoonsandrings,thecountlesscombinationsand
effects,
Such-like, and as good as such-like, visible here or anywhere,
stand
providedforahandfulofspace,whichIextendmyarmand
halfenclosewithmyhand,
Thatcontainingthestartofeachandall,thevirtue,thegermsof
all.
Thoughts
Of ownership—as if one fit to own things could not at pleasure
enter
uponall,andincorporatethemintohimselforherself;
Ofvista—supposesomesightinarrierethroughtheformativechaos,
presuming the growth, fulness, life, now attain'd on the
journey,
(ButIseetheroadcontinued,andthejourneyevercontinued;)
Ofwhatwasoncelackingonearth,andinduetimehasbecome
supplied—andofwhatwillyetbesupplied,
BecauseallIseeandknowIbelievetohaveitsmainpurportin
whatwillyetbesupplied.
WhenIHeardtheLearn'dAstronomer
WhenIheardthelearn'dastronomer,
Whentheproofs,thefigures,wererangedincolumnsbeforeme,
When I was shown the charts and diagrams, to add, divide, and
measurethem,
WhenIsittingheardtheastronomerwherehelecturedwithmuch
applauseinthelecture-room,
HowsoonunaccountableIbecametiredandsick,
TillrisingandglidingoutIwander'doffbymyself,
Inthemysticalmoistnight-air,andfromtimetotime,
Look'dupinperfectsilenceatthestars.
Perfections
Onlythemselvesunderstandthemselvesandthelikeofthemselves,
Assoulsonlyunderstandsouls.
OMe!OLife!
Ome!Olife!ofthequestionsoftheserecurring,
Of the endless trains of the faithless, of cities fill'd with the
foolish,
Ofmyselfforeverreproachingmyself,(forwhomorefoolishthanI,
andwhomorefaithless?)
Ofeyesthatvainlycravethelight,oftheobjectsmean,ofthe
struggleeverrenew'd,
Ofthepoorresultsofall,oftheploddingandsordidcrowdsIsee
aroundme,
Of the empty and useless years of the rest, with the rest me
intertwined,
Thequestion,Ome!sosad,recurring—Whatgoodamidthese,Ome,O
life?
Answer.
Thatyouarehere—thatlifeexistsandidentity,
Thatthepowerfulplaygoeson,andyoumaycontributeaverse.
ToaPresident
AllyouaredoingandsayingistoAmericadangledmirages,
Youhavenotlearn'dofNature—ofthepoliticsofNatureyouhave
notlearn'dthegreatamplitude,rectitude,impartiality,
YouhavenotseenthatonlysuchastheyarefortheseStates,
Andthatwhatislessthantheymustsoonerorlaterliftofffrom
theseStates.
ISitandLookOut
Isitandlookoutuponallthesorrowsoftheworld,anduponall
oppressionandshame,
Ihearsecretconvulsivesobsfromyoungmenatanguishwith
themselves,remorsefulafterdeedsdone,
Iseeinlowlifethemothermisusedbyherchildren,dying,
neglected,gaunt,desperate,
I see the wife misused by her husband, I see the treacherous
seducer
ofyoungwomen,
I mark the ranklings of jealousy and unrequited love attempted to
be
hid,Iseethesesightsontheearth,
I see the workings of battle, pestilence, tyranny, I see martyrs
and
prisoners,
Iobserveafamineatsea,Iobservethesailorscastinglotswho
shallbekill'dtopreservethelivesoftherest,
I observe the slights and degradations cast by arrogant persons
upon
laborers,thepoor,anduponnegroes,andthelike;
Allthese—allthemeannessandagonywithoutendIsittinglookout
upon,
See,hear,andamsilent.
ToRichGivers
WhatyougivemeIcheerfullyaccept,
Alittlesustenance,ahutandgarden,alittlemoney,asI
rendezvouswithmypoems,
Atraveler'slodgingandbreakfastasjourneythroughtheStates,—
whyshouldIbeashamedtoownsuchgifts?whytoadvertisefor
them?
ForImyselfamnotonewhobestowsnothinguponmanandwoman,
ForIbestowuponanymanorwomantheentrancetoallthegiftsof
theuniverse.
Skirtingtheriverroad,(myforenoonwalk,myrest,)
Skywardinairasuddenmuffledsound,thedallianceoftheeagles,
Therushingamorouscontacthighinspacetogether,
Theclinchinginterlockingclaws,aliving,fierce,gyratingwheel,
Fourbeatingwings,twobeaks,aswirlingmasstightgrappling,
Intumblingturningclusteringloops,straightdownwardfalling,
Tillo'ertheriverpois'd,thetwainyetone,amoment'slull,
A motionless still balance in the air, then parting, talons
loosing,
Upward again on slow-firmpinions slanting, their separate diverse
flight,
Shehers,hehis,pursuing.
RoaminginthoughtovertheUniverse,IsawthelittlethatisGood
steadilyhasteningtowardsimmortality,
And the vast all that is call'd Evil I saw hastening to merge
itself
andbecomelostanddead.
AFarmPicture
Throughtheampleopendoorofthepeacefulcountrybarn,
Asunlitpasturefieldwithcattleandhorsesfeeding,
Andhazeandvista,andthefarhorizonfadingaway.
AChild'sAmaze
Silentandamazedevenwhenalittleboy,
I remember I heard the preacher every Sunday put God in his
statements,
Ascontendingagainstsomebeingorinfluence.
TheRunner
Onaflatroadrunsthewell-train'drunner,
Heisleanandsinewywithmuscularlegs,
Heisthinlyclothed,heleansforwardasheruns,
Withlightlyclosedfistsandarmspartiallyrais'd.
BeautifulWomen
Womensitormovetoandfro,someold,someyoung,
The young are beautiful—but the old are more beautiful than the
young.
MotherandBabe
Iseethesleepingbabenestlingthebreastofitsmother,
Thesleepingmotherandbabe—hush'd,Istudythemlongandlong.
Thought
Ofobedience,faith,adhesiveness;
AsIstandaloofandlookthereistomesomethingprofoundly
affecting in large masses of men following the lead of those
who
donotbelieveinmen.
Visor'd
Amask,aperpetualnaturaldisguiserofherself,
Concealingherface,concealingherform,
Changesandtransformationseveryhour,everymoment,
Fallinguponherevenwhenshesleeps.
Thought
Ofjustice—asIfcouldbeanythingbutthesameamplelaw,
expoundedbynaturaljudgesandsaviors,
Asifitmightbethisthingorthatthing,accordingtodecisions.
GlidingO'erall
Glidingo'erall,throughall,
ThroughNature,Time,andSpace,
Asashiponthewatersadvancing,
Thevoyageofthesoul—notlifealone,
Death,manydeathsI'llsing.
Hastnevercometotheeanhour,
Asuddengleamdivine,precipitating,burstingallthesebubbles,
fashions,wealth?
Theseeagerbusinessaims—books,politics,art,amours,
Toutternothingness?
Thought
OfEquality—asifitharm'dme,givingothersthesamechancesand
rightsasmyself—asifitwerenotindispensabletomyown
rightsthatotherspossessthesame.
ToOldAge
I see in you the estuary that enlarges and spreads itself grandly
as
itpoursinthegreatsea.
LocationsandTimes
Locationsandtimes—whatisitinmethatmeetsthemall,whenever
andwherever,andmakesmeathome?
Forms,colors,densities,odors—whatisitinmethatcorresponds
withthem?
Offerings
Athousandperfectmenandwomenappear,
Aroundeachgathersaclusteroffriends,andgaychildrenand
youths,withofferings.
ToTheStates[ToIdentifythe16th,17th,or18th
Presidentiad]
Whyreclining,interrogating?whymyselfandalldrowsing?
Whatdeepeningtwilight-scumfloatingatopofthewaters,
Whoaretheyasbatsandnight-dogsaskantinthecapitol?
WhatafilthyPresidentiad!(OSouth,yourtorridsuns!ONorth,
yourarcticfreezings!)
ArethosereallyCongressmen?arethosethegreatJudges?isthat
thePresident?
Then I will sleep awhile yet, for I see that these States sleep,
for
reasons;
(Withgatheringmurk,withmutteringthunderandlambentshootswe
alldulyawake,
South, North, East, West, inland and seaboard, we will surely
awake.)
BOOKXXI.DRUM-TAPS
FirstOSongsforaPrelude
FirstOsongsforaprelude,
Lightlystrikeonthestretch'dtympanumprideandjoyinmycity,
Howsheledtheresttoarms,howshegavethecue,
Howatoncewithlithelimbsunwaitingamomentshesprang,
(Osuperb!OManhattan,myown,mypeerless!
O strongest you in the hour of danger, in crisis! O truer than
steel!)
Howyousprang—howyouthrewoffthecostumesofpeacewith
indifferenthand,
Howyoursoftopera-musicchanged,andthedrumandfifewereheard
intheirstead,
Howyouledtothewar,(thatshallserveforourprelude,songsof
soldiers,)
HowManhattandrum-tapsled.
FortyyearshadIinmycityseensoldiersparading,
Forty years as a pageant, till unawares the lady of this teeming
and
turbulentcity,
Sleeplessamidherships,herhouses,herincalculablewealth,
Withhermillionchildrenaroundher,suddenly,
Atdeadofnight,atnewsfromthesouth,
Incens'dstruckwithclinch'dhandthepavement.
Ashockelectric,thenightsustain'dit,
Tillwithominoushumourhiveatdaybreakpour'doutitsmyriads.
From the houses then and the workshops, and through all the
doorways,
Leapttheytumultuous,andlo!Manhattanarming.
Tothedrum-tapsprompt,
Theyoungmenfallinginandarming,
Themechanicsarming,(thetrowel,thejack-plane,theblacksmith's
hammer,tostasidewithprecipitation,)
The lawyer leaving his office and arming, the judge leaving the
court,
The driver deserting his wagon in the street, jumping down,
throwing
thereinsabruptlydownonthehorses'backs,
Thesalesmanleavingthestore,theboss,book-keeper,porter,all
leaving;
Squadsgathereverywherebycommonconsentandarm,
The new recruits, even boys, the old men show them how to wear
their
accoutrements,theybucklethestrapscarefully,
Outdoorsarming,indoorsarming,theflashofthemusket-barrels,
Thewhitetentsclusterincamps,thearm'dsentriesaround,the
sunrisecannonandagainatsunset,
Arm'dregimentsarriveeveryday,passthroughthecity,andembark
fromthewharves,
(Howgoodtheylookastheytrampdowntotheriver,sweaty,with
theirgunsontheirshoulders!
HowIlovethem!howIcouldhugthem,withtheirbrownfacesand
theirclothesandknapsackscover'dwithdust!)
Thebloodofthecityup-arm'd!arm'd!thecryeverywhere,
Theflagsflungoutfromthesteeplesofchurchesandfromallthe
publicbuildingsandstores,
Thetearfulparting,themotherkissesherson,thesonkisseshis
mother,
(Loth is the mother to part, yet not a word does she speak to
detainhim,)
The tumultuous escort, the ranks of policemen preceding, clearing
theway,
The unpent enthusiasm, the wild cheers of the crowd for their
favorites,
Theartillery,thesilentcannonsbrightasgold,drawnalong,
rumblelightlyoverthestones,
(Silentcannons,soontoceaseyoursilence,
Soonunlimber'dtobegintheredbusiness;)
Allthemutterofpreparation,allthedetermin'darming,
Thehospitalservice,thelint,bandagesandmedicines,
The women volunteering for nurses, the work begun for in earnest,
no
mereparadenow;
War!anarm'draceisadvancing!thewelcomeforbattle,noturning
away!
War!beitweeks,months,oryears,anarm'draceisadvancingto
welcomeit.
Mannahattaa-march—andit'sOtosingitwell!
It'sOforamanlylifeinthecamp.
Andthesturdyartillery,
The guns bright as gold, the work for giants, to serve well the
guns,
Unlimberthem!(nomoreasthepastfortyyearsforsalutesfor
courtesiesmerely,
Putinsomethingnowbesidespowderandwadding.)
Andyouladyofships,youMannahatta,
Oldmatronofthisproud,friendly,turbulentcity,
Ofteninpeaceandwealthyouwerepensiveorcovertlyfrown'damid
allyourchildren,
ButnowyousmilewithjoyexultingoldMannahatta.
EighteenSixty-One
Arm'dyear—yearofthestruggle,
Nodaintyrhymesorsentimentalloveversesforyouterribleyear,
Not you as some pale poetling seated at a desk lisping cadenzas
piano,
Butasastrongmanerect,clothedinblueclothes,advancing,
carryingrifleonyourshoulder,
With well-gristled body and sunburnt face and hands, with a knife
in
thebeltatyourside,
As I heard you shouting loud, your sonorous voice ringing across
the
continent,
YourmasculinevoiceOyear,asrisingamidthegreatcities,
AmidthemenofManhattanIsawyouasoneoftheworkmen,the
dwellersinManhattan,
Or with large steps crossing the prairies out of Illinois and
Indiana,
Rapidly crossing the West with springy gait and descending the
Allghanies,
OrdownfromthegreatlakesorinPennsylvania,orondeckalong
theOhioriver,
OrsouthwardalongtheTennesseeorCumberlandrivers,orat
Chattanoogaonthemountaintop,
Saw I your gait and saw I your sinewy limbs clothed in blue,
bearing
weapons,robustyear,
Heardyourdetermin'dvoicelaunch'dforthagainandagain,
Yearthatsuddenlysangbythemouthsoftheround-lipp'dcannon,
Irepeatyou,hurrying,crashing,sad,distractedyear.
Beat!Beat!Drums!
Beat!beat!drums!—blow!bugles!blow!
Throughthewindows—throughdoors—burstlikearuthlessforce,
Intothesolemnchurch,andscatterthecongregation,
Intotheschoolwherethescholarisstudying;
Leavenotthebridegroomquiet—nohappinessmusthehavenowwith
hisbride,
Northepeacefulfarmeranypeace,ploughinghisfieldorgathering
hisgrain,
Sofierceyouwhirrandpoundyoudrums—soshrillyoubuglesblow.
Over the traffic of cities—over the rumble of wheels in the
streets;
Arebedspreparedforsleepersatnightinthehouses?nosleepers
mustsleepinthosebeds,
Nobargainers'bargainsbyday—nobrokersorspeculators—would
theycontinue?
Wouldthetalkersbetalking?wouldthesingerattempttosing?
Would the lawyer rise in the court to state his case before the
judge?
Thenrattlequicker,heavierdrums—youbugleswilderblow.
Makenoparley—stopfornoexpostulation,
Mindnotthetimid—mindnottheweeperorprayer,
Mindnottheoldmanbeseechingtheyoungman,
Letnotthechild'svoicebeheard,northemother'sentreaties,
Make even the trestles to shake the dead where they lie awaiting
the
hearses,
SostrongyouthumpOterribledrums—soloudyoubuglesblow.
FromPaumanokstartingIflylikeabird,
Aroundandaroundtosoartosingtheideaofall,
Tothenorthbetakingmyselftosingtherearcticsongs,
ToKanadatillIabsorbKanadainmyself,toMichiganthen,
To Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, to sing their songs, (they are
inimitable;)
ThentoOhioandIndianatosingtheirs,toMissouriandKansasand
Arkansastosingtheirs,
To Tennessee and Kentucky, to the Carolinas and Georgia to sing
theirs,
To Texas and so along up toward California, to roam accepted
everywhere;
Tosingfirst,(tothetapofthewar-drumifneedbe,)
Theideaofall,oftheWesternworldoneandinseparable,
AndthenthesongofeachmemberoftheseStates.
Poet:
OAnewsong,afreesong,
Flapping, flapping, flapping, flapping, by sounds, by voices
clearer,
Bythewind'svoiceandthatofthedrum,
By the banner's voice and child's voice and sea's voice and
father'svoice,
Lowonthegroundandhighintheair,
Onthegroundwherefatherandchildstand,
Intheupwardairwheretheireyesturn,
Wherethebanneratdaybreakisflapping.
Words!book-words!whatareyou?
Wordsnomore,forhearkenandsee,
Mysongisthereintheopenair,andImustsing,
Withthebannerandpennanta-flapping.
I'llweavethechordandtwinein,
Man's desire and babe's desire, I'll twine them in, I'll put in
life,
I'll put the bayonet's flashing point, I'll let bullets and slugs
whizz,
(Asonecarryingasymbolandmenacefarintothefuture,
Cryingwithtrumpetvoice,Arouseandbeware!Bewareandarouse!)
I'll pour the verse with streams of blood, full of volition, full
ofjoy,
Thenloosen,launchforth,togoandcompete,
Withthebannerandpennanta-flapping.
Pennant:
Comeuphere,bard,bard,
Comeuphere,soul,soul,
Comeuphere,dearlittlechild,
To fly in the clouds and winds with me, and play with the
measurelesslight.
Child:
Fatherwhatisthatintheskybeckoningtomewithlongfinger?
Andwhatdoesitsaytomeallthewhile?
Father:
Nothingmybabeyouseeinthesky,
Andnothingatalltoyouitsays—butlookyoumybabe,
Lookatthesedazzlingthingsinthehouses,andseeyouthemoney-
shopsopening,
Andseeyouthevehiclespreparingtocrawlalongthestreetswith
goods;
These,ahthese,howvaluedandtoil'dforthese!
Howenviedbyalltheearth.
Poet:
Freshandrosyredthesunismountinghigh,
Onfloatstheseaindistantbluecareeringthroughitschannels,
On floats the wind over the breast of the sea setting in toward
land,
Thegreatsteadywindfromwestorwest-by-south,
Floatingsobuoyantwithmilk-whitefoamonthewaters.
ButIamnottheseanortheredsun,
Iamnotthewindwithgirlishlaughter,
Nottheimmensewindwhichstrengthens,notthewindwhichlashes,
Notthespiritthateverlashesitsownbodytoterroranddeath,
ButIamthatwhichunseencomesandsings,sings,sings,
Whichbabblesinbrooksandscootsinshowersontheland,
Whichthebirdsknowinthewoodsmorningsandevenings,
Andtheshore-sandsknowandthehissingwave,andthatbannerand
pennant,
Aloftthereflappingandflapping.
Child:
Ofatheritisalive—itisfullofpeople—ithaschildren,
Onowitseemstomeitistalkingtoitschildren,
Ihearit—ittalkstome—Oitiswonderful!
Oitstretches—itspreadsandrunssofast—Omyfather,
Itissobroaditcoversthewholesky.
Father:
Cease,cease,myfoolishbabe,
Whatyouaresayingissorrowfultome,much'tdispleasesme;
Behold with the rest again I say, behold not banners and pennants
aloft,
But the well-prepared pavements behold, and mark the solid-wall'd
houses.
BannerandPennant:
SpeaktothechildObardoutofManhattan,
Toourchildrenall,ornorthorsouthofManhattan,
Point this day, leaving all the rest, to us over all—and yet we
know
notwhy,
Forwhatarewe,merestripsofclothprofitingnothing,
Onlyflappinginthewind?
Poet:
Ihearandseenotstripsofclothalone,
Ihearthetrampofarmies,Ihearthechallengingsentry,
Ihearthejubilantshoutsofmillionsofmen,IhearLiberty!
Ihearthedrumsbeatandthetrumpetsblowing,
Imyselfmoveabroadswift-risingflyingthen,
Iusethewingsoftheland-birdandusethewingsofthesea-bird,
andlookdownasfromaheight,
Idonotdenythepreciousresultsofpeace,Iseepopulouscities
withwealthincalculable,
I see numberless farms, I see the farmers working in their fields
orbarns,
Iseemechanicsworking,Iseebuildingseverywherefounded,going
up,orfinish'd,
I see trains of cars swiftly speeding along railroad tracks drawn
by
thelocomotives,
I see the stores, depots, of Boston, Baltimore, Charleston, New
Orleans,
I see far in the West the immense area of grain, I dwell awhile
hovering,
I pass to the lumber forests of the North, and again to the
Southern
plantation,andagaintoCalifornia;
SweepingthewholeIseethecountlessprofit,thebusygatherings,
earn'dwages,
SeetheIdentityformedoutofthirty-eightspaciousandhaughty
States,(andmanymoretocome,)
Seefortsontheshoresofharbors,seeshipssailinginandout;
Thenoverall,(aye!aye!)mylittleandlengthen'dpennantshaped
likeasword,
Runsswiftlyupindicatingwaranddefiance—andnowthehalyards
haverais'dit,
Sideofmybannerbroadandblue,sideofmystarrybanner,
Discardingpeaceoveralltheseaandland.
BannerandPennant:
Yetlouder,higher,stronger,bard!yetfarther,widercleave!
Nolongerletourchildrendeemusrichesandpeacealone,
Wemaybeterrorandcarnage,andaresonow,
NotnowareweanyoneofthesespaciousandhaughtyStates,(nor
anyfive,norten,)
Normarketnordepotwe,normoney-bankinthecity,
Buttheseandall,andthebrownandspreadingland,andthemines
below,areours,
Andtheshoresoftheseaareours,andtheriversgreatandsmall,
Andthefieldstheymoisten,andthecropsandthefruitsareours,
Bays and channels and ships sailing in and out are ours—while we
overall,
Overtheareaspreadbelow,thethreeorfourmillionsofsquare
miles,thecapitals,
Thefortymillionsofpeople,—Obard!inlifeanddeathsupreme,
We,evenwe,henceforthflauntoutmasterful,highupabove,
Not for the present alone, for a thousand years chanting through
you,
Thissongtothesoulofonepoorlittlechild.
Child:
OmyfatherIlikenotthehouses,
Theywillnevertomebeanything,nordoIlikemoney,
But to mount up there I would like, O father dear, that banner I
like,
ThatpennantIwouldbeandmustbe.
Father:
Childofmineyoufillmewithanguish,
Tobethatpennantwouldbetoofearful,
Littleyouknowwhatitisthisday,andafterthisday,forever,
Itistogainnothing,butriskanddefyeverything,
Forwardtostandinfrontofwars—andO,suchwars!—whathaveyou
todowiththem?
Withpassionsofdemons,slaughter,prematuredeath?
Banner:
DemonsanddeaththenIsing,
Putinall,ayeallwillI,sword-shapedpennantforwar,
And a pleasure new and ecstatic, and the prattled yearning of
children,
Blent with the sounds of the peaceful land and the liquid wash of
thesea,
Andtheblackshipsfightingontheseaenvelop'dinsmoke,
And the icy cool of the far, far north, with rustling cedars and
pines,
Andthewhirrofdrumsandthesoundofsoldiersmarching,andthe
hotsunshiningsouth,
Andthebeach-wavescombingoverthebeachonmyEasternshore,
andmyWesternshorethesame,
Andallbetweenthoseshores,andmyeverrunningMississippiwith
bendsandchutes,
And my Illinois fields, and my Kansas fields, and my fields of
Missouri,
The Continent, devoting the whole identity without reserving an
atom,
Pourin!whelmthatwhichasks,whichsings,withallandtheyield
ofall,
Fusingandholding,claiming,devouringthewhole,
Nomorewithtenderlip,normusicallabialsound,
But out of the night emerging for good, our voice persuasive no
more,
Croakinglikecrowshereinthewind.
Poet:
Mylimbs,myveinsdilate,mythemeisclearatlast,
Bannersobroadadvancingoutofthenight,Isingyouhaughtyand
resolute,
I burst through where I waited long, too long, deafen'd and
blinded,
Myhearingandtonguearecometome,(alittlechildtaughtme,)
IhearfromaboveOpennantofwaryourironicalcallanddemand,
Insensate!insensate!(yetIatanyratechantyou,)Obanner!
Nothousesofpeaceindeedareyou,noranynoralltheir
prosperity, (if need be, you shall again have every one of
those
housestodestroythem,
Youthoughtnottodestroythosevaluablehouses,standingfast,
fullofcomfort,builtwithmoney,
May they stand fast, then? not an hour except you above them and
all
standfast;)
Obanner,notmoneysopreciousareyou,notfarmproduceyou,nor
thematerialgoodnutriment,
Norexcellentstores,norlandedonwharvesfromtheships,
Notthesuperbshipswithsail-powerorsteam-power,fetchingand
carryingcargoes,
Normachinery,vehicles,trade,norrevenues—butyouashenceforth
Iseeyou,
Runningupoutofthenight,bringingyourclusterofstars,
(ever-enlargingstars,)
Dividerofdaybreakyou,cuttingtheair,touch'dbythesun,
measuringthesky,
(Passionatelyseenandyearn'dforbyonepoorlittlechild,
Whileothersremainbusyorsmartlytalking,foreverteaching
thrift,thrift;)
Oyouupthere!Opennant!whereyouundulatelikeasnakehissing
socurious,
Out of reach, an idea only, yet furiously fought for, risking
bloody
death,lovedbyme,
So loved—O you banner leading the day with stars brought from the
night!
Valueless,objectofeyes,overallanddemandingall—(absolute
ownerofall)—Obannerandpennant!
Itooleavetherest—greatasitis,itisnothing—houses,machines
arenothing—Iseethemnot,
Iseebutyou,Owarlikepennant!Obannersobroad,withstripes,
singyouonly,
Flappingupthereinthewind.
1
Rise O days from your fathomless deeps, till you loftier, fiercer
sweep,
LongformysoulhungeringgymnasticIdevour'dwhattheearthgave
me,
Long I roam'd amid the woods of the north, long I watch'd Niagara
pouring,
Itravel'dtheprairiesoverandsleptontheirbreast,Icross'd
theNevadas,Icross'dtheplateaus,
I ascended the towering rocks along the Pacific, I sail'd out to
sea,
Isail'dthroughthestorm,Iwasrefresh'dbythestorm,
Iwatch'dwithjoythethreateningmawsofthewaves,
Imark'dthewhitecombswheretheycareer'dsohigh,curlingover,
Iheardthewindpiping,Isawtheblackclouds,
Sawfrombelowwhataroseandmounted,(Osuperb!Owildasmy
heart,andpowerful!)
Heardthecontinuousthunderasitbellow'dafterthelightning,
Notedtheslenderandjaggedthreadsoflightningassuddenand
fastamidthedintheychasedeachotheracrossthesky;
These, and such as these, I, elate, saw—saw with wonder, yet
pensive
andmasterful,
Allthemenacingmightoftheglobeuprisenaroundme,
YettherewithmysoulIfed,Ifedcontent,supercilious.
2
'Twaswell,Osoul—'twasagoodpreparationyougaveme,
Nowweadvanceourlatentandamplerhungertofill,
Now we go forth to receive what the earth and the sea never gave
us,
Not through the mighty woods we go, but through the mightier
cities,
SomethingforusispouringnowmorethanNiagarapouring,
Torrentsofmen,(sourcesandrillsoftheNorthwestareyouindeed
inexhaustible?)
What,topavementsandhomesteadshere,whatwerethosestormsof
themountainsandsea?
What,topassionsIwitnessaroundmeto-day?wasthesearisen?
Wasthewindpipingthepipeofdeathundertheblackclouds?
Lo!fromdeepsmoreunfathomable,somethingmoredeadlyandsavage,
Manhattan rising, advancing with menacing front—Cincinnati,
Chicago,
unchain'd;
WhatwasthatswellIsawontheocean?beholdwhatcomeshere,
Howitclimbswithdaringfeetandhands—howitdashes!
Howthetruethunderbellowsafterthelightning—howbrightthe
flashesoflightning!
HowDemocracywithdesperatevengefulportstrideson,shown
throughthedarkbythoseflashesoflightning!
(Yet a mournful wall and low sob I fancied I heard through the
dark,
Inalullofthedeafeningconfusion.)
3
Thunderon!strideon,Democracy!strikewithvengefulstroke!
AnddoyourisehigherthaneveryetOdays,Ocities!
Crashheavier,heavieryetOstorms!youhavedonemegood,
My soul prepared in the mountains absorbs your immortal strong
nutriment,
LonghadIwalk'dmycities,mycountryroadsthroughfarms,only
halfsatisfied,
One doubt nauseous undulating like a snake, crawl'd on the ground
beforeme,
Continually preceding my steps, turning upon me oft, ironically
hissinglow;
ThecitiesIlovedsowellIabandon'dandleft,Ispedtothe
certaintiessuitabletome,
Hungering,hungering,hungering,forprimalenergiesandNature's
dauntlessness,
Irefresh'dmyselfwithitonly,Icouldrelishitonly,
Iwaitedtheburstingforthofthepentfire—onthewaterandair
waitedlong;
ButnowInolongerwait,Iamfullysatisfied,Iamglutted,
I have witness'd the true lightning, I have witness'd my cities
electric,
IhavelivedtobeholdmanburstforthandwarlikeAmericarise,
HenceIwillseeknomorethefoodofthenorthernsolitarywilds,
Nomorethemountainsroamorsailthestormysea.
Virginia—TheWest
Thenoblesirefallenonevildays,
Isawwithhanduplifted,menacing,brandishing,
(Memoriesofoldinabeyance,loveandfaithinabeyance,)
TheinsaneknifetowardtheMotherofAll.
Thenoblesononsinewyfeetadvancing,
I saw, out of the land of prairies, land of Ohio's waters and of
Indiana,
Totherescuethestalwartgianthurryhisplenteousoffspring,
Drestinblue,bearingtheirtrustyriflesontheirshoulders.
ThentheMotherofAllwithcalmvoicespeaking,
As to you Rebellious, (I seemed to hear her say,) why strive
against
me,andwhyseekmylife?
Whenyouyourselfforeverprovidetodefendme?
ForyouprovidedmeWashington—andnowthesealso.
CityofShips
Cityofships!
(Otheblackships!Othefierceships!
Othebeautifulsharp-bow'dsteam-shipsandsail-ships!)
Cityoftheworld!(forallracesarehere,
Allthelandsoftheearthmakecontributionshere;)
Cityofthesea!cityofhurriedandglitteringtides!
City whose gleeful tides continually rush or recede, whirling in
and
outwitheddiesandfoam!
Cityofwharvesandstores—cityoftallfacadesofmarbleandiron!
Proudandpassionatecity—mettlesome,mad,extravagantcity!
Spring up O city—not for peace alone, but be indeed yourself,
warlike!
Fearnot—submittonomodelsbutyourownOcity!
Beholdme—incarnatemeasIhaveincarnatedyou!
I have rejected nothing you offer'd me—whom you adopted I have
adopted,
Good or bad I never question you—I love all—I do not condemn any
thing,
Ichantandcelebrateallthatisyours—yetpeacenomore,
InpeaceIchantedpeace,butnowthedrumofwarismine,
War,redwarismysongthroughyourstreets,Ocity!
[Volunteerof1861-2,atWashingtonPark,Brooklyn,assisting
theCentenarian.]
GivemeyourhandoldRevolutionary,
Thehill-topisnigh,butafewsteps,(makeroomgentlemen,)
Upthepathyouhavefollow'dmewell,spiteofyourhundredand
extrayears,
Youcanwalkoldman,thoughyoureyesarealmostdone,
Yourfacultiesserveyou,andpresentlyImusthavethemserveme.
Rest,whileItellwhatthecrowdaroundusmeans,
Ontheplainbelowrecruitsaredrillingandexercising,
Thereisthecamp,oneregimentdepartsto-morrow,
Doyouheartheofficersgivingtheirorders?
Doyouheartheclankofthemuskets?
Whywhatcomesoveryounowoldman?
Whydoyoutrembleandclutchmyhandsoconvulsively?
Thetroopsarebutdrilling,theyareyetsurroundedwithsmiles,
Aroundthemathandthewell-drestfriendsandthewomen,
Whilesplendidandwarmtheafternoonsunshinesdown,
Greenthemidsummerverdureandfreshblowsthedallyingbreeze,
O'erproudandpeacefulcitiesandarmoftheseabetween.
Butdrillandparadeareover,theymarchbacktoquarters,
Onlyhearthatapprovalofhands!hearwhataclapping!
Aswendingthecrowdsnowpartanddisperse—butweoldman,
NotfornothinghaveIbroughtyouhither—wemustremain,
Youtospeakinyourturn,andItolistenandtell.
[TheCentenarian]
WhenIclutch'dyourhanditwasnotwithterror,
Butsuddenlypouringaboutmehereoneveryside,
And below there where the boys were drilling, and up the slopes
theyran,
Andwheretentsarepitch'd,andwhereveryouseesouthandsoutheastandsouth-west,
Overhills,acrosslowlands,andintheskirtsofwoods,
Andalongtheshores,inmire(nowfill'dover)cameagainand
suddenlyraged,
Aseighty-fiveyearsagonenomereparadereceiv'dwithapplauseof
friends,
ButabattlewhichItookpartinmyself—aye,longagoasitis,I
tookpartinit,
Walkingthenthishilltop,thissameground.
Aye,thisistheground,
MyblindeyesevenasIspeakbeholditre-peopledfromgraves,
Theyearsrecede,pavementsandstatelyhousesdisappear,
Rudefortsappearagain,theoldhoop'dgunsaremounted,
Iseethelinesofrais'dearthstretchingfromrivertobay,
Imarkthevistaofwaters,Imarktheuplandsandslopes;
Herewelayencamp'd,itwasthistimeinsummeralso.
AsItalkIrememberall,IremembertheDeclaration,
Itwasreadhere,thewholearmyparaded,itwasreadtoushere,
ByhisstaffsurroundedtheGeneralstoodinthemiddle,heheldup
hisunsheath'dsword,
Itglitter'dinthesuninfullsightofthearmy.
Twasaboldactthen—theEnglishwar-shipshadjustarrived,
Wecouldwatchdownthelowerbaywheretheylayatanchor,
Andthetransportsswarmingwithsoldiers.
Afewdaysmoreandtheylanded,andthenthebattle.
Twentythousandwerebroughtagainstus,
Aveteranforcefurnish'dwithgoodartillery.
Itellnotnowthewholeofthebattle,
Butonebrigadeearlyintheforenoonorder'dforwardtoengagethe
red-coats,
OfthatbrigadeItell,andhowsteadilyitmarch'd,
Andhowlongandwellitstoodconfrontingdeath.
Who do you think that was marching steadily sternly confronting
death?
Itwasthebrigadeoftheyoungestmen,twothousandstrong,
Rais'dinVirginiaandMaryland,andmostofthemknownpersonally
totheGeneral.
JauntilyforwardtheywentwithquicksteptowardGowanus'waters,
Tillofasuddenunlook'dforbydefilesthroughthewoods,gain'd
atnight,
TheBritishadvancing,roundinginfromtheeast,fiercelyplaying
theirguns,
Thatbrigadeoftheyoungestwascutoffandattheenemy'smercy.
TheGeneralwatch'dthemfromthishill,
Theymaderepeateddesperateattemptstobursttheirenvironment,
Then drew close together, very compact, their flag flying in the
middle,
But O from the hills how the cannon were thinning and thinning
them!
Itsickensmeyet,thatslaughter!
IsawthemoisturegatherindropsonthefaceoftheGeneral.
Isawhowhewrunghishandsinanguish.
Meanwhile the British manoeuvr'd to draw us out for a pitch'd
battle,
Butwedarednottrustthechancesofapitch'dbattle.
Wefoughtthefightindetachments,
Sallying forth we fought at several points, but in each the luck
was
againstus,
Ourfoeadvancing,steadilygettingthebestofit,push'dusback
totheworksonthishill,
Tillweturn'dmenacinghere,andthenheleftus.
That was the going out of the brigade of the youngest men, two
thousand
strong,
Fewreturn'd,nearlyallremaininBrooklyn.
ThatandheremyGeneral'sfirstbattle,
Nowomenlookingonnorsunshinetobaskin,itdidnotconclude
withapplause,
Nobodyclapp'dhandsherethen.
Butindarknessinmistonthegroundunderachillrain,
Weariedthatnightwelayfoil'dandsullen,
While scornfully laugh'd many an arrogant lord off against us
encamp'd,
Quitewithinhearing,feasting,clinkingwineglassestogetherover
theirvictory.
Sodullanddampandanotherday,
Butthenightofthat,mistlifting,rainceasing,
Silentasaghostwhiletheythoughttheyweresureofhim,my
Generalretreated.
Isawhimattheriver-side,
Downbytheferrylitbytorches,hasteningtheembarcation;
My General waited till the soldiers and wounded were all pass'd
over,
Andthen,(itwasjusteresunrise,)theseeyesrestedonhimfor
thelasttime.
Everyoneelseseem'dfill'dwithgloom,
Manynodoubtthoughtofcapitulation.
ButwhenmyGeneralpass'dme,
Ashestoodinhisboatandlook'dtowardthecomingsun,
Isawsomethingdifferentfromcapitulation.
[Terminus]
Enough,theCentenarian'sstoryends,
Thetwo,thepastandpresent,haveinterchanged,
I myself as connecter, as chansonnier of a great future, am now
speaking.
AndisthisthegroundWashingtontrod?
AndthesewatersIlistlesslydailycross,arethesethewatershe
cross'd,
Asresoluteindefeatasothergeneralsintheirproudesttriumphs?
Imustcopythestory,andsenditeastwardandwestward,
Imustpreservethatlookasitbeam'donyouriversofBrooklyn.
See—astheannualroundreturnsthephantomsreturn,
Itisthe27thofAugustandtheBritishhavelanded,
Thebattlebeginsandgoesagainstus,beholdthroughthesmoke
Washington'sface,
The brigade of Virginia and Maryland have march'd forth to
intercept
theenemy,
They are cut off, murderous artillery from the hills plays upon
them,
Rankafterrankfalls,whileoverthemsilentlydroopstheflag,
Baptizedthatdayinmanyayoungman'sbloodywounds.
Indeath,defeat,andsisters',mothers'tears.
Ah,hillsandslopesofBrooklyn!Iperceiveyouaremorevaluable
thanyourownerssupposed;
Inthemidstofyoustandsanencampmentveryold,
Standsforeverthecampofthatdeadbrigade.
Alineinlongarraywheretheywindbetwixtgreenislands,
Theytakeaserpentinecourse,theirarmsflashinthesun—harkto
themusicalclank,
Beholdthesilveryriver,initthesplashinghorsesloiteringstop
todrink,
Beholdthebrown-facedmen,eachgroup,eachpersonapicture,the
negligentrestonthesaddles,
Someemergeontheoppositebank,othersarejustenteringtheford
—while,
Scarletandblueandsnowywhite,
Theguidonflagsfluttergaylyinthewind.
Iseebeforemenowatravelingarmyhalting,
Below a fertile valley spread, with barns and the orchards of
summer,
Behind,theterracedsidesofamountain,abrupt,inplacesrising
high,
Broken,withrocks,withclingingcedars,withtallshapesdingily
seen,
Thenumerouscamp-firesscatter'dnearandfar,someawayuponthe
mountain,
The shadowy forms of men and horses, looming, large-sized,
flickering,
Andoverallthesky—thesky!far,faroutofreach,studded,
breakingout,theeternalstars.
Withitscloudofskirmishersinadvance,
With now the sound of a single shot snapping like a whip, and now
an
irregularvolley,
Theswarmingrankspressonandon,thedensebrigadespresson,
Glitteringdimly,toilingunderthesun—thedust-cover'dmen,
Incolumnsriseandfalltotheundulationsoftheground,
Withartilleryinterspers'd—thewheelsrumble,thehorsessweat,
Asthearmycorpsadvances.
BytheBivouac'sFitfulFlame
Bythebivouac'sfitfulflame,
Aprocessionwindingaroundme,solemnandsweetandslow—but
firstInote,
Thetentsofthesleepingarmy,thefields'andwoods'dimoutline,
Thedarknesslitbyspotsofkindledfire,thesilence,
Likeaphantomfarornearanoccasionalfiguremoving,
Theshrubsandtrees,(asIliftmyeyestheyseemtobestealthily
watchingme,)
Whilewindinprocessionthoughts,Otenderandwondrousthoughts,
Of life and death, of home and the past and loved, and of those
that
arefaraway;
AsolemnandslowprocessionthereasIsitontheground,
Bythebivouac'sfitfulflame.
Comeupfromthefieldsfather,here'saletterfromourPete,
And come to the front door mother, here's a letter from thy dear
son.
Lo,'tisautumn,
Lo,wherethetrees,deepergreen,yellowerandredder,
CoolandsweetenOhio'svillageswithleavesflutteringinthe
moderatewind,
Whereapplesripeintheorchardshangandgrapesonthetrellis'd
vines,
(Smellyouthesmellofthegrapesonthevines?
Smellyouthebuckwheatwherethebeeswerelatelybuzzing?)
Aboveall,lo,theskysocalm,sotransparentaftertherain,and
withwondrousclouds,
Belowtoo,allcalm,allvitalandbeautiful,andthefarmprospers
well.
Downinthefieldsallprosperswell,
Butnowfromthefieldscomefather,comeatthedaughter'scall.
Andcometotheentrymother,tothefrontdoorcomerightaway.
Fast as she can she hurries, something ominous, her steps
trembling,
Shedoesnottarrytosmoothherhairnoradjusthercap.
Opentheenvelopequickly,
Othisisnotourson'swriting,yethisnameissign'd,
Oastrangehandwritesforourdearson,Ostrickenmother'ssoul!
Allswimsbeforehereyes,flasheswithblack,shecatchesthemain
wordsonly,
Sentencesbroken,gunshotwoundinthebreast,cavalryskirmish,
takentohospital,
Atpresentlow,butwillsoonbebetter.
Ahnowthesinglefiguretome,
AmidallteemingandwealthyOhiowithallitscitiesandfarms,
Sicklywhiteinthefaceanddullinthehead,veryfaint,
Bythejambofadoorleans.
Grievenotso,dearmother,(thejust-growndaughterspeaksthrough
hersobs,
Thelittlesistershuddlearoundspeechlessanddismay'd,)
See,dearestmother,thelettersaysPetewillsoonbebetter.
Alaspoorboy,hewillneverbebetter,(normay-beneedstobe
better,thatbraveandsimplesoul,)
Whiletheystandathomeatthedoorheisdeadalready,
Theonlysonisdead.
Butthemotherneedstobebetter,
Shewiththinformpresentlydrestinblack,
Bydayhermealsuntouch'd,thenatnightfitfullysleeping,often
waking,
Inthemidnightwaking,weeping,longingwithonedeeplonging,
O that she might withdraw unnoticed, silent from life escape and
withdraw,
Tofollow,toseek,tobewithherdeardeadson.
VigilstrangeIkeptonthefieldonenight;
Whenyoumysonandmycomradedroptatmysidethatday,
OnelookIbutgavewhichyourdeareyesreturn'dwithalookI
shallneverforget,
OnetouchofyourhandtomineOboy,reach'dupasyoulayonthe
ground,
ThenonwardIspedinthebattle,theeven-contestedbattle,
Till late in the night reliev'd to the place at last again I made
myway,
Foundyouindeathsocolddearcomrade,foundyourbodysonof
respondingkisses,(neveragainonearthresponding,)
Baredyourfaceinthestarlight,curiousthescene,coolblewthe
moderatenight-wind,
LongthereandtheninvigilIstood,dimlyaroundmethe
battlefieldspreading,
Vigilwondrousandvigilsweetthereinthefragrantsilentnight,
But not a tear fell, not even a long-drawn sigh, long, long I
gazed,
Thenontheearthpartiallyrecliningsatbyyoursideleaningmy
chininmyhands,
Passingsweethours,immortalandmystichourswithyoudearest
comrade—notatear,notaword,
Vigil of silence, love and death, vigil for you my son and my
soldier,
Asonwardsilentlystarsaloft,eastwardnewonesupwardstole,
Vigil final for you brave boy, (I could not save you, swift was
yourdeath,
Ifaithfullylovedyouandcaredforyouliving,Ithinkweshall
surelymeetagain,)
Till at latest lingering of the night, indeed just as the dawn
appear'd,
MycomradeIwraptinhisblanket,envelop'dwellhisform,
Foldedtheblanketwell,tuckingitcarefullyoverheadand
carefullyunderfeet,
Andthereandthenandbathedbytherisingsun,mysoninhis
grave,inhisrude-duggraveIdeposited,
Endingmyvigilstrangewiththat,vigilofnightandbattle-field
dim,
Vigil for boy of responding kisses, (never again on earth
responding,)
Vigilforcomradeswiftlyslain,vigilIneverforget,howasday
brighten'd,
I rose from the chill ground and folded my soldier well in his
blanket,
Andburiedhimwherehefell.
AMarchintheRanksHard-Prest,andtheRoad
Unknown
Amarchintherankshard-prest,andtheroadunknown,
Aroutethroughaheavywoodwithmuffledstepsinthedarkness,
Our army foil'd with loss severe, and the sullen remnant
retreating,
Till after midnight glimmer upon us the lights of a dim-lighted
building,
Wecometoanopenspaceinthewoods,andhaltbythedim-lighted
building,
'Tis a large old church at the crossing roads, now an impromptu
hospital,
EnteringbutforaminuteIseeasightbeyondallthepicturesand
poemsevermade,
Shadows of deepest, deepest black, just lit by moving candles and
lamps,
Andbyonegreatpitchytorchstationarywithwildredflameand
cloudsofsmoke,
Bythese,crowds,groupsofformsvaguelyIseeonthefloor,some
inthepewslaiddown,
Atmyfeetmoredistinctlyasoldier,amerelad,indangerof
bleedingtodeath,(heisshotintheabdomen,)
Istanchthebloodtemporarily,(theyoungster'sfaceiswhiteasa
lily,)
ThenbeforeIdepartIsweepmyeyeso'erthescenefaintoabsorb
itall,
Faces,varieties,posturesbeyonddescription,mostinobscurity,
someofthemdead,
Surgeonsoperating,attendantsholdinglights,thesmellofether,
odorofblood,
The crowd, O the crowd of the bloody forms, the yard outside also
fill'd,
Someonthebareground,someonplanksorstretchers,someinthe
death-spasmsweating,
Anoccasionalscreamorcry,thedoctor'sshoutedordersorcalls,
Theglistenofthelittlesteelinstrumentscatchingtheglintof
thetorches,
TheseIresumeasIchant,Iseeagaintheforms,Ismelltheodor,
Thenhearoutsidetheordersgiven,Fallin,mymen,fallin;
But first I bend to the dying lad, his eyes open, a half-smile
givesheme,
Then the eyes close, calmly close, and I speed forth to the
darkness,
Resuming,marching,everindarknessmarching,onintheranks,
Theunknownroadstillmarching.
Asightincampinthedaybreakgrayanddim,
AsfrommytentIemergesoearlysleepless,
AsslowIwalkinthecoolfreshairthepathnearbythehospital
tent,
Three forms I see on stretchers lying, brought out there untended
lying,
Overeachtheblanketspread,amplebrownishwoolenblanket,
Grayandheavyblanket,folding,coveringall.
CuriousIhaltandsilentstand,
ThenwithlightfingersIfromthefaceofthenearestthefirst
justlifttheblanket;
Whoareyouelderlymansogauntandgrim,withwell-gray'dhair,
andfleshallsunkenabouttheeyes?
Whoareyoumydearcomrade?
ThentothesecondIstep—andwhoareyoumychildanddarling?
Whoareyousweetboywithcheeksyetblooming?
Thentothethird—afacenorchildnorold,verycalm,asof
beautifulyellow-whiteivory;
YoungmanIthinkIknowyou—Ithinkthisfaceisthefaceofthe
Christhimself,
Deadanddivineandbrotherofall,andhereagainhelies.
AstoilsomeIwander'dVirginia'swoods,
To the music of rustling leaves kick'd by my feet, (for 'twas
autumn,)
Imark'datthefootofatreethegraveofasoldier;
Mortallywoundedheandburiedontheretreat,(easilyallcould
understand,)
Thehaltofamid-dayhour,whenup!notimetolose—yetthissign
left,
Onatabletscrawl'dandnail'donthetreebythegrave,
Bold,cautious,true,andmylovingcomrade.
Long,longImuse,thenonmywaygowandering,
Manyachangefulseasontofollow,andmanyasceneoflife,
Yetattimesthroughchangefulseasonandscene,abrupt,alone,or
inthecrowdedstreet,
Comesbeforemetheunknownsoldier'sgrave,comestheinscription
rudeinVirginia'swoods,
Bold,cautious,true,andmylovingcomrade.
NotthePilot
Notthepilothaschargedhimselftobringhisshipintoport,
thoughbeatenbackandmanytimesbaffled;
Notthepathfinderpenetratinginlandwearyandlong,
Bydesertsparch'd,snowschill'd,riverswet,perseverestillhe
reacheshisdestination,
MorethanIhavechargedmyself,heededorunheeded,tocompose
marchfortheseStates,
For a battle-call, rousing to arms if need be, years, centuries
hence.
Yearthattrembledandreel'dbeneathme!
Yoursummerwindwaswarmenough,yettheairIbreathedfrozeme,
Athickgloomfellthroughthesunshineanddarken'dme,
MustIchangemytriumphantsongs?saidItomyself,
MustIindeedlearntochantthecolddirgesofthebaffled?
Andsullenhymnsofdefeat?
TheWound-Dresser
1
AnoldmanbendingIcomeamongnewfaces,
Yearslookingbackwardresuminginanswertochildren,
Cometellusoldman,asfromyoungmenandmaidensthatloveme,
(Arous'd and angry, I'd thought to beat the alarum, and urge
relentlesswar,
But soon my fingers fail'd me, my face droop'd and I resign'd
myself,
Tositbythewoundedandsoothethem,orsilentlywatchthedead;)
Years hence of these scenes, of these furious passions, these
chances,
Of unsurpass'd heroes, (was one side so brave? the other was
equallybrave;)
Nowbewitnessagain,paintthemightiestarmiesofearth,
Ofthosearmiessorapidsowondrouswhatsawyoutotellus?
Whatstayswithyoulatestanddeepest?ofcuriouspanics,
Of hard-fought engagements or sieges tremendous what deepest
remains?
2
OmaidensandyoungmenIloveandthatloveme,
Whatyouaskofmydaysthosethestrangestandsuddenyourtalking
recalls,
Soldier alert I arrive after a long march cover'd with sweat and
dust,
In the nick of time I come, plunge in the fight, loudly shout in
the
rushofsuccessfulcharge,
Enter the captur'd works—yet lo, like a swift-running river they
fade,
Passandaregonetheyfade—Idwellnotonsoldiers'perilsor
soldiers'joys,
(Both I remember well—many the hardships, few the joys, yet I was
content.)
Butinsilence,indreams'projections,
Whiletheworldofgainandappearanceandmirthgoeson,
Sosoonwhatisoverforgotten,andwaveswashtheimprintsoffthe
sand,
With hinged knees returning I enter the doors, (while for you up
there,
Whoeveryouare,followwithoutnoiseandbeofstrongheart.)
Bearingthebandages,waterandsponge,
StraightandswifttomywoundedIgo,
Wheretheylieonthegroundafterthebattlebroughtin,
Wheretheirpricelessbloodreddensthegrasstheground,
Ortotherowsofthehospitaltent,orundertheroof'dhospital,
TothelongrowsofcotsupanddowneachsideIreturn,
ToeachandalloneafteranotherIdrawnear,notonedoImiss,
Anattendantfollowsholdingatray,hecarriesarefusepail,
Soontobefill'dwithclottedragsandblood,emptied,andfill'd
again.
Ionwardgo,Istop,
Withhingedkneesandsteadyhandtodresswounds,
Iamfirmwitheach,thepangsaresharpyetunavoidable,
Oneturnstomehisappealingeyes—poorboy!Ineverknewyou,
YetIthinkIcouldnotrefusethismomenttodieforyou,ifthat
wouldsaveyou.
3
On,onIgo,(opendoorsoftime!openhospitaldoors!)
The crush'd head I dress, (poor crazed hand tear not the bandage
away,)
The neck of the cavalry-man with the bullet through and through
examine,
Hardthebreathingrattles,quiteglazedalreadytheeye,yetlife
struggleshard,
(Comesweetdeath!bepersuadedObeautifuldeath!
Inmercycomequickly.)
Fromthestumpofthearm,theamputatedhand,
Iundotheclottedlint,removetheslough,washoffthematterand
blood,
Back on his pillow the soldier bends with curv'd neck and side
fallinghead,
Hiseyesareclosed,hisfaceispale,hedaresnotlookonthe
bloodystump,
Andhasnotyetlook'donit.
Idressawoundintheside,deep,deep,
Butadayortwomore,forseetheframeallwastedandsinking,
Andtheyellow-bluecountenancesee.
Idresstheperforatedshoulder,thefootwiththebullet-wound,
Cleansetheonewithagnawingandputridgangrene,sosickening,
sooffensive,
While the attendant stands behind aside me holding the tray and
pail.
Iamfaithful,Idonotgiveout,
Thefractur'dthigh,theknee,thewoundintheabdomen,
TheseandmoreIdresswithimpassivehand,(yetdeepinmybreast
afire,aburningflame.)
4
Thusinsilenceindreams'projections,
Returning,resuming,Ithreadmywaythroughthehospitals,
ThehurtandwoundedIpacifywithsoothinghand,
Isitbytherestlessallthedarknight,somearesoyoung,
Somesuffersomuch,Irecalltheexperiencesweetandsad,
(Many a soldier's loving arms about this neck have cross'd and
rested,
Manyasoldier'skissdwellsonthesebeardedlips.)
Long,TooLongAmerica
Long,toolongAmerica,
Travelingroadsallevenandpeacefulyoulearn'dfromjoysand
prosperityonly,
Butnow,ahnow,tolearnfromcrisesofanguish,advancing,
grapplingwithdirestfateandrecoilingnot,
Andnowtoconceiveandshowtotheworldwhatyourchildren
en-massereallyare,
(For who except myself has yet conceiv'd what your children enmasse
reallyare?)
1
Givemethesplendidsilentsunwithallhisbeamsfull-dazzling,
Givemeautumnalfruitripeandredfromtheorchard,
Givemeafieldwheretheunmow'dgrassgrows,
Givemeanarbor,givemethetrellis'dgrape,
Give me fresh corn and wheat, give me serene-moving animals
teaching
content,
Givemenightsperfectlyquietasonhighplateauswestofthe
Mississippi,andIlookingupatthestars,
Give me odorous at sunrise a garden of beautiful flowers where I
can
walkundisturb'd,
Givemeformarriageasweet-breath'dwomanofwhomIshouldnever
tire,
Givemeaperfectchild,givemeawayasidefromthenoiseofthe
worldaruraldomesticlife,
Give me to warble spontaneous songs recluse by myself, for my own
earsonly,
Give me solitude, give me Nature, give me again O Nature your
primal
sanities!
Thesedemandingtohavethem,(tiredwithceaselessexcitement,and
rack'dbythewar-strife,)
Thesetoprocureincessantlyasking,risingincriesfrommyheart,
WhileyetincessantlyaskingstillIadheretomycity,
DayupondayandyearuponyearOcity,walkingyourstreets,
Whereyouholdmeenchain'dacertaintimerefusingtogivemeup,
Yet giving to make me glutted, enrich'd of soul, you give me
foreverfaces;
(OIseewhatIsoughttoescape,confronting,reversingmycries,
seemyownsoultramplingdownwhatitask'dfor.)
2
Keepyoursplendidsilentsun,
KeepyourwoodsONature,andthequietplacesbythewoods,
Keep your fields of clover and timothy, and your corn-fields and
orchards,
Keep the blossoming buckwheat fields where the Ninth-month bees
hum;
Givemefacesandstreets—givemethesephantomsincessantand
endlessalongthetrottoirs!
Givemeinterminableeyes—givemewomen—givemecomradesand
loversbythethousand!
Let me see new ones every day—let me hold new ones by the hand
everyday!
Givemesuchshows—givemethestreetsofManhattan!
GivemeBroadway,withthesoldiersmarching—givemethesoundof
thetrumpetsanddrums!
(Thesoldiersincompaniesorregiments—somestartingaway,flush'd
andreckless,
Some,theirtimeup,returningwiththinn'dranks,young,yetvery
old,worn,marching,noticingnothing;)
Givemetheshoresandwharvesheavy-fringedwithblackships!
Osuchforme!Oanintenselife,fulltorepletionandvaried!
Thelifeofthetheatre,bar-room,hugehotel,forme!
Thesaloonofthesteamer!thecrowdedexcursionforme!the
torchlightprocession!
The dense brigade bound for the war, with high piled military
wagons
following;
People,endless,streaming,withstrongvoices,passions,pageants,
Manhattanstreetswiththeirpowerfulthrobs,withbeatingdrumsas
now,
The endless and noisy chorus, the rustle and clank of muskets,
(even
thesightofthewounded,)
Manhattancrowds,withtheirturbulentmusicalchorus!
Manhattanfacesandeyesforeverforme.
DirgeforTwoVeterans
Thelastsunbeam
Lightlyfallsfromthefinish'dSabbath,
Onthepavementhere,andtherebeyonditislooking,
Downanew-madedoublegrave.
Lo,themoonascending,
Upfromtheeastthesilveryroundmoon,
Beautifuloverthehouse-tops,ghastly,phantommoon,
Immenseandsilentmoon.
Iseeasadprocession,
AndIhearthesoundofcomingfull-key'dbugles,
Allthechannelsofthecitystreetsthey'reflooding,
Aswithvoicesandwithtears.
Ihearthegreatdrumspounding,
Andthesmalldrumssteadywhirring,
Andeveryblowofthegreatconvulsivedrums,
Strikesmethroughandthrough.
Forthesonisbroughtwiththefather,
(Intheforemostranksofthefierceassaulttheyfell,
Twoveteranssonandfatherdropttogether,
Andthedoublegraveawaitsthem.)
Nownearerblowthebugles,
Andthedrumsstrikemoreconvulsive,
Andthedaylighto'erthepavementquitehasfaded,
Andthestrongdead-marchenwrapsme.
Intheeasternskyup-buoying,
Thesorrowfulvastphantommovesillumin'd,
('Tissomemother'slargetransparentface,
Inheavenbrightergrowing.)
Ostrongdead-marchyoupleaseme!
Omoonimmensewithyoursilveryfaceyousootheme!
Omysoldierstwain!Omyveteranspassingtoburial!
WhatIhaveIalsogiveyou.
Themoongivesyoulight,
Andthebuglesandthedrumsgiveyoumusic,
Andmyheart,Omysoldiers,myveterans,
Myheartgivesyoulove.
Overthecarnagerosepropheticavoice,
Benotdishearten'd,affectionshallsolvetheproblemsoffreedom
yet,
Thosewholoveeachothershallbecomeinvincible,
TheyshallyetmakeColumbiavictorious.
SonsoftheMotherofAll,youshallyetbevictorious,
You shall yet laugh to scorn the attacks of all the remainder of
theearth.
NodangershallbalkColumbia'slovers,
Ifneedbeathousandshallsternlyimmolatethemselvesforone.
OnefromMassachusettsshallbeaMissourian'scomrade,
FromMaineandfromhotCarolina,andanotheranOregonese,shall
befriendstriune,
Moreprecioustoeachotherthanalltherichesoftheearth.
ToMichigan,Floridaperfumesshalltenderlycome,
Nottheperfumesofflowers,butsweeter,andwaftedbeyonddeath.
It shall be customary in the houses and streets to see manly
affection,
Themostdauntlessandrudeshalltouchfacetofacelightly,
ThedependenceofLibertyshallbelovers,
ThecontinuanceofEqualityshallbecomrades.
Theseshalltieyouandbandyoustrongerthanhoopsofiron,
I,ecstatic,Opartners!Olands!withtheloveofloverstieyou.
(Wereyoulookingtobeheldtogetherbylawyers?
Orbyanagreementonapaper?orbyarms?
Nay,northeworld,noranylivingthing,willsocohere.)
ISawOldGeneralatBay
IsawoldGeneralatbay,
(Oldashewas,hisgrayeyesyetshoneoutinbattlelikestars,)
Hissmallforcewasnowcompletelyhemm'din,inhisworks,
He call'd for volunteers to run the enemy's lines, a desperate
emergency,
I saw a hundred and more step forth from the ranks, but two or
three
wereselected,
Isawthemreceivetheirordersaside,theylisten'dwithcare,the
adjutantwasverygrave,
Isawthemdepartwithcheerfulness,freelyriskingtheirlives.
While my wife at my side lies slumbering, and the wars are over
long,
And my head on the pillow rests at home, and the vacant midnight
passes,
Andthroughthestillness,throughthedark,Ihear,justhear,the
breathofmyinfant,
ThereintheroomasIwakefromsleepthisvisionpressesuponme;
Theengagementopensthereandtheninfantasyunreal,
Theskirmishersbegin,theycrawlcautiouslyahead,Ihearthe
irregularsnap!snap!
Ihearthesoundsofthedifferentmissiles,theshortt-h-t!t-ht!
oftherifle-balls,
Iseetheshellsexplodingleavingsmallwhiteclouds,Ihearthe
greatshellsshriekingastheypass,
Thegrapelikethehumandwhirrofwindthroughthetrees,
(tumultuousnowthecontestrages,)
Allthescenesatthebatteriesriseindetailbeforemeagain,
Thecrashingandsmoking,theprideofthemenintheirpieces,
Thechief-gunnerrangesandsightshispieceandselectsafuseof
therighttime,
AfterfiringIseehimleanasideandlookeagerlyofftonotethe
effect;
ElsewhereIhearthecryofaregimentcharging,(theyoungcolonel
leadshimselfthistimewithbrandish'dsword,)
I see the gaps cut by the enemy's volleys, (quickly fill'd up, no
delay,)
Ibreathethesuffocatingsmoke,thentheflatcloudshoverlow
concealingall;
Now a strange lull for a few seconds, not a shot fired on either
side,
Thenresumedthechaoslouderthanever,witheagercallsand
ordersofofficers,
Whilefromsomedistantpartofthefieldthewindwaftstomyears
ashoutofapplause,(somespecialsuccess,)
Andeverthesoundofthecannonfarornear,(rousingevenin
dreamsadevilishexultationandalltheoldmadjoyinthe
depthsofmysoul,)
Andeverthehasteningofinfantryshiftingpositions,batteries,
cavalry,movinghitherandthither,
(Thefalling,dying,Iheednot,thewoundeddrippingandred
heednot,sometothereararehobbling,)
Grime,heat,rush,aide-de-campsgallopingbyoronafullrun,
Withthepatterofsmallarms,thewarnings-s-toftherifles,
(theseinmyvisionIhearorsee,)
Andbombsburstinginair,andatnightthevari-color'drockets.
Whoareyouduskywoman,soancienthardlyhuman,
Withyourwoolly-whiteandturban'dhead,andbarebonyfeet?
Whyrisingbytheroadsidehere,doyouthecolorsgreet?
('TiswhileourarmylinesCarolina'ssandsandpines,
ForthfromthyhoveldoorthouEthiopiacom'sttome,
AsunderdoughtyShermanImarchtowardthesea.)
Memasteryearsahundredsincefrommyparentssunder'd,
Alittlechild,theycaughtmeasthesavagebeastiscaught,
Thenhithermeacrosstheseathecruelslaverbrought.
Nofurtherdoesshesay,butlingeringalltheday,
Herhigh-borneturban'dheadshewags,androllsherdarklingeye,
Andcourtesiestotheregiments,theguidonsmovingby.
Whatisitfatefulwoman,soblear,hardlyhuman?
Whywagyourheadwithturbanbound,yellow,redandgreen?
Arethethingssostrangeandmarvelousyouseeorhaveseen?
Notyouthpertainstome,
Nordelicatesse,Icannotbeguilethetimewithtalk,
Awkwardintheparlor,neitheradancernorelegant,
Inthelearn'dcoteriesittingconstrain'dandstill,forlearning
inuresnottome,
Beauty, knowledge, inure not to me—yet there are two or three
things
inuretome,
Ihavenourish'dthewoundedandsooth'dmanyadyingsoldier,
Andatintervalswaitingorinthemidstofcamp,
Composedthesesongs.
RaceofVeterans
Raceofveterans—raceofvictors!
Raceofthesoil,readyforconflict—raceoftheconqueringmarch!
(Nomorecredulity'srace,abiding-temper'drace,)
Racehenceforthowningnolawbutthelawofitself,
Raceofpassionandthestorm.
WorldTakeGoodNotice
Worldtakegoodnotice,silverstarsfading,
Milkyhueript,wetofwhitedetaching,
Coalsthirty-eight,balefulandburning,
Scarlet,significant,handsoffwarning,
Nowandhenceforthflauntfromtheseshores.
Otan-facedprairie-boy,
Beforeyoucametocampcamemanyawelcomegift,
Praisesandpresentscameandnourishingfood,tillatlastamong
therecruits,
You came, taciturn, with nothing to give—we but look'd on each
other,
Whenlo!morethanallthegiftsoftheworldyougaveme.
LookDownFairMoon
Lookdownfairmoonandbathethisscene,
Pour softly down night's nimbus floods on faces ghastly, swollen,
purple,
Onthedeadontheirbackswitharmstoss'dwide,
Pourdownyourunstintednimbussacredmoon.
Reconciliation
Wordoverall,beautifulasthesky,
Beautifulthatwarandallitsdeedsofcarnagemustintimebe
utterlylost,
ThatthehandsofthesistersDeathandNightincessantlysoftly
washagain,andeveragain,thissolidworld;
Formyenemyisdead,amandivineasmyselfisdead,
I look where he lies white-faced and still in the coffin—I draw
near,
Bend down and touch lightly with my lips the white face in the
coffin.
Howsolemnasonebyone,
As the ranks returning worn and sweaty, as the men file by where
stand,
As the faces the masks appear, as I glance at the faces studying
themasks,
(AsIglanceupwardoutofthispagestudyingyou,dearfriend,
whoeveryouare,)
Howsolemnthethoughtofmywhisperingsoultoeachintheranks,
andtoyou,
Iseebehindeachmaskthatwonderakindredsoul,
Othebulletcouldneverkillwhatyoureallyare,dearfriend,
Northebayonetstabwhatyoureallyare;
Thesoul!yourselfIsee,greatasany,goodasthebest,
Waitingsecureandcontent,whichthebulletcouldneverkill,
NorthebayonetstabOfriend.
AsIlaywithmyheadinyourlapcamerado,
TheconfessionImadeIresume,whatIsaidtoyouandtheopenair
Iresume,
IknowIamrestlessandmakeothersso,
Iknowmywordsareweaponsfullofdanger,fullofdeath,
ForIconfrontpeace,security,andallthesettledlaws,to
unsettlethem,
I am more resolute because all have denied me than I could ever
have
beenhadallacceptedme,
Iheednotandhaveneverheededeitherexperience,cautions,
majorities,norridicule,
Andthethreatofwhatiscall'dhellislittleornothingtome,
Andthelureofwhatiscall'dheavenislittleornothingtome;
Dearcamerado!IconfessIhaveurgedyouonwardwithme,andstill
urgeyou,withouttheleastideawhatisourdestination,
Orwhetherweshallbevictorious,orutterlyquell'danddefeated.
DelicateCluster
Delicatecluster!flagofteeminglife!
Coveringallmylands—allmyseashoreslining!
Flag of death! (how I watch'd you through the smoke of battle
pressing!
HowIheardyouflapandrustle,clothdefiant!)
Flagcerulean—sunnyflag,withtheorbsofnightdappled!
Ahmysilverybeauty—ahmywoollywhiteandcrimson!
Ahtosingthesongofyou,mymatronmighty!
Mysacredone,mymother.
ToaCertainCivilian
Didyouaskdulcetrhymesfromme?
Didyouseekthecivilian'speacefulandlanguishingrhymes?
DidyoufindwhatIsangerewhilesohardtofollow?
WhyIwasnotsingingerewhileforyoutofollow,tounderstand—nor
amInow;
(Ihavebeenbornofthesameasthewarwasborn,
Thedrum-corps'rattleisevertomesweetmusic,Ilovewellthe
martialdirge,
Withslowwailandconvulsivethrobleadingtheofficer'sfuneral;)
What to such as you anyhow such a poet as I? therefore leave my
works,
Andgolullyourselfwithwhatyoucanunderstand,andwithpianotunes,
ForIlullnobody,andyouwillneverunderstandme.
Lo,Victressonthepeaks,
Wherethouwithmightybrowregardingtheworld,
(TheworldOLibertad,thatvainlyconspiredagainstthee,)
Outofitscountlessbeleagueringtoils,afterthwartingthemall,
Dominant,withthedazzlingsunaroundthee,
Flauntestnowunharm'dinimmortalsoundnessandbloom—lo,in
thesehourssupreme,
No poem proud, I chanting bring to thee, nor mastery's rapturous
verse,
But a cluster containing night's darkness and blood-dripping
wounds,
Andpsalmsofthedead.
Spiritwhoseworkisdone—spiritofdreadfulhours!
Eredepartingfadefrommyeyesyourforestsofbayonets;
Spiritofgloomiestfearsanddoubts,(yetonwardeverunfaltering
pressing,)
Spirit of many a solemn day and many a savage scene—electric
spirit,
Thatwithmutteringvoicethroughthewarnowclosed,likea
tirelessphantomflitted,
Rousingthelandwithbreathofflame,whileyoubeatandbeatthe
drum,
Nowasthesoundofthedrum,hollowandharshtothelast,
reverberatesroundme,
As your ranks, your immortal ranks, return, return from the
battles,
Asthemusketsoftheyoungmenyetleanovertheirshoulders,
AsIlookonthebayonetsbristlingovertheirshoulders,
Asthoseslantedbayonets,wholeforestsofthemappearinginthe
distance,approachandpasson,returninghomeward,
Moving with steady motion, swaying to and fro to the right and
left,
Evenlylightlyrisingandfallingwhilethestepskeeptime;
Spirit of hours I knew, all hectic red one day, but pale as death
nextday,
Touchmymouthereyoudepart,pressmylipsclose,
Leavemeyourpulsesofrage—bequeaththemtome—fillmewith
currentsconvulsive,
Letthemscorchandblisteroutofmychantswhenyouaregone,
Letthemidentifyyoutothefutureinthesesongs.
AdieutoaSoldier
AdieuOsoldier,
Youoftherudecampaigning,(whichweshared,)
Therapidmarch,thelifeofthecamp,
Thehotcontentionofopposingfronts,thelongmanoeuvre,
Redbattleswiththeirslaughter,thestimulus,thestrongterrific
game,
Spellofallbraveandmanlyhearts,thetrainsoftimethroughyou
andlikeofyouallfill'd,
Withwarandwar'sexpression.
Adieudearcomrade,
Yourmissionisfulfill'd—butI,morewarlike,
Myselfandthiscontentioussoulofmine,
Stillonourowncampaigningbound,
Throughuntriedroadswithambushesopponentslined,
Throughmanyasharpdefeatandmanyacrisis,oftenbaffled,
Heremarching,evermarchingon,awarfightout—ayehere,
Tofiercer,weightierbattlesgiveexpression.
TurnOLibertad
TurnOLibertad,forthewarisover,
Fromitandallhenceforthexpanding,doubtingnomore,resolute,
sweepingtheworld,
Turnfromlandsretrospectiverecordingproofsofthepast,
Fromthesingersthatsingthetrailinggloriesofthepast,
From the chants of the feudal world, the triumphs of kings,
slavery,caste,
Turntotheworld,thetriumphsreserv'dandtocome—giveupthat
backwardworld,
Leavetothesingersofhitherto,givethemthetrailingpast,
But what remains remains for singers for you—wars to come are for
you,
(Lo,howthewarsofthepasthavedulyinuredtoyou,andthewars
ofthepresentalsoinure;)
Thenturn,andbenotalarm'dOLibertad—turnyourundyingface,
Towherethefuture,greaterthanallthepast,
Isswiftly,surelypreparingforyou.
Totheleaven'dsoiltheytrodcallingIsingforthelast,
(Forth from my tent emerging for good, loosing, untying the tentropes,)
Inthefreshnesstheforenoonair,inthefar-stretchingcircuits
andvistasagaintopeacerestored,
Tothefieryfieldsemanativeandtheendlessvistasbeyond,tothe
SouthandtheNorth,
To the leaven'd soil of the general Western world to attest my
songs,
TotheAlleghanianhillsandthetirelessMississippi,
TotherocksIcallingsing,andallthetreesinthewoods,
To the plains of the poems of heroes, to the prairies spreading
wide,
To the far-off sea and the unseen winds, and the sane impalpable
air;
Andrespondingtheyanswerall,(butnotinwords,)
The average earth, the witness of war and peace, acknowledges
mutely,
Theprairiedrawsmeclose,asthefathertobosombroadtheson,
TheNortherniceandrainthatbeganmenourishmetotheend,
ButthehotsunoftheSouthistofullyripenmysongs.
WhenLilacsLastintheDooryardBloom'd
1
Whenlilacslastinthedooryardbloom'd,
Andthegreatstarearlydroop'dinthewesternskyinthenight,
Imourn'd,andyetshallmournwithever-returningspring.
Ever-returningspring,trinitysuretomeyoubring,
Lilacbloomingperennialanddroopingstarinthewest,
AndthoughtofhimIlove.
2
Opowerfulwesternfallenstar!
Oshadesofnight—Omoody,tearfulnight!
Ogreatstardisappear'd—Otheblackmurkthathidesthestar!
Ocruelhandsthatholdmepowerless—Ohelplesssoulofme!
Oharshsurroundingcloudthatwillnotfreemysoul.
3
In the dooryard fronting an old farm-house near the white-wash'd
palings,
Standsthelilac-bushtall-growingwithheart-shapedleavesofrich
green,
With many a pointed blossom rising delicate, with the perfume
strongIlove,
Witheveryleafamiracle—andfromthisbushinthedooryard,
With delicate-color'd blossoms and heart-shaped leaves of rich
green,
AsprigwithitsflowerIbreak.
4
Intheswampinsecludedrecesses,
Ashyandhiddenbirdiswarblingasong.
Solitarythethrush,
Thehermitwithdrawntohimself,avoidingthesettlements,
Singsbyhimselfasong.
Songofthebleedingthroat,
Death'soutletsongoflife,(forwelldearbrotherIknow,
Ifthouwastnotgrantedtosingthouwouldstsurelydie.)
5
Overthebreastofthespring,theland,amidcities,
Amidlanesandthrougholdwoods,wherelatelythevioletspeep'd
fromtheground,spottingthegraydebris,
Amidthegrassinthefieldseachsideofthelanes,passingthe
endlessgrass,
Passing the yellow-spear'd wheat, every grain from its shroud in
the
dark-brownfieldsuprisen,
Passingtheapple-treeblowsofwhiteandpinkintheorchards,
Carryingacorpsetowhereitshallrestinthegrave,
Nightanddayjourneysacoffin.
6
Coffinthatpassesthroughlanesandstreets,
Throughdayandnightwiththegreatclouddarkeningtheland,
With the pomp of the inloop'd flags with the cities draped in
black,
With the show of the States themselves as of crape-veil'd women
standing,
Withprocessionslongandwindingandtheflambeausofthenight,
With the countless torches lit, with the silent sea of faces and
the
unbaredheads,
Withthewaitingdepot,thearrivingcoffin,andthesombrefaces,
With dirges through the night, with the thousand voices rising
strong
andsolemn,
With all the mournful voices of the dirges pour'd around the
coffin,
Thedim-litchurchesandtheshudderingorgans—whereamidthese
youjourney,
Withthetollingtollingbells'perpetualclang,
Here,coffinthatslowlypasses,
Igiveyoumysprigoflilac.
7
(Norforyou,foronealone,
BlossomsandbranchesgreentocoffinsallIbring,
Forfreshasthemorning,thuswouldIchantasongforyouOsane
andsacreddeath.
Alloverbouquetsofroses,
Odeath,Icoveryouoverwithrosesandearlylilies,
Butmostlyandnowthelilacthatbloomsthefirst,
CopiousIbreak,Ibreakthesprigsfromthebushes,
WithloadedarmsIcome,pouringforyou,
ForyouandthecoffinsallofyouOdeath.)
8
Owesternorbsailingtheheaven,
NowIknowwhatyoumusthavemeantasamonthsinceIwalk'd,
AsIwalk'dinsilencethetransparentshadowynight,
As I saw you had something to tell as you bent to me night after
night,
Asyoudroop'dfromtheskylowdownasiftomyside,(whilethe
otherstarsalllook'don,)
Aswewander'dtogetherthesolemnnight,(forsomethingIknownot
whatkeptmefromsleep,)
As the night advanced, and I saw on the rim of the west how full
you
wereofwoe,
As I stood on the rising ground in the breeze in the cool
transparentnight,
AsIwatch'dwhereyoupass'dandwaslostinthenetherwardblack
ofthenight,
Asmysoulinitstroubledissatisfiedsank,aswhereyousadorb,
Concluded,droptinthenight,andwasgone.
9
Singonthereintheswamp,
Osingerbashfulandtender,Ihearyournotes,Ihearyourcall,
Ihear,Icomepresently,Iunderstandyou,
ButamomentIlinger,forthelustrousstarhasdetain'dme,
Thestarmydepartingcomradeholdsanddetainsme.
10
OhowshallIwarblemyselfforthedeadonethereIloved?
And how shall I deck my song for the large sweet soul that has
gone?
AndwhatshallmyperfumebeforthegraveofhimIlove?
Sea-windsblownfromeastandwest,
BlownfromtheEasternseaandblownfromtheWesternsea,till
thereontheprairiesmeeting,
Theseandwiththeseandthebreathofmychant,
I'llperfumethegraveofhimIlove.
11
OwhatshallIhangonthechamberwalls?
AndwhatshallthepicturesbethatIhangonthewalls,
Toadorntheburial-houseofhimIlove?
Picturesofgrowingspringandfarmsandhomes,
WiththeFourth-montheveatsundown,andthegraysmokelucidand
bright,
Withfloodsoftheyellowgoldofthegorgeous,indolent,sinking
sun,burning,expandingtheair,
Withthefreshsweetherbageunderfoot,andthepalegreenleaves
ofthetreesprolific,
Inthedistancetheflowingglaze,thebreastoftheriver,witha
wind-dapplehereandthere,
Withranginghillsonthebanks,withmanyalineagainstthesky,
andshadows,
And the city at hand with dwellings so dense, and stacks of
chimneys,
Andallthescenesoflifeandtheworkshops,andtheworkmen
homewardreturning.
12
Lo,bodyandsoul—thisland,
MyownManhattanwithspires,andthesparklingandhurryingtides,
andtheships,
Thevariedandampleland,theSouthandtheNorthinthelight,
Ohio'sshoresandflashingMissouri,
Andeverthefar-spreadingprairiescover'dwithgrassandcorn.
Lo,themostexcellentsunsocalmandhaughty,
Thevioletandpurplemornwithjust-feltbreezes,
Thegentlesoft-bornmeasurelesslight,
Themiraclespreadingbathingall,thefulfill'dnoon,
Thecomingevedelicious,thewelcomenightandthestars,
Overmycitiesshiningall,envelopingmanandland.
13
Singon,singonyougray-brownbird,
Sing from the swamps, the recesses, pour your chant from the
bushes,
Limitlessoutofthedusk,outofthecedarsandpines.
Singondearestbrother,warbleyourreedysong,
Loudhumansong,withvoiceofuttermostwoe.
Oliquidandfreeandtender!
Owildandloosetomysoul—Owondroussinger!
YouonlyIhear—yetthestarholdsme,(butwillsoondepart,)
Yetthelilacwithmasteringodorholdsme.
14
NowwhileIsatinthedayandlook'dforth,
In the close of the day with its light and the fields of spring,
and
thefarmerspreparingtheircrops,
In the large unconscious scenery of my land with its lakes and
forests,
In the heavenly aerial beauty, (after the perturb'd winds and the
storms,)
Underthearchingheavensoftheafternoonswiftpassing,andthe
voicesofchildrenandwomen,
Themany-movingsea-tides,andIsawtheshipshowtheysail'd,
Andthesummerapproachingwithrichness,andthefieldsallbusy
withlabor,
Andtheinfiniteseparatehouses,howtheyallwenton,eachwith
itsmealsandminutiaofdailyusages,
Andthestreetshowtheirthrobbingsthrobb'd,andthecitiespent—
lo,thenandthere,
Falling upon them all and among them all, enveloping me with the
rest,
Appear'dthecloud,appear'dthelongblacktrail,
AndIknewdeath,itsthought,andthesacredknowledgeofdeath.
Thenwiththeknowledgeofdeathaswalkingonesideofme,
Andthethoughtofdeathclose-walkingtheothersideofme,
AndIinthemiddleaswithcompanions,andasholdingthehandsof
companions,
Ifledforthtothehidingreceivingnightthattalksnot,
Down to the shores of the water, the path by the swamp in the
dimness,
Tothesolemnshadowycedarsandghostlypinessostill.
Andthesingersoshytotherestreceiv'dme,
Thegray-brownbirdIknowreceiv'duscomradesthree,
Andhesangthecarolofdeath,andaverseforhimIlove.
Fromdeepsecludedrecesses,
Fromthefragrantcedarsandtheghostlypinessostill,
Camethecarolofthebird.
Andthecharmofthecarolraptme,
AsIheldasifbytheirhandsmycomradesinthenight,
Andthevoiceofmyspirittalliedthesongofthebird.
Comelovelyandsoothingdeath,
Undulateroundtheworld,serenelyarriving,arriving,
Intheday,inthenight,toall,toeach,
Soonerorlaterdelicatedeath.
Prais'dbethefathomlessuniverse,
Forlifeandjoy,andforobjectsandknowledgecurious,
Andforlove,sweetlove—butpraise!praise!praise!
Forthesure-enwindingarmsofcool-enfoldingdeath.
Darkmotheralwaysglidingnearwithsoftfeet,
Havenonechantedfortheeachantoffullestwelcome?
ThenIchantitforthee,Iglorifytheeaboveall,
I bring thee a song that when thou must indeed come, come
unfalteringly.
Approachstrongdeliveress,
Whenitisso,whenthouhasttakenthemIjoyouslysingthedead,
Lostinthelovingfloatingoceanofthee,
LavedinthefloodofthyblissOdeath.
Frommetotheegladserenades,
Dances for thee I propose saluting thee, adornments and feastings
forthee,
And the sights of the open landscape and the high-spread shy are
fitting,
Andlifeandthefields,andthehugeandthoughtfulnight.
Thenightinsilenceundermanyastar,
TheoceanshoreandthehuskywhisperingwavewhosevoiceIknow,
AndthesoulturningtotheeOvastandwell-veil'ddeath,
Andthebodygratefullynestlingclosetothee.
Overthetree-topsIfloattheeasong,
Overtherisingandsinkingwaves,overthemyriadfieldsandthe
prairieswide,
Overthedense-pack'dcitiesallandtheteemingwharvesandways,
Ifloatthiscarolwithjoy,withjoytotheeOdeath.
15
Tothetallyofmysoul,
Loudandstrongkeptupthegray-brownbird,
Withpuredeliberatenotesspreadingfillingthenight.
Loudinthepinesandcedarsdim,
Clearinthefreshnessmoistandtheswamp-perfume,
AndIwithmycomradesthereinthenight.
Whilemysightthatwasboundinmyeyesunclosed,
Astolongpanoramasofvisions.
AndIsawaskantthearmies,
Isawasinnoiselessdreamshundredsofbattle-flags,
Bornethroughthesmokeofthebattlesandpierc'dwithmissilesI
sawthem,
Andcarriedhitherandyonthroughthesmoke,andtornandbloody,
And at last but a few shreds left on the staffs, (and all in
silence,)
Andthestaffsallsplinter'dandbroken.
Isawbattle-corpses,myriadsofthem,
Andthewhiteskeletonsofyoungmen,Isawthem,
Isawthedebrisanddebrisofalltheslainsoldiersofthewar,
ButIsawtheywerenotaswasthought,
Theythemselveswerefullyatrest,theysuffer'dnot,
Thelivingremain'dandsuffer'd,themothersuffer'd,
Andthewifeandthechildandthemusingcomradesuffer'd,
Andthearmiesthatremain'dsuffer'd.
16
Passingthevisions,passingthenight,
Passing,unloosingtheholdofmycomrades'hands,
Passing the song of the hermit bird and the tallying song of my
soul,
Victorious song, death's outlet song, yet varying ever-altering
song,
Aslowandwailing,yetclearthenotes,risingandfalling,
floodingthenight,
Sadlysinkingandfainting,aswarningandwarning,andyetagain
burstingwithjoy,
Coveringtheearthandfillingthespreadoftheheaven,
AsthatpowerfulpsalminthenightIheardfromrecesses,
Passing,Ileavetheelilacwithheart-shapedleaves,
I leave thee there in the door-yard, blooming, returning with
spring.
Iceasefrommysongforthee,
Frommygazeontheeinthewest,frontingthewest,communingwith
thee,
Ocomradelustrouswithsilverfaceinthenight.
Yeteachtokeepandall,retrievementsoutofthenight,
Thesong,thewondrouschantofthegray-brownbird,
Andthetallyingchant,theechoarous'dinmysoul,
With the lustrous and drooping star with the countenance full of
woe,
Withtheholdersholdingmyhandnearingthecallofthebird,
Comrades mine and I in the midst, and their memory ever to keep,
for
thedeadIlovedsowell,
Forthesweetest,wisestsoulofallmydaysandlands—andthisfor
hisdearsake,
Lilacandstarandbirdtwinedwiththechantofmysoul,
Thereinthefragrantpinesandthecedarsduskanddim.
OCaptain!MyCaptain!
OCaptain!myCaptain!ourfearfultripisdone,
Theshiphasweather'deveryrack,theprizewesoughtiswon,
Theportisnear,thebellsIhear,thepeopleallexulting,
Whilefolloweyesthesteadykeel,thevesselgrimanddaring;
ButOheart!heart!heart!
Othebleedingdropsofred,
WhereonthedeckmyCaptainlies,
Fallencoldanddead.
OCaptain!myCaptain!riseupandhearthebells;
Riseup—foryoutheflagisflung—foryouthebugletrills,
For you bouquets and ribbon'd wreaths—for you the shores acrowding,
Foryoutheycall,theswayingmass,theireagerfacesturning;
HereCaptain!dearfather!
Thisarmbeneathyourhead!
Itissomedreamthatonthedeck,
You'vefallencoldanddead.
MyCaptaindoesnotanswer,hislipsarepaleandstill,
Myfatherdoesnotfeelmyarm,hehasnopulsenorwill,
Theshipisanchor'dsafeandsound,itsvoyageclosedanddone,
Fromfearfultripthevictorshipcomesinwithobjectwon;
ExultOshores,andringObells!
ButIwithmournfultread,
WalkthedeckmyCaptainlies,
Fallencoldanddead.
Hush'dbethecampsto-day,
Andsoldiersletusdrapeourwar-wornweapons,
Andeachwithmusingsoulretiretocelebrate,
Ourdearcommander'sdeath.
Nomoreforhimlife'sstormyconflicts,
Norvictory,nordefeat—nomoretime'sdarkevents,
Charginglikeceaselesscloudsacrossthesky.
Butsingpoetinourname,
Singoftheloveweborehim—becauseyou,dwellerincamps,knowit
truly.
Astheyinvaultthecoffinthere,
Sing—astheyclosethedoorsofearthuponhim—oneverse,
Fortheheavyheartsofsoldiers.
Thisdustwasoncetheman,
Gentle,plain,justandresolute,underwhosecautioushand,
Againstthefoulestcrimeinhistoryknowninanylandorage,
WassavedtheUnionoftheseStates.
BOOKXXIII
ByBlueOntario'sShore
ByblueOntario'sshore,
AsImusedofthesewarlikedaysandofpeacereturn'd,andthe
deadthatreturnnomore,
APhantomgiganticsuperb,withsternvisageaccostedme,
Chantmethepoem,itsaid,thatcomesfromthesoulofAmerica,
chantmethecarolofvictory,
AndstrikeupthemarchesofLibertad,marchesmorepowerfulyet,
AndsingmebeforeyougothesongofthethroesofDemocracy.
(Democracy, the destin'd conqueror, yet treacherous lip-smiles
everywhere,
Anddeathandinfidelityateverystep.)
2
ANationannouncingitself,
ImyselfmaketheonlygrowthbywhichIcanbeappreciated,
Irejectnone,acceptall,thenreproduceallinmyownforms.
Abreedwhoseproofisintimeanddeeds,
Whatweareweare,nativityisanswerenoughtoobjections,
Wewieldourselvesasaweaponiswielded,
Wearepowerfulandtremendousinourselves,
Weareexecutiveinourselves,wearesufficientinthevarietyof
ourselves,
Wearethemostbeautifultoourselvesandinourselves,
We stand self-pois'd in the middle, branching thence over the
world,
FromMissouri,Nebraska,orKansas,laughingattackstoscorn.
Nothingissinfultousoutsideofourselves,
Whateverappears,whateverdoesnotappear,wearebeautifulor
sinfulinourselvesonly.
(OMother—OSistersdear!
Ifwearelost,novictorelsehasdestroy'dus,
Itisbyourselveswegodowntoeternalnight.)
3
Haveyouthoughttherecouldbebutasinglesupreme?
Therecanbeanynumberofsupremes—onedoesnotcountervail
anotheranymorethanoneeyesightcountervailsanother,or
onelifecountervailsanother.
Alliseligibletoall,
Allisforindividuals,allisforyou,
Noconditionisprohibited,notGod'sorany.
All comes by the body, only health puts you rapport with the
universe.
ProducegreatPersons,therestfollows.
4
Pietyandconformitytothemthatlike,
Peace,obesity,allegiance,tothemthatlike,
Iamhewhotauntinglycompelsmen,women,nations,
Crying,Leapfromyourseatsandcontendforyourlives!
I am he who walks the States with a barb'd tongue, questioning
every
oneImeet,
Whoareyouthatwantedonlytobetoldwhatyouknewbefore?
Whoareyouthatwantedonlyabooktojoinyouinyournonsense?
(WithpangsandcriesasthineownObearerofmanychildren,
TheseclamorswildtoaraceofprideIgive.)
Olands,wouldyoubefreerthanallthathaseverbeenbefore?
Ifyouwouldbefreerthanallthathasbeenbefore,comelistento
me.
Feargrace,elegance,civilization,delicatesse,
Fearthemellowsweet,thesuckingofhoney—juice,
BewaretheadvancingmortalripeningofNature,
Bewarewhatprecedesthedecayoftheruggednessofstatesandmen.
5
Ages,precedents,havelongbeenaccumulatingundirectedmaterials,
Americabringsbuilders,andbringsitsownstyles.
TheimmortalpoetsofAsiaandEuropehavedonetheirworkand
pass'dtootherspheres,
Aworkremains,theworkofsurpassingalltheyhavedone.
America, curious toward foreign characters, stands by its own at
all
hazards,
Standsremoved,spacious,composite,sound,initiatesthetrueuse
ofprecedents,
Doesnotrepelthemorthepastorwhattheyhaveproducedunder
theirforms,
Takesthelessonwithcalmness,perceivesthecorpseslowlyborne
fromthehouse,
Perceivesthatitwaitsalittlewhileinthedoor,thatitwas
fittestforitsdays,
That its life has descended to the stalwart and well-shaped heir
who
approaches,
Andthatheshallbefittestforhisdays.
Anyperiodonenationmustlead,
Onelandmustbethepromiseandrelianceofthefuture.
TheseStatesaretheamplestpoem,
HereisnotmerelyanationbutateemingNationofnations,
Herethedoingsofmencorrespondwiththebroadcastdoingsofthe
dayandnight,
Hereiswhatmovesinmagnificentmassescarelessofparticulars,
Here are theroughs, beards, friendliness, combativeness, the soul
loves,
Heretheflowingtrains,herethecrowds,equality,diversity,the
soulloves.
6
Landoflandsandbardstocorroborate!
Of them standing among them, one lifts to the light a west-bred
face,
To him the hereditary countenance bequeath'd both mother's and
father's,
Hisfirstpartssubstances,earth,water,animals,trees,
Builtofthecommonstock,havingroomforfarandnear,
Usedtodispensewithotherlands,incarnatingthisland,
Attractingitbodyandsoultohimself,hangingonitsneckwith
incomparablelove,
Plunginghisseminalmuscleintoitsmeritsanddemerits,
Making its cities, beginnings,events, diversities, wars, vocal in
him,
Makingitsrivers,lakes,bays,embouchureinhim,
Mississippiwithyearlyfreshetsandchangingchutes,Columbia,
Niagara,Hudson,spendingthemselveslovinglyinhim,
IftheAtlanticcoaststretchorthePacificcoaststretch,he
stretchingwiththemNorthorSouth,
Spanning between them East and West, and touching whatever is
betweenthem,
Growths growing from him to offset the growths of pine, cedar,
hemlock,
live-oak, locust, chestnut, hickory, cottonwood, orange,
magnolia,
Tanglesastangledinhimasanycanebrakeorswamp,
Helikeningsidesandpeaksofmountains,forestscoatedwith
northerntransparentice,
Offhimpasturagesweetandnaturalassavanna,upland,prairie,
Throughhimflights,whirls,screams,answeringthoseofthe
fish-hawk,mocking-bird,night-heron,andeagle,
His spirit surrounding his country's spirit, unclosed to good and
evil,
Surrounding the essences of real things, old times and present
times,
Surroundingjustfoundshores,islands,tribesofredaborigines,
Weather-beaten vessels, landings, settlements, embryo stature and
muscle,
ThehaughtydefianceoftheYearOne,war,peace,theformationof
theConstitution,
TheseparateStates,thesimpleelasticscheme,theimmigrants,
The Union always swarming with blatherers and always sure and
impregnable,
Theunsurvey'dinterior,log-houses,clearings,wildanimals,
hunters,trappers,
Surroundingthemultiformagriculture,mines,temperature,the
gestationofnewStates,
CongressconveningeveryTwelfth-month,themembersdulycoming
upfromtheuttermostparts,
Surrounding the noble character of mechanics and farmers,
especially
theyoungmen,
Respondingtheirmanners,speech,dress,friendships,thegaitthey
haveofpersonswhoneverknewhowitfelttostandinthe
presenceofsuperiors,
Thefreshnessandcandoroftheirphysiognomy,thecopiousnessand
decisionoftheirphrenology,
The picturesque looseness oftheir carriage, their fierceness when
wrong'd,
The fluency of their speech, their delight in music, their
curiosity,
goodtemperandopen-handedness,thewholecompositemake,
Theprevailingardorandenterprise,thelargeamativeness,
The perfect equality of the female with the male, the fluid
movement
ofthepopulation,
The superior marine, free commerce, fisheries, whaling, golddigging,
Wharf-hemm'd cities, railroad and steamboat lines intersecting all
points,
Factories,mercantilelife,labor-savingmachinery,theNortheast,
Northwest,Southwest,
Manhattanfiremen,theYankeeswap,southernplantationlife,
Slavery—themurderous,treacherousconspiracytoraiseituponthe
ruinsofalltherest,
Onandontothegrapplewithit—Assassin!thenyourlifeorours
bethestake,andrespitenomore.
7
(Lo,hightowardheaven,thisday,
Libertad,fromtheconqueress'fieldreturn'd,
Imarkthenewaureolaaroundyourhead,
Nomoreofsoftastral,butdazzlingandfierce,
Withwar'sflamesandthelambentlightningsplaying,
Andyourportimmovablewhereyoustand,
Withstilltheinextinguishableglanceandtheclinch'dandlifted
fist,
Andyourfootontheneckofthemenacingone,thescornerutterly
crush'dbeneathyou,
Themenacingarrogantonethatstrodeandadvancedwithhis
senselessscorn,bearingthemurderousknife,
The wide-swelling one, the braggart that would yesterday do so
much,
To-dayacarriondeadanddamn'd,thedespisedofalltheearth,
Anoffalrank,tothedunghillmaggotsspurn'd.)
8
Otherstakefinish,buttheRepubliciseverconstructiveandever
keepsvista,
Othersadornthepast,butyouOdaysofthepresent,Iadornyou,
O days of the future I believe in you—I isolate myself for your
sake,
OAmericabecauseyoubuildformankindIbuildforyou,
Owell-belovedstone-cutters,Ileadthemwhoplanwithdecision
andscience,
Leadthepresentwithfriendlyhandtowardthefuture.
(Bravastoallimpulsessendingsanechildrentothenextage!
Butdamnthatwhichspendsitselfwithnothoughtofthestain,
pains,dismay,feebleness,itisbequeathing.)
9
IlistenedtothePhantombyOntario'sshore,
Iheardthevoicearisingdemandingbards,
Bythemallnativeandgrand,bythemalonecantheseStatesbe
fusedintothecompactorganismofaNation.
To hold men together by paper and seal or by compulsion is no
account,
That only holds men together which aggregates all in a living
principle,
astheholdofthelimbsofthebodyorthefibresofplants.
Of all races and eras these States with veins full of poetical
stuffmost
need poets, and are to have the greatest, and use them the
greatest,
TheirPresidentsshallnotbetheircommonrefereesomuchastheir
poetsshall.
(Soulofloveandtongueoffire!
Eyetopiercethedeepestdeepsandsweeptheworld!
Ah Mother, prolific and full in all besides, yet how long barren,
barren?)
10
OftheseStatesthepoetistheequableman,
Not in him but off from him things are grotesque, eccentric, fail
of
theirfullreturns,
Nothingoutofitsplaceisgood,nothinginitsplaceisbad,
Hebestowsoneveryobjectorqualityitsfitproportion,neither
morenorless,
Heisthearbiterofthediverse,heisthekey,
Heistheequalizerofhisageandland,
Hesupplieswhatwantssupplying,hecheckswhatwantschecking,
Inpeaceoutofhimspeaksthespiritofpeace,large,rich,
thrifty, building populous towns, encouraging agriculture,
arts,
commerce,lightingthestudyofman,thesoul,health,
immortality,government,
Inwarheisthebestbackerofthewar,hefetchesartilleryas
good as the engineer's, he can make every word he speaks draw
blood,
The years straying toward infidelity he withholds by his steady
faith,
Heisnoarguer,heisjudgment,(Natureacceptshimabsolutely,)
Hejudgesnotasthejudgejudgesbutasthesunfailinground
helplessthing,
Asheseesthefarthesthehasthemostfaith,
Histhoughtsarethehymnsofthepraiseofthings,
InthedisputeonGodandeternityheissilent,
Heseeseternitylesslikeaplaywithaprologueanddenouement,
Heseeseternityinmenandwomen,hedoesnotseemenandwomen
asdreamsordots.
ForthegreatIdea,theideaofperfectandfreeindividuals,
Forthat,thebardwalksinadvance,leaderofleaders,
Theattitudeofhimcheersupslavesandhorrifiesforeigndespots.
WithoutextinctionisLiberty,withoutretrogradeisEquality,
Theyliveinthefeelingsofyoungmenandthebestwomen,
(Not for nothing have the indomitable heads of the earth been
always
readytofallforLiberty.)
11
ForthegreatIdea,
That,Omybrethren,thatisthemissionofpoets.
Songsofsterndefianceeverready,
Songsoftherapidarmingandthemarch,
Theflagofpeacequick-folded,andinsteadtheflagweknow,
WarlikeflagofthegreatIdea.
(AngryclothIsawthereleaping!
Istandagaininleadenrainyourflappingfoldssaluting,
Isingyouoverall,flyingbeckoningthroughthefight—Othe
hard-contestedfight!
The cannons ope their rosy-flashing muzzles—the hurtled balls
scream,
Thebattle-frontformsamidthesmoke—thevolleyspourincessant
fromtheline,
Hark,theringingwordCharge!—nowthetussleandthefurious
maddeningyells,
Nowthecorpsestumblecurl'dupontheground,
Cold,coldindeath,forpreciouslifeofyou,
AngryclothIsawthereleaping.)
12
Areyouhewhowouldassumeaplacetoteachorbeapoetherein
theStates?
Theplaceisaugust,thetermsobdurate.
Who would assume to teach here may well prepare himself body and
mind,
He may well survey, ponder, arm, fortify, harden, make lithe
himself,
Heshallsurelybequestion'dbeforehandbymewithmanyandstern
questions.
WhoareyouindeedwhowouldtalkorsingtoAmerica?
Haveyoustudiedouttheland,itsidiomsandmen?
Haveyoulearn'dthephysiology,phrenology,politics,geography,
pride, freedom, friendship of the land? its substratums and
objects?
Haveyouconsider'dtheorganiccompactofthefirstdayofthe
first year of Independence, sign'd by the Commissioners,
ratified
bytheStates,andreadbyWashingtonattheheadofthearmy?
Haveyoupossess'dyourselfoftheFederalConstitution?
Do you see who have left all feudal processes and poems behind
them,
andassumedthepoemsandprocessesofDemocracy?
Areyoufaithfultothings?doyouteachwhatthelandandsea,the
bodiesofmen,womanhood,amativeness,heroicangers,teach?
Haveyouspedthroughfleetingcustoms,popularities?
Canyouholdyourhandagainstallseductions,follies,whirls,
fiercecontentions?areyouverystrong?areyoureallyofthe
wholePeople?
Areyounotofsomecoterie?someschoolormerereligion?
Areyoudonewithreviewsandcriticismsoflife?animatingnowto
lifeitself?
HaveyouvivifiedyourselffromthematernityoftheseStates?
Haveyoutootheoldever-freshforbearanceandimpartiality?
Doyouholdthelikeloveforthosehardeningtomaturity?forthe
last-born?littleandbig?andfortheerrant?
WhatisthisyoubringmyAmerica?
Isituniformwithmycountry?
Isitnotsomethingthathasbeenbettertoldordonebefore?
Haveyounotimportedthisorthespiritofitinsomeship?
Isitnotameretale?arhyme?aprettiness?—Isthegoodoldcause
init?
Hasitnotdangledlongattheheelsofthepoets,politicians,
literats,ofenemies'lands?
Doesitnotassumethatwhatisnotoriouslygoneisstillhere?
Doesitansweruniversalneeds?willitimprovemanners?
Doesitsoundwithtrumpet-voicetheproudvictoryoftheUnionin
thatsecessionwar?
Canyourperformancefacetheopenfieldsandtheseaside?
WillitabsorbintomeasIabsorbfood,air,toappearagaininmy
strength,gait,face?
Haverealemploymentscontributedtoit?originalmakers,notmere
amanuenses?
Doesitmeetmoderndiscoveries,calibres,facts,facetoface?
WhatdoesitmeantoAmericanpersons,progresses,cities?Chicago,
Kanada,Arkansas?
Doesitseebehindtheapparentcustodianstherealcustodians
standing, menacing, silent, the mechanics, Manhattanese,
Western
men,Southerners,significantalikeintheirapathy,andinthe
promptnessoftheirlove?
Doesitseewhatfinallybefalls,andhasalwaysfinallybefallen,
eachtemporizer,patcher,outsider,partialist,alarmist,
infidel,whohaseverask'danythingofAmerica?
Whatmockingandscornfulnegligence?
Thetrackstrew'dwiththedustofskeletons,
Bytheroadsideothersdisdainfullytoss'd.
13
Rhymesandrhymerspassaway,poemsdistill'dfrompoemspassaway,
Theswarmsofreflectorsandthepolitepass,andleaveashes,
Admirers, importers, obedient persons, make but the soil of
literature,
Americajustifiesitself,giveittime,nodisguisecandeceiveit
orconcealfromit,itisimpassiveenough,
Onlytowardthelikesofitselfwillitadvancetomeetthem,
Ifitspoetsappearitwillinduetimeadvancetomeetthem,there
isnofearofmistake,
(Theproofofapoetshallbesternlydeferr'dtillhiscountry
absorbshimasaffectionatelyashehasabsorb'dit.)
Hemasterswhosespiritmasters,hetastessweetestwhoresults
sweetestinthelongrun,
Thebloodofthebrawnbelovedoftimeisunconstraint;
In the need of songs, philosophy, an appropriate native grandopera,
shipcraft,anycraft,
Heorsheisgreatestwhocontributesthegreatestoriginal
practicalexample.
Already a nonchalant breed, silently emerging, appears on the
streets,
People's lips salute only doers, lovers, satisfiers, positive
knowers,
Therewillshortlybenomorepriests,Isaytheirworkisdone,
Death is without emergencies here, but life is perpetual
emergencieshere,
Are your body, days, manners, superb? after death you shall be
superb,
Justice, health, self-esteem, clear the way with irresistible
power;
Howdareyouplaceanythingbeforeaman?
14
FallbehindmeStates!
Amanbeforeall—myself,typical,beforeall.
GivemethepayIhaveservedfor,
GivemetosingthesongsofthegreatIdea,takealltherest,
Ihavelovedtheearth,sun,animals,Ihavedespisedriches,
Ihavegivenaimstoeveryonethatask'd,stoodupforthestupid
andcrazy,devotedmyincomeandlabortoothers,
Hated tyrants, argued not concerning God, had patience and
indulgence
toward the people, taken off my hat to nothing known or
unknown,
Gonefreelywithpowerfuluneducatedpersonsandwiththeyoung,
andwiththemothersoffamilies,
Readtheseleavestomyselfintheopenair,triedthembytrees,
stars,rivers,
Dismiss'dwhateverinsultedmyownsoulordefiledmybody,
Claim'dnothingtomyselfwhichIhavenotcarefullyclaim'dfor
othersonthesameterms,
Sped to the camps, and comrades found and accepted from every
State,
(Upon this breast has many a dying soldier lean'd to breathe his
last,
Thisarm,thishand,thisvoice,havenourish'd,rais'd,restored,
Toliferecallingmanyaprostrateform;)
Iamwillingtowaittobeunderstoodbythegrowthofthetasteof
myself,
Rejectingnone,permittingall.
(SayOMother,haveInottoyourthoughtbeenfaithful?
HaveInotthroughlifekeptyouandyoursbeforeme?)
15
IswearIbegintoseethemeaningofthesethings,
Itisnottheearth,itisnotAmericawhoissogreat,
It is I who am great or to be great, it is You up there, or any
one,
Itistowalkrapidlythroughcivilizations,governments,theories,
Throughpoems,pageants,shows,toformindividuals.
Underneathall,individuals,
Iswearnothingisgoodtomenowthatignoresindividuals,
TheAmericancompactisaltogetherwithindividuals,
Theonlygovernmentisthatwhichmakesminuteofindividuals,
Thewholetheoryoftheuniverseisdirectedunerringlytoone
singleindividual—namelytoYou.
(Mother! with subtle sense severe, with the naked sword in your
hand,
Isawyouatlastrefusetotreatbutdirectlywithindividuals.)
16
Underneathall,Nativity,
IswearIwillstandbymyownnativity,piousorimpioussobeit;
IswearIamcharm'dwithnothingexceptnativity,
Men,women,cities,nations,areonlybeautifulfromnativity.
UnderneathallistheExpressionofloveformenandwomen,
(I swear I have seen enough of mean and impotent modes of
expressing
loveformenandwomen,
AfterthisdayItakemyownmodesofexpressingloveformenand
women.)inmyself,
IswearIwillhaveeachqualityofmyraceinmyself,
(Talkasyoulike,heonlysuitstheseStateswhosemannersfavor
theaudacityandsublimeturbulenceoftheStates.)
Underneaththelessonsofthings,spirits,Nature,governments,
ownerships,IswearIperceiveotherlessons,
Underneathalltomeismyself,toyouyourself,(thesame
monotonousoldsong.)
17
OIseeflashingthatthisAmericaisonlyyouandme,
Itspower,weapons,testimony,areyouandme,
Itscrimes,lies,thefts,defections,areyouandme,
ItsCongressisyouandme,theofficers,capitols,armies,ships,
areyouandme,
ItsendlessgestationsofnewStatesareyouandme,
Thewar,(thatwarsobloodyandgrim,thewarIwillhenceforth
forget),wasyouandme,
Naturalandartificialareyouandme,
Freedom,language,poems,employments,areyouandme,
Past,present,future,areyouandme.
Idarenotshirkanypartofmyself,
NotanypartofAmericagoodorbad,
Nottobuildforthatwhichbuildsformankind,
Nottobalanceranks,complexions,creeds,andthesexes,
Nottojustifysciencenorthemarchofequality,
Nortofeedthearrogantbloodofthebrawnbelov'doftime.
Iamforthosethathaveneverbeenmaster'd,
Formenandwomenwhosetempershaveneverbeenmaster'd,
Forthosewhomlaws,theories,conventions,cannevermaster.
Iamforthosewhowalkabreastwiththewholeearth,
Whoinaugurateonetoinaugurateall.
Iwillnotbeoutfacedbyirrationalthings,
Iwillpenetratewhatitisinthemthatissarcasticuponme,
Iwillmakecitiesandcivilizationsdefertome,
ThisiswhatIhavelearntfromAmerica—itistheamount,anditI
teachagain.
(Democracy,whileweaponswereeverywhereaim'datyourbreast,
Isawyouserenelygivebirthtoimmortalchildren,sawindreams
yourdilatingform,
Sawyouwithspreadingmantlecoveringtheworld.)
18
Iwillconfronttheseshowsofthedayandnight,
IwillknowifIamtobelessthanthey,
IwillseeifIamnotasmajesticasthey,
IwillseeifIamnotassubtleandrealasthey,
IwillseeifIamtobelessgenerousthanthey,
I will see if I have no meaning, while the houses and ships have
meaning,
Iwillseeifthefishesandbirdsaretobeenoughforthemselves,
andIamnottobeenoughformyself.
I match my spirit against yours you orbs, growths, mountains,
brutes,
Copious as you are I absorb you all in myself, and become the
mastermyself,
America isolated yet embodying all, what is it finally except
myself?
TheseStates,whataretheyexceptmyself?
I know now why the earth is gross, tantalizing, wicked, it is for
mysake,
Itakeyouspeciallytobemine,youterrible,rudeforms.
(Mother,benddown,bendclosetomeyourface,
Iknownotwhattheseplotsandwarsanddefermentsarefor,
I know not fruition's success, but I know that through war and
crime
yourworkgoeson,andmustyetgoon.)
19
ThusbyblueOntario'sshore,
Whilethewindsfann'dmeandthewavescametroopingtowardme,
Ithrill'dwiththepower'spulsations,andthecharmofmytheme
wasuponme,
Tillthetissuesthatheldmepartedtheirtiesuponme.
AndIsawthefreesoulsofpoets,
Theloftiestbardsofpastagesstrodebeforeme,
Strangelargemen,longunwaked,undisclosed,weredisclosedtome.
20
Omyraptverse,mycall,mockmenot!
Notforthebardsofthepast,nottoinvokethemhaveIlaunch'd
youforth,
NottocalleventhoseloftybardsherebyOntario'sshores,
HaveIsungsocapriciousandloudmysavagesong.
BardsformyownlandonlyIinvoke,
(Forthewarthewarisover,thefieldisclear'd,)
Tilltheystrikeupmarcheshenceforthtriumphantandonward,
TocheerOMotheryourboundlessexpectantsoul.
BardsofthegreatIdea!bardsofthepeacefulinventions!(forthe
war,thewarisover!)
Yetbardsoflatentarmies,amillionsoldierswaitingever-ready,
Bards with songs as from burning coals or the lightning's fork'd
stripes!
AmpleOhio's,Kanada'sbards—bardsofCalifornia!inlandbards—
bardsofthewar!
YoubymycharmIinvoke.
Reversals
Letthatwhichstoodinfrontgobehind,
Letthatwhichwasbehindadvancetothefront,
Letbigots,fools,uncleanpersons,offernewpropositions,
Lettheoldpropositionsbepostponed,
Letamanseekpleasureeverywhereexceptinhimself,
Letawomanseekhappinesseverywhereexceptinherself
AsConsequent,Etc.
Asconsequentfromstoreofsummerrains,
Orwaywardrivuletsinautumnflowing,
Ormanyaherb-linedbrook'sreticulations,
Orsubterraneansea-rillsmakingforthesea,
SongsofcontinuedyearsIsing.
Life'sever-modernrapidsfirst,(soon,soontoblend,
Withtheoldstreamsofdeath.)
SomethreadingOhio'sfarm-fieldsorthewoods,
SomedownColorado'scanonsfromsourcesofperpetualsnow,
Somehalf-hidinOregon,orawaysouthwardinTexas,
SomeinthenorthfindingtheirwaytoErie,Niagara,Ottawa,
SometoAtlantica'sbays,andsotothegreatsaltbrine.
Inyouwhoe'eryouaremybookperusing,
InImyself,inalltheworld,thesecurrentsflowing,
All,alltowardthemysticoceantending.
Currentsforstartingacontinentnew,
Overturessenttothesolidoutoftheliquid,
Fusionofoceanandland,tenderandpensivewaves,
(Notsafeandpeacefulonly,wavesrous'dandominoustoo,
Outofthedepthsthestorm'sabysmicwaves,whoknowswhence?
Ragingoverthevast,withmanyabrokensparandtatter'dsail.)
OrfromtheseaofTime,collectingvastingall,Ibring,
Awindrow-driftofweedsandshells.
O little shells, so curious-convolute, so limpid-cold and
voiceless,
Willyounotlittleshellstothetympansoftemplesheld,
Murmursandechoesstillcallup,eternity'smusicfaintandfar,
Waftedinland,sentfromAtlantica'srim,strainsforthesoulof
theprairies,
Whisper'd reverberations, chords for the ear of the West joyously
sounding,
Yourtidingsold,yetevernewanduntranslatable,
Infinitesimalsoutofmylife,andmanyalife,
(FornotmylifeandyearsaloneIgive—all,allIgive,)
Thesewaifsfromthedeep,casthighanddry,
Wash'donAmerica'sshores?
1
Forthelandsandforthesepassionatedaysandformyself,
NowIawhileretiretotheeOsoilofautumnfields,
Recliningonthybreast,givingmyselftothee,
Answeringthepulsesofthysaneandequableheart,
Turningaverseforthee.
Oearththathastnovoice,confidetomeavoice,
Oharvestofmylands—Oboundlesssummergrowths,
Olavishbrownparturientearth—Oinfiniteteemingwomb,
Asongtonarratethee.
2
Everuponthisstage,
IsactedGod'scalmannualdrama,
Gorgeousprocessions,songsofbirds,
Sunrisethatfullestfeedsandfreshensmostthesoul,
The heaving sea, the waves upon the shore, the musical, strong
waves,
Thewoods,thestalwarttrees,theslender,taperingtrees,
Theliliputcountlessarmiesofthegrass,
Theheat,theshowers,themeasurelesspasturages,
Thesceneryofthesnows,thewinds'freeorchestra,
The stretching light-hung roof of clouds, the clear cerulean and
the
silveryfringes,
Thehigh-dilatingstars,theplacidbeckoningstars,
Themovingflocksandherds,theplainsandemeraldmeadows,
Theshowsofallthevariedlandsandallthegrowthsandproducts.
3
FecundAmerica—today,
Thouartalloversetinbirthsandjoys!
Thou groan'st with riches, thy wealth clothes thee as a swathinggarment,
Thoulaughestloudwithacheofgreatpossessions,
A myriad-twining life like interlacing vines binds all thy vast
demesne,
Assomehugeshipfreightedtowater'sedgethouridestintoport,
Asrainfallsfromtheheavenandvaporsrisefromearth,sohave
thepreciousvaluesfallenupontheeandrisenoutofthee;
Thouenvyoftheglobe!thoumiracle!
Thou,bathed,choked,swimminginplenty,
ThouluckyMistressofthetranquilbarns,
ThouPrairieDamethatsittestinthemiddleandlookestoutupon
thyworld,andlookestEastandlookestWest,
Dispensatress,thatbyawordgivestathousandmiles,amillion
farms,andmissestnothing,
Thouall-acceptress—thouhospitable,(thouonlyarthospitableas
Godishospitable.)
4
WhenlateIsangsadwasmyvoice,
Sadweretheshowsaroundmewithdeafeningnoisesofhatredand
smokeofwar;
Inthemidstoftheconflict,theheroes,Istood,
Orpass'dwithslowstepthroughthewoundedanddying.
ButnowIsingnotwar,
Northemeasur'dmarchofsoldiers,northetentsofcamps,
Northeregimentshastilycomingupdeployinginlineofbattle;
Nomorethesad,unnaturalshowsofwar.
Ask'd room those flush'd immortal ranks, the first forth-stepping
armies?
Askroomalastheghastlyranks,thearmiesdreadthatfollow'd.
(Pass,pass,yeproudbrigades,withyourtrampingsinewylegs,
Withyourshouldersyoungandstrong,withyourknapsacksandyour
muskets;
HowelateIstoodandwatch'dyou,wherestartingoffyoumarch'd.
Pass—thenrattledrumsagain,
Foranarmyheavesinsight,Oanothergatheringarmy,
Swarming,trailingontherear,Oyoudreadaccruingarmy,
O you regiments so piteous, with your mortal diarrhoea, with your
fever,
Omyland'smaim'ddarlings,withtheplenteousbloodybandageand
thecrutch,
Lo,yourpallidarmyfollows.)
5
Butonthesedaysofbrightness,
Onthefar-stretchingbeauteouslandscape,theroadsandlanesthe
high-piledfarm-wagons,andthefruitsandbarns,
Shouldthedeadintrude?
Ahthedeadtomemarnot,theyfitwellinNature,
Theyfitverywellinthelandscapeunderthetreesandgrass,
Andalongtheedgeoftheskyinthehorizon'sfarmargin.
NordoIforgetyouDeparted,
Norinwinterorsummermylostones,
Butmostintheopenairasnowwhenmysoulisraptandatpeace,
likepleasingphantoms,
Yourmemoriesrisingglidesilentlybyme.
6
Isawthedaythereturnoftheheroes,
(Yettheheroesneversurpass'dshallneverreturn,
ThemthatdayIsawnot.)
Isawtheinterminablecorps,Isawtheprocessionsofarmies,
Isawthemapproaching,defilingbywithdivisions,
Streamingnorthward,theirworkdone,campingawhileinclustersof
mightycamps.
Noholidaysoldiers—youthful,yetveterans,
Worn, swart, handsome, strong, of the stock of homestead and
workshop,
Harden'dofmanyalongcampaignandsweatymarch,
Inuredonmanyahard-foughtbloodyfield.
Apause—thearmieswait,
Amillionflush'dembattledconquerorswait,
Theworldtoowaits,thensoftasbreakingnightandsureasdawn,
Theymelt,theydisappear.
ExultOlands!victoriouslands!
Notthereyourvictoryonthoseredshudderingfields,
Buthereandhenceyourvictory.
Melt,meltawayyearmies—disperseyeblue-cladsoldiers,
Resolveyebackagain,giveupforgoodyourdeadlyarms,
Otherthearmsthefieldshenceforthforyou,orSouthorNorth,
Withsanerwars,sweetwars,life-givingwars.
7
LoudOmythroat,andclearOsoul!
Theseasonofthanksandthevoiceoffull-yielding,
Thechantofjoyandpowerforboundlessfertility.
Alltill'danduntill'dfieldsexpandbeforeme,
Iseethetruearenasofmyrace,orfirstorlast,
Man'sinnocentandstrongarenas.
Iseetheheroesatothertoils,
Iseewell-wieldedintheirhandsthebetterweapons.
IseewheretheMotherofAll,
Withfull-spanningeyegazesforth,dwellslong,
Andcountsthevariedgatheringoftheproducts.
Busythefar,thesunlitpanorama,
Prairie,orchard,andyellowgrainoftheNorth,
CottonandriceoftheSouthandLouisianiancane,
Openunseededfallows,richfieldsofcloverandtimothy,
Kineandhorsesfeeding,anddrovesofsheepandswine,
Andmanyastatelyriverflowingandmanyajocundbrook,
Andhealthyuplandswithherby-perfumedbreezes,
Andthegoodgreengrass,thatdelicatemiracletheever-recurring
grass.
8
Toilonheroes!harvesttheproducts!
NotaloneonthosewarlikefieldstheMotherofAll,
Withdilatedformandlambenteyeswatch'dyou.
Toilonheroes!toilwell!handletheweaponswell!
TheMotherofAll,yethereasevershewatchesyou.
Well-pleasedAmericathoubeholdest,
OverthefieldsoftheWestthosecrawlingmonsters,
Thehuman-divineinventions,thelabor-savingimplements;
Beholdestmovingineverydirectionimbuedaswithlifethe
revolvinghay-rakes,
Thesteam-powerreaping-machinesandthehorse-powermachines
Theengines,thrashersofgrainandcleanersofgrain,well
separatingthestraw,thenimbleworkofthepatentpitchfork,
Beholdestthenewersaw-mill,thesoutherncotton-gin,andthe
rice-cleanser.
BeneaththylookOMaternal,
With these and else and with their own strong hands the heroes
harvest.
Allgatherandallharvest,
Yet but for thee O Powerful, not a scythe might swing as now in
security,
Notamaize-stalkdangleasnowitssilkentasselsinpeace.
Under thee only they harvest, even but a wisp of hay under thy
great
faceonly,
HarvestthewheatofOhio,Illinois,Wisconsin,everybarbedspear
underthee,
HarvestthemaizeofMissouri,Kentucky,Tennessee,eachearinits
light-greensheath,
Gatherthehaytoitsmyriadmowsintheodoroustranquilbarns,
Oatstotheirbins,thewhitepotato,thebuckwheatofMichigan,to
theirs;
GatherthecottoninMississippiorAlabama,digandhoardthe
goldenthesweetpotatoofGeorgiaandtheCarolinas,
ClipthewoolofCaliforniaorPennsylvania,
Cut the flax in the Middle States, or hemp or tobacco in the
Borders,
Pickthepeaandthebean,orpullapplesfromthetreesorbunches
ofgrapesfromthevines,
OraughtthatripensinalltheseStatesorNorthorSouth,
Underthebeamingsunandunderthee.
Therewasachildwentfortheveryday,
Andthefirstobjecthelook'dupon,thatobjecthebecame,
Andthatobjectbecamepartofhimforthedayoracertainpartof
theday,
Orformanyyearsorstretchingcyclesofyears.
Theearlylilacsbecamepartofthischild,
Andgrassandwhiteandredmorning-glories,andwhiteandred
clover,andthesongofthephoebe-bird,
AndtheThird-monthlambsandthesow'spink-faintlitter,andthe
mare'sfoalandthecow'scalf,
And the noisy brood of the barnyard or by the mire of the pondside,
And the fish suspending themselves so curiously below there, and
the
beautifulcuriousliquid,
And the water-plants with their graceful flat heads, all became
partofhim.
The field-sprouts of Fourth-month and Fifth-month became part of
him,
Winter-grainsproutsandthoseofthelight-yellowcorn,andthe
esculentrootsofthegarden,
Andtheapple-treescover'dwithblossomsandthefruitafterward,
andwood-berries,andthecommonestweedsbytheroad,
Andtheolddrunkardstaggeringhomefromtheouthouseofthe
tavernwhencehehadlatelyrisen,
Andtheschoolmistressthatpass'donherwaytotheschool,
Andthefriendlyboysthatpass'd,andthequarrelsomeboys,
And the tidy and fresh-cheek'd girls, and the barefoot negro boy
andgirl,
Andallthechangesofcityandcountrywhereverhewent.
His own parents, he that had father'd him and she that had
conceiv'd
himinherwombandbirth'dhim,
Theygavethischildmoreofthemselvesthanthat,
Theygavehimafterwardeveryday,theybecamepartofhim.
Themotherathomequietlyplacingthedishesonthesupper-table,
Themotherwithmildwords,cleanhercapandgown,awholesome
odorfallingoffherpersonandclothesasshewalksby,
Thefather,strong,self-sufficient,manly,mean,anger'd,unjust,
Theblow,thequickloudword,thetightbargain,thecraftylure,
Thefamilyusages,thelanguage,thecompany,thefurniture,the
yearningandswellingheart,
Affection that will not be gainsay'd, the sense of what is real,
the
thoughtifafterallitshouldproveunreal,
Thedoubtsofday-timeandthedoubtsofnight-time,thecurious
whetherandhow,
Whether that which appears so is so, or is it all flashes and
specks?
Menandwomencrowdingfastinthestreets,iftheyarenotflashes
andspeckswhatarethey?
Thestreetsthemselvesandthefacadesofhouses,andgoodsinthe
windows,
Vehicles,teams,theheavy-plank'dwharves,thehugecrossingat
theferries,
The village on the highland seen from afar at sunset, the river
between,
Shadows,aureolaandmist,thelightfallingonroofsandgablesof
whiteorbrowntwomilesoff,
Theschoonernearbysleepilydroppingdownthetide,thelittle
boatslack-tow'dastern,
Thehurryingtumblingwaves,quick-brokencrests,slapping,
Thestrataofcolor'dclouds,thelongbarofmaroon-tintaway
solitarybyitself,thespreadofpurityitliesmotionlessin,
The horizon's edge, the flying sea-crow, the fragrance of salt
marsh
andshoremud,
Thesebecamepartofthatchildwhowentfortheveryday,andwho
nowgoes,andwillalwaysgofortheveryday.
OldIreland
Farhenceamidanisleofwondrousbeauty,
Crouchingoveragraveanancientsorrowfulmother,
Onceaqueen,nowleanandtatter'dseatedontheground,
Heroldwhitehairdroopingdishevel'droundhershoulders,
Atherfeetfallenanunusedroyalharp,
Long silent, she too long silent, mourning her shrouded hope and
heir,
Ofalltheearthherheartmostfullofsorrowbecausemostfullof
love.
Yetawordancientmother,
Youneedcrouchtherenolongeronthecoldgroundwithforehead
betweenyourknees,
O you need not sit there veil'd in your old white hair so
dishevel'd,
Forknowyoutheoneyoumournisnotinthatgrave,
Itwasanillusion,thesonyoulovewasnotreallydead,
TheLordisnotdead,heisrisenagainyoungandstronginanother
country,
Evenwhileyouwepttherebyyourfallenharpbythegrave,
Whatyouweptforwastranslated,pass'dfromthegrave,
Thewindsfavor'dandtheseasail'dit,
Andnowwithrosyandnewblood,
Movesto-dayinanewcountry.
TheCityDead-House
Bythecitydead-housebythegate,
Asidlysaunteringwendingmywayfromtheclangor,
I curious pause, for lo, an outcast form, a poor dead prostitute
brought,
Her corpse they deposit unclaim'd, it lies on the damp brick
pavement,
Thedivinewoman,herbody,Iseethebody,Ilookonitalone,
Thathouseoncefullofpassionandbeauty,allelseInoticenot,
Norstillnesssocold,norrunningwaterfromfaucet,norodors
morbificimpressme,
Butthehousealone—thatwondroushouse—thatdelicatefairhouse
—thatruin!
Thatimmortalhousemorethanalltherowsofdwellingseverbuilt!
Orwhite-domedcapitolwithmajesticfiguresurmounted,orallthe
oldhigh-spiredcathedrals,
Thatlittlehousealonemorethanthemall—poor,desperatehouse!
Fair,fearfulwreck—tenementofasoul—itselfasoul,
Unclaim'd,avoidedhouse—takeonebreathfrommytremulouslips,
TakeoneteardroptasideasIgoforthoughtofyou,
Deadhouseoflove—houseofmadnessandsin,crumbled,crush'd,
Houseoflife,erewhiletalkingandlaughing—butah,poorhouse,
deadeventhen,
Months,years,anechoing,garnish'dhouse—butdead,dead,dead.
ThisCompost
1
SomethingstartlesmewhereIthoughtIwassafest,
IwithdrawfromthestillwoodsIloved,
Iwillnotgonowonthepasturestowalk,
Iwillnotstriptheclothesfrommybodytomeetmyloverthesea,
I will not touch my flesh to the earth as to other flesh to renew
me.
Ohowcanitbethatthegrounditselfdoesnotsicken?
Howcanyoubealiveyougrowthsofspring?
How can you furnish health you blood of herbs, roots, orchards,
grain?
Aretheynotcontinuallyputtingdistemper'dcorpseswithinyou?
Isnoteverycontinentwork'doverandoverwithsourdead?
Wherehaveyoudisposedoftheircarcasses?
Thosedrunkardsandgluttonsofsomanygenerations?
Wherehaveyoudrawnoffallthefoulliquidandmeat?
Idonotseeanyofituponyouto-day,orperhapsIamdeceiv'd,
Iwillrunafurrowwithmyplough,Iwillpressmyspadethrough
thesodandturnitupunderneath,
IamsureIshallexposesomeofthefoulmeat.
2
Beholdthiscompost!beholditwell!
Perhaps every mite has once form'd part of a sick person—yet
behold!
Thegrassofspringcoverstheprairies,
Thebeanburstsnoiselesslythroughthemouldinthegarden,
Thedelicatespearoftheonionpiercesupward,
Theapple-budsclustertogetherontheapple-branches,
The resurrection of the wheat appears with pale visage out of its
graves,
Thetingeawakesoverthewillow-treeandthemulberry-tree,
Thehe-birdscarolmorningsandeveningswhiletheshe-birdssiton
theirnests,
Theyoungofpoultrybreakthroughthehatch'deggs,
Thenew-bornofanimalsappear,thecalfisdroptfromthecow,the
coltfromthemare,
Out of its little hill faithfully rise the potato's dark green
leaves,
Outofitshillrisestheyellowmaize-stalk,thelilacsbloomin
thedooryards,
Thesummergrowthisinnocentanddisdainfulaboveallthosestrata
ofsourdead.
Whatchemistry!
Thatthewindsarereallynotinfectious,
Thatthisisnocheat,thistransparentgreen-washoftheseawhich
issoamorousafterme,
Thatitissafetoallowittolickmynakedbodyalloverwithits
tongues,
Thatitwillnotendangermewiththefeversthathavedeposited
themselvesinit,
Thatalliscleanforeverandforever,
Thatthecooldrinkfromthewelltastessogood,
Thatblackberriesaresoflavorousandjuicy,
Thatthefruitsoftheapple-orchardandtheorange-orchard,that
melons,grapes,peaches,plums,willnoneofthempoisonme,
ThatwhenIreclineonthegrassIdonotcatchanydisease,
Thoughprobablyeveryspearofgrassrisesoutofwhatwasonce
catchingdisease.
NowIamterrifiedattheEarth,itisthatcalmandpatient,
Itgrowssuchsweetthingsoutofsuchcorruptions,
Itturnsharmlessandstainlessonitsaxis,withsuchendless
successionsofdiseas'dcorpses,
Itdistillssuchexquisitewindsoutofsuchinfusedfetor,
Itrenewswithsuchunwittinglooksitsprodigal,annual,sumptuous
crops,
Itgivessuchdivinematerialstomen,andacceptssuchleavings
fromthematlast.
Courageyet,mybrotherormysister!
Keepon—Libertyistobesubserv'dwhateveroccurs;
Thatisnothingthatisquell'dbyoneortwofailures,orany
numberoffailures,
Orbytheindifferenceoringratitudeofthepeople,orbyany
unfaithfulness,
Or the show of the tushes of power, soldiers, cannon, penal
statutes.
Whatwebelieveinwaitslatentforeverthroughallthecontinents,
Invitesnoone,promisesnothing,sitsincalmnessandlight,is
positiveandcomposed,knowsnodiscouragement,
Waitingpatiently,waitingitstime.
(Notsongsofloyaltyalonearethese,
Butsongsofinsurrectionalso,
ForIamtheswornpoetofeverydauntlessrebeltheworldover,
Andhegoingwithmeleavespeaceandroutinebehindhim,
Andstakeshislifetobelostatanymoment.)
The battle rages with many a loud alarm and frequent advance and
retreat,
Theinfideltriumphs,orsupposeshetriumphs,
Theprison,scaffold,garrote,handcuffs,ironnecklaceand
leadballsdotheirwork,
Thenamedandunnamedheroespasstootherspheres,
Thegreatspeakersandwritersareexiled,theyliesickindistant
lands,
The cause is asleep, the strongest throats are choked with their
ownblood,
The young men droop their eyelashes toward the ground when they
meet;
ButforallthisLibertyhasnotgoneoutoftheplace,northe
infidelenter'dintofullpossession.
Whenlibertygoesoutofaplaceitisnotthefirsttogo,northe
secondorthirdtogo,
Itwaitsforalltheresttogo,itisthelast.
Whentherearenomorememoriesofheroesandmartyrs,
Andwhenalllifeandallthesoulsofmenandwomenaredischarged
fromanypartoftheearth,
Thenonlyshalllibertyortheideaoflibertybedischargedfrom
thatpartoftheearth,
Andtheinfidelcomeintofullpossession.
ThencourageEuropeanrevolter,revoltress!
Fortillallceasesneithermustyoucease.
I do not know what you are for, (I do not know what I am for
myself,
norwhatanythingisfor,)
ButIwillsearchcarefullyforiteveninbeingfoil'd,
In defeat, poverty, misconception, imprisonment—for they too are
great.
Didwethinkvictorygreat?
Soitis—butnowitseemstome,whenitcannotbehelp'd,that
defeatisgreat,
Andthatdeathanddismayaregreat.
UnnamedLand
NationstenthousandyearsbeforetheseStates,andmanytimesten
thousandyearsbeforetheseStates,
Garner'dclustersofagesthatmenandwomenlikeusgrewupand
travel'dtheircourseandpass'don,
What vast-built cities, what orderly republics, what pastoral
tribes
andnomads,
Whathistories,rulers,heroes,perhapstranscendingallothers,
Whatlaws,customs,wealth,arts,traditions,
What sort of marriage, what costumes, what physiology and
phrenology,
Whatoflibertyandslaveryamongthem,whattheythoughtofdeath
andthesoul,
Whowerewittyandwise,whobeautifulandpoetic,whobrutishand
undevelop'd,
Notamark,notarecordremains—andyetallremains.
OIknowthatthosemenandwomenwerenotfornothing,anymore
thanwearefornothing,
I know that they belong to the scheme of the world every bit as
much
aswenowbelongtoit.
Afartheystand,yetneartometheystand,
Somewithovalcountenanceslearn'dandcalm,
Somenakedandsavage,somelikehugecollectionsofinsects,
Someintents,herdsmen,patriarchs,tribes,horsemen,
Someprowlingthroughwoods,somelivingpeaceablyonfarms,
laboring,reaping,fillingbarns,
Sometraversingpavedavenues,amidtemples,palaces,factories,
libraries,shows,courts,theatres,wonderfulmonuments.
Arethosebillionsofmenreallygone?
Arethosewomenoftheoldexperienceoftheearthgone?
Dotheirlives,cities,arts,restonlywithus?
Didtheyachievenothingforgoodforthemselves?
Ibelieveofallthosemenandwomenthatfill'dtheunnamedlands,
everyoneexiststhishourhereorelsewhere,invisibletous.
Inexactproportiontowhatheorshegrewfrominlife,andoutof
whatheorshedid,felt,became,loved,sinn'd,inlife.
Ibelievethatwasnottheendofthosenationsoranypersonof
them,anymorethanthisshallbetheendofmynation,orof
me;
Oftheirlanguages,governments,marriage,literature,products,
games,wars,manners,crimes,prisons,slaves,heroes,poets,
Isuspecttheirresultscuriouslyawaitintheyetunseenworld,
counterpartsofwhataccruedtothemintheseenworld,
IsuspectIshallmeetthemthere,
I suspect I shall there find each old particular of those unnamed
lands.
SongofPrudence
Manhattan'sstreetsIsaunter'dpondering,
On Time, Space, Reality—on such as these, and abreast with them
Prudence.
Thelastexplanationalwaysremainstobemadeaboutprudence,
Littleandlargealikedropquietlyasidefromtheprudencethat
suitsimmortality.
Thesoulisofitself,
Allvergestoit,allhasreferencetowhatensues,
Allthatapersondoes,says,thinks,isofconsequence,
Not a move can a man or woman make, that affects him or her in a
day,
month,anypartofthedirectlifetime,orthehourofdeath,
Butthesameaffectshimorheronwardafterwardthroughthe
indirectlifetime.
Theindirectisjustasmuchasthedirect,
Thespiritreceivesfromthebodyjustasmuchasitgivestothe
body,ifnotmore.
Notonewordordeed,notvenerealsore,discoloration,privacyof
theonanist,
Putridityofgluttonsorrum-drinkers,peculation,cunning,
betrayal,murder,seduction,prostitution,
Buthasresultsbeyonddeathasreallyasbeforedeath.
Charity and personal force are the only investments worth any
thing.
Nospecificationisnecessary,allthatamaleorfemaledoes,that
is vigorous, benevolent, clean, is so much profit to him or
her,
Intheunshakableorderoftheuniverseandthroughthewholescope
ofitforever.
Whohasbeenwisereceivesinterest,
Savage,felon,President,judge,farmer,sailor,mechanic,literat,
young,old,itisthesame,
Theinterestwillcomeround—allwillcomeround.
Singly, wholly, to affect now, affected their time, will forever
affect,
allofthepastandallofthepresentandallofthefuture,
Allthebraveactionsofwarandpeace,
Allhelpgiventorelatives,strangers,thepoor,old,sorrowful,
youngchildren,widows,thesick,andtoshunn'dpersons,
Allself-denialthatstoodsteadyandaloofonwrecks,andsaw
othersfilltheseatsoftheboats,
Allofferingofsubstanceorlifeforthegoodoldcause,orfora
friend'ssake,oropinion'ssake,
Allpainsofenthusiastsscoff'datbytheirneighbors,
Allthelimitlesssweetloveandprecioussufferingofmothers,
Allhonestmenbaffledinstrifesrecordedorunrecorded,
All the grandeur and good of ancient nations whose fragments we
inherit,
All the good of the dozens of ancient nations unknown to us by
name,
date,location,
Allthatwasevermanfullybegun,whetheritsucceededorno,
Allsuggestionsofthedivinemindofmanorthedivinityofhis
mouth,ortheshapingofhisgreathands,
Allthatiswellthoughtorsaidthisdayonanypartoftheglobe,
oronanyofthewanderingstars,oronanyofthefix'dstars,
bythosethereaswearehere,
All that is henceforth to be thought or done by you whoever you
are,
orbyanyone,
Theseinure,haveinured,shallinure,totheidentitiesfromwhich
theysprang,orshallspring.
Didyouguessanythinglivedonlyitsmoment?
The world does not so exist, no parts palpable or impalpable so
exist,
Noconsummationexistswithoutbeingfromsomelongprevious
consummation,andthatfromsomeother,
Withoutthefarthestconceivableonecomingabitnearerthe
beginningthanany.
Whateversatisfiessoulsistrue;
Prudenceentirelysatisfiesthecravingandglutofsouls,
Itselfonlyfinallysatisfiesthesoul,
Thesoulhasthatmeasurelesspridewhichrevoltsfromeverylesson
butitsown.
Now I breathe the word of the prudence that walks abreast with
time,
space,reality,
Thatanswersthepridewhichrefuseseverylessonbutitsown.
Whatisprudenceisindivisible,
Declinestoseparateonepartoflifefromeverypart,
Divides not the righteous from the unrighteous or the living from
thedead,
Matcheseverythoughtoractbyitscorrelative,
Knowsnopossibleforgivenessordeputedatonement,
Knows that the young man who composedly peril'd his life and lost
it
hasdoneexceedinglywellforhimselfwithoutdoubt,
Thathewhoneverperil'dhislife,butretainsittooldagein
riches and ease, has probably achiev'd nothing for himself
worth
mentioning,
Knowsthatonlythatpersonhasreallylearn'dwhohaslearn'dto
preferresults,
Whofavorsbodyandsoulthesame,
Whoperceivestheindirectassuredlyfollowingthedirect,
Whoinhisspiritinanyemergencywhateverneitherhurriesnor
avoidsdeath.
Osightofpity,shameanddole!
Ofearfulthought—aconvictsoul.
1
Rangtherefrainalongthehall,theprison,
Rosetotheroof,thevaultsofheavenabove,
Pouring in floods of melody in tones so pensive sweet and strong
the
likewhereofwasneverheard,
Reachingthefar-offsentryandthearmedguards,whoceas'dtheir
pacing,
Makingthehearer'spulsesstopforecstasyandawe.
2
Thesunwaslowinthewestonewinterday,
Whendownanarrowaisleamidthethievesandoutlawsoftheland,
(There by the hundreds seated, sear-faced murderers, wily
counterfeiters,
Gather'dtoSundaychurchinprisonwalls,thekeepersround,
Plenteous,well-armed,watchingwithvigilanteyes,)
Calmly a lady walk'd holding a little innocent child by either
hand,
Whomseatingontheirstoolsbesideherontheplatform,
She,firstpreludingwiththeinstrumentalowandmusicalprelude,
Invoicesurpassingall,sangforthaquaintoldhymn.
Asoulconfinedbybarsandbands,
Cries,help!Ohelp!andwringsherhands,
Blindedhereyes,bleedingherbreast,
Norpardonfinds,norbalmofrest.
Ceaselessshepacestoandfro,
Oheart-sickdays!Onightsofwoe!
Norhandoffriend,norlovingface,
Norfavorcomes,norwordofgrace.
ItwasnotIthatsinn'dthesin,
Theruthlessbodydragg'dmein;
ThoughlongIstrovecourageously,
Thebodywastoomuchforme.
Dearprison'dsoulbearupaspace,
Forsoonorlatethecertaingrace;
Tosettheefreeandbeartheehome,
Theheavenlypardonerdeathshallcome.
Convictnomore,norshame,nordole!
Depart—aGod-enfranchis'dsoul!
3
Thesingerceas'd,
One glance swept from her clear calm eyes o'er all those upturn'd
faces,
Strangeseaofprisonfaces,athousandvaried,crafty,brutal,
seam'dandbeauteousfaces,
Thenrising,passingbackalongthenarrowaislebetweenthem,
Whilehergowntouch'dthemrustlinginthesilence,
Shevanish'dwithherchildreninthedusk.
Whileuponall,convictsandarmedkeeperseretheystirr'd,
(Convictforgettingprison,keeperhisloadedpistol,)
Ahushandpausefelldownawondrousminute,
Withdeephalf-stifledsobsandsoundofbadmenbow'dandmovedto
weeping,
Andyouth'sconvulsivebreathings,memoriesofhome,
The mother's voice in lullaby, the sister's care, the happy
childhood,
Thelong-pentspiritrous'dtoreminiscence;
Awondrousminutethen—butafterinthesolitarynight,tomany,
manythere,
Yearsafter,eveninthehourofdeath,thesadrefrain,thetune,
thevoice,thewords,
Resumed,thelargecalmladywalksthenarrowaisle,
Thewailingmelodyagain,thesingerintheprisonsings,
Osightofpity,shameanddole!
Ofearfulthought—aconvictsoul.
WarbleforLilac-Time
Warblemenowforjoyoflilac-time,(returninginreminiscence,)
SortmeOtongueandlipsforNature'ssake,souvenirsofearliest
summer,
Gather the welcome signs, (as children with pebbles or stringing
shells,)
PutinAprilandMay,thehylascroakingintheponds,theelastic
air,
Bees,butterflies,thesparrowwithitssimplenotes,
Blue-bird and darting swallow, nor forget the high-hole flashing
his
goldenwings,
Thetranquilsunnyhaze,theclingingsmoke,thevapor,
Shimmerofwaterswithfishinthem,theceruleanabove,
Allthatisjocundandsparkling,thebrooksrunning,
Themaplewoods,thecrispFebruarydaysandthesugar-making,
Therobinwherehehops,bright-eyed,brown-breasted,
Withmusicalclearcallatsunrise,andagainatsunset,
Orflittingamongthetreesoftheapple-orchard,buildingthenest
ofhismate,
ThemeltedsnowofMarch,thewillowsendingforthitsyellow-green
sprouts,
Forspring-timeishere!thesummerishere!andwhatisthisinit
andfromit?
Thou,soul,unloosen'd—therestlessnessafterIknownotwhat;
Come,letuslagherenolonger,letusbeupandaway!
Oifonecouldbutflylikeabird!
Otoescape,tosailforthasinaship!
To glide with thee O soul, o'er all, in all, as a ship o'er the
waters;
Gatheringthesehints,thepreludes,thebluesky,thegrass,the
morningdropsofdew,
Thelilac-scent,thebusheswithdarkgreenheart-shapedleaves,
Wood-violets,thelittledelicatepaleblossomscalledinnocence,
Samples and sorts not for themselves alone, but for their
atmosphere,
TogracethebushIlove—tosingwiththebirds,
Awarbleforjoyofreturninginreminiscence.
1
Whatmaywechant,Othouwithinthistomb?
Whattablets,outlines,hangforthee,Omillionnaire?
Thelifethoulived'stweknownot,
Butthatthouwalk'dstthyyearsinbarter,'midthehauntsof
brokers,
Norheroismthine,norwar,norglory.
2
Silent,mysoul,
Withdroopinglids,aswaiting,ponder'd,
Turningfromallthesamples,monumentsofheroes.
Whilethroughtheinteriorvistas,
Noiselessuprose,phantasmic,(asbynightAurorasofthenorth,)
Lambenttableaus,prophetic,bodilessscenes,
Spiritualprojections.
Inone,amongthecitystreetsalaborer'shomeappear'd,
After his day's work done, cleanly, sweet-air'd, the gaslight
burning,
Thecarpetsweptandafireinthecheerfulstove.
Inone,thesacredparturitionscene,
Ahappypainlessmotherbirth'daperfectchild.
Inone,atabounteousmorningmeal,
Satpeacefulparentswithcontentedsons.
Inone,bytwosandthrees,youngpeople,
Hundredsconcentring,walk'dthepathsandstreetsandroads,
Towardatall-domedschool.
Inoneatriobeautiful,
Grandmother,lovingdaughter,lovingdaughter'sdaughter,sat,
Chattingandsewing.
Inone,alongasuiteofnoblerooms,
'Mid plenteous books and journals, paintings on the walls, fine
statuettes,
Weregroupsoffriendlyjourneymen,mechanicsyoungandold,
Reading,conversing.
All,alltheshowsoflaboringlife,
Cityandcountry,women's,men'sandchildren's,
Theirwantsprovidedfor,huedinthesunandtingedforoncewith
joy,
Marriage, the street, the factory, farm, the house-room, lodgingroom,
Laborandtoll,thebath,gymnasium,playground,library,college,
Thestudent,boyorgirl,ledforwardtobetaught,
The sick cared for, the shoeless shod, the orphan father'd and
mother'd,
Thehungryfed,thehouselesshoused;
(Theintentionsperfectanddivine,
Theworkings,details,haplyhuman.)
3
Othouwithinthistomb,
Fromtheesuchscenes,thoustintless,lavishgiver,
Tallyingthegiftsofearth,largeastheearth,
Thynameanearth,withmountains,fieldsandtides.
Norbyyourstreamsalone,yourivers,
Byyou,yourbanksConnecticut,
ByyouandallyourteeminglifeoldThames,
ByyouPotomaclavingthegroundWashingtontrod,byyouPatapsco,
YouHudson,youendlessMississippi—noryoualone,
Buttothehighseaslaunch,mythought,hismemory.
1
Outfrombehindthisbendingrough-cutmask,
Theselightsandshades,thisdramaofthewhole,
Thiscommoncurtainofthefacecontain'dinmeforme,inyoufor
you,ineachforeach,
(Tragedies,sorrows,laughter,tears—0heaven!
Thepassionateteemingplaysthiscurtainhid!)
ThisglazeofGod'sserenestpurestsky,
ThisfilmofSatan'sseethingpit,
Thisheart'sgeography'smap,thislimitlesssmallcontinent,this
soundlesssea;
Outfromtheconvolutionsofthisglobe,
Thissubtlerastronomicorbthansunormoon,thanJupiter,Venus,
Mars,
Thiscondensationoftheuniverse,(nayheretheonlyuniverse,
Heretheidea,allinthismystichandfulwrapt;)
Theseburin'deyes,flashingtoyoutopasstofuturetime,
Tolaunchandspinthroughspacerevolvingsideling,fromtheseto
emanate,
Toyouwhoe'eryouare—alook.
2
Atravelerofthoughtsandyears,ofpeaceandwar,
Ofyouthlongspedandmiddleagedeclining,
(Asthefirstvolumeofataleperusedandlaidaway,andthisthe
second,
Songs,ventures,speculations,presentlytoclose,)
Lingeringamomenthereandnow,toyouIoppositeturn,
Asontheroadoratsomecrevicedoorbychance,oropen'dwindow,
Pausing,inclining,baringmyhead,youspeciallyIgreet,
Todrawandclinchyoursoulforonceinseparablywithmine,
Thentraveltravelon.
Vocalism
1
Vocalism,measure,concentration,determination,andthedivine
powertospeakwords;
Are you full-lung'd and limber-lipp'd from long trial? from
vigorous
practice?fromphysique?
Doyoumoveinthesebroadlandsasbroadasthey?
Comedulytothedivinepowertospeakwords?
Foronlyatlastaftermanyyears,afterchastity,friendship,
procreation,prudence,andnakedness,
Aftertreadinggroundandbreastingriverandlake,
Afteraloosen'dthroat,afterabsorbingeras,temperaments,races,
afterknowledge,freedom,crimes,
Aftercompletefaith,afterclarifyings,elevations,andremoving
obstructions,
Aftertheseandmore,itisjustpossibletherecomestoaman,
woman,thedivinepowertospeakwords;
Thentowardthatmanorthatwomanswiftlyhastenall—none
refuse,allattend,
Armies,ships,antiquities,libraries,paintings,machines,cities,
hate,despair,amity,pain,theft,murder,aspiration,formin
closeranks,
Theydebouchastheyarewantedtomarchobedientlythroughthe
mouthofthatmanorthatwoman.
2
Owhatisitinmethatmakesmetremblesoatvoices?
Surelywhoeverspeakstomeintherightvoice,himorherIshall
follow,
Asthewaterfollowsthemoon,silently,withfluidsteps,anywhere
aroundtheglobe.
Allwaitsfortherightvoices;
Where is the practis'd and perfect organ? where is the develop'd
soul?
For I see every word utter'd thence has deeper, sweeter, new
sounds,
impossibleonlessterms.
Iseebrainsandlipsclosed,tympansandtemplesunstruck,
Untilthatcomeswhichhasthequalitytostrikeandtounclose,
Untilthatcomeswhichhasthequalitytobringforthwhatlies
slumberingforeverreadyinallwords.
Myspirittoyoursdearbrother,
Donotmindbecausemanysoundingyournamedonotunderstandyou,
Idonotsoundyourname,butIunderstandyou,
IspecifyyouwithjoyOmycomradetosaluteyou,andtosalute
those who are with you, before and since, and those to come
also,
That we all labor together transmitting the same charge and
succession,
Wefewequalsindifferentoflands,indifferentoftimes,
We, enclosers of all continents, all castes, allowers of all
theologies,
Compassionaters,perceivers,rapportofmen,
Wewalksilentamongdisputesandassertions,butrejectnotthe
disputersnoranythingthatisasserted,
Wehearthebawlinganddin,wearereach'datbydivisions,
jealousies,recriminationsoneveryside,
Theycloseperemptorilyuponustosurroundus,mycomrade,
Yetwewalkunheld,free,thewholeearthover,journeyingupand
down till we make our ineffaceable mark upon time and the
diverseeras,
Tillwesaturatetimeanderas,thatthemenandwomenofraces,
agestocome,mayprovebrethrenandloversasweare.
Youfelonsontrialincourts,
Youconvictsinprison-cells,yousentencedassassinschain'dand
handcuff'dwithiron,
WhoamItoothatIamnotontrialorinprison?
Me ruthless and devilish as any, that my wrists are not chain'd
with
iron,ormyankleswithiron?
You prostitutes flaunting over the trottoirs or obscene in your
rooms,
WhoamIthatIshouldcallyoumoreobscenethanmyself?
Oculpable!Iacknowledge—Iexpose!
(Oadmirers,praisenotme—complimentnotme—youmakemewince,
Iseewhatyoudonot—Iknowwhatyoudonot.)
Insidethesebreast-bonesIliesmutch'dandchoked,
Beneath this face that appears so impassive hell's tides
continuallyrun,
Lustsandwickednessareacceptabletome,
Iwalkwithdelinquentswithpassionatelove,
I feel I am of them—I belong to those convicts and prostitutes
myself,
AndhenceforthIwillnotdenythem—forhowcanIdenymyself?
LawsforCreations
Lawsforcreations,
Forstrongartistsandleaders,forfreshbroodsofteachersand
perfectliteratsforAmerica,
Fornoblesavansandcomingmusicians.
Allmusthavereferencetotheensembleoftheworld,andthe
compacttruthoftheworld,
Thereshallbenosubjecttoopronounced—allworksshallillustrate
thedivinelawofindirections.
Whatdoyousupposecreationis?
Whatdoyousupposewillsatisfythesoul,excepttowalkfreeand
ownnosuperior?
WhatdoyousupposeIwouldintimatetoyouinahundredways,but
thatmanorwomanisasgoodasGod?
AndthatthereisnoGodanymoredivinethanYourself?
Andthatthatiswhattheoldestandnewestmythsfinallymean?
Andthatyouoranyonemustapproachcreationsthroughsuchlaws?
ToaCommonProstitute
Becomposed—beateasewithme—IamWaltWhitman,liberaland
lustyasNature,
NottillthesunexcludesyoudoIexcludeyou,
Nottillthewatersrefusetoglistenforyouandtheleavesto
rustle for you, do my words refuse to glisten and rustle for
you.
My girl I appoint with you an appointment, and I charge you that
you
makepreparationtobeworthytomeetme,
AndIchargeyouthatyoubepatientandperfecttillIcome.
Till then I salute you with a significant look that you do not
forgetme.
IwaslookingalongwhileforIntentions,
Foraclewtothehistoryofthepastformyself,andforthese
chants—andnowIhavefoundit,
Itisnotinthosepagedfablesinthelibraries,(themIneither
acceptnorreject,)
Itisnomoreinthelegendsthaninallelse,
Itisinthepresent—itisthisearthto-day,
ItisinDemocracy—(thepurportandaimofallthepast,)
It is the life of one man or one woman to-day—the average man of
to-day,
Itisinlanguages,socialcustoms,literatures,arts,
Itisinthebroadshowofartificialthings,ships,machinery,
politics, creeds, modern improvements, and the interchange of
nations,
Allforthemodern—allfortheaveragemanofto-day.
Thought
Ofpersonsarrivedathighpositions,ceremonies,wealth,
scholarships,andthelike;
(Tomeallthatthosepersonshavearrivedatsinksawayfromthem,
exceptasitresultstotheirbodiesandsouls,
Sothatoftentometheyappeargauntandnaked,
And often to me each one mocks the others, and mocks himself or
herself,
Andofeachonethecoreoflife,namelyhappiness,isfullofthe
rottenexcrementofmaggots,
Andoftentomethosemenandwomenpassunwittinglythetrue
realitiesoflife,andgotowardfalserealities,
Andoftentometheyarealiveafterwhatcustomhasservedthem,
butnothingmore,
And often to me they are sad, hasty, unwaked sonnambules walking
thedusk.)
Miracles
Why,whomakesmuchofamiracle?
AstomeIknowofnothingelsebutmiracles,
WhetherIwalkthestreetsofManhattan,
Ordartmysightovertheroofsofhousestowardthesky,
Or wade with naked feet along the beach just in the edge of the
water,
Orstandundertreesinthewoods,
OrtalkbydaywithanyoneIlove,orsleepinthebedatnight
withanyoneIlove,
Orsitattableatdinnerwiththerest,
Orlookatstrangersoppositemeridinginthecar,
Orwatchhoney-beesbusyaroundthehiveofasummerforenoon,
Oranimalsfeedinginthefields,
Orbirds,orthewonderfulnessofinsectsintheair,
Orthewonderfulnessofthesundown,orofstarsshiningsoquiet
andbright,
Ortheexquisitedelicatethincurveofthenewmooninspring;
Thesewiththerest,oneandall,aretomemiracles,
Thewholereferring,yeteachdistinctandinitsplace.
Tomeeveryhourofthelightanddarkisamiracle,
Everycubicinchofspaceisamiracle,
Every square yard of the surface of the earth is spread with the
same,
Everyfootoftheinteriorswarmswiththesame.
Tometheseaisacontinualmiracle,
Thefishesthatswim—therocks—themotionofthewaves—the
shipswithmeninthem,
Whatstrangermiraclesarethere?
Wherethecity'sceaselesscrowdmovesonthelivelongday,
Withdrawn I join a group of children watching, I pause aside with
them.
Bythecurbtowardtheedgeoftheflagging,
Aknife-grinderworksathiswheelsharpeningagreatknife,
Bendingoverhecarefullyholdsittothestone,byfootandknee,
Withmeasur'dtreadheturnsrapidly,ashepresseswithlightbut
firmhand,
Forthissuethenincopiousgoldenjets,
Sparklesfromthewheel.
Thesceneandallitsbelongings,howtheyseizeandaffectme,
Thesadsharp-chinn'doldmanwithwornclothesandbroad
shoulder-bandofleather,
Myselfeffusingandfluid,aphantomcuriouslyfloating,nowhere
absorb'dandarrested,
Thegroup,(anunmindedpointsetinavastsurrounding,)
Theattentive,quietchildren,theloud,proud,restivebaseofthe
streets,
Thelowhoarsepurrofthewhirlingstone,thelight-press'dblade,
Diffusing,dropping,sideways-darting,intinyshowersofgold,
Sparklesfromthewheel.
ToaPupil
Isreformneeded?isitthroughyou?
Thegreaterthereformneeded,thegreaterthePersonalityyouneed
toaccomplishit.
You!doyounotseehowitwouldservetohaveeyes,blood,
complexion,cleanandsweet?
Doyounotseehowitwouldservetohavesuchabodyandsoulthat
whenyouenterthecrowdanatmosphereofdesireandcommand
enters with you, and every one is impress'd with your
Personality?
Othemagnet!thefleshoverandover!
Go, dear friend, if need be give up all else, and commence to-day
to
inureyourselftopluck,reality,self-esteem,definiteness,
elevatedness,
Rest not till you rivet and publish yourself of your own
Personality.
Unfoldedoutofthefoldsofthewomanmancomesunfolded,andis
alwaystocomeunfolded,
Unfolded only out of the superbest woman of the earth is to come
the
superbestmanoftheearth,
Unfolded out of the friendliest woman is to come the friendliest
man,
Unfoldedonlyoutoftheperfectbodyofawomancanamanbe
form'dofperfectbody,
Unfoldedonlyoutoftheinimitablepoemsofwomancancomethe
poemsofman,(onlythencehavemypoemscome;)
UnfoldedoutofthestrongandarrogantwomanIlove,onlythence
canappearthestrongandarrogantmanIlove,
Unfoldedbybrawnyembracesfromthewell-muscledwoman
love,onlythencecomethebrawnyembracesoftheman,
Unfoldedoutofthefoldsofthewoman'sbraincomeallthefolds
oftheman'sbrain,dulyobedient,
Unfoldedoutofthejusticeofthewomanalljusticeisunfolded,
Unfoldedoutofthesympathyofthewomanisallsympathy;
Amanisagreatthingupontheearthandthrougheternity,but
everyofthegreatnessofmanisunfoldedoutofwoman;
First the man is shaped in the woman, he can then be shaped in
himself.
WhatAmIAfterAll
WhatamIafterallbutachild,pleas'dwiththesoundofmyown
name?repeatingitoverandover;
Istandaparttohear—itnevertiresme.
Toyouyournamealso;
Didyouthinktherewasnothingbuttwoorthreepronunciationsin
thesoundofyourname?
Kosmos
WhoincludesdiversityandisNature,
Whoistheamplitudeoftheearth,andthecoarsenessandsexuality
of
the earth, and the great charity of the earth, and the
equilibriumalso,
Whohasnotlook'dforthfromthewindowstheeyesfornothing,
orwhosebrainheldaudiencewithmessengersfornothing,
Who contains believers and disbelievers, who is the most majestic
lover,
Whoholdsdulyhisorhertriuneproportionofrealism,
spiritualism,andoftheaestheticorintellectual,
Whohavingconsider'dthebodyfindsallitsorgansandpartsgood,
Who,outofthetheoryoftheearthandofhisorherbody
understandsbysubtleanalogiesallothertheories,
The theory of a city, a poem, and of the large politics of these
States;
Whobelievesnotonlyinourglobewithitssunandmoon,butin
otherglobeswiththeirsunsandmoons,
Who,constructingthehouseofhimselforherself,notforaday
butforalltime,seesraces,eras,dates,generations,
The past, the future, dwelling there, like space, inseparable
together.
Othersmaypraisewhattheylike;
But I, from the banks of the running Missouri, praise nothing in
art
oraughtelse,
Tillithaswellinhaledtheatmosphereofthisriver,alsothe
westernprairie-scent,
Andexudesitallagain.
Wholearnsmylessoncomplete?
Boss,journeyman,apprentice,churchmanandatheist,
Thestupidandthewisethinker,parentsandoffspring,merchant,
clerk,porterandcustomer,
Editor,author,artist,andschoolboy—drawnighandcommence;
Itisnolesson—itletsdownthebarstoagoodlesson,
Andthattoanother,andeveryonetoanotherstill.
Thegreatlawstakeandeffusewithoutargument,
Iamofthesamestyle,forIamtheirfriend,
Ilovethemquitsandquits,Idonothaltandmakesalaams.
Ilieabstractedandhearbeautifultalesofthingsandthereasons
ofthings,
TheyaresobeautifulInudgemyselftolisten.
IcannotsaytoanypersonwhatIhear—Icannotsayittomyself—
itisverywonderful.
Itisnosmallmatter,thisroundanddeliciousglobemovingso
exactlyinitsorbitforeverandever,withoutonejoltor
theuntruthofasinglesecond,
Idonotthinkitwasmadeinsixdays,norintenthousandyears,
nortenbillionsofyears,
Norplann'dandbuiltonethingafteranotherasanarchitectplans
andbuildsahouse.
Idonotthinkseventyyearsisthetimeofamanorwoman,
Northatseventymillionsofyearsisthetimeofamanorwoman,
Northatyearswilleverstoptheexistenceofme,oranyoneelse.
Is it wonderful that I should be immortal? as every one is
immortal;
Iknowitiswonderful,butmyeyesightisequallywonderful,and
howIwasconceivedinmymother'swombisequallywonderful,
Andpass'dfromababeinthecreepingtranceofacoupleof
summersandwinterstoarticulateandwalk—allthisis
equallywonderful.
Andthatmysoulembracesyouthishour,andweaffecteachother
withouteverseeingeachother,andneverperhapstosee
eachother,iseverybitaswonderful.
AndthatIcanthinksuchthoughtsastheseisjustaswonderful,
AndthatIcanremindyou,andyouthinkthemandknowthemto
betrue,isjustaswonderful.
Andthatthemoonspinsroundtheearthandonwiththeearth,is
equallywonderful,
Andthattheybalancethemselveswiththesunandstarsisequally
wonderful.
Tests
Allsubmittothemwheretheysit,inner,secure,unapproachableto
analysisinthesoul,
Nottraditions,nottheouterauthoritiesarethejudges,
Theyarethejudgesofouterauthoritiesandofalltraditions,
Theycorroborateastheygoonlywhatevercorroboratesthemselves,
andtouchesthemselves;
Forallthat,theyhaveitforeverinthemselvestocorroboratefar
andnearwithoutoneexception.
TheTorch
OnmyNorthwestcoastinthemidstofthenightafishermen'sgroup
standswatching,
Out on the lake that expands before them, others are spearing
salmon,
Thecanoe,adimshadowything,movesacrosstheblackwater,
Bearingatorchablazeattheprow.
OstarofFrance,
Thebrightnessofthyhopeandstrengthandfame,
Likesomeproudshipthatledthefleetsolong,
Beseemsto-dayawreckdrivenbythegale,amastlesshulk,
And'miditsteemingmadden'dhalf-drown'dcrowds,
Norhelmnorhelmsman.
Dimsmittenstar,
OrbnotofFrancealone,palesymbolofmysoul,itsdearesthopes,
Thestruggleandthedaring,ragedivineforliberty,
Of aspirations toward the far ideal, enthusiast's dreams of
brotherhood,
Ofterrortothetyrantandthepriest.
Starcrucified—bytraitorssold,
Starpantingo'eralandofdeath,heroicland,
Strange,passionate,mocking,frivolousland.
Miserable! yet for thy errors, vanities, sins, I will not now
rebukethee,
Thyunexampledwoesandpangshavequell'dthemall,
Andlefttheesacred.
Inthatamidthymanyfaultsthoueveraimedsthighly,
In that thou wouldst not really sell thyself however great the
price,
Inthatthousurelywakedstweepingfromthydrugg'dsleep,
Inthataloneamongthysistersthou,giantess,didstrendtheones
thatshamedthee,
Inthatthoucouldstnot,wouldstnot,weartheusualchains,
Thiscross,thylividface,thypiercedhandsandfeet,
Thespearthrustinthyside.
Ostar!OshipofFrance,beatbackandbaffledlong!
BearupOsmittenorb!Oshipcontinueon!
Sureastheshipofall,theEarthitself,
Productofdeathlyfireandturbulentchaos,
Forthfromitsspasmsoffuryanditspoisons,
Issuingatlastinperfectpowerandbeauty,
Onwardbeneaththesunfollowingitscourse,
SotheeOshipofFrance!
Finish'dthedays,thecloudsdispel'd
Thetravailo'er,thelong-soughtextrication,
Whenlo!reborn,higho'ertheEuropeanworld,
(In gladness answering thence, as face afar to face, reflecting
ours
Columbia,)
AgainthystarOFrance,fairlustrousstar,
Inheavenlypeace,clearer,morebrightthanever,
Shallbeamimmortal.
TheOx-Tamer
Inafar-awaynortherncountyintheplacidpastoralregion,
Livesmyfarmerfriend,thethemeofmyrecitative,afamoustamer
ofoxen,
Theretheybringhimthethree-year-oldsandthefour-year-oldsto
breakthem,
Hewilltakethewildeststeerintheworldandbreakhimandtame
him,
Hewillgofearlesswithoutanywhipwheretheyoungbullock
chafesupanddowntheyard,
The bullock's head tosses restless high in the air with raging
eyes,
Yet see you! how soon his rage subsides—how soon this tamer tames
him;
Seeyou!onthefarmshereaboutahundredoxenyoungandold,
andheisthemanwhohastamedthem,
Theyallknowhim,allareaffectionatetohim;
Seeyou!somearesuchbeautifulanimals,soloftylooking;
Somearebuff-color'd,somemottled,onehasawhitelinerunning
alonghisback,somearebrindled,
Some have wide flaring horns (a good sign)—see you! the bright
hides,
See,thetwowithstarsontheirforeheads—see,theroundbodies
andbroadbacks,
How straight and square they stand on their legs—what fine
sagaciouseyes!
Howstraighttheywatchtheirtamer—theywishhimnearthem—how
theyturntolookafterhim!
What yearning expression! how uneasy they are when he moves away
fromthem;
NowImarvelwhatitcanbeheappearstothem,(books,politics,
poems,depart—allelsedeparts,)
IconfessIenvyonlyhisfascination—mysilent,illiteratefriend,
Whomahundredoxenlovethereinhislifeonfarms,
Inthenortherncountyfar,intheplacidpastoralregion.
AnOldMan'sThoughtofSchool
[FortheInaugurationofaPublicSchool,Camden,NewJersey,1874]
Anoldman'sthoughtofschool,
Anoldmangatheringyouthfulmemoriesandbloomsthatyouthitself
cannot.
NowonlydoIknowyou,
Ofairauroralskies—Omorningdewuponthegrass!
AndtheseIsee,thesesparklingeyes,
Thesestoresofmysticmeaning,theseyounglives,
Building,equippinglikeafleetofships,immortalships,
Soontosailoutoverthemeasurelessseas,
Onthesoul'svoyage.
Onlyalotofboysandgirls?
Onlythetiresomespelling,writing,cipheringclasses?
Onlyapublicschool?
Ahmore,infinitelymore;
(As George Fox rais'd his warning cry, "Is it this pile of brick
and
mortar,thesedeadfloors,windows,rails,youcallthechurch?
Whythisisnotthechurchatall—thechurchisliving,everliving
souls.")
AndyouAmerica,
Castyoutherealreckoningforyourpresent?
Thelightsandshadowsofyourfuture,goodorevil?
Togirlhood,boyhoodlook,theteacherandtheschool.
WanderingatMorn
Wanderingatmorn,
Emergingfromthenightfromgloomythoughts,theeinmythoughts,
YearningfortheeharmoniousUnion!thee,singingbirddivine!
Theecoil'dineviltimesmycountry,withcraftandblackdismay,
witheverymeanness,treasonthrustuponthee,
ThiscommonmarvelIbeheld—theparentthrushIwatch'dfeedingits
young,
Thesingingthrushwhosetonesofjoyandfaithecstatic,
Failnottocertifyandcheermysoul.
Thereponder'd,feltI,
Ifworms,snakes,loathsomegrubs,maytosweetspiritualsongsbe
turn'd,
Ifverminsotransposed,sousedandbless'dmaybe,
ThenmayItrustinyou,yourfortunes,days,mycountry;
Whoknowsbutthesemaybethelessonsfitforyou?
Fromtheseyourfuturesongmayrisewithjoyoustrills,
Destin'dtofilltheworld.
ItalianMusicinDakota
["TheSeventeenth—thefinestRegimentalBandIeverheard."]
Throughthesofteveningairenwindingall,
Rocks,woods,fort,cannon,pacingsentries,endlesswilds,
Indulcetstreams,influtes'andcornets'notes,
Electric,pensive,turbulent,artificial,
(Yetstrangelyfittingevenhere,meaningsunknownbefore,
Subtlerthanever,moreharmony,asifbornhere,relatedhere,
Nottothecity'sfresco'drooms,nottotheaudienceoftheopera
house,
Sounds,echoes,wanderingstrains,asreallyhereathome,
Sonnambula'sinnocentlove,trioswithNorma'sanguish,
AndthyecstaticchorusPoliuto;)
Ray'dinthelimpidyellowslantingsundown,
Music,ItalianmusicinDakota.
WhileNature,sovereignofthisgnarl'drealm,
Lurkinginhiddenbarbaricgrimrecesses,
Acknowledgingrapporthoweverfarremov'd,
(Assomeoldrootorsoilofearthitslast-bornflowerorfruit,)
Listenswellpleas'd.
WithAllThyGifts
WithallthygiftsAmerica,
Standingsecure,rapidlytending,overlookingtheworld,
Power,wealth,extent,vouchsafedtothee—withtheseandlikeof
thesevouchsafedtothee,
What if one gift thou lackest? (the ultimate human problem never
solving,)
Thegiftofperfectwomenfitforthee—whatifthatgiftofgifts
thoulackest?
Thetoweringfeminineofthee?thebeauty,health,completion,fit
forthee?
Themothersfitforthee?
MyPicture-Gallery
In a little house keep I pictures suspended, it is not a fix'd
house,
Itisround,itisonlyafewinchesfromonesidetotheother;
Yet behold, it has room for all the shows of the world, all
memories!
Herethetableausoflife,andherethegroupingsofdeath;
Here,doyouknowthis?thisisciceronehimself,
Withfingerrais'dhepointstotheprodigalpictures.
ThePrairieStates
Anewergardenofcreation,noprimalsolitude,
Dense,joyous,modern,populousmillions,citiesandfarms,
Withironinterlaced,composite,tied,manyinone,
By all the world contributed—freedom's and law's and thrift's
society,
Thecrownandteemingparadise,sofar,oftime'saccumulations,
Tojustifythepast.
BOOKXXV
ProudMusicoftheStorm
1
Proudmusicofthestorm,
Blastthatcareerssofree,whistlingacrosstheprairies,
Stronghumofforesttree-tops—windofthemountains,
Personifieddimshapes—youhiddenorchestras,
Youserenadesofphantomswithinstrumentsalert,
BlendingwithNature'srhythmusallthetonguesofnations;
Youchordsleftasbyvastcomposers—youchoruses,
Youformless,free,religiousdances—youfromtheOrient,
Youundertoneofrivers,roarofpouringcataracts,
Yousoundsfromdistantgunswithgallopingcavalry,
Echoesofcampswithallthedifferentbugle-calls,
Trooping tumultuous, filling the midnight late, bending me
powerless,
Enteringmylonesomeslumber-chamber,whyhaveyouseiz'dme?
2
ComeforwardOmysoul,andlettherestretire,
Listen,losenot,itistowardtheetheytend,
Partingthemidnight,enteringmyslumber-chamber,
FortheetheysinganddanceOsoul.
Afestivalsong,
Theduetofthebridegroomandthebride,amarriage-march,
With lips of love, and hearts of lovers fill'd to the brim with
love,
Thered-flush'dcheeksandperfumes,thecortegeswarmingfullof
friendlyfacesyoungandold,
Toflutes'clearnotesandsoundingharps'cantabile.
Nowloudapproachingdrums,
Victoria!seestthouinpowder-smokethebannerstornbutflying?
theroutofthebaffled?
Hearestthoseshoutsofaconqueringarmy?
(Ahsoul,thesobsofwomen,thewoundedgroaninginagony,
Thehissandcrackleofflames,theblacken'druins,theembersof
cities,
Thedirgeanddesolationofmankind.)
Nowairsantiqueandmediaevalfillme,
IseeandhearoldharperswiththeirharpsatWelshfestivals,
Iheartheminnesingerssingingtheirlaysoflove,
Iheartheminstrels,gleemen,troubadours,ofthemiddleages.
Nowthegreatorgansounds,
Tremulous,whileunderneath,(asthehidfootholdsoftheearth,
Onwhicharisingrest,andleapingforthdepend,
Allshapesofbeauty,graceandstrength,allhuesweknow,
Greenbladesofgrassandwarblingbirds,childrenthatgamboland
play,thecloudsofheavenabove,)
Thestrongbasestands,anditspulsationsintermitsnot,
Bathing, supporting, merging all the rest, maternity of all the
rest,
Andwithiteveryinstrumentinmultitudes,
Theplayersplaying,alltheworld'smusicians,
Thesolemnhymnsandmassesrousingadoration,
Allpassionateheart-chants,sorrowfulappeals,
Themeasurelesssweetvocalistsofages,
Andfortheirsolventsettingearth'sowndiapason,
Ofwindsandwoodsandmightyoceanwaves,
A new composite orchestra, binder of years and climes, ten-fold
renewer,
Asofthefar-backdaysthepoetstell,theParadiso,
The straying thence, the separation long, but now the wandering
done,
Thejourneydone,thejourneymancomehome,
AndmanandartwithNaturefusedagain.
Tutti!forearthandheaven;
(TheAlmightyleadernowforoncehassignal'dwithhiswand.)
Themanlystropheofthehusbandsoftheworld,
Andallthewivesresponding.
Thetonguesofviolins,
(IthinkOtonguesyetellthisheart,thatcannottellitself,
Thisbroodingyearningheart,thatcannottellitself.)
3
Ahfromalittlechild,
Thouknowestsoulhowtomeallsoundsbecamemusic,
Mymother'svoiceinlullabyorhymn,
(Thevoice,Otendervoices,memory'slovingvoices,
Lastmiracleofall,Odearestmother's,sister's,voices;)
Therain,thegrowingcorn,thebreezeamongthelong-leav'dcorn,
Themeasur'dsea-surfbeatingonthesand,
Thetwitteringbird,thehawk'ssharpscream,
The wild-fowl's notes at night as flying low migrating north or
south,
Thepsalminthecountrychurchormidtheclusteringtrees,the
openaircamp-meeting,
Thefiddlerinthetavern,theglee,thelong-strungsailor-song,
Thelowingcattle,bleatingsheep,thecrowingcockatdawn.
Allsongsofcurrentlandscomesoundingroundme,
TheGermanairsoffriendship,wineandlove,
Irishballads,merryjigsanddances,Englishwarbles,
ChansonsofFrance,Scotchtunes,ando'ertherest,
Italia'speerlesscompositions.
Acrossthestagewithpalloronherface,yetluridpassion,
StalksNormabrandishingthedaggerinherhand.
IseepoorcrazedLucia'seyes'unnaturalgleam,
Herhairdownherbackfallslooseanddishevel'd.
IseewhereErnaniwalkingthebridalgarden,
Amid the scent of night-roses, radiant, holding his bride by the
hand,
Hearstheinfernalcall,thedeath-pledgeofthehorn.
Tocrossingswordsandgrayhairsbaredtoheaven,
Theclearelectricbaseandbaritoneoftheworld,
Thetromboneduo,Libertadforever!
FromSpanishchestnuttrees'denseshade,
Byoldandheavyconventwallsawailingsong,
Songoflostlove,thetorchofyouthandlifequench'dindespair,
Songofthedyingswan,Fernando'sheartisbreaking.
Awakingfromherwoesatlastretriev'dAminasings,
Copiousasstarsandgladasmorninglightthetorrentsofherjoy.
(Theteemingladycomes,
Thelustriousorb,Venuscontralto,thebloomingmother,
Sisterofloftiestgods,Alboni'sselfIhear.)
4
Ihearthoseodes,symphonies,operas,
I hear in the William Tell the music of an arous'd and angry
people,
IhearMeyerbeer'sHuguenots,theProphet,orRobert,
Gounod'sFaust,orMozart'sDonJuan.
Ihearthedance-musicofallnations,
Thewaltz,somedeliciousmeasure,lapsing,bathingmeinbliss,
Thebolerototinklingguitarsandclatteringcastanets.
Iseereligiousdancesoldandnew,
IhearthesoundoftheHebrewlyre,
Iseethecrusadersmarchingbearingthecrossonhigh,tothe
martialclangofcymbals,
Iheardervishesmonotonouslychanting,interspers'dwithfrantic
shouts,astheyspinaroundturningalwaystowardsMecca,
IseetheraptreligiousdancesofthePersiansandtheArabs,
Again,atEleusis,homeofCeres,IseethemodernGreeksdancing,
Ihearthemclappingtheirhandsastheybendtheirbodies,
Ihearthemetricalshufflingoftheirfeet.
IseeagainthewildoldCorybantiandance,theperformerswounding
eachother,
I see the Roman youth to the shrill sound of flageolets throwing
and
catchingtheirweapons,
Astheyfallontheirkneesandriseagain.
IhearfromtheMussulmanmosquethemuezzincalling,
I see the worshippers within, nor form nor sermon, argument nor
word,
Butsilent,strange,devout,rais'd,glowingheads,ecstaticfaces.
IheartheEgyptianharpofmanystrings,
TheprimitivechantsoftheNileboatmen,
ThesacredimperialhymnsofChina,
Tothedelicatesoundsoftheking,(thestrickenwoodandstone,)
OrtoHinduflutesandthefrettingtwangofthevina,
Abandofbayaderes.
5
NowAsia,Africaleaveme,Europeseizinginflatesme,
ToorganshugeandbandsIhearasfromvastconcoursesofvoices,
Luther'sstronghymnEinefesteBurgistunserGott,
Rossini'sStabatMaterdolorosa,
Or floating in some high cathedral dim with gorgeous color'd
windows,
ThepassionateAgnusDeiorGloriainExcelsis.
Composers!mightymaestros!
Andyou,sweetsingersofoldlands,soprani,tenori,bassi!
ToyouanewbardcarolingintheWest,
Obeisantsendshislove.
(SuchledtotheeOsoul,
Allsenses,showsandobjects,leadtothee,
Butnowitseemstomesoundleadso'eralltherest.)
IheartheannualsingingofthechildreninSt.Paul'scathedral,
Or,underthehighroofofsomecolossalhall,thesymphonies,
oratoriosofBeethoven,Handel,orHaydn,
TheCreationinbillowsofgodhoodlavesme.
Givemetoholdallsounds,(Imadlystrugglingcry,)
Fillmewithallthevoicesoftheuniverse,
Endowmewiththeirthrobbings,Nature'salso,
Thetempests,waters,winds,operasandchants,marchesanddances,
Utter,pourin,forIwouldtakethemall!
6
ThenIwokesoftly,
Andpausing,questioningawhilethemusicofmydream,
Andquestioningallthosereminiscences,thetempestinitsfury,
Andallthesongsofsopranosandtenors,
Andthoseraptorientaldancesofreligiousfervor,
Andthesweetvariedinstruments,andthediapasonoforgans,
Andalltheartlessplaintsofloveandgriefanddeath,
I said to my silent curious soul out of the bed of the slumberchamber,
Come,forIhavefoundtheclewIsoughtsolong,
Letusgoforthrefresh'damidtheday,
Cheerfullytallyinglife,walkingtheworld,thereal,
Nourish'dhenceforthbyourcelestialdream.
AndIsaid,moreover,
HaplywhatthouhastheardOsoulwasnotthesoundofwinds,
Nordreamofragingstorm,norsea-hawk'sflappingwingsnorharsh
scream,
Norvocalismofsun-brightItaly,
NorGermanorganmajestic,norvastconcourseofvoices,norlayers
ofharmonies,
Norstrophesofhusbandsandwives,norsoundofmarchingsoldiers,
Norflutes,norharps,northebugle-callsofcamps,
Buttoanewrhythmusfittedforthee,
PoemsbridgingthewayfromLifetoDeath,vaguelywaftedinnight
air,uncaught,unwritten,
Whichletusgoforthinthebolddayandwrite.
BOOKXXVI
PassagetoIndia
1
Singingmydays,
Singingthegreatachievementsofthepresent,
Singingthestronglightworksofengineers,
Ourmodernwonders,(theantiqueponderousSevenoutvied,)
IntheOldWorldtheeasttheSuezcanal,
TheNewbyitsmightyrailroadspann'd,
Theseasinlaidwitheloquentgentlewires;
Yetfirsttosound,andeversound,thecrywiththeeOsoul,
ThePast!thePast!thePast!
ThePast—thedarkunfathom'dretrospect!
Theteeminggulf—thesleepersandtheshadows!
Thepast—theinfinitegreatnessofthepast!
Forwhatisthepresentafterallbutagrowthoutofthepast?
(As a projectile form'd, impell'd, passing a certain line, still
keepson,
Sothepresent,utterlyform'd,impell'dbythepast.)
2
PassageOsoultoIndia!
EclaircisethemythsAsiatic,theprimitivefables.
Notyoualoneproudtruthsoftheworld,
Noryoualoneyefactsofmodernscience,
Butmythsandfablesofeld,Asia's,Africa'sfables,
Thefar-dartingbeamsofthespirit,theunloos'ddreams,
Thedeepdivingbiblesandlegends,
Thedaringplotsofthepoets,theelderreligions;
Oyoutemplesfairerthanliliespour'doverbytherisingsun!
Oyoufablesspurningtheknown,eludingtheholdoftheknown,
mountingtoheaven!
Youloftyanddazzlingtowers,pinnacled,redasroses,burnish'd
withgold!
Towersoffablesimmortalfashion'dfrommortaldreams!
YoutooIwelcomeandfullythesameastherest!
YoutoowithjoyIsing.
PassagetoIndia!
Lo,soul,seestthounotGod'spurposefromthefirst?
Theearthtobespann'd,connectedbynetwork,
Theraces,neighbors,tomarryandbegiveninmarriage,
Theoceanstobecross'd,thedistantbroughtnear,
Thelandstobeweldedtogether.
AworshipnewIsing,
Youcaptains,voyagers,explorers,yours,
Youengineers,youarchitects,machinists,yours,
You,notfortradeortransportationonly,
ButinGod'sname,andforthysakeOsoul.
3
PassagetoIndia!
Losoulfortheeoftableaustwain,
IseeinonetheSuezcanalinitiated,open'd,
I see the procession of steamships, the Empress Engenie's leading
thevan,
Imarkfromondeckthestrangelandscape,thepuresky,thelevel
sandinthedistance,
Ipassswiftlythepicturesquegroups,theworkmengather'd,
Thegiganticdredgingmachines.
Inoneagain,different,(yetthine,allthine,Osoul,thesame,)
IseeovermyowncontinentthePacificrailroadsurmountingevery
barrier,
IseecontinualtrainsofcarswindingalongthePlattecarrying
freightandpassengers,
I hear the locomotives rushing and roaring, and the shrill steamwhistle,
I hear the echoes reverberate through the grandest scenery in the
world,
IcrosstheLaramieplains,Inotetherocksingrotesqueshapes,
thebuttes,
I see the plentiful larkspur and wild onions, the barren,
colorless,
sage-deserts,
Iseeinglimpsesafarortoweringimmediatelyabovemethegreat
mountains,IseetheWindriverandtheWahsatchmountains,
IseetheMonumentmountainandtheEagle'sNest,Ipassthe
Promontory,IascendtheNevadas,
IscanthenobleElkmountainandwindarounditsbase,
IseetheHumboldtrange,Ithreadthevalleyandcrosstheriver,
I see the clear waters of lake Tahoe, I see forests of majestic
pines,
Orcrossingthegreatdesert,thealkalineplains,Ibehold
enchantingmiragesofwatersandmeadows,
Markingthroughtheseandafterall,induplicateslenderlines,
Bridgingthethreeorfourthousandmilesoflandtravel,
TyingtheEasterntotheWesternsea,
TheroadbetweenEuropeandAsia.
(AhGenoesethydream!thydream!
Centuriesafterthouartlaidinthygrave,
Theshorethoufoundestverifiesthydream.)
4
PassagetoIndia!
Strugglesofmanyacaptain,talesofmanyasailordead,
Overmymoodstealingandspreadingtheycome,
Likecloudsandcloudletsintheunreach'dsky.
Alongallhistory,downtheslopes,
As a rivulet running, sinking now, and now again to the surface
rising,
Aceaselessthought,avariedtrain—lo,soul,tothee,thysight,
theyrise,
Theplans,thevoyagesagain,theexpeditions;
AgainVascodeGamasailsforth,
Againtheknowledgegain'd,themariner'scompass,
Landsfoundandnationsborn,thoubornAmerica,
Forpurposevast,man'slongprobationfill'd,
Thourondureoftheworldatlastaccomplish'd.
5
OvastRondure,swimminginspace,
Cover'dalloverwithvisiblepowerandbeauty,
Alternatelightanddayandtheteemingspiritualdarkness,
Unspeakable high processions of sun and moon and countless stars
above,
Below,themanifoldgrassandwaters,animals,mountains,trees,
Withinscrutablepurpose,somehiddenpropheticintention,
Nowfirstitseemsmythoughtbeginstospanthee.
DownfromthegardensofAsiadescendingradiating,
AdamandEveappear,thentheirmyriadprogenyafterthem,
Wandering,yearning,curious,withrestlessexplorations,
With questionings, baffled, formless, feverish, with never-happy
hearts,
Withthatsadincessantrefrain,Whereforeunsatisfiedsoul?and
WhitherOmockinglife?
Ahwhoshallsoothethesefeverishchildren?
WhoJustifytheserestlessexplorations?
Whospeakthesecretofimpassiveearth?
Whobindittous?whatisthisseparateNaturesounnatural?
Whatisthisearthtoouraffections?(unlovingearth,withouta
throbtoanswerours,
Coldearth,theplaceofgraves.)
Yet soul be sure the first intent remains, and shall be carried
out,
Perhapsevennowthetimehasarrived.
Aftertheseasareallcross'd,(astheyseemalreadycross'd,)
After the great captains and engineers have accomplish'd their
work,
Afterthenobleinventors,afterthescientists,thechemist,the
geologist,ethnologist,
Finallyshallcomethepoetworthythatname,
ThetruesonofGodshallcomesinginghissongs.
ThennotyourdeedsonlyOvoyagers,Oscientistsandinventors,
shallbejustified,
Alltheseheartsasoffrettedchildrenshallbesooth'd,
All affection shall be fully responded to, the secret shall be
told,
Alltheseseparationsandgapsshallbetakenupandhook'dand
link'dtogether,
Thewholeearth,thiscold,impassive,voicelessearth,shallbe
completelyJustified,
Trinitasdivineshallbegloriouslyaccomplish'dandcompactedby
thetruesonofGod,thepoet,
(Heshallindeedpassthestraitsandconquerthemountains,
HeshalldoublethecapeofGoodHopetosomepurpose,)
NatureandManshallbedisjoin'danddiffusednomore,
ThetruesonofGodshallabsolutelyfusethem.
6
Yearatwhosewide-flungdoorIsing!
Yearofthepurposeaccomplish'd!
Yearofthemarriageofcontinents,climatesandoceans!
(NomeredogeofVenicenowweddingtheAdriatic,)
I see O year in you the vast terraqueous globe given and giving
all,
EuropetoAsia,Africajoin'd,andtheytotheNewWorld,
The lands, geographies, dancing before you, holding a festival
garland,
Asbridesandbridegroomshandinhand.
PassagetoIndia!
CoolingairsfromCaucasusfar,soothingcradleofman,
TheriverEuphratesflowing,thepastlitupagain.
Losoul,theretrospectbroughtforward,
Theold,mostpopulous,wealthiestofearth'slands,
ThestreamsoftheIndusandtheGangesandtheirmanyaffluents,
(ImyshoresofAmericawalkingto-daybehold,resumingall,)
ThetaleofAlexanderonhiswarlikemarchessuddenlydying,
OnonesideChinaandontheothersidePersiaandArabia,
TothesouththegreatseasandthebayofBengal,
Theflowingliteratures,tremendousepics,religions,castes,
Old occult Brahma interminably far back, the tender and junior
Buddha,
Centralandsouthernempiresandalltheirbelongings,possessors,
ThewarsofTamerlane,thereignofAurungzebe,
Thetraders,rulers,explorers,Moslems,Venetians,Byzantium,the
Arabs,Portuguese,
Thefirsttravelersfamousyet,MarcoPolo,BatoutatheMoor,
Doubtstobesolv'd,themapincognita,blankstobefill'd,
Thefootofmanunstay'd,thehandsneveratrest,
ThyselfOsoulthatwillnotbrookachallenge.
Themediaevalnavigatorsrisebeforeme,
Theworldof1492,withitsawaken'denterprise,
Something swelling in humanity now like the sap of the earth in
spring,
Thesunsetsplendorofchivalrydeclining.
Andwhoartthousadshade?
Gigantic,visionary,thyselfavisionary,
Withmajesticlimbsandpiousbeamingeyes,
Spreadingaroundwitheverylookofthineagoldenworld,
Enhuingitwithgorgeoushues.
Asthechiefhistrion,
Downtothefootlightswalksinsomegreatscena,
DominatingtherestIseetheAdmiralhimself,
(History'stypeofcourage,action,faith,)
BeholdhimsailfromPalosleadinghislittlefleet,
Hisvoyagebehold,hisreturn,hisgreatfame,
Hismisfortunes,calumniators,beholdhimaprisoner,chain'd,
Beholdhisdejection,poverty,death.
(CuriousintimeIstand,notingtheeffortsofheroes,
Isthedefermentlong?bittertheslander,poverty,death?
Lies the seed unreck'd for centuries in the ground? lo, to God's
due
occasion,
Uprisinginthenight,itsprouts,blooms,
Andfillstheearthwithuseandbeauty.)
7
PassageindeedOsoultoprimalthought,
Notlandsandseasalone,thyownclearfreshness,
Theyoungmaturityofbroodandbloom,
Torealmsofbuddingbibles.
Osoul,repressless,Iwiththeeandthouwithme,
Thycircumnavigationoftheworldbegin,
Ofman,thevoyageofhismind'sreturn,
Toreason'searlyparadise,
Back,backtowisdom'sbirth,toinnocentintuitions,
Againwithfaircreation.
8
Owecanwaitnolonger,
WetootakeshipOsoul,
Joyouswetoolaunchoutontracklessseas,
Fearlessforunknownshoresonwavesofecstasytosail,
Amidthewaftingwinds,(thoupressingmetothee,Itheetome,O
soul,)
Carolingfree,singingoursongofGod,
Chantingourchantofpleasantexploration.
Withlaughandmanyakiss,
(Let others deprecate, let others weep for sin, remorse,
humiliation,)
Osoulthoupleasestme,Ithee.
AhmorethananypriestOsoulwetoobelieveinGod,
ButwiththemysteryofGodwedarenotdally.
Osoulthoupleasestme,Ithee,
Sailingtheseseasoronthehills,orwakinginthenight,
Thoughts,silentthoughts,ofTimeandSpaceandDeath,likewaters
flowing,
Bearmeindeedasthroughtheregionsinfinite,
WhoseairIbreathe,whoserippleshear,lavemeallover,
BathemeOGodinthee,mountingtothee,
Iandmysoultorangeinrangeofthee.
OThoutranscendent,
Nameless,thefibreandthebreath,
Lightofthelight,sheddingforthuniverses,thoucentreofthem,
Thoumightiercentreofthetrue,thegood,theloving,
Thoumoral,spiritualfountain—affection'ssource—thoureservoir,
(Opensivesoulofme—Othirstunsatisfied—waitestnotthere?
WaitestnothaplyforussomewheretheretheComradeperfect?)
Thoupulse—thoumotiveofthestars,suns,systems,
That,circling,moveinorder,safe,harmonious,
Athwarttheshapelessvastnessesofspace,
HowshouldIthink,howbreatheasinglebreath,howspeak,if,out
ofmyself,
Icouldnotlaunch,tothose,superioruniverses?
SwiftlyIshrivelatthethoughtofGod,
AtNatureanditswonders,TimeandSpaceandDeath,
ButthatI,turning,calltotheeOsoul,thouactualMe,
Andlo,thougentlymasteresttheorbs,
ThoumatestTime,smilestcontentatDeath,
Andfillest,swellestfullthevastnessesofSpace.
Greaterthanstarsorsuns,
BoundingOsoulthoujourneyestforth;
Whatlovethanthineandourscouldwideramplify?
Whataspirations,wishes,outviethineandoursOsoul?
What dreams of the ideal? what plans of purity, perfection,
strength?
Whatcheerfulwillingnessforothers'saketogiveupall?
Forothers'saketosufferall?
ReckoningaheadOsoul,whenthou,thetimeachiev'd,
Theseasallcross'd,weather'dthecapes,thevoyagedone,
Surrounded,copest,frontestGod,yieldest,theaimattain'd,
Asfill'dwithfriendship,lovecomplete,theElderBrotherfound,
TheYoungermeltsinfondnessinhisarms.
9
PassagetomorethanIndia!
Arethywingsplumedindeedforsuchfarflights?
Osoul,voyagestthouindeedonvoyageslikethose?
Disportestthouonwaterssuchasthose?
SoundestbelowtheSanscritandtheVedas?
Thenhavethybentunleash'd.
Passagetoyou,yourshores,yeagedfierceenigmas!
Passagetoyou,tomastershipofyou,yestranglingproblems!
You, strew'd with the wrecks of skeletons, that, living, never
reach'dyou.
PassagetomorethanIndia!
Osecretoftheearthandsky!
OfyouOwatersofthesea!Owindingcreeksandrivers!
OfyouOwoodsandfields!ofyoustrongmountainsofmyland!
OfyouOprairies!ofyougrayrocks!
Omorningred!Oclouds!Orainandsnows!
Odayandnight,passagetoyou!
Osunandmoonandallyoustars!SiriusandJupiter!
Passagetoyou!
Passage,immediatepassage!thebloodburnsinmyveins!
AwayOsoul!hoistinstantlytheanchor!
Cutthehawsers—haulout—shakeouteverysail!
Havewenotstoodhereliketreesinthegroundlongenough?
Have we not grovel'd here long enough, eating and drinking like
merebrutes?
Havewenotdarken'danddazedourselveswithbookslongenough?
Sailforth—steerforthedeepwatersonly,
RecklessOsoul,exploring,Iwiththee,andthouwithme,
Forweareboundwheremarinerhasnotyetdaredtogo,
Andwewillrisktheship,ourselvesandall.
Omybravesoul!
Ofartherfarthersail!
Odaringjoy,butsafe!aretheynotalltheseasofGod?
Ofarther,farther,farthersail!
BOOKXXVII
PrayerofColumbus
Abatter'd,wreck'doldman,
Thrownonthissavageshore,far,farfromhome,
Pentbytheseaanddarkrebelliousbrows,twelvedrearymonths,
Sore,stiffwithmanytoils,sicken'dandnightodeath,
Itakemywayalongtheisland'sedge,
Ventingaheavyheart.
Iamtoofullofwoe!
HaplyImaynotliveanotherday;
IcannotrestOGod,Icannoteatordrinkorsleep,
TillIputforthmyself,myprayer,oncemoretoThee,
Breathe,bathemyselfoncemoreinThee,communewithThee,
ReportmyselfoncemoretoThee.
Thouknowestmyyearsentire,mylife,
Mylongandcrowdedlifeofactivework,notadorationmerely;
Thouknowesttheprayersandvigilsofmyyouth,
Thouknowestmymanhood'ssolemnandvisionarymeditations,
ThouknowesthowbeforeIcommencedIdevotedalltocometoThee,
Thou knowest I have in age ratified all those vows and strictly
keptthem,
ThouknowestIhavenotoncelostnorfaithnorecstasyinThee,
Inshackles,prison'd,indisgrace,repiningnot,
AcceptingallfromThee,asdulycomefromThee.
Allmyempriseshavebeenfill'dwithThee,
Myspeculations,plans,begunandcarriedoninthoughtsofThee,
SailingthedeeporjourneyingthelandforThee;
Intentions,purports,aspirationsmine,leavingresultstoThee.
OIamsuretheyreallycamefromThee,
Theurge,theardor,theunconquerablewill,
Thepotent,felt,interiorcommand,strongerthanwords,
AmessagefromtheHeavenswhisperingtomeeveninsleep,
Thesespedmeon.
Bymeandthesetheworksofaraccomplish'd,
Bymeearth'seldercloy'dandstifledlandsuncloy'd,unloos'd,
Bymethehemispheresroundedandtied,theunknowntotheknown.
TheendIknownot,itisallinThee,
OrsmallorgreatIknownot—haplywhatbroadfields,whatlands,
HaplythebrutishmeasurelesshumanundergrowthIknow,
Transplantedtheremayrisetostature,knowledgeworthyThee,
Haply the swords I know may there indeed be turn'd to reapingtools,
HaplythelifelesscrossIknow,Europe'sdeadcross,maybudand
blossomthere.
Oneeffortmore,myaltarthisbleaksand;
ThatThouOGodmylifehastlighted,
Withrayoflight,steady,ineffable,vouchsafedofThee,
Lightrareuntellable,lightingtheverylight,
Beyondallsigns,descriptions,languages;
ForthatOGod,beitmylatestword,hereonmyknees,
Old,poor,andparalyzed,IthankThee.
Myterminusnear,
Thecloudsalreadyclosinginuponme,
Thevoyagebalk'd,thecoursedisputed,lost,
IyieldmyshipstoThee.
Myhands,mylimbsgrownerveless,
Mybrainfeelsrack'd,bewilder'd,
Lettheoldtimberspart,Iwillnotpart,
IwillclingfasttoThee,OGod,thoughthewavesbuffetme,
Thee,TheeatleastIknow.
Isittheprophet'sthoughtIspeak,oramIraving?
WhatdoIknowoflife?whatofmyself?
Iknownotevenmyownworkpastorpresent,
Dimever-shiftingguessesofitspreadbeforeme,
Ofnewerbetterworlds,theirmightyparturition,
Mocking,perplexingme.
AndthesethingsIseesuddenly,whatmeanthey?
Asifsomemiracle,somehanddivineunseal'dmyeyes,
Shadowyvastshapessmilethroughtheairandsky,
Andonthedistantwavessailcountlessships,
AndanthemsinnewtonguesIhearsalutingme.
BOOKXXVIII
TheSleepers
1
Iwanderallnightinmyvision,
Stepping with light feet, swiftly and noiselessly stepping and
stopping,
Bendingwithopeneyesovertheshuteyesofsleepers,
Wandering and confused, lost to myself, ill-assorted,
contradictory,
Pausing,gazing,bending,andstopping.
Howsolemntheylookthere,stretch'dandstill,
Howquiettheybreathe,thelittlechildrenintheircradles.
The wretched features of ennuyes, the white features of corpses,
the
lividfacesofdrunkards,thesick-grayfacesofonanists,
Thegash'dbodiesonbattle-fields,theinsaneintheir
strong-door'drooms,thesacredidiots,thenew-bornemerging
fromgates,andthedyingemergingfromgates,
Thenightpervadesthemandinfoldsthem.
Themarriedcouplesleepcalmlyintheirbed,hewithhispalmon
the hip of the wife, and she with her palm on the hip of the
husband,
Thesisterssleeplovinglysidebysideintheirbed,
Themensleeplovinglysidebysideintheirs,
Andthemothersleepswithherlittlechildcarefullywrapt.
Theblindsleep,andthedeafanddumbsleep,
Theprisonersleepswellintheprison,therunawaysonsleeps,
Themurdererthatistobehungnextday,howdoeshesleep?
Andthemurder'dperson,howdoeshesleep?
Thefemalethatlovesunrequitedsleeps,
Andthemalethatlovesunrequitedsleeps,
Theheadofthemoney-makerthatplottedalldaysleeps,
Andtheenragedandtreacherousdispositions,all,allsleep.
Istandinthedarkwithdroopingeyesbytheworst-sufferingand
themostrestless,
Ipassmyhandssoothinglytoandfroafewinchesfromthem,
Therestlesssinkintheirbeds,theyfitfullysleep.
NowIpiercethedarkness,newbeingsappear,
Theearthrecedesfrommeintothenight,
I saw that it was beautiful, and I see that what is not the earth
is
beautiful.
Igofrombedsidetobedside,Isleepclosewiththeothersleepers
eachinturn,
Idreaminmydreamallthedreamsoftheotherdreamers,
AndIbecometheotherdreamers.
Iamadance—playupthere!thefitiswhirlingmefast!
Iamtheever-laughing—itisnewmoonandtwilight,
I see the hiding of douceurs, I see nimble ghosts whichever way
look,
Cacheandcacheagaindeepinthegroundandsea,andwhereitis
neithergroundnorsea.
Welldotheydotheirjobsthosejourneymendivine,
Onlyfrommecantheyhidenothing,andwouldnotiftheycould,
IreckonIamtheirbossandtheymakemeapetbesides,
AndsurroundmeandleadmeandrunaheadwhenIwalk,
Tolifttheircunningcoverstosignifymewithstretch'darms,and
resumetheway;
Onwardwemove,agaygangofblackguards!withmirth-shouting
musicandwild-flappingpennantsofjoy!
Iamtheactor,theactress,thevoter,thepolitician,
Theemigrantandtheexile,thecriminalthatstoodinthebox,
Hewhohasbeenfamousandhewhoshallbefamousafterto-day,
Thestammerer,thewell-form'dperson,thewastedorfeebleperson.
Iamshewhoadorn'dherselfandfoldedherhairexpectantly,
Mytruantloverhascome,anditisdark.
Doubleyourselfandreceivemedarkness,
Receivemeandmylovertoo,hewillnotletmegowithouthim.
Irollmyselfuponyouasuponabed,Iresignmyselftothedusk.
HewhomIcallanswersmeandtakestheplaceofmylover,
Heriseswithmesilentlyfromthebed.
Darkness, you are gentler than my lover, his flesh was sweaty and
panting,
Ifeelthehotmoistureyetthatheleftme.
Myhandsarespreadforth,Ipasstheminalldirections,
Iwouldsounduptheshadowyshoretowhichyouarejourneying.
Becarefuldarkness!alreadywhatwasittouch'dme?
Ithoughtmyloverhadgone,elsedarknessandheareone,
Iheartheheart-beat,Ifollow,Ifadeaway.
2
Idescendmywesterncourse,mysinewsareflaccid,
PerfumeandyouthcoursethroughmeandIamtheirwake.
Itismyfaceyellowandwrinkledinsteadoftheoldwoman's,
Isitlowinastraw-bottomchairandcarefullydarnmygrandson's
stockings.
It is I too, the sleepless widow looking out on the winter
midnight,
Iseethesparklesofstarshineontheicyandpallidearth.
A shroud I see and I am the shroud, I wrap a body and lie in the
coffin,
Itisdarkhereunderground,itisnotevilorpainhere,itis
blankhere,forreasons.
(It seems to me that every thing in the light and air ought to be
happy,
Whoeverisnotinhiscoffinandthedarkgravelethimknowhehas
enough.)
3
I see a beautiful gigantic swimmer swimming naked through the
eddies
ofthesea,
Hisbrownhairliescloseandeventohishead,hestrikesoutwith
courageousarms,heurgeshimselfwithhislegs,
Iseehiswhitebody,Iseehisundauntedeyes,
I hate the swift-running eddies that would dash him head-foremost
on
therocks.
Whatareyoudoingyouruffianlyred-trickledwaves?
Willyoukillthecourageousgiant?willyoukillhimintheprime
ofhismiddleage?
Steadyandlonghestruggles,
Heisbaffled,bang'd,bruis'd,heholdsoutwhilehisstrength
holdsout,
Theslappingeddiesarespottedwithhisblood,theybearhimaway,
theyrollhim,swinghim,turnhim,
Hisbeautifulbodyisborneinthecirclingeddies,itis
continuallybruis'donrocks,
Swiftlyandoughtofsightisbornethebravecorpse.
4
Iturnbutdonotextricatemyself,
Confused,apast-reading,another,butwithdarknessyet.
Thebeachiscutbytherazoryice-wind,thewreck-gunssound,
Thetempestlulls,themooncomesflounderingthroughthedrifts.
Ilookwheretheshiphelplesslyheadsendon,Iheartheburstas
shestrikes,Ihearthehowlsofdismay,theygrowfainterand
fainter.
Icannotaidwithmywringingfingers,
Icanbutrushtothesurfandletitdrenchmeandfreezeuponme.
I search with the crowd, not one of the company is wash'd to us
alive,
In the morning I help pick up the dead and lay them in rows in a
barn.
5
Nowoftheolderwar-days,thedefeatatBrooklyn,
Washingtonstandsinsidethelines,hestandsontheintrench'd
hillsamidacrowdofofficers.
Hisfaceiscoldanddamp,hecannotrepresstheweepingdrops,
Heliftstheglassperpetuallytohiseyes,thecolorisblanch'd
fromhischeeks,
Heseestheslaughterofthesouthernbravesconfidedtohimby
theirparents.
Thesameatlastandatlastwhenpeaceisdeclared,
Hestandsintheroomoftheoldtavern,thewell-belov'dsoldiers
allpassthrough,
Theofficersspeechlessandslowdrawnearintheirturns,
Thechiefencirclestheirneckswithhisarmandkissesthemonthe
cheek,
Hekisseslightlythewetcheeksoneafteranother,heshakeshands
andbidsgood-bytothearmy.
6
Nowwhatmymothertoldmeonedayaswesatatdinnertogether,
Ofwhenshewasanearlygrowngirllivinghomewithherparentson
theoldhomestead.
Aredsquawcameonebreakfast-timetotheoldhomestead,
On her back she carried a bundle of rushes for rush-bottoming
chairs,
Herhair,straight,shiny,coarse,black,profuse,half-envelop'd
herface,
Herstepwasfreeandelastic,andhervoicesoundedexquisitelyas
shespoke.
Mymotherlook'dindelightandamazementatthestranger,
Shelook'datthefreshnessofhertall-bornefaceandfulland
pliantlimbs,
Themoreshelook'duponhershelovedher,
Neverbeforehadsheseensuchwonderfulbeautyandpurity,
She made her sit on a bench by the jamb of the fireplace, she
cook'd
foodforher,
She had no work to give her, but she gave her remembrance and
fondness.
Theredsquawstaidalltheforenoon,andtowardthemiddleofthe
afternoonshewentaway,
Omymotherwaslothtohavehergoaway,
Alltheweekshethoughtofher,shewatch'dforhermanyamonth,
Sheremember'dhermanyawinterandmanyasummer,
Buttheredsquawnevercamenorwasheardofthereagain.
7
Ashowofthesummersoftness—acontactofsomethingunseen—an
amourofthelightandair,
Iamjealousandoverwhelm'dwithfriendliness,
Andwillgogallivantwiththelightandairmyself.
Oloveandsummer,youareinthedreamsandinme,
Autumn and winter are in the dreams, the farmer goes with his
thrift,
Thedrovesandcropsincrease,thebarnsarewell-fill'd.
Elementsmergeinthenight,shipsmaketacksinthedreams,
Thesailorsails,theexilereturnshome,
Thefugitivereturnsunharm'd,theimmigrantisbackbeyondmonths
andyears,
ThepoorIrishmanlivesinthesimplehouseofhischildhoodwith
thewellknownneighborsandfaces,
They warmly welcome him, he is barefoot again, he forgets he is
welloff,
TheDutchmanvoyageshome,andtheScotchmanandWelshmanvoyage
home,andthenativeoftheMediterraneanvoyageshome,
ToeveryportofEngland,France,Spain,enterwell-fill'dships,
TheSwissfootsittowardhishills,thePrussiangoeshisway,the
Hungarianhisway,andthePolehisway,
TheSwedereturns,andtheDaneandNorwegianreturn.
Thehomewardboundandtheoutwardbound,
The beautiful lost swimmer, the ennuye, the onanist, the female
that
lovesunrequited,themoney-maker,
Theactorandactress,thosethroughwiththeirpartsandthose
waitingtocommence,
Theaffectionateboy,thehusbandandwife,thevoter,thenominee
thatischosenandthenomineethathasfail'd,
Thegreatalreadyknownandthegreatanytimeafterto-day,
Thestammerer,thesick,theperfect-form'd,thehomely,
The criminal that stood in the box, the judge that sat and
sentenced
him,thefluentlawyers,thejury,theaudience,
The laugher and weeper, the dancer, the midnight widow, the red
squaw,
Theconsumptive,theerysipalite,theidiot,hethatiswrong'd,
Theantipodes,andeveryonebetweenthisandtheminthedark,
Isweartheyareaveragednow—oneisnobetterthantheother,
Thenightandsleephaveliken'dthemandrestoredthem.
Isweartheyareallbeautiful,
Everyonethatsleepsisbeautiful,everythinginthedimlightis
beautiful,
Thewildestandbloodiestisover,andallispeace.
Peaceisalwaysbeautiful,
Themythofheavenindicatespeaceandnight.
Themythofheavenindicatesthesoul,
The soul is always beautiful, it appears more or it appears less,
it
comesoritlagsbehind,
Itcomesfromitsembower'dgardenandlookspleasantlyonitself
andenclosestheworld,
Perfectandcleanthegenitalspreviouslyjetting,andperfectand
cleanthewombcohering,
Theheadwell-grownproportion'dandplumb,andthebowelsand
jointsproportion'dandplumb.
Thesoulisalwaysbeautiful,
Theuniverseisdulyinorder,everythingisinitsplace,
What has arrived is in its place and what waits shall be in its
place,
Thetwistedskullwaits,thewateryorrottenbloodwaits,
Thechildofthegluttonorvenerealeewaitslong,andthechildof
thedrunkardwaitslong,andthedrunkardhimselfwaitslong,
The sleepers that lived and died wait, the far advanced are to go
on
in their turns, and the far behind are to come on in their
turns,
Thediverseshallbenolessdiverse,buttheyshallflowandunite
—
theyunitenow.
8
Thesleepersareverybeautifulastheylieunclothed,
Theyflowhandinhandoverthewholeearthfromeasttowestas
theylieunclothed,
TheAsiaticandAfricanarehandinhand,theEuropeanandAmerican
arehandinhand,
Learn'd and unlearn'd are hand in hand, and male and female are
hand
inhand,
Thebarearmofthegirlcrossesthebarebreastofherlover,they
pressclosewithoutlust,hislipspressherneck,
Thefatherholdshisgrownorungrownsoninhisarmswith
measurelesslove,andthesonholdsthefatherinhisarmswith
measurelesslove,
The white hair of the mother shines on the white wrist of the
daughter,
Thebreathoftheboygoeswiththebreathoftheman,friendis
inarm'dbyfriend,
Thescholarkissestheteacherandtheteacherkissesthescholar,
thewrong'dmaderight,
Thecalloftheslaveisonewiththemaster'scall,andthemaster
salutestheslave,
Thefelonstepsforthfromtheprison,theinsanebecomessane,the
sufferingofsickpersonsisreliev'd,
The sweatings and fevers stop, the throat that was unsound is
sound,
thelungsoftheconsumptiveareresumed,thepoordistress'd
headisfree,
Thejointsoftherheumaticmoveassmoothlyasever,andsmoother
thanever,
Stiflingsandpassagesopen,theparalyzedbecomesupple,
The swell'd and convuls'd and congested awake to themselves in
condition,
Theypasstheinvigorationofthenightandthechemistryofthe
night,andawake.
Itoopassfromthenight,
I stay a while away O night, but I return to you again and love
you.
WhyshouldIbeafraidtotrustmyselftoyou?
Iamnotafraid,Ihavebeenwellbroughtforwardbyyou,
Ilovetherichrunningday,butIdonotdesertherinwhomIlay
solong,
I know not how I came of you and I know not where I go with you,
but
IknowIcamewellandshallgowell.
Iwillstoponlyatimewiththenight,andrisebetimes,
IwilldulypassthedayOmymother,anddulyreturntoyou.
Transpositions
Letthereformersdescendfromthestandswheretheyareforever
bawling—let an idiot or insane person appear on each of the
stands;
Letjudgesandcriminalsbetransposed—lettheprison-keepersbe
putinprison—letthosethatwereprisonerstakethekeys;
Letthemthatdistrustbirthanddeathleadtherest.
BOOKXXIX
ToThinkofTime
1
Tothinkoftime—ofallthatretrospection,
Tothinkofto-day,andtheagescontinuedhenceforward.
Haveyouguess'dyouyourselfwouldnotcontinue?
Haveyoudreadedtheseearth-beetles?
Haveyoufear'dthefuturewouldbenothingtoyou?
Isto-daynothing?isthebeginninglesspastnothing?
Ifthefutureisnothingtheyarejustassurelynothing.
Tothinkthatthesunroseintheeast—thatmenandwomenwere
flexible,real,alive—thateverythingwasalive,
To think that you and I did not see, feel, think, nor bear our
part,
Tothinkthatwearenowhereandbearourpart.
2
Notadaypasses,notaminuteorsecondwithoutanaccouchement,
Notadaypasses,notaminuteorsecondwithoutacorpse.
Thedullnightsgooverandthedulldaysalso,
Thesorenessoflyingsomuchinbedgoesover,
Thephysicianafterlongputtingoffgivesthesilentandterrible
lookforananswer,
Thechildrencomehurriedandweeping,andthebrothersandsisters
aresentfor,
Medicinesstandunusedontheshelf,(thecamphor-smellhaslong
pervadedtherooms,)
The faithful hand of the living does not desert the hand of the
dying,
Thetwitchinglipspresslightlyontheforeheadofthedying,
Thebreathceasesandthepulseoftheheartceases,
Thecorpsestretchesonthebedandthelivinglookuponit,
Itispalpableasthelivingarepalpable.
Thelivinglookuponthecorpsewiththeireyesight,
Butwithouteyesightlingersadifferentlivingandlookscuriously
onthecorpse.
3
Tothinkthethoughtofdeathmergedinthethoughtofmaterials,
To think of all these wonders of city and country, and others
taking
greatinterestinthem,andwetakingnointerestinthem.
Tothinkhoweagerweareinbuildingourhouses,
Tothinkothersshallbejustaseager,andwequiteindifferent.
(Iseeonebuildingthehousethatserveshimafewyears,or
seventyoreightyyearsatmost,
Iseeonebuildingthehousethatserveshimlongerthanthat.)
Slow-movingandblacklinescreepoverthewholeearth—theynever
cease—theyaretheburiallines,
He that was President was buried, and he that is now President
shall
surelybeburied.
4
Areminiscenceofthevulgarfate,
Afrequentsampleofthelifeanddeathofworkmen,
Eachafterhiskind.
Colddashofwavesattheferry-wharf,poshandiceintheriver,
half-frozenmudinthestreets,
A gray discouraged sky overhead, the short last daylight of
December,
Ahearseandstages,thefuneralofanoldBroadwaystage-driver,
thecortegemostlydrivers.
Steadythetrottothecemetery,dulyrattlesthedeath-bell,
Thegateispass'd,thenew-duggraveishaltedat,theliving
alight,thehearseuncloses,
Thecoffinispass'dout,lower'dandsettled,thewhipislaidon
thecoffin,theearthisswiftlyshovel'din,
Themoundaboveisflattedwiththespades—silence,
Aminute—noonemovesorspeaks—itisdone,
Heisdecentlyputaway—isthereanythingmore?
He was a good fellow, free-mouth'd, quick-temper'd, not badlooking,
Readywithlifeordeathforafriend,fondofwomen,gambled,ate
hearty,drankhearty,
Hadknownwhatitwastobeflush,grewlow-spiritedtowardthe
last,sicken'd,washelp'dbyacontribution,
Died,agedforty-oneyears—andthatwashisfuneral.
Thumbextended,fingeruplifted,apron,cape,gloves,strap,
wet-weatherclothes,whipcarefullychosen,
Boss,spotter,starter,hostler,somebodyloafingonyou,you
loafingonsomebody,headway,manbeforeandmanbehind,
Goodday'swork,badday'swork,petstock,meanstock,firstout,
lastout,turning-inatnight,
To think that these are so much and so nigh to other drivers, and
he
theretakesnointerestinthem.
5
Themarkets,thegovernment,theworking-man'swages,tothinkwhat
accounttheyarethroughournightsanddays,
Tothinkthatotherworking-menwillmakejustasgreataccountof
them,yetwemakelittleornoaccount.
Thevulgarandtherefined,whatyoucallsinandwhatyoucall
goodness,tothinkhowwideadifference,
Tothinkthedifferencewillstillcontinuetoothers,yetwelie
beyondthedifference.
Tothinkhowmuchpleasurethereis,
Doyouenjoyyourselfinthecity?orengagedinbusiness?or
planning a nomination and election? or with your wife and
family?
Orwithyourmotherandsisters?orinwomanlyhousework?orthe
beautifulmaternalcares?
Thesealsoflowonwardtoothers,youandIflowonward,
ButinduetimeyouandIshalltakelessinterestinthem.
Yourfarm,profits,crops—tothinkhowengross'dyouare,
Tothinktherewillstillbefarms,profits,crops,yetforyouof
whatavail?
6
Whatwillbewillbewell,forwhatisiswell,
Totakeinterestiswell,andnottotakeinterestshallbewell.
Thedomesticjoys,thedallyhouseworkorbusiness,thebuildingof
houses,arenotphantasms,theyhaveweight,form,location,
Farms,profits,crops,markets,wages,government,arenoneofthem
phantasms,
Thedifferencebetweensinandgoodnessisnodelusion,
The earth is not an echo, man and his life and all the things of
his
lifearewell-consider'd.
Youarenotthrowntothewinds,yougathercertainlyandsafely
aroundyourself,
Yourself!yourself!.yourself,foreverandever!
7
Itisnottodiffuseyouthatyouwerebornofyourmotherand
father,itistoidentifyyou,
It is not that you should be undecided, but that you should be
decided,
Somethinglongpreparingandformlessisarrivedandform'dinyou,
Youarehenceforthsecure,whatevercomesorgoes.
Thethreadsthatwerespunaregather'd,thewetcrossesthewarp,
thepatternissystematic.
Thepreparationshaveeveryonebeenjustified,
Theorchestrahavesufficientlytunedtheirinstruments,thebaton
hasgiventhesignal.
Theguestthatwascoming,hewaitedlong,heisnowhoused,
Heisoneofthosewhoarebeautifulandhappy,heisoneofthose
thattolookuponandbewithisenough.
Thelawofthepastcannotbeeluded,
Thelawofthepresentandfuturecannotbeeluded,
Thelawofthelivingcannotbeeluded,itiseternal,
Thelawofpromotionandtransformationcannotbeeluded,
Thelawofheroesandgood-doerscannotbeeluded,
Thelawofdrunkards,informers,meanpersons,notoneiotathereof
canbeeluded.
8
Slowmovingandblacklinesgoceaselesslyovertheearth,
Northerner goes carried and Southerner goes carried, and they on
the
AtlanticsideandtheyonthePacific,
Andtheybetween,andallthroughtheMississippicountry,andall
overtheearth.
Thegreatmastersandkosmosarewellastheygo,theheroesand
good-doersarewell,
Theknownleadersandinventorsandtherichownersandpiousand
distinguish'dmaybewell,
But there is more account than that, there is strict account of
all.
Theinterminablehordesoftheignorantandwickedarenotnothing,
ThebarbariansofAfricaandAsiaarenotnothing,
Theperpetualsuccessionsofshallowpeoplearenotnothingasthey
go.
Ofandinallthesethings,
I have dream'd that we are not to be changed so much, nor the law
of
uschanged,
I have dream'd that heroes and good-doers shall be under the
present
andpastlaw,
And that murderers, drunkards, liars, shall be under the present
and
pastlaw,
ForIhavedream'dthatthelawtheyareundernowisenough.
AndIhavedream'dthatthepurposeandessenceoftheknownlife,
thetransient,
Istoformanddecideidentityfortheunknownlife,thepermanent.
Ifallcamebuttoashesofdung,
Ifmaggotsandratsendedus,thenAlarum!forwearebetray'd,
Thenindeedsuspicionofdeath.
Doyoususpectdeath?ifIweretosuspectdeathIshoulddienow,
Do you think I could walk pleasantly and well-suited toward
annihilation?
Pleasantlyandwell-suitedIwalk,
WhitherIwalkIcannotdefine,butIknowitisgood,
Thewholeuniverseindicatesthatitisgood,
Thepastandthepresentindicatethatitisgood.
Howbeautifulandperfectaretheanimals!
Howperfecttheearth,andtheminutestthinguponit!
What is called good is perfect, and what is called bad is just as
perfect,
Thevegetablesandmineralsareallperfect,andtheimponderable
fluidsperfect;
Slowly and surely they have pass'd on to this, and slowly and
surely
theyyetpasson.
9
I swear I think now that every thing without exception has an
eternalsoul!
The trees have, rooted in the ground! the weeds of the sea have!
the
animals!
IswearIthinkthereisnothingbutimmortality!
Thattheexquisiteschemeisforit,andthenebulousfloatisfor
it,andthecoheringisforit!
Andallpreparationisforit—andidentityisforit—andlifeand
materialsarealtogetherforit!
DarestThouNowOSoul
DarestthounowOsoul,
Walkoutwithmetowardtheunknownregion,
Whereneithergroundisforthefeetnoranypathtofollow?
Nomapthere,norguide,
Norvoicesounding,nortouchofhumanhand,
Norfacewithbloomingflesh,norlips,noreyes,areinthatland.
IknowitnotOsoul,
Nordostthou,allisablankbeforeus,
Allwaitsundream'dofinthatregion,thatinaccessibleland.
Tillwhenthetiesloosen,
Allbutthetieseternal,TimeandSpace,
Nordarkness,gravitation,sense,noranyboundsboundingus.
Thenweburstforth,wefloat,
InTimeandSpaceOsoul,preparedforthem,
Equal, equipt at last, (O joy! O fruit of all!) them to fulfil O
soul.
Whispersofheavenlydeathmurmur'dIhear,
Labialgossipofnight,sibilantchorals,
Footstepsgentlyascending,mysticalbreezeswaftedsoftandlow,
Ripples of unseen rivers, tides of a current flowing, forever
flowing,
(Or is it the plashing of tears? the measureless waters of human
tears?)
Isee,justseeskyward,greatcloud-masses,
Mournfullyslowlytheyroll,silentlyswellingandmixing,
Withattimesahalf-dimm'dsadden'dfar-offstar,
Appearinganddisappearing.
(Someparturitionrather,somesolemnimmortalbirth;
Onthefrontierstoeyesimpenetrable,
Somesoulispassingover.)
1
Chanting the square deific, out of the One advancing, out of the
sides,
Outoftheoldandnew,outofthesquareentirelydivine,
Solid, four-sided, (all the sides needed,) from this side Jehovah
amI,
OldBrahmI,andISaturniusam;
NotTimeaffectsme—IamTime,old,modernasany,
Unpersuadable,relentless,executingrighteousjudgments,
AstheEarth,theFather,thebrownoldKronos,withlaws,
Agedbeyondcomputation,yetnevernew,everwiththosemightylaws
rolling,
Relentless I forgive no man—whoever sins dies—I will have that
man'slife;
Thereforeletnoneexpectmercy—havetheseasons,gravitation,the
appointeddays,mercy?nomorehaveI,
Butastheseasonsandgravitation,andasalltheappointeddays
thatforgivenot,
I dispense from this side judgments inexorable without the least
remorse.
2
Consolatormostmild,thepromis'doneadvancing,
Withgentlehandextended,themightierGodamI,
Foretold by prophets and poets in their most rapt prophecies and
poems,
Fromthisside,lo!theLordChristgazes—lo!HermesI—lo!mineis
Hercules'face,
Allsorrow,labor,suffering,I,tallyingit,absorbinmyself,
ManytimeshaveIbeenrejected,taunted,putinprison,and
crucified,andmanytimesshallbeagain,
AlltheworldhaveIgivenupformydearbrothers'andsisters'
sake,forthesoul'ssake,
Wanding my way through the homes of men, rich or poor, with the
kiss
ofaffection,
ForIamaffection,Iamthecheer-bringingGod,withhopeand
all-enclosingcharity,
With indulgent words as to children, with fresh and sane words,
mineonly,
YoungandstrongIpassknowingwellIamdestin'dmyselftoan
earlydeath;
But my charity has no death—my wisdom dies not, neither early nor
late,
Andmysweetlovebequeath'dhereandelsewhereneverdies.
3
Aloof,dissatisfied,plottingrevolt,
Comradeofcriminals,brotherofslaves,
Crafty,despised,adrudge,ignorant,
With sudra face and worn brow, black, but in the depths of my
heart,
proudasany,
Liftednowandalwaysagainstwhoeverscorningassumestoruleme,
Morose, full of guile, full of reminiscences, brooding, with many
wiles,
(ThoughitwasthoughtIwasbaffled,anddispel'd,andmywiles
done,butthatwillneverbe,)
Defiant,I,Satan,stilllive,stillutterwords,innewlandsduly
appearing,(andoldonesalso,)
Permanentherefrommyside,warlike,equalwithany,realasany,
Nortimenorchangeshalleverchangemeormywords.
4
SantaSpirita,breather,life,
Beyondthelight,lighterthanlight,
Beyondtheflamesofhell,joyous,leapingeasilyabovehell,
BeyondParadise,perfumedsolelywithmineownperfume,
Includingalllifeonearth,touching,includingGod,including
SaviourandSatan,
Ethereal, pervading all, (for without me what were all? what were
God?)
Essenceofforms,lifeoftherealidentities,permanent,positive,
(namelytheunseen,)
Life of the great round world, the sun and stars, and of man, I,
the
generalsoul,
Herethesquarefinishing,thesolid,Ithemostsolid,
Breathemybreathalsothroughthesesongs.
OfhimIlovedayandnightIdream'dIheardhewasdead,
AndIdream'dIwentwheretheyhadburiedhimIlove,buthewas
notinthatplace,
AndIdream'dIwander'dsearchingamongburial-placestofindhim,
AndIfoundthateveryplacewasaburial-place;
Thehousesfulloflifewereequallyfullofdeath,(thishouseis
now,)
Thestreets,theshipping,theplacesofamusement,theChicago,
Boston,Philadelphia,theMannahatta,wereasfullofthedead
as
oftheliving,
Andfuller,Ovastlyfullerofthedeadthanoftheliving;
AndwhatIdream'dIwillhenceforthtelltoeverypersonandage,
AndIstandhenceforthboundtowhatIdream'd,
And now I am willing to disregard burial-places and dispense with
them,
And if the memorials of the dead were put up indifferently
everywhere,
evenintheroomwhereIeatorsleep,Ishouldbesatisfied,
AndifthecorpseofanyoneIlove,orifmyowncorpse,beduly
render'dtopowderandpour'dinthesea,Ishallbesatisfied,
OrifitbedistributedtothewindsIshallbesatisfied.
Yet,yet,yedowncasthours,Iknowyealso,
Weightsoflead,howyeclogandclingatmyankles,
Earth to a chamber of mourning turns—I hear the o'erweening,
mocking
voice,
Matterisconqueror—matter,triumphantonly,continuesonward.
Despairingcriesfloatceaselesslytowardme,
Thecallofmynearestlover,puttingforth,alarm'd,uncertain,
TheseaIamquicklytosail,cometellme,
CometellmewhereIamspeeding,tellmemydestination.
Iunderstandyouranguish,butIcannothelpyou,
Iapproach,hear,behold,thesadmouth,thelookoutoftheeyes,
yourmuteinquiry,
WhitherIgofromthebedIreclineon,cometellme,—
Oldage,alarm'd,uncertain—ayoungwoman'svoice,appealingto
meforcomfort;
Ayoungman'svoice,ShallInotescape?
Asifaphantomcaress'dme,
IthoughtIwasnotalonewalkingherebytheshore;
ButtheoneIthoughtwaswithmeasnowIwalkbytheshore,the
oneIlovedthatcaress'dme,
AsIleanandlookthroughtheglimmeringlight,thatonehas
utterlydisappear'd.
Andthoseappearthatarehatefultomeandmockme.
Assurances
I need no assurances, I am a man who is preoccupied of his own
soul;
Idonotdoubtthatfromunderthefeetandbesidethehandsand
face I am cognizant of, are now looking faces I am not
cognizant
of,calmandactualfaces,
I do not doubt but the majesty and beauty of the world are latent
in
anyiotaoftheworld,
I do not doubt I am limitless, and that the universes are
limitless,
invainItrytothinkhowlimitless,
Idonotdoubtthattheorbsandthesystemsoforbsplaytheir
swift sports through the air on purpose, and that I shall one
day
beeligibletodoasmuchasthey,andmorethanthey,
I do not doubt that temporary affairs keep on and on millions of
years,
Idonotdoubtinteriorshavetheirinteriors,andexteriorshave
their exteriors, and that the eyesight has another eyesight,
and
thehearinganotherhearing,andthevoiceanothervoice,
Idonotdoubtthatthepassionately-weptdeathsofyoungmenare
providedfor,andthatthedeathsofyoungwomenandthe
deathsoflittlechildrenareprovidedfor,
(Did you think Life was so well provided for, and Death, the
purport
ofallLife,isnotwellprovidedfor?)
Idonotdoubtthatwrecksatsea,nomatterwhatthehorrorsof
them,nomatterwhosewife,child,husband,father,lover,has
gonedown,areprovidedfor,totheminutestpoints,
Idonotdoubtthatwhatevercanpossiblyhappenanywhereatany
time,isprovidedforintheinherencesofthings,
IdonotthinkLifeprovidesforallandforTimeandSpace,butI
believeHeavenlyDeathprovidesforall.
QuicksandYears
QuicksandyearsthatwhirlmeIknownotwhither,
Your schemes, politics, fail, lines give way, substances mock and
eludeme,
OnlythethemeIsing,thegreatandstrong-possess'dsoul,eludes
not,
One's-selfmustnevergiveway—thatisthefinalsubstance—that
outofallissure,
Out of politics, triumphs, battles, life, what at last finally
remains?
WhenshowsbreakupwhatbutOne's-Selfissure?
Thatmusicalwaysroundme,unceasing,unbeginning,yetlong
untaughtIdidnothear,
ButnowthechorusIhearandamelated,
A tenor, strong, ascending with power and health, with glad notes
of
daybreakIhear,
A soprano at intervals sailing buoyantly over the tops of immense
waves,
A transparent base shuddering lusciously under and through the
universe,
Thetriumphanttutti,thefuneralwailingswithsweetflutesand
violins,alltheseIfillmyselfwith,
Ihearnotthevolumesofsoundmerely,Iammovedbytheexquisite
meanings,
Ilistentothedifferentvoiceswindinginandout,striving,
contendingwithfieryvehemencetoexceleachotherinemotion;
Idonotthinktheperformersknowthemselves—butnowIthink
begintoknowthem.
Whatshippuzzledatsea,consforthetruereckoning?
Orcomingin,toavoidthebarsandfollowthechannelaperfect
pilotneeds?
Here,sailor!here,ship!takeaboardthemostperfectpilot,
Whom, in a little boat, putting off and rowing, I hailing you
offer.
Anoiselesspatientspider,
Imark'dwhereonalittlepromontoryitstoodisolated,
Mark'dhowtoexplorethevacantvastsurrounding,
Itlaunch'dforthfilament,filament,filamentoutofitself,
Everunreelingthem,evertirelesslyspeedingthem.
AndyouOmysoulwhereyoustand,
Surrounded,detached,inmeasurelessoceansofspace,
Ceaselesslymusing,venturing,throwing,seekingthespheresto
connectthem,
Till the bridge you will need be form'd, till the ductile anchor
hold,
Tillthegossamerthreadyouflingcatchsomewhere,Omysoul.
Olivingalways,alwaysdying!
Otheburialsofmepastandpresent,
OmewhileIstrideahead,material,visible,imperiousasever;
Ome,whatIwasforyears,nowdead,(Ilamentnot,Iamcontent;)
Otodisengagemyselffromthosecorpsesofme,whichIturnand
lookatwhereIcastthem,
To pass on, (O living! always living!) and leave the corpses
behind.
ToOneShortlytoDie
FromalltherestIsingleoutyou,havingamessageforyou,
You are to die—let others tell you what they please, I cannot
prevaricate,
I am exact and merciless, but I love you—there is no escape for
you.
SoftlyIlaymyrighthanduponyou,you'ustfeelit,
Idonotargue,Ibendmyheadcloseandhalfenvelopit,
Isitquietlyby,Iremainfaithful,
Iammorethannurse,morethanparentorneighbor,
Iabsolveyoufromallexceptyourselfspiritualbodily,thatis
eternal,youyourselfwillsurelyescape,
Thecorpseyouwillleavewillbebutexcrementitious.
Thesunburststhroughinunlooked-fordirections,
Strongthoughtsfillyouandconfidence,yousmile,
Youforgetyouaresick,asIforgetyouaresick,
Youdonotseethemedicines,youdonotmindtheweepingfriends,
Iamwithyou,
Iexcludeothersfromyou,thereisnothingtobecommiserated,
Idonotcommiserate,Icongratulateyou.
NightonthePrairies
Nightontheprairies,
Thesupperisover,thefireonthegroundburnslow,
Theweariedemigrantssleep,wraptintheirblankets;
Iwalkbymyself—Istandandlookatthestars,whichIthinknow
neverrealizedbefore.
NowIabsorbimmortalityandpeace,
Iadmiredeathandtestpropositions.
Howplenteous!howspiritual!howresume!
The same old man and soul—the same old aspirations, and the same
content.
I was thinking the day most splendid till I saw what the not-day
exhibited,
Iwasthinkingthisglobeenoughtilltheresprangoutsonoiseless
aroundmemyriadsofotherglobes.
NowwhilethegreatthoughtsofspaceandeternityfillmeIwill
measuremyselfbythem,
Andnowtouch'dwiththelivesofotherglobesarrivedasfaralong
asthoseoftheearth,
Orwaitingtoarrive,orpass'donfartherthanthoseoftheearth,
IhenceforthnomoreignorethemthanIignoremyownlife,
Or the lives of the earth arrived as far as mine, or waiting to
arrive.
OIseenowthatlifecannotexhibitalltome,asthedaycannot,
IseethatIamtowaitforwhatwillbeexhibitedbydeath.
Thought
AsIsitwithothersatagreatfeast,suddenlywhilethemusicis
playing,
Tomymind,(whenceitcomesIknownot,)spectralinmistofa
wreckatsea,
Ofcertainships,howtheysailfromportwithflyingstreamersand
waftedkisses,andthatisthelastofthem,
OfthesolemnandmurkymysteryaboutthefateofthePresident,
Oftheflowerofthemarinescienceoffiftygenerationsfounder'd
offtheNortheastcoastandgoingdown—ofthesteamshipArctic
goingdown,
Of the veil'd tableau-women gather'd together on deck, pale,
heroic,
waitingthemomentthatdrawssoclose—Othemoment!
Ahugesob—afewbubbles—thewhitefoamspirtingup—andthenthe
womengone,
Sinkingtherewhilethepassionlesswetflowson—andInow
pondering,Arethosewomenindeedgone?
Aresoulsdrown'danddestroy'dso?
Isonlymattertriumphant?
TheLastInvocation
Atthelast,tenderly,
Fromthewallsofthepowerfulfortress'dhouse,
From the clasp of the knitted locks, from the keep of the wellcloseddoors,
Letmebewafted.
Letmeglidenoiselesslyforth;
Withthekeyofsoftnessunlockthelocks—withawhisper,
SetopethedoorsOsoul.
Tenderly—benotimpatient,
(StrongisyourholdOmortalflesh,
StrongisyourholdOlove.)
AsIwatch'dtheploughmanploughing,
Orthesowersowinginthefields,ortheharvesterharvesting,
Isawtheretoo,Olifeanddeath,youranalogies;
(Life,lifeisthetillage,andDeathistheharvestaccording.)
PensiveandFaltering
Pensiveandfaltering,
ThewordstheDeadIwrite,
ForlivingaretheDead,
(Haplytheonlyliving,onlyreal,
AndItheapparition,Ithespectre.)
BOOKXXXI
ThouMotherwithThyEqualBrood
1
ThouMotherwiththyequalbrood,
ThouvariedchainofdifferentStates,yetoneidentityonly,
AspecialsongbeforeIgoI'dsingo'eralltherest,
Forthee,thefuture.
I'dsowaseedfortheeofendlessNationality,
I'dfashionthyensembleincludingbodyandsoul,
I'dshowawayaheadthyrealUnion,andhowitmaybeaccomplish'd.
ThepathstothehouseIseektomake,
Butleavetothosetocomethehouseitself.
BeliefIsing,andpreparation;
As Life and Nature are not great with reference to the present
only,
Butgreaterstillfromwhatisyettocome,
OutofthatformulafortheeIsing.
2
Asastrongbirdonpinionsfree,
Joyous,theamplestspacesheavenwardcleaving,
SuchbethethoughtI'dthinkoftheeAmerica,
SuchbetherecitativeI'dbringforthee.
TheconceitsofthepoetsofotherlandsI'dbringtheenot,
Northecomplimentsthathaveservedtheirturnsolong,
Norrhyme,northeclassics,norperfumeofforeigncourtorindoor
library;
But an odor I'd bring as from forests of pine in Maine, or breath
of
anIllinoisprairie,
WithopenairsofVirginiaorGeorgiaorTennessee,orfromTexas
uplands,orFlorida'sglades,
OrtheSaguenay'sblackstream,orthewidebluespreadofHuron,
WithpresentmentofYellowstone'sscenes,orYosemite,
And murmuring under, pervading all, I'd bring the rustling seasound,
ThatendlesslysoundsfromthetwoGreatSeasoftheworld.
AndforthysubtlersensesubtlerrefrainsdreadMother,
Preludesofintellecttallyingtheseandthee,mind-formulasfitted
forthee,realandsaneandlargeastheseandthee,
Thou!mountinghigher,divingdeeperthanweknew,thou
transcendentalUnion!
Bytheefacttobejustified,blendedwiththought,
Thoughtofmanjustified,blendedwithGod,
Throughthyidea,lo,theimmortalreality!
Throughthyreality,lo,theimmortalidea!
3
BrainoftheNewWorld,whatataskisthine,
ToformulatetheModern—outofthepeerlessgrandeurofthemodern,
Outofthyself,comprisingscience,torecastpoems,churches,art,
(Recast,may-bediscardthem,endthem—maybetheirworkisdone,
whoknows?)
Byvision,hand,conception,onthebackgroundofthemightypast,
thedead,
Tolimnwithabsolutefaiththemightylivingpresent.
Andyetthoulivingpresentbrain,heirofthedead,theOldWorld
brain,
Thouthatlayfoldedlikeanunbornbabewithinitsfoldssolong,
Thoucarefullypreparedbyitsolong—haplythoubutunfoldestit,
onlymaturestit,
It to eventuate in thee—the essence of the by-gone time contain'd
inthee,
Itspoems,churches,arts,unwittingtothemselves,destinedwith
referencetothee;
Thoubuttheapples,long,long,longa-growing,
ThefruitofalltheOldripeningto-dayinthee.
4
Sail,sailthybest,shipofDemocracy,
Ofvalueisthyfreight,'tisnotthePresentonly,
ThePastisalsostoredinthee,
Thouholdestnottheventureofthyselfalone,notoftheWestern
continentalone,
Earth'sresumeentirefloatsonthykeelOship,issteadiedbythy
spars,
WiththeeTimevoyagesintrust,theantecedentnationssinkor
swimwiththee,
With all their ancient struggles, martyrs, heroes, epics, wars,
thou
bear'sttheothercontinents,
Theirs,theirsasmuchasthine,thedestination-porttriumphant;
SteerthenwithgoodstronghandandwaryeyeOhelmsman,thou
carriestgreatcompanions,
VenerablepriestlyAsiasailsthisdaywiththee,
AndroyalfeudalEuropesailswiththee.
5
Beautifulworldofnewsuperberbirththatrisestomyeyes,
Likealimitlessgoldencloudfillingthewesternrsky,
Emblemofgeneralmaternityliftedaboveall,
Sacredshapeofthebearerofdaughtersandsons,
Out of thy teeming womb thy giant babes in ceaseless procession
issuing,
Accedingfromsuchgestation,takingandgivingcontinualstrength
andlife,
Worldofthereal—worldofthetwaininone,
Worldofthesoul,bornbytheworldoftherealalone,ledto
identity,body,byitalone,
Yet in beginning only, incalculable masses of composite precious
materials,
By history's cycles forwarded, by every nation, language, hither
sent,
Ready,collectedhere,afreer,vast,electricworld,tobe
constructedhere,
(The true New World, the world of orbic science, morals,
literatures
tocome,)
Thou wonder world yet undefined, unform'd, neither do I define
thee,
HowcanIpiercetheimpenetrableblankofthefuture?
Ifeelthyominousgreatnessevilaswellasgood,
I watch thee advancing, absorbing the present, transcending the
past,
I see thy light lighting, and thy shadow shadowing, as if the
entireglobe,
ButIdonotundertaketodefinethee,hardlytocomprehendthee,
Ibuttheename,theeprophesy,asnow,
Imerelytheeejaculate!
Theeinthyfuture,
Theeinthyonlypermanentlife,career,thyownunloosen'dmind,
thysoaringspirit,
Theeasanotherequallyneededsun,radiant,ablaze,swift-moving,
fructifyingall,
Thee risen in potent cheerfulness and joy, in endless great
hilarity,
Scatteringforgoodthecloudthathungsolong,thatweigh'dso
longuponthemindofman,
Thedoubt,suspicion,dread,ofgradual,certaindecadenceofman;
Theeinthylarger,sanerbroodoffemale,male—theeinthy
athletes,moral,spiritual,South,North,West,East,
(Tothyimmortalbreasts,MotherofAll,thyeverydaughter,son,
endear'dalike,foreverequal,)
Thee in thy own musicians, singers, artists, unborn yet, but
certain,
Thee in thy moral wealth and civilization, (until which thy
proudest
materialcivilizationmustremaininvain,)
Theeinthyall-supplying,all-enclosingworship—theeinnosingle
bible,saviour,merely,
Thysaviourscountless,latentwithinthyself,thybiblesincessant
withinthyself,equaltoany,divineasany,
(Thy soaring course thee formulating, not in thy two great wars,
nor
inthycentury'svisiblegrowth,
Butfarmoreintheseleavesandchants,thychants,greatMother!)
Theeinaneducationgrownofthee,inteachers,studies,students,
bornofthee,
Theeinthydemocraticfetesen-masse,thyhighoriginalfestivals,
operas,lecturers,preachers,
Theeinthyultimate,(thepreparationsonlynowcompleted,the
edificeonsurefoundationstied,)
Theeinthypinnacles,intellect,thought,thytopmostrational
joys,thyloveandgodlikeaspiration,
Inthyresplendentcomingliterati,thyfull-lung'dorators,thy
sacerdotalbards,kosmicsavans,
These!theseinthee,(certaintocome,)to-dayIprophesy.
6
Land tolerating all, accepting all, not for the good alone, all
good
forthee,
LandintherealmsofGodtobearealmuntothyself,
UndertheruleofGodtobearuleuntothyself.
(Lo,wherearisethreepeerlessstars,
Tobethynatalstarsmycountry,Ensemble,Evolution,Freedom,
SetintheskyofLaw.)
Landofunprecedentedfaith,God'sfaith,
Thysoil,thyverysubsoil,allupheav'd,
The general inner earth so long so sedulously draped over, now
hence
forwhatitisboldlylaidbare,
Open'dbytheetoheaven'slightforbenefitorbale.
Notforsuccessalone,
Nottofair-sailunintermittedalways,
Thestormshalldashthyface,themurkofwarandworsethanwar
shallcovertheeallover,
(Wertcapableofwar,itstugandtrials?becapableofpeace,its
trials,
Forthetugandmortalstrainofnationscomeatlastinprosperous
peace,notwar;)
Inmanyasmilingmaskdeathshallapproachbeguilingthee,thouin
diseaseshaltswelter,
Thelividcancerspreaditshideousclaws,clinginguponthy
breasts,seekingtostriketheedeepwithin,
Consumptionoftheworst,moralconsumption,shallrougethyface
withhectic,
But thou shalt face thy fortunes, thy diseases, and surmount them
all,
Whatevertheyareto-dayandwhateverthroughtimetheymaybe,
Theyeachandallshallliftandpassawayandceasefromthee,
Whilethou,Time'sspiralsrounding,outofthyself,thyselfstill
extricating,fusing,
Equable, natural, mystical Union thou, (the mortal with immortal
blent,)
Shaltsoartowardthefulfilmentofthefuture,thespiritofthe
bodyandthemind,
Thesoul,itsdestinies.
Thesoul,itsdestinies,therealreal,
(Purportofalltheseapparitionsofthereal;)
IntheeAmerica,thesoul,itsdestinies,
Thouglobeofglobes!thouwondernebulous!
By many a throe of heat and cold convuls'd, (by these thyself
solidifying,)
Thoumental,moralorb—thouNew,indeednew,SpiritualWorld!
ThePresentholdstheenot—forsuchvastgrowthasthine,
Forsuchunparallel'dflightasthine,suchbroodasthine,
TheFUTUREonlyholdstheeandcanholdthee.
APaumanokPicture
Twoboatswithnetslyingoffthesea-beach,quitestill,
Tenfishermenwaiting—theydiscoverathickschoolofmossbonkers
—theydropthejoin'dseine-endsinthewater,
Theboatsseparateandrowoff,eachonitsroundingcoursetothe
beach,enclosingthemossbonkers,
Thenetisdrawninbyawindlassbythosewhostopashore,
Someofthefishermenloungeintheirboats,othersstand
ankle-deepinthewater,pois'donstronglegs,
Theboatspartlydrawnup,thewaterslappingagainstthem,
Strew'donthesandinheapsandwindrows,welloutfromthewater,
thegreen-back'dspottedmossbonkers.
ThouOrbAloftFull-Dazzling
Thouorbaloftfull-dazzling!thouhotOctobernoon!
Floodingwithsheenylightthegraybeachsand,
Thesibilantnearseawithvistasfarandfoam,
Andtawnystreaksandshadesandspreadingblue;
Osunofnoonrefulgent!myspecialwordtothee.
Hearmeillustrious!
Thyloverme,foralwaysIhavelovedthee,
Evenasbaskingbabe,thenhappyboyalonebysomewoodedge,thy
touching-distantbeamsenough,
Or man matured, or young or old, as now to thee I launch my
invocation.
(Thoucanstnotwiththydumbnessmedeceive,
IknowbeforethefittingmanallNatureyields,
Thoughansweringnotinwords,theskies,trees,hearhisvoice—and
thouOsun,
Asforthythroes,thyperturbations,suddenbreaksandshaftsof
flamegigantic,
Iunderstandthem,Iknowthoseflames,thoseperturbationswell.)
Thouthatwithfructifyingheatandlight,
O'ermyriadfarms,o'erlandsandwatersNorthandSouth,
O'erMississippi'sendlesscourse,o'erTexas'grassyplains,
Kanada'swoods,
O'eralltheglobethatturnsitsfacetotheeshininginspace,
Thouthatimpartiallyenfoldestall,notonlycontinents,seas,
Thou that to grapes and weeds and little wild flowers givest so
liberally,
Shed,shedthyselfonmineandme,withbutafleetingrayoutof
thymillionmillions,
Strikethroughthesechants.
Noronlylaunchthysubtledazzleandthystrengthforthese,
Prepare the later afternoon of me myself—prepare my lengthening
shadows,
Preparemystarrynights.
Faces
1
Saunteringthepavementorridingthecountryby-road,faces!
Facesoffriendship,precision,caution,suavity,ideality,
The spiritual-prescient face, the always welcome common benevolent
face,
The face of the singing of music, the grand faces of natural
lawyers
andjudgesbroadattheback-top,
Thefacesofhuntersandfishersbulgedatthebrows,theshaved
blanch'dfacesoforthodoxcitizens,
Thepure,extravagant,yearning,questioningartist'sface,
Theuglyfaceofsomebeautifulsoul,thehandsomedetestedor
despisedface,
Thesacredfacesofinfants,theilluminatedfaceofthemotherof
manychildren,
Thefaceofanamour,thefaceofveneration,
Thefaceasofadream,thefaceofanimmobilerock,
Thefacewithdrawnofitsgoodandbad,acastratedface,
Awildhawk,hiswingsclipp'dbytheclipper,
A stallion that yielded at last to the thongs and knife of the
gelder.
Sauntering the pavement thus, or crossing the ceaseless ferry,
faces
andfacesandfaces,
Iseethemandcomplainnot,andamcontentwithall.
2
DoyousupposeIcouldbecontentwithallifIthoughtthemtheir
ownfinale?
Thisnowistoolamentableafaceforaman,
Someabjectlouseaskingleavetobe,cringingforit,
Somemilk-nosedmaggotblessingwhatletsitwrigtoitshole.
Thisfaceisadog'ssnoutsniffingforgarbage,
Snakesnestinthatmouth,Ihearthesibilantthreat.
Thisfaceisahazemorechillthanthearcticsea,
Itssleepyandwobblingicebergscrunchastheygo.
Thisisafaceofbitterherbs,thisanemetic,theyneednolabel,
Andmoreofthedrug-shelf,laudanum,caoutchouc,orhog's-lard.
This face is an epilepsy, its wordless tongue gives out the
unearthlycry,
Itsveinsdowntheneckdistend,itseyesrolltilltheyshow
nothingbuttheirwhites,
Its teeth grit, the palms of the hands are cut by the turn'd-in
nails,
Themanfallsstrugglingandfoamingtotheground,whilehe
speculateswell.
Thisfaceisbittenbyverminandworms,
Andthisissomemurderer'sknifewithahalf-pull'dscabbard.
Thisfaceowestothesextonhisdismalestfee,
Anunceasingdeath-belltollsthere.
3
Featuresofmyequalswouldyoutrickmewithyourcreas'dand
cadaverousmarch?
Well,youcannottrickme.
Iseeyourroundednever-erasedflow,
Isee'neaththerimsofyourhaggardandmeandisguises.
Splayandtwistasyoulike,pokewiththetanglingforesoffishes
orrats,
You'llbeunmuzzled,youcertainlywill.
Isawthefaceofthemostsmear'dandslobberingidiottheyhadat
theasylum,
AndIknewformyconsolationwhattheyknewnot,
Iknewoftheagentsthatemptiedandbrokemybrother,
Thesamewaittocleartherubbishfromthefallentenement,
AndIshalllookagaininascoreortwoofages,
AndIshallmeetthereallandlordperfectandunharm'd,everyinch
asgoodasmyself.
4
TheLordadvances,andyetadvances,
Alwaystheshadowinfront,alwaysthereach'dhandbringingupthe
laggards.
Outofthisfaceemergebannersandhorses—Osuperb!Iseewhatis
coming,
I see the high pioneer-caps, see staves of runners clearing the
way,
Ihearvictoriousdrums.
Thisfaceisalife-boat,
This is the face commanding and bearded, it asks no odds of the
rest,
Thisfaceisflavor'dfruitreadyforeating,
Thisfaceofahealthyhonestboyistheprogrammeofallgood.
Thesefacesbeartestimonyslumberingorawake,
TheyshowtheirdescentfromtheMasterhimself.
OffthewordIhavespokenIexceptnotone—red,white,black,are
alldeific,
Ineachhouseistheovum,itcomesforthafterathousandyears.
Spotsorcracksatthewindowsdonotdisturbme,
Tallandsufficientstandbehindandmakesignstome,
Ireadthepromiseandpatientlywait.
Thisisafull-grownlily'sface,
Shespeakstothelimber-hipp'dmannearthegardenpickets,
Comeheresheblushinglycries,Comenightomelimber-hipp'dman,
StandatmysidetillIleanashighasIcanuponyou,
Fillmewithalbescenthoney,benddowntome,
Rubtomewithyourchafingbeard,rubtomybreastandshoulders.
5
Theoldfaceofthemotherofmanychildren,
Whist!Iamfullycontent.
Lull'dandlateisthesmokeoftheFirst-daymorning,
Ithangslowovertherowsoftreesbythefences,
Ithangsthinbythesassafrasandwild-cherryandcat-brierunder
them.
Isawtherichladiesinfulldressatthesoiree,
Iheardwhatthesingersweresingingsolong,
Heard who sprang in crimson youth from the white froth and the
water-blue.
Beholdawoman!
Shelooksoutfromherquakercap,herfaceisclearerandmore
beautifulthanthesky.
Shesitsinanarmchairundertheshadedporchofthefarmhouse,
Thesunjustshinesonheroldwhitehead.
Heramplegownisofcream-huedlinen,
Hergrandsonsraisedtheflax,andhergrand-daughtersspunitwith
thedistaffandthewheel.
Themelodiouscharacteroftheearth,
The finish beyond which philosophy cannot go and does not wish to
go,
Thejustifiedmotherofmen.
TheMysticTrumpeter
1
Hark,somewildtrumpeter,somestrangemusician,
Hoveringunseeninair,vibratescapricioustunesto-night.
Iheartheetrumpeter,listeningalertIcatchthynotes,
Nowpouring,whirlinglikeatempestroundme,
Nowlow,subdued,nowinthedistancelost.
2
Comenearerbodilessone,haplyintheeresounds
Somedeadcomposer,haplythypensivelife
Wasfill'dwithaspirationshigh,unform'dideals,
Waves,oceansmusical,chaoticallysurging,
That now ecstatic ghost, close to me bending, thy cornet echoing,
pealing,
Givesouttonoone'searsbutmine,butfreelygivestomine,
ThatImaytheetranslate.
3
Blowtrumpeterfreeandclear,Ifollowthee,
Whileatthyliquidprelude,glad,serene,
Thefrettingworld,thestreets,thenoisyhoursofdaywithdraw,
Aholycalmdescendslikedewuponme,
IwalkincoolrefreshingnightthewalksofParadise,
Iscentthegrass,themoistairandtheroses;
Thysongexpandsmynumb'dimbondedspirit,thoufreest,launchest
me,
Floatingandbaskinguponheaven'slake.
4
Blowagaintrumpeter!andformysensuouseyes,
Bringtheoldpageants,showthefeudalworld.
Whatcharmthymusicworks!thoumakestpassbeforeme,
Ladiesandcavalierslongdead,baronsareintheircastlehalls,
thetroubadoursaresinging,
Arm'dknightsgoforthtoredresswrongs,someinquestoftheholy
Graal;
Iseethetournament,Iseethecontestantsincasedinheavyarmor
seatedonstatelychampinghorses,
Iheartheshouts,thesoundsofblowsandsmitingsteel;
IseetheCrusaders'tumultuousarmies—hark,howthecymbalsclang,
Lo,wherethemonkswalkinadvance,bearingthecrossonhigh.
5
Blowagaintrumpeter!andforthytheme,
Takenowtheenclosingthemeofall,thesolventandthesetting,
Love,thatispulseofall,thesustenanceandthepang,
Theheartofmanandwomanallforlove,
Nootherthemebutlove—knitting,enclosing,all-diffusinglove.
Ohowtheimmortalphantomscrowdaroundme!
Iseethevastalembiceverworking,Iseeandknowtheflamesthat
heattheworld,
Theglow,theblush,thebeatingheartsoflovers,
So blissful happy some, and some so silent, dark, and nigh to
death;
Love, that is all the earth to lovers—love, that mocks time and
space,
Love,thatisdayandnight—love,thatissunandmoonandstars,
Love,thatiscrimson,sumptuous,sickwithperfume,
Nootherwordsbutwordsoflove,nootherthoughtbutlove.
6
Blowagaintrumpeter—conjurewar'salarums.
Swifttothyspellashudderinghumlikedistantthunderrolls,
Lo,wherethearm'dmenhasten—lo,midthecloudsofdusttheglint
ofbayonets,
Iseethegrime-facedcannoneers,Imarktherosyflashamidthe
smoke,Ihearthecrackingoftheguns;
Norwaralone—thyfearfulmusic-song,wildplayer,bringsevery
sightoffear,
Thedeedsofruthlessbrigands,rapine,murder—Ihearthecriesfor
help!
Iseeshipsfounderingatsea,Ibeholdondeckandbelowdeckthe
terribletableaus.
7
Otrumpeter,methinksIammyselftheinstrumentthouplayest,
Thoumelt'stmyheart,mybrain—thoumovest,drawest,changest
thematwill;
Andnowthysullennotessenddarknessthroughme,
Thoutakestawayallcheeringlight,allhope,
Iseetheenslaved,theoverthrown,thehurt,theopprestofthe
wholeearth,
Ifeelthemeasurelessshameandhumiliationofmyrace,itbecomes
allmine,
Mine too the revenges of humanity, the wrongs of ages, baffled
feuds
andhatreds,
Utterdefeatuponmeweighs—alllost—thefoevictorious,
(Yet'midtheruinsPridecolossalstandsunshakentothelast,
Endurance,resolutiontothelast.)
8
Nowtrumpeterforthyclose,
Vouchsafeahigherstrainthananyyet,
Singtomysoul,renewitslanguishingfaithandhope,
Rouseupmyslowbelief,givemesomevisionofthefuture,
Givemeforonceitsprophecyandjoy.
Oglad,exulting,culminatingsong!
Avigormorethanearth'sisinthynotes,
Marchesofvictory—mandisenthral'd—theconqueroratlast,
HymnstotheuniversalGodfromuniversalman—alljoy!
Arebornraceappears—aperfectworld,alljoy!
Womenandmeninwisdominnocenceandhealth—alljoy!
Riotouslaughingbacchanalsfill'dwithjoy!
War, sorrow, suffering gone—the rank earth purged—nothing but joy
left!
Theoceanfill'dwithjoy—theatmospherealljoy!
Joy!joy!infreedom,worship,love!joyintheecstasyoflife!
Enoughtomerelybe!enoughtobreathe!
Joy!joy!alloverjoy!
Theeformyrecitative,
Thee in the driving storm even as now, the snow, the winter-day
declining,
Thee in thy panoply, thy measur'd dual throbbing and thy beat
convulsive,
Thyblackcylindricbody,goldenbrassandsilverysteel,
Thyponderousside-bars,parallelandconnectingrods,gyrating,
shuttlingatthysides,
Thy metrical, now swelling pant and roar, now tapering in the
distance,
Thygreatprotrudinghead-lightfix'dinfront,
Thy long, pale, floating vapor-pennants, tinged with delicate
purple,
Thedenseandmurkycloudsout-belchingfromthysmoke-stack,
Thyknittedframe,thyspringsandvalves,thetremuloustwinkleof
thywheels,
Thytrainofcarsbehind,obedient,merrilyfollowing,
Throughgaleorcalm,nowswift,nowslack,yetsteadilycareering;
Type of the modern—emblem of motion and power—pulse of the
continent,
ForoncecomeservetheMuseandmergeinverse,evenashereIsee
thee,
Withstormandbuffetinggustsofwindandfallingsnow,
Bydaythywarningringingbelltosounditsnotes,
Bynightthysilentsignallampstoswing.
Fierce-throatedbeauty!
Roll through my chant with all thy lawless music, thy swinging
lamps
atnight,
Thymadly-whistledlaughter,echoing,rumblinglikeanearthquake,
rousingall,
Lawofthyselfcomplete,thineowntrackfirmlyholding,
(Nosweetnessdebonairoftearfulharporglibpianothine,)
Thytrillsofshrieksbyrocksandhillsreturn'd,
Launch'do'ertheprairieswide,acrossthelakes,
Tothefreeskiesunpentandgladandstrong.
OMagnet-South
Omagnet-south!OglisteningperfumedSouth!mySouth!
Oquickmettle,richblood,impulseandlove!goodandevil!Oall
deartome!
Odeartomemybirth-things—allmovingthingsandthetreeswhere
Iwasborn—thegrains,plants,rivers,
Deartomemyownslowsluggishriverswheretheyflow,distant,
overflatsofsliverysandsorthroughswamps,
DeartometheRoanoke,theSavannah,theAltamahaw,thePedee,the
Tombigbee,theSantee,theCoosaandtheSabine,
Opensive,farawaywandering,Ireturnwithmysoultohaunttheir
banksagain,
AgaininFloridaIfloatontransparentlakes,Ifloatonthe
Okeechobee, I cross the hummock-land or through pleasant
openings
ordenseforests,
Iseetheparrotsinthewoods,Iseethepapaw-treeandthe
blossomingtiti;
Again,sailinginmycoasterondeck,IcoastoffGeorgia,Icoast
uptheCarolinas,
Iseewherethelive-oakisgrowing,Iseewheretheyellow-pine,
thescentedbay-tree,thelemonandorange,thecypress,the
gracefulpalmetto,
Ipassrudesea-headlandsandenterPamlicosoundthroughaninlet,
anddartmyvisioninland;
Othecottonplant!thegrowingfieldsofrice,sugar,hemp!
The cactus guarded with thorns, the laurel-tree with large white
flowers,
Therangeafar,therichnessandbarrenness,theoldwoodscharged
withmistletoeandtrailingmoss,
Thepineyodorandthegloom,theawfulnaturalstillness,(herein
thesedenseswampsthefreebootercarrieshisgun,andthe
fugitivehashisconceal'dhut;)
Othestrangefascinationofthesehalf-knownhalf-impassable
swamps,infestedbyreptiles,resoundingwiththebellowofthe
alligator, the sad noises of the night-owl and the wild-cat,
and
thewhirroftherattlesnake,
Themocking-bird,theAmericanmimic,singingalltheforenoon,
singingthroughthemoon-litnight,
Thehumming-bird,thewildturkey,theraccoon,theopossum;
AKentuckycorn-field,thetall,graceful,long-leav'dcorn,
slender,flapping,brightgreen,withtassels,withbeautiful
earseachwell-sheath'dinitshusk;
Omyheart!Otenderandfiercepangs,Icanstandthemnot,Iwill
depart;
OtobeaVirginianwhereIgrewup!OtobeaCarolinian!
Olongingsirrepressible!OIwillgobacktooldTennesseeand
neverwandermore.
Mannahatta
Iwasaskingforsomethingspecificandperfectformycity,
Whereuponlo!upsprangtheaboriginalname.
NowIseewhatthereisinaname,aword,liquid,sane,unruly,
musical,self-sufficient,
Iseethatthewordofmycityisthatwordfromofold,
BecauseIseethatwordnestedinnestsofwater-bays,superb,
Rich,hemm'dthickallaroundwithsailshipsandsteamships,an
islandsixteenmileslong,solid-founded,
Numberlesscrowdedstreets,highgrowthsofiron,slender,strong,
light,splendidlyuprisingtowardclearskies,
Tidesswiftandample,well-lovedbyme,towardsundown,
Theflowingsea-currents,thelittleislands,largeradjoining
islands,theheights,thevillas,
Thecountlessmasts,thewhiteshore-steamers,thelighters,the
ferry-boats,theblacksea-steamerswell-model'd,
Thedown-townstreets,thejobbers'housesofbusiness,thehouses
ofbusinessoftheship-merchantsandmoney-brokers,theriverstreets,
Immigrantsarriving,fifteenortwentythousandinaweek,
Thecartshaulinggoods,themanlyraceofdriversofhorses,the
brown-facedsailors,
The summer air, the bright sun shining, and the sailing clouds
aloft,
Thewintersnows,thesleigh-bells,thebrokeniceintheriver,
passingalongupordownwiththeflood-tideorebb-tide,
Themechanicsofthecity,themasters,well-form'd,
beautiful-faced,lookingyoustraightintheeyes,
Trottoirs throng'd, vehicles, Broadway, the women, the shops and
shows,
Amillionpeople—mannersfreeandsuperb—openvoices—hospitality—
themostcourageousandfriendlyyoungmen,
Cityofhurriedandsparklingwaters!cityofspiresandmasts!
Citynestedinbays!mycity!
AllIsTruth
Ome,manofslackfaithsolong,
Standingaloof,denyingportionssolong,
Onlyawareto-dayofcompactall-diffusedtruth,
Discoveringto-daythereisnolieorformoflie,andcanbenone,
but grows as inevitably upon itself as the truth does upon
itself,
Or as any law of the earth or any natural production of the earth
does.
(This is curious and may not be realized immediately, but it must
be
realized,
IfeelinmyselfthatIrepresentfalsehoodsequallywiththerest,
Andthattheuniversedoes.)
Wherehasfail'daperfectreturnindifferentofliesorthetruth?
Is it upon the ground, or in water or fire? or in the spirit of
man?
orinthemeatandblood?
Meditatingamongliarsandretreatingsternlyintomyself,Isee
thattherearereallynoliarsorliesafterall,
Andthatnothingfailsitsperfectreturn,andthatwhatarecalled
liesareperfectreturns,
Andthateachthingexactlyrepresentsitselfandwhathaspreceded
it,
Andthatthetruthincludesall,andiscompactjustasmuchas
spaceiscompact,
Andthatthereisnoflaworvacuumintheamountofthetruth—but
thatallistruthwithoutexception;
AndhenceforthIwillgocelebrateanythingIseeoram,
Andsingandlaughanddenynothing.
ARiddleSong
Thatwhicheludesthisverseandanyverse,
Unheard by sharpest ear, unform'd in clearest eye or cunningest
mind,
Norlorenorfame,norhappinessnorwealth,
And yet the pulse of every heart and life throughout the world
incessantly,
WhichyouandIandallpursuingeverevermiss,
Openbutstillasecret,therealofthereal,anillusion,
Costless,vouchsafedtoeach,yetnevermantheowner,
Whichpoetsvainlyseektoputinrhyme,historiansinprose,
Whichsculptorneverchisel'dyet,norpainterpainted,
Whichvocalistneversung,nororatornoractoreverutter'd,
InvokinghereandnowIchallengeformysong.
Indifferently,'midpublic,privatehaunts,insolitude,
Behindthemountainandthewood,
Companionofthecity'sbusieststreets,throughtheassemblage,
Itanditsradiationsconstantlyglide.
Inlooksoffairunconsciousbabes,
Orstrangelyinthecoffin'ddead,
Orshowofbreakingdawnorstarsbynight,
Assomedissolvingdelicatefilmofdreams,
Hidingyetlingering.
Twolittlebreathsofwordscomprisingit,
Twowords,yetallfromfirsttolastcomprisedinit.
Howardentlyforit!
Howmanyshipshavesail'dandsunkforit!
Howmanytravelersstartedfromtheirhomesandneerreturn'd!
Howmuchofgeniusboldlystakedandlostforit!
Whatcountlessstoresofbeauty,love,ventur'dforit!
HowallsuperbestdeedssinceTimebeganaretraceabletoit—and
shallbetotheend!
Howallheroicmartyrdomstoit!
How,justifiedbyit,thehorrors,evils,battlesoftheearth!
Howthebrightfascinatinglambentflamesofit,ineveryageand
land,havedrawnmen'seyes,
RichasasunsetontheNorwaycoast,thesky,theislands,andthe
cliffs,
Ormidnight'ssilentglowingnorthernlightsunreachable.
HaplyGod'sriddleit,sovagueandyetsocertain,
Thesoulforit,andallthevisibleuniverseforit,
Andheavenatlastforit.
Excelsior
Whohasgonefarthest?forIwouldgofarther,
And who has been just? for I would be the most just person of the
earth,
Andwhomostcautious?forIwouldbemorecautious,
Andwhohasbeenhappiest?OIthinkitisI—Ithinknoonewas
everhappierthanI,
Andwhohaslavish'dall?forIlavishconstantlythebestIhave,
Andwhoproudest?forIthinkIhavereasontobetheproudestson
alive—forIamthesonofthebrawnyandtall-toptcity,
Andwhohasbeenboldandtrue?forIwouldbetheboldestand
truestbeingoftheuniverse,
Andwhobenevolent?forIwouldshowmorebenevolencethanallthe
rest,
Andwhohasreceiv'dtheloveofthemostfriends?forIknowwhat
itistoreceivethepassionateloveofmanyfriends,
And who possesses a perfect and enamour'd body? for I do not
believe
anyonepossessesamoreperfectorenamour'dbodythanmine,
And who thinks the amplest thoughts? for I would surround those
thoughts,
Andwhohasmadehymnsfitfortheearth?forIammadwith
devouringecstasytomakejoyoushymnsforthewholeearth.
Ahpoverties,wincings,andsulkyretreats,
Ahyoufoesthatinconflicthaveovercomeme,
(For what is my life or any man's life but a conflict with foes,
the
old,theincessantwar?)
Youdegradations,youtusslewithpassionsandappetites,
You smarts from dissatisfied friendships, (ah wounds the sharpest
ofall!)
Youtoilofpainfulandchokedarticulations,youmeannesses,
You shallow tongue-talks at tables, (my tongue the shallowest of
any;)
Youbrokenresolutions,yourackingangers,yousmother'dennuis!
Ah think not you finally triumph, my real self has yet to come
forth,
Itshallyetmarchfortho'ermastering,tillallliesbeneathme,
Itshallyetstandupthesoldierofultimatevictory.
Thoughts
Ofpublicopinion,
Of a calm and cool fiat sooner or later, (how impassive! how
certain
andfinal!)
OfthePresidentwithpalefaceaskingsecretlytohimself,What
willthepeoplesayatlast?
OfthefrivolousJudge—ofthecorruptCongressman,Governor,
Mayor—ofsuchasthesestandinghelplessandexposed,
Ofthemumblingandscreamingpriest,(soon,soondeserted,)
Ofthelesseningyearbyyearofvenerableness,andofthedictaof
officers,statutes,pulpits,schools,
Oftherisingforevertallerandstrongerandbroaderofthe
intuitions of men and women, and of Self-esteem and
Personality;
OfthetrueNewWorld—oftheDemocraciesresplendenten-masse,
Oftheconformityofpolitics,armies,navies,tothem,
Oftheshiningsunbythem—oftheinherentlight,greaterthanthe
rest,
Of the envelopment of all by them, and the effusion of all from
them.
Mediums
TheyshallariseintheStates,
TheyshallreportNature,laws,physiology,andhappiness,
TheyshallillustrateDemocracyandthekosmos,
Theyshallbealimentive,amative,perceptive,
Theyshallbecompletewomenandmen,theirposebrawnyandsupple,
theirdrinkwater,theirbloodcleanandclear,
Theyshallfullyenjoymaterialismandthesightofproducts,they
shallenjoythesightofthebeef,lumber,bread-stuffs,of
Chicagothegreatcity.
Theyshalltrainthemselvestogoinpublictobecomeoratorsand
oratresses,
Strongandsweetshalltheirtonguesbe,poemsandmaterialsof
poems shall come from their lives, they shall be makers and
finders,
Ofthemandoftheirworksshallemergedivineconveyers,toconvey
gospels,
Characters,events,retrospections,shallbeconvey'dingospels,
trees,animals,waters,shallbeconvey'd,
Death,thefuture,theinvisiblefaith,shallallbeconvey'd.
Weavein,MyHardyLife
Weavein,weavein,myhardylife,
Weaveyetasoldierstrongandfullforgreatcampaignstocome,
Weave in red blood, weave sinews in like ropes, the senses, sight
weavein,
Weave lasting sure, weave day and night the wet, the warp,
incessant
weave,tirenot,
(WeknownotwhattheuseOlife,norknowtheaim,theend,nor
reallyaughtweknow,
Butknowthework,theneedgoesonandshallgoon,the
death-envelop'dmarchofpeaceaswellaswargoeson,)
Forgreatcampaignsofpeacethesamethewirythreadstoweave,
Weknownotwhyorwhat,yetweave,foreverweave.
Spain,1873-74
Outofthemurkofheaviestclouds,
Outofthefeudalwrecksandheap'd-upskeletonsofkings,
OutofthatoldentireEuropeandebris,theshatter'dmummeries,
Ruin'dcathedrals,crumbleofpalaces,tombsofpriests,
Lo,Freedom'sfeaturesfreshundimm'dlookforth—thesameimmortal
facelooksforth;
(AglimpseasofthyMother'sfaceColumbia,
Aflashsignificantasofasword,
Beamingtowardsthee.)
Northinkweforgettheematernal;
Lag'd'stthousolong?shallthecloudscloseagainuponthee?
Ah,butthouhastthyselfnowappear'dtous—weknowthee,
Thouhastgivenusasureproof,theglimpseofthyself,
Thouwaitestthereaseverywherethytime.
ByBroadPotomac'sShore
BybroadPotomac'sshore,againoldtongue,
(Stilluttering,stillejaculating,canstneverceasethisbabble?)
Againoldheartsogay,againtoyou,yoursense,thefullflush
springreturning,
Againthefreshnessandtheodors,againVirginia'ssummersky,
pellucidblueandsilver,
Againtheforenoonpurpleofthehills,
Againthedeathlessgrass,sonoiselesssoftandgreen,
Againtheblood-redrosesblooming.
PerfumethisbookofmineOblood-redroses!
LavesubtlywithyourwaterseverylinePotomac!
GivemeofyouOspring,beforeIclose,toputbetweenitspages!
Oforenoonpurpleofthehills,beforeIclose,ofyou!
Odeathlessgrass,ofyou!
FromfarDakota'scanyons,
Lands of the wild ravine, the dusky Sioux, the lonesome stretch,
the
silence,
Haplyto-dayamournfulwall,haplyatrumpet-noteforheroes.
Thebattle-bulletin,
TheIndianambuscade,thecraft,thefatalenvironment,
Thecavalrycompaniesfightingtothelastinsternestheroism,
Inthemidstoftheirlittlecircle,withtheirslaughter'dhorses
forbreastworks,
ThefallofCusterandallhisofficersandmen.
Continuesyettheold,oldlegendofourrace,
Theloftiestoflifeupheldbydeath,
Theancientbannerperfectlymaintain'd,
Olessonopportune,OhowIwelcomethee!
Assittingindarkdays,
Lone,sulky,throughthetime'sthickmurklookinginvainfor
light,forhope,
Fromunsuspectedpartsafierceandmomentaryproof,
(Thesunthereatthecentrethoughconceal'd,
Electriclifeforeveratthecentre,)
Breaksforthalightningflash.
Thouofthetawnyflowinghairinbattle,
Ierewhilesaw,witherecthead,pressingeverinfront,bearinga
brightswordinthyhand,
Nowendingwellindeaththesplendidfeverofthydeeds,
(Ibringnodirgeforitorthee,Ibringagladtriumphalsonnet,)
Desperate and glorious, aye in defeat most desperate, most
glorious,
Afterthymanybattlesinwhichneveryieldingupagunoracolor,
Leavingbehindtheeamemorysweettosoldiers,
Thouyieldestupthyself.
OldWar-Dreams
Inmidnightsleepofmanyafaceofanguish,
Of the look at first of the mortally wounded, (of that
indescribablelook,)
Ofthedeadontheirbackswitharmsextendedwide,
Idream,Idream,Idream.
OfscenesofNature,fieldsandmountains,
Ofskiessobeauteousafterastorm,andatnightthemoonso
unearthlybright,
Shiningsweetly,shiningdown,wherewedigthetrenchesand
gathertheheaps,
Longhavetheypass'd,facesandtrenchesandfields,
WherethroughthecarnageImovedwithacallouscomposure,oraway
fromthefallen,
OnwardIspedatthetime—butnowoftheirformsatnight,
Thick-sprinkledbunting!flagofstars!
Longyetyourroad,fatefulflag—longyetyourroad,andlinedwith
bloodydeath,
FortheprizeIseeatissueatlastistheworld,
AllitsshipsandshoresIseeinterwovenwithyourthreadsgreedy
banner;
Dream'd again the flags of kings, highest borne to flaunt
unrival'd?
Ohastenflagofman—Owithsureandsteadystep,passinghighest
flagsofkings,
Walksupremetotheheavensmightysymbol—runupabovethemall,
Flagofstars!thick-sprinkledbunting!
WhatBestISeeinThee
[ToU.S.G.return'dfromhisWorld'sTour]
WhatbestIseeinthee,
Isnotthatwherethoumov'stdownhistory'sgreathighways,
Everundimm'dbytimeshootswarlikevictory'sdazzle,
Orthatthousat'stwhereWashingtonsat,rulingthelandinpeace,
Or thou the man whom feudal Europe feted, venerable Asia swarm'd
upon,
Whowalk'dwithkingswithevenpacetheroundworld'spromenade;
Butthatinforeignlands,inallthywalkswithkings,
ThoseprairiesovereignsoftheWest,Kansas,Missouri,Illinois,
Ohio's,Indiana'smillions,comrades,farmers,soldiers,alltothe
front,
Invisiblywiththeewalkingwithkingswithevenpacetheround
world'spromenade,
Wereallsojustified.
SpiritThatForm'dThisScene
[WritteninPlatteCanyon,Colorado]
Spiritthatform'dthisscene,
Thesetumbledrock-pilesgrimandred,
Theserecklessheaven-ambitiouspeaks,
Thesegorges,turbulent-clearstreams,thisnakedfreshness,
Theseformlesswildarrays,forreasonsoftheirown,
Iknowthee,savagespirit—wehavecommunedtogether,
Minetoosuchwildarrays,forreasonsoftheirown;
Wastchargedagainstmychantstheyhadforgottenart?
Tofusewithinthemselvesitsrulespreciseanddelicatesse?
Thelyrist'smeasur'dbeat,thewrought-outtemple'sgrace—column
andpolish'darchforgot?
Butthouthatrevelesthere—spiritthatform'dthisscene,
Theyhaveremember'dthee.
AsIwalkthesebroadmajesticdaysofpeace,
(For the war, the struggle of blood finish'd, wherein, O terrific
Ideal,
Againstvastoddserewhilehavinggloriouslywon,
Nowthoustrideston,yetperhapsintimetowarddenserwars,
Perhapstoengageintimeinstillmoredreadfulcontests,dangers,
Longercampaignsandcrises,laborsbeyondallothers,)
AroundmeIhearthateclatoftheworld,politics,produce,
Theannouncementsofrecognizedthings,science,
Theapprovedgrowthofcitiesandthespreadofinventions.
Iseetheships,(theywilllastafewyears,)
Thevastfactorieswiththeirforemenandworkmen,
Andheartheindorsementofall,anddonotobjecttoit.
ButItooannouncesolidthings,
Science,ships,politics,cities,factories,arenotnothing,
Likeagrandprocessiontomusicofdistantbuglespouring,
triumphantlymoving,andgranderheavinginsight,
Theystandforrealities—allisasitshouldbe.
Thenmyrealities;
Whatelseissorealasmine?
Libertadandthedivineaverage,freedomtoeveryslaveontheface
oftheearth,
Theraptpromisesandlumineofseers,thespiritualworld,these
centuries-lastingsongs,
Andourvisions,thevisionsofpoets,themostsolidannouncements
ofany.
AClearMidnight
ThisisthyhourOSoul,thyfreeflightintothewordless,
Awayfrombooks,awayfromart,thedayerased,thelessondone,
Thee fully forth emerging, silent, gazing, pondering the themes
thou
lovestbest,
Night,sleep,deathandthestars.
AstheTimeDrawsNigh
Asthetimedrawsnighgloomingacloud,
AdreadbeyondofIknownotwhatdarkensme.
Ishallgoforth,
I shall traverse the States awhile, but I cannot tell whither or
howlong,
PerhapssoonsomedayornightwhileIamsingingmyvoicewill
suddenlycease.
Obook,Ochants!mustallthenamounttobutthis?
Mustwebarelyarriveatthisbeginningofus?—andyetitis
enough,Osoul;
Osoul,wehavepositivelyappear'd—thatisenough.
YearsoftheModern
Yearsofthemodern!yearsoftheunperform'd!
Yourhorizonrises,Iseeitpartingawayformoreaugustdramas,
IseenotAmericaonly,notonlyLiberty'snationbutothernations
preparing,
I see tremendous entrances and exits, new combinations, the
solidarity
ofraces,
I see that force advancing with irresistible power on the world's
stage,
(Have the old forces, the old wars, played their parts? are the
acts
suitabletothemclosed?)
IseeFreedom,completelyarm'dandvictoriousandveryhaughty,
withLawononesideandPeaceontheother,
Astupendoustrioallissuingforthagainsttheideaofcaste;
Whathistoricdenouementsarethesewesorapidlyapproach?
Iseemenmarchingandcountermarchingbyswiftmillions,
Iseethefrontiersandboundariesoftheoldaristocraciesbroken,
IseethelandmarksofEuropeankingsremoved,
I see this day the People beginning their landmarks, (all others
giveway;)
Neverweresuchsharpquestionsask'dasthisday,
Neverwasaverageman,hissoul,moreenergetic,morelikeaGod,
Lo,howheurgesandurges,leavingthemassesnorest!
Hisdaringfootisonlandandseaeverywhere,hecolonizesthe
Pacific,thearchipelagoes,
Withthesteamship,theelectrictelegraph,thenewspaper,the
wholesaleenginesofwar,
Withtheseandtheworld-spreadingfactoriesheinterlinksall
geography,alllands;
What whispers are these O lands, running ahead of you, passing
under
theseas?
Are all nations communing? is there going to be but one heart to
theglobe?
Ishumanityformingen-masse?forlo,tyrantstremble,crownsgrow
dim,
The earth, restive, confronts a new era, perhaps a general divine
war,
Nooneknowswhatwillhappennext,suchportentsfillthedaysand
nights;
Yearsprophetical!thespaceaheadasIwalk,asIvainlytryto
pierceit,isfullofphantoms,
Unborndeeds,thingssoontobe,projecttheirshapesaroundme,
This incredible rush and heat, this strange ecstatic fever of
dreams
Oyears!
YourdreamsOyears,howtheypenetratethroughme!(Iknownot
whetherIsleeporwake;)
The perform'd America and Europe grow dim, retiring in shadow
behindme,
Theunperform'd,moregiganticthanever,advance,advanceuponme.
AshesofSoldiers
AshesofsoldiersSouthorNorth,
AsImuseretrospectivemurmuringachantinthought,
Thewarresumes,againtomysenseyourshapes,
Andagaintheadvanceofthearmies.
Noiselessasmistsandvapors,
Fromtheirgravesinthetrenchesascending,
FromcemeteriesallthroughVirginiaandTennessee,
Fromeverypointofthecompassoutofthecountlessgraves,
Inwaftedclouds,inmyriadslarge,orsquadsoftwosorthreesor
singleonestheycome,
Andsilentlygatherroundme.
NowsoundnonoteOtrumpeters,
Notattheheadofmycavalryparadingonspiritedhorses,
Withsabresdrawnandglistening,andcarbinesbytheirthighs,(ah
mybravehorsemen!
Myhandsometan-facedhorsemen!whatlife,whatjoyandpride,
Withalltheperilswereyours.)
Noryoudrummers,neitheratreveilleatdawn,
Northelongrollalarmingthecamp,noreventhemuffledbeatfor
burial,
NothingfromyouthistimeOdrummersbearingmywarlikedrums.
But aside from these and the marts of wealth and the crowded
promenade,
Admitting around me comrades close unseen by the rest and
voiceless,
Theslainelateandaliveagain,thedustanddebrisalive,
I chant this chant of my silent soul in the name of all dead
soldiers.
Facessopalewithwondrouseyes,verydear,gathercloseryet,
Drawclose,butspeaknot.
Phantomsofcountlesslost,
Invisibletotheresthenceforthbecomemycompanions,
Followmeever—desertmenotwhileIlive.
Sweetarethebloomingcheeksoftheliving—sweetarethemusical
voicessounding,
Butsweet,ahsweet,arethedeadwiththeirsilenteyes.
Dearestcomrades,allisoverandlonggone,
Butloveisnotover—andwhatlove,Ocomrades!
Perfumefrombattle-fieldsrising,upfromthefoetorarising.
Perfumethereforemychant,Olove,immortallove,
Givemetobathethememoriesofalldeadsoldiers,
Shroudthem,embalmthem,coverthemalloverwithtenderpride.
Perfumeall—makeallwholesome,
Maketheseashestonourishandblossom,
Olove,solveall,fructifyallwiththelastchemistry.
Givemeexhaustless,makemeafountain,
That I exhale love from me wherever I go like a moist perennial
dew,
FortheashesofalldeadsoldiersSouthorNorth.
Thoughts
1
OftheseyearsIsing,
Howtheypassandhavepass'dthroughconvuls'dpains,asthrough
parturitions,
How America illustrates birth, muscular youth, the promise, the
sure
fulfilment,theabsolutesuccess,despiteofpeople—illustrates
evilaswellasgood,
Thevehementstrugglesofierceforunityinone's-self,
How many hold despairingly yet to the models departed, caste,
myths,
obedience,compulsion,andtoinfidelity,
How few see the arrived models, the athletes, the Western States,
or
seefreedomorspirituality,orholdanyfaithinresults,
(ButIseetheathletes,andIseetheresultsofthewarglorious
andinevitable,andtheyagainleadingtootherresults.)
Howthegreatcitiesappear—howtheDemocraticmasses,turbulent,
willful,asIlovethem,
Howthewhirl,thecontest,thewrestleofevilwithgood,the
soundingandresounding,keeponandon,
Howsocietywaitsunform'd,andisforawhilebetweenthingsended
andthingsbegun,
HowAmericaisthecontinentofglories,andofthetriumphof
freedom and of the Democracies, and of the fruits of society,
and
ofallthatisbegun,
AndhowtheStatesarecompleteinthemselves—andhowalltriumphs
andgloriesarecompleteinthemselves,toleadonward,
AndhowtheseofmineandoftheStateswillintheirturnbe
convuls'd,andserveotherparturitionsandtransitions,
And how all people, sights, combinations, the democratic masses
too,
serve—andhoweveryfact,andwaritself,withallitshorrors,
serves,
Andhownoworatanytimeeachservestheexquisitetransitionof
death.
2
Ofseedsdroppingintotheground,ofbirths,
OfthesteadyconcentrationofAmerica,inland,upward,to
impregnableandswarmingplaces,
OfwhatIndiana,Kentucky,Arkansas,andtherest,aretobe,
OfwhatafewyearswillshowthereinNebraska,Colorado,Nevada,
andtherest,
(Orafar,mountingtheNorthernPacifictoSitkaorAliaska,)
OfwhatthefeuillageofAmericaisthepreparationfor—andofwhat
allsights,North,South,EastandWest,are,
OfthisUnionweldedinblood,ofthesolemnpricepaid,ofthe
unnamedlosteverpresentinmymind;
Ofthetemporaryuseofmaterialsforidentity'ssake,
Ofthepresent,passing,departing—ofthegrowthofcompletermen
thananyyet,
Of all sloping down there where the fresh free giver the mother,
the
Mississippiflows,
Ofmightyinlandcitiesyetunsurvey'dandunsuspected,
Ofthenewandgoodnames,ofthemoderndevelopments,of
inalienablehomesteads,
Ofafreeandoriginallifethere,ofsimpledietandcleanand
sweetblood,
Of litheness, majestic faces, clear eyes, and perfect physique
there,
Of immense spiritual results future years far West, each side of
the
Anahuacs,
Ofthesesongs,wellunderstoodthere,(beingmadeforthatarea,)
Ofthenativescornofgrossnessandgainthere,
(O it lurks in me night and day—what is gain after all to
savageness
andfreedom?)
SongatSunset
Splendorofendeddayfloatingandfillingme,
Hourprophetic,hourresumingthepast,
Inflatingmythroat,youdivineaverage,
YouearthandlifetillthelastraygleamsIsing.
Openmouthofmysoulutteringgladness,
Eyesofmysoulseeingperfection,
Naturallifeofmefaithfullypraisingthings,
Corroboratingforeverthetriumphofthings.
Illustriouseveryone!
Illustriouswhatwenamespace,sphereofunnumber'dspirits,
Illustrious the mystery of motion in all beings, even the tiniest
insect,
Illustrioustheattributeofspeech,thesenses,thebody,
Illustriousthepassinglight—illustriousthepalereflectionon
thenewmooninthewesternsky,
IllustriouswhateverIseeorhearortouch,tothelast.
Goodinall,
Inthesatisfactionandaplombofanimals,
Intheannualreturnoftheseasons,
Inthehilarityofyouth,
Inthestrengthandflushofmanhood,
Inthegrandeurandexquisitenessofoldage,
Inthesuperbvistasofdeath.
Wonderfultodepart!
Wonderfultobehere!
Theheart,tojettheall-alikeandinnocentblood!
Tobreathetheair,howdelicious!
Tospeak—towalk—toseizesomethingbythehand!
Toprepareforsleep,forbed,tolookonmyrose-color'dflesh!
Tobeconsciousofmybody,sosatisfied,solarge!
TobethisincredibleGodIam!
TohavegoneforthamongotherGods,thesemenandwomenIlove.
WonderfulhowIcelebrateyouandmyself
Howmythoughtsplaysubtlyatthespectaclesaround!
Howthecloudspasssilentlyoverhead!
How the earth darts on and on! and how the sun, moon, stars, dart
onandon!
Howthewatersportsandsings!(surelyitisalive!)
Howthetreesriseandstandup,withstrongtrunks,withbranches
andleaves!
(Surely there is something more in each of the trees, some living
soul.)
Oamazementofthings—eventheleastparticle!
Ospiritualityofthings!
Ostrainmusicalflowingthroughagesandcontinents,nowreaching
meandAmerica!
Itakeyourstrongchords,interspersethem,andcheerfullypass
themforward.
Itoocarolthesun,usher'doratnoon,orasnow,setting,
Itoothrobtothebrainandbeautyoftheearthandofallthe
growthsoftheearth,
Itoohavefelttheresistlesscallofmyself.
AsIsteam'ddowntheMississippi,
AsIwander'dovertheprairies,
AsIhavelived,asIhavelook'dthroughmywindowsmyeyes,
As I went forth in the morning, as I beheld the light breaking in
theeast,
AsIbathedonthebeachoftheEasternSea,andagainonthebeach
oftheWesternSea,
AsIroam'dthestreetsofinlandChicago,whateverstreetsIhave
roam'd,
Orcitiesorsilentwoods,orevenamidthesightsofwar,
Wherever I have been I have charged myself with contentment and
triumph.
Isingtothelasttheequalitiesmodernorold,
Isingtheendlessfinalesofthings,
IsayNaturecontinues,glorycontinues,
Ipraisewithelectricvoice,
ForIdonotseeoneimperfectionintheuniverse,
And I do not see one cause or result lamentable at last in the
universe.
Osettingsun!thoughthetimehascome,
Istillwarbleunderyou,ifnoneelsedoes,unmitigatedadoration.
Asatthyportalsalsodeath,
Enteringthysovereign,dim,illimitablegrounds,
Tomemoriesofmymother,tothedivineblending,maternity,
Toher,buriedandgone,yetburiednot,gonenotfromme,
(Iseeagainthecalmbenignantfacefreshandbeautifulstill,
Isitbytheforminthecoffin,
Ikissandkissconvulsivelyagainthesweetoldlips,thecheeks,
theclosedeyesinthecoffin;)
Toher,theidealwoman,practical,spiritual,ofallofearth,
life,love,tomethebest,
Igraveamonumentalline,beforeIgo,amidthesesongs,
Andsetatombstonehere.
MyLegacy
Thebusinessmantheacquirervast,
Afterassiduousyearssurveyingresults,preparingfordeparture,
Deviseshousesandlandstohischildren,bequeathsstocks,goods,
fundsforaschoolorhospital,
Leavesmoneytocertaincompanionstobuytokens,souvenirsofgems
andgold.
ButI,mylifesurveying,closing,
Withnothingtoshowtodevisefromitsidleyears,
Norhousesnorlands,nortokensofgemsorgoldformyfriends,
Yetcertainremembrancesofthewarforyou,andafteryou,
Andlittlesouvenirsofcampsandsoldiers,withmylove,
Ibindtogetherandbequeathinthisbundleofsongs.
PensiveonherdeadgazingIheardtheMotherofAll,
Desperate on the torn bodies, on the forms covering the
battlefieldsgazing,
(As the last gun ceased, but the scent of the powder-smoke
linger'd,)
Asshecall'dtoherearthwithmournfulvoicewhileshestalk'd,
AbsorbthemwellOmyearth,shecried,Ichargeyoulosenotmy
sons,losenotanatom,
Andyoustreamsabsorbthemwell,takingtheirdearblood,
And you local spots, and you airs that swim above lightly
impalpable,
Andallyouessencesofsoilandgrowth,andyoumyrivers'depths,
Andyoumountainsides,andthewoodswheremydearchildren's
bloodtricklingredden'd,
Andyoutreesdowninyourrootstobequeathtoallfuturetrees,
MydeadabsorborSouthorNorth—myyoungmen'sbodiesabsorb,
andtheirpreciouspreciousblood,
Whichholdingintrustformefaithfullybackagaingivememanya
yearhence,
Inunseenessenceandodorofsurfaceandgrass,centurieshence,
In blowing airs from the fields back again give me my darlings,
give
myimmortalheroes,
Exhalemethemcenturieshence,breathemetheirbreath,letnotan
atombelost,
Oyearsandgraves!Oairandsoil!Omydead,anaromasweet!
Exhalethemperennialsweetdeath,years,centurieshence.
CampsofGreen
Noralonethosecampsofwhite,oldcomradesofthewars,
Whenasorder'dforward,afteralongmarch,
Footsore and weary, soon as the light lessens we halt for the
night,
Someofussofatiguedcarryingthegunandknapsack,dropping
asleepinourtracks,
Others pitching the little tents, and the fires lit up begin to
sparkle,
Outpostsofpicketspostedsurroundingalertthroughthedark,
Andawordprovidedforcountersign,carefulforsafety,
Till to the call of the drummers at daybreak loudly beating the
drums,
We rise up refresh'd, the night and sleep pass'd over, and resume
our
journey,
Orproceedtobattle.
Lo,thecampsofthetentsofgreen,
Which the days of peace keep filling, and the days of war keep
filling,
Withamysticarmy,(isittooorder'dforward?isittooonly
haltingawhile,
Tillnightandsleeppassover?)
Nowinthosecampsofgreen,intheirtentsdottingtheworld,
Intheparents,children,husbands,wives,inthem,intheoldand
young,
Sleepingunderthesunlight,sleepingunderthemoonlight,content
andsilentthereatlast,
Beholdthemightybivouac-fieldandwaiting-campofall,
Ofthecorpsandgeneralsall,andthePresidentoverthecorpsand
generalsall,
And of each of us O soldiers, and of each and all in the ranks we
fought,
(Therewithouthatredweall,allmeet.)
ForpresentlyOsoldiers,wetoocampinourplaceinthe
bivouac-campsofgreen,
Butweneednotprovideforoutposts,norwordforthecountersign,
Nordrummertobeatthemorningdrum.
Thesobbingofthebells,thesuddendeath-newseverywhere,
Theslumberersrouse,therapportofthePeople,
(Fullwelltheyknowthatmessageinthedarkness,
Fullwellreturn,respondwithintheirbreasts,theirbrains,the
sadreverberations,)
The passionate toll and clang—city to city, joining, sounding,
passing,
Thoseheart-beatsofaNationinthenight.
AsTheyDrawtoaClose
Astheydrawtoaclose,
Ofwhatunderliestheprecedentsongs—ofmyaimsinthem,
OftheseedIhavesoughttoplantinthem,
Ofjoy,sweetjoy,throughmanyayear,inthem,
(Forthem,forthemhaveIlived,inthemmyworkisdone,)
Ofmanyanaspirationfond,ofmanyadreamandplan;
Through Space and Time fused in a chant, and the flowing eternal
identity,
ToNatureencompassingthese,encompassingGod—tothejoyous,
electricall,
TothesenseofDeath,andacceptingexultinginDeathinitsturn
thesameaslife,
Theentranceofmantosing;
Tocompactyou,yeparted,diverselives,
Toputrapportthemountainsandrocksandstreams,
Andthewindsofthenorth,andtheforestsofoakandpine,
WithyouOsoul.
Joy,Shipmate,Joy!
Joy,shipmate,Joy!
(Pleas'dtomysoulatdeathIcry,)
Ourlifeisclosed,ourlifebegins,
Thelong,longanchorageweleave,
Theshipisclearatlast,sheleaps!
Sheswiftlycoursesfromtheshore,
Joy,shipmate,joy.
TheUntoldWant
Theuntoldwantbylifeandlandne'ergranted,
Nowvoyagersailthouforthtoseekandfind.
Portals
WhatarethoseoftheknownbuttoascendandentertheUnknown?
AndwhatarethoseoflifebutforDeath?
TheseCarols
ThesecarolssungtocheermypassagethroughtheworldIsee,
ForcompletionIdedicatetotheInvisibleWorld.
NowFinaletotheShore
Nowfinaletotheshore,
Nowlandandlifefinaleandfarewell,
NowVoyagerdepart,(much,muchfortheeisyetinstore,)
Oftenenoughhastthouadventur'do'ertheseas,
Cautiouslycruising,studyingthecharts,
Dulyagaintoportandhawser'stiereturning;
Butnowobeythycherish'dsecretwish,
Embracethyfriends,leaveallinorder,
Toportandhawser'stienomorereturning,
DepartuponthyendlesscruiseoldSailor.
SoLong!
Toconclude,Iannouncewhatcomesafterme.
IrememberIsaidbeforemyleavessprangatall,
I would raise my voice jocund and strong with reference to
consummations.
WhenAmericadoeswhatwaspromis'd,
When through these States walk a hundred millions of superb
persons,
Whentherestpartawayforsuperbpersonsandcontributetothem,
WhenbreedsofthemostperfectmothersdenoteAmerica,
Thentomeandmineourduefruition.
Ihavepress'dthroughinmyownright,
Ihavesungthebodyandthesoul,warandpeacehaveIsung,and
thesongsoflifeanddeath,
Andthesongsofbirth,andshownthattherearemanybirths.
I have offer'd my style to every one, I have journey'd with
confidentstep;
WhilemypleasureisyetatthefullIwhisperSolong!
And take the young woman's hand and the young man's hand for the
lasttime.
Iannouncenaturalpersonstoarise,
Iannouncejusticetriumphant,
Iannounceuncompromisinglibertyandequality,
I announce the justification of candor and the justification of
pride.
I announce that the identity of these States is a single identity
only,
IannouncetheUnionmoreandmorecompact,indissoluble,
I announce splendors and majesties to make all the previous
politics
oftheearthinsignificant.
Iannounceadhesiveness,Isayitshallbelimitless,unloosen'd,
Isayyoushallyetfindthefriendyouwerelookingfor.
I announce a man or woman coming, perhaps you are the one, (So
long!)
Iannouncethegreatindividual,fluidasNature,chaste,
affectionate,compassionate,fullyarm'd.
Iannouncealifethatshallbecopious,vehement,spiritual,bold,
I announce an end that shall lightly and joyfully meet its
translation.
Iannouncemyriadsofyouths,beautiful,gigantic,sweet-blooded,
Iannouncearaceofsplendidandsavageoldmen.
Othickerandfaster—(Solong!)
Ocrowdingtoocloseuponme,
Iforeseetoomuch,itmeansmorethanIthought,
ItappearstomeIamdying.
Hastenthroatandsoundyourlast,
Saluteme—salutethedaysoncemore.Pealtheoldcryoncemore.
Screamingelectric,theatmosphereusing,
Atrandomglancing,eachasInoticeabsorbing,
Swiftlyon,butalittlewhilealighting,
Curiousenvelop'dmessagesdelivering,
Sparkleshot,seedetherealdowninthedirtdropping,
Myself unknowing, my commission obeying, to question it never
daring,
Toagesandagesyetthegrowthoftheseedleaving,
Totroopsoutofthewararising,theythetasksIhaveset
promulging,
Towomencertainwhispersofmyselfbequeathing,theiraffection
memoreclearlyexplaining,
Toyoungmenmyproblemsoffering—nodallierI—Ithemuscleof
theirbrainstrying,
SoIpass,alittletimevocal,visible,contrary,
Afterwardamelodiousecho,passionatelybentfor,(deathmaking
mereallyundying,)
Thebestofmethenwhennolongervisible,fortowardthatIhave
beenincessantlypreparing.
Whatistheremore,thatIlagandpauseandcrouchextendedwith
unshutmouth?
Isthereasinglefinalfarewell?
Mysongscease,Iabandonthem,
From behind the screen where I hid I advance personally solely to
you.
Camerado,thisisnobook,
Whotouchesthistouchesaman,
(Isitnight?areweheretogetheralone?)
ItisIyouholdandwhoholdsyou,
Ispringfromthepagesintoyourarms—deceasecallsmeforth.
Ohowyourfingersdrowseme,
Yourbreathfallsaroundmelikedew,yourpulselullsthetympans
ofmyears,
Ifeelimmergedfromheadtofoot,
Delicious,enough.
EnoughOdeedimpromptuandsecret,
EnoughOglidingpresent—enoughOsumm'd-uppast.
Dearfriendwhoeveryouaretakethiskiss,
Igiveitespeciallytoyou,donotforgetme,
Ifeellikeonewhohasdoneworkforthedaytoretireawhile,
Ireceivenowagainofmymanytranslations,frommyavataras
ascending,whileothersdoubtlessawaitme,
AnunknownspheremorerealthanIdream'd,moredirect,darts
awakeningraysaboutme,Solong!
Remembermywords,Imayagainreturn,
Iloveyou,Idepartfrommaterials,
Iamasonedisembodied,triumphant,dead.
Mannahatta
Mycity'sfitandnoblenameresumed,
Choiceaboriginalname,withmarvellousbeauty,meaning,
Arockyfoundedisland—shoreswhereevergaylydashthecoming,
going,hurryingseawaves.
Paumanok
Sea-beauty!stretch'dandbasking!
Onesidethyinlandoceanlaving,broad,withcopiouscommerce,
steamers,sails,
And one the Atlantic's wind caressing, fierce or gentle—mighty
hulls
dark-glidinginthedistance.
Isleofsweetbrooksofdrinking-water—healthyairandsoil!
Isleofthesaltyshoreandbreezeandbrine!
FromMontaukPoint
Istandasonsomemightyeagle'sbeak,
Eastwardtheseaabsorbing,viewing,(nothingbutseaandsky,)
Thetossingwaves,thefoam,theshipsinthedistance,
Thewildunrest,thesnowy,curlingcaps—thatinboundurgeandurge
ofwaves,
Seekingtheshoresforever.
ToThoseWho'veFail'd
Tothosewho'vefail'd,inaspirationvast,
Tounnam'dsoldiersfalleninfrontonthelead,
Tocalm,devotedengineers—toover-ardenttravelers—topilotson
theirships,
Tomanyaloftysongandpicturewithoutrecognition—I'drear
laurel-cover'dmonument,
High,highabovetherest—Toallcutoffbeforetheirtime,
Possess'dbysomestrangespiritoffire,
Quench'dbyanearlydeath.
Acarolclosingsixty-nine—aresume—arepetition,
Mylinesinjoyandhopecontinuingonthesame,
Ofye,OGod,Life,Nature,Freedom,Poetry;
Of you, my Land—your rivers, prairies, States—you, mottled Flag I
love,
Youraggregateretain'dentire—Ofnorth,south,eastandwest,your
itemsall;
Ofmemyself—thejocundheartyetbeatinginmybreast,
Thebodywreck'd,old,poorandparalyzed—thestrangeinertia
fallingpall-likeroundme,
Theburningfiresdowninmysluggishbloodnotyetextinct,
Theundiminish'dfaith—thegroupsoflovingfriends.
TheBravestSoldiers
Brave, brave were the soldiers (high named to-day) who lived
through
thefight;
Butthebravestpress'dtothefrontandfell,unnamed,unknown.
AFontofType
Thislatentmine—theseunlaunch'dvoices—passionatepowers,
Wrath,argument,orpraise,orcomicleer,orprayerdevout,
(Notnonpareil,brevier,bourgeois,longprimermerely,)
Theseoceanwavesarousabletofuryandtodeath,
Orsooth'dtoeaseandsheenysunandsleep,
Withinthepallidsliversslumbering.
AsISitWritingHere
AsIsitwritinghere,sickandgrownold,
Notmyleastburdenisthatdulnessoftheyears,querilities,
Ungraciousglooms,aches,lethargy,constipation,whimperingennui,
Mayfilterinmydallysongs.
MyCanaryBird
Did we count great, O soul, to penetrate the themes of mighty
books,
Absorbingdeepandfullfromthoughts,plays,speculations?
Butnowfromtheetome,cagedbird,tofeelthyjoyouswarble,
Fillingtheair,thelonesomeroom,thelongforenoon,
Isitnotjustasgreat,Osoul?
Approaching,nearing,curious,
Thoudim,uncertainspectre—bringestthoulifeordeath?
Strength,weakness,blindness,moreparalysisandheavier?
Orplacidskiesandsun?Wiltstirthewatersyet?
Orhaplycutmeshortforgood?Orleavemehereasnow,
Dull,parrot-likeandold,withcrack'dvoiceharping,screeching?
TheWallaboutMartyrs
GreaterthanmemoryofAchillesorUlysses,
More,morebyfartotheethantombofAlexander,
Thosecartloadsofoldcharnelashes,scalesandsplintsofmouldy
bones,
Oncelivingmen—onceresolutecourage,aspiration,strength,
Thesteppingstonestotheeto-dayandhere,America.
TheFirstDandelion
Simpleandfreshandfairfromwinter'scloseemerging,
Asifnoartificeoffashion,business,politics,hadeverbeen,
Forthfromitssunnynookofshelter'dgrass—innocent,golden,calm
asthedawn,
Thespring'sfirstdandelionshowsitstrustfulface.
America
Centreofequaldaughters,equalsons,
All,allalikeendear'd,grown,ungrown,youngorold,
Strong,ample,fair,enduring,capable,rich,
PerennialwiththeEarth,withFreedom,LawandLove,
Agrand,sane,towering,seatedMother,
Chair'dintheadamantofTime.
Memories
Howsweetthesilentbackwardtracings!
Thewanderingsasindreams—themeditationofoldtimesresumed
—theirloves,joys,persons,voyages.
To-DayandThee
Theappointedwinnersinalong-stretch'dgame;
ThecourseofTimeandnations—Egypt,India,GreeceandRome;
Thepastentire,withallitsheroes,histories,arts,experiments,
Itsstoreofsongs,inventions,voyages,teachers,books,
Garner'dfornowandthee—Tothinkofit!
Theheirdomallconvergedinthee!
AftertheDazzleofDay
Afterthedazzleofdayisgone,
Onlythedark,darknightshowstomyeyesthestars;
Aftertheclangoroforganmajestic,orchorus,orperfectband,
Silent,athwartmysoul,movesthesymphonytrue.
To-day,fromeachandall,abreathofprayer—apulseofthought,
TomemoryofHim—tobirthofHim.
Appleorchards,thetreesallcover'dwithblossoms;
Wheatfieldscarpetedfarandnearinvitalemeraldgreen;
Theeternal,exhaustlessfreshnessofeachearlymorning;
Theyellow,golden,transparenthazeofthewarmafternoonsun;
Theaspiringlilacbusheswithprofusepurpleorwhiteflowers.
HalcyonDays
Notfromsuccessfullovealone,
Nor wealth, nor honor'd middle age, nor victories of politics or
war;
Butaslifewanes,andalltheturbulentpassionscalm,
Asgorgeous,vapory,silenthuescovertheeveningsky,
As softness, fulness, rest, suffuse the frame, like freshier,
balmierair,
Asthedaystakeonamellowerlight,andtheappleatlasthangs
reallyfinish'dandindolent-ripeonthetree,
Thenfortheteemingquietest,happiestdaysofall!
Thebroodingandblissfulhalcyondays!
FANCIESATNAVESINK
[I]ThePilotintheMist
Steamingthenorthernrapids—(anoldSt.Lawrencereminiscence,
Asuddenmemory-flashcomesback,Iknownotwhy,
Herewaitingforthesunrise,gazingfromthishill;)
Again'tisjustatmorning—aheavyhazecontendswithdaybreak,
Againthetrembling,laboringvesselveersme—Ipressthrough
foam-dash'drocksthatalmosttouchme,
AgainImarkwhereaftthesmallthinIndianhelmsman
Loomsinthemist,withbrowelateandgoverninghand.
[II]HadItheChoice
HadIthechoicetotallygreatestbards,
Tolimntheirportraits,stately,beautiful,andemulateatwill,
Homerwithallhiswarsandwarriors—Hector,Achilles,Ajax,
Or Shakspere's woe-entangled Hamlet, Lear, Othello—Tennyson's fair
ladies,
Metreorwitthebest,orchoiceconceittowieldinperfectrhyme,
delightofsingers;
These,these,Osea,alltheseI'dgladlybarter,
Wouldyoutheundulationofonewave,itstricktometransfer,
Orbreatheonebreathofyoursuponmyverse,
Andleaveitsodorthere.
[III]YouTideswithCeaselessSwell
Youtideswithceaselessswell!youpowerthatdoesthiswork!
Youunseenforce,centripetal,centrifugal,throughspace'sspread,
Rapportofsun,moon,earth,andalltheconstellations,
What are the messages by you from distant stars to us? what
Sirius'?
whatCapella's?
Whatcentralheart—andyouthepulse—vivifiesall?whatboundless
aggregateofall?
What subtle indirection and significance in you? what clue to all
in
you?whatfluid,vastidentity,
Holding the universe with all its parts as one—as sailing in a
ship?
[IV]LastofEbb,andDaylightWaning
Lastofebb,anddaylightwaning,
Scented sea-cool landward making, smells of sedge and salt
incoming,
Withmanyahalf-caughtvoicesentupfromtheeddies,
Manyamuffledconfession—manyasobandwhisper'dword,
Asofspeakersfarorhid.
Howtheysweepdownandout!howtheymutter!
Poetsunnamed—artistsgreatestofany,withcherish'dlostdesigns,
Love'sunresponse—achorusofage'scomplaints—hope'slastwords,
Somesuicide'sdespairingcry,Awaytotheboundlesswaste,and
neveragainreturn.
Ontooblivionthen!
On,on,anddoyourpart,yeburying,ebbingtide!
Onforyourtime,yefuriousdebouche!
[V]AndYetNotYouAlone
Andyetnotyoualone,twilightandburyingebb,
Noryou,yelostdesignsalone—norfailures,aspirations;
Iknow,divinedeceitfulones,yourglamour'sseeming;
Duly by you, from you, the tide and light again—duly the hinges
turning,
Dulytheneededdiscord-partsoffsetting,blending,
Weavingfromyou,fromSleep,Night,Deathitself,
TherhythmusofBirtheternal.
[VI]ProudlytheFloodComesIn
Proudlythefloodcomesin,shouting,foaming,advancing,
Longitholdsatthehigh,withbosombroadoutswelling,
All throbs, dilates—the farms,woods, streets of cities—workmen at
work,
Mainsails,topsails,jibs,appearintheoffing—steamers'pennants
ofsmoke—andundertheforenoonsun,
Freightedwithhumanlives,gailytheoutwardbound,gailythe
inwardbound,
FlauntingfrommanyaspartheflagIlove.
[VII]ByThatLongScanofWaves
By that long scan of waves, myself call'd back, resumed upon
myself,
Ineverycrestsomeundulatinglightorshade—someretrospect,
Joys,travels,studies,silentpanoramas—scenesephemeral,
The long past war, the battles, hospital sights, the wounded and
thedead,
Myselfthrougheveryby-gonephase—myidleyouth—oldageathand,
Mythree-scoreyearsoflifesumm'dup,andmore,andpast,
Byanygrandidealtried,intentionless,thewholeanothing,
AndhaplyyetsomedropwithinGod'sscheme'sensemble—some
wave,orpartofwave,
Likeoneofyours,yemultitudinousocean.
[VIII]ThenLastOfAll
Thenlastofall,caughtfromtheseshores,thishill,
OfyouOtides,themystichumanmeaning:
Onlybylawofyou,yourswellandebb,enclosingmethesame,
Thebrainthatshapes,thevoicethatchantsthissong.
If I should need to name, O Western World, your powerfulest scene
andshow,
'Twouldnotbeyou,Niagara—noryou,yelimitlessprairies—nor
yourhugeriftsofcanyons,Colorado,
Noryou,Yosemite—norYellowstone,withallitsspasmic
geyser-loops ascending to the skies, appearing and
disappearing,
NorOregon'swhitecones—norHuron'sbeltofmightylakes—nor
Mississippi'sstream:
—Thisseethinghemisphere'shumanity,asnow,I'dname—thestill
smallvoicevibrating—America'schoosingday,
(Theheartofitnotinthechosen—theactitselfthemain,the
quadriennialchoosing,)
ThestretchofNorthandSoutharous'd—sea-boardandinland—
Texas to Maine—the Prairie States—Vermont, Virginia,
California,
Thefinalballot-showerfromEasttoWest—theparadoxandconflict,
Thecountlesssnow-flakesfalling—(aswordlessconflict,
YetmorethanallRome'swarsofold,ormodernNapoleon's:)the
peacefulchoiceofall,
Orgoodorillhumanity—welcomingthedarkerodds,thedross:
—Foamsandfermentsthewine?itservestopurify—whiletheheart
pants,lifeglows:
Thesestormygustsandwindswaftpreciousships,
Swell'dWashington's,Jefferson's,Lincoln'ssails.
Withhusky-haughtylips,Osea!
WheredayandnightIwendthysurf-beatshore,
Imagingtomysensethyvariedstrangesuggestions,
(Iseeandplainlylistthytalkandconferencehere,)
Thytroopsofwhite-manedracersracingtothegoal,
Thy ample, smiling face, dash'd with the sparkling dimples of the
sun,
Thybroodingscowlandmurk—thyunloos'dhurricanes,
Thyunsubduedness,caprices,wilfulness;
Greatasthouartabovetherest,thymanytears—alackfromall
eternityinthycontent,
(Naught but the greatest struggles, wrongs, defeats, could make
thee
greatest—nolesscouldmakethee,)
Thylonelystate—somethingthoueverseek'standseek'st,yet
nevergain'st,
Surelysomerightwithheld—somevoice,inhugemonotonousrage,of
freedom-loverpent,
Some vast heart, like a planet's, chain'd and chafing in those
breakers,
Bylengthen'dswell,andspasm,andpantingbreath,
Andrhythmicraspingofthysandsandwaves,
Andserpenthiss,andsavagepealsoflaughter,
Andundertonesofdistantlionroar,
(Sounding, appealing to the sky's deaf ear—but now, rapport for
once,
Aphantominthenightthyconfidantforonce,)
Thefirstandlastconfessionoftheglobe,
Outsurging,mutteringfromthysoul'sabysms,
Thetaleofcosmicelementalpassion,
Thoutellesttoakindredsoul.
DeathofGeneralGrant
Asonebyonewithdrawtheloftyactors,
Fromthatgreatplayonhistory'sstageeterne,
Thatlurid,partialactofwarandpeace—ofoldandnewcontending,
Fought out through wrath, fears, dark dismays, and many a long
suspense;
Allpast—andsince,incountlessgravesreceding,mellowing,
Victor'sandvanquish'd—Lincoln'sandLee's—nowthouwiththem,
Manofthemightydays—andequaltothedays!
Thou from the prairies!—tangled and many-vein'd and hard has been
thypart,
Toadmirationhasitbeenenacted!
Uponthisscene,thisshow,
Yieldedto-daybyfashion,learning,wealth,
(Norincapricealone—somegrainsofdeepestmeaning,)
Haply,aloft,(whoknows?)fromdistantsky-clouds'blendedshapes,
Assomeoldtree,orrockorcliff,thrill'dwithitssoul,
ProductofNature'ssun,stars,earthdirect—atoweringhumanform,
Inhunting-shirtoffilm,arm'dwiththerifle,ahalf-ironical
smilecurvingitsphantomlips,
LikeoneofOssian'sghostslooksdown.
Ah,notthismarble,deadandcold:
Farfromitsbaseandshaftexpanding—theroundzonescircling,
comprehending,
Thou,Washington,artalltheworld's,thecontinents'entire—not
yoursalone,America,
Europe'saswell,ineverypart,castleoflordorlaborer'scot,
Or frozen North, or sultry South—the African's—the Arab's in his
tent,
OldAsia'stherewithvenerablesmile,seatedamidherruins;
(Greetstheantiquetheheronew?'tisbutthesame—theheir
legitimate,continuedever,
Theindomitableheartandarm—proofsofthenever-brokenline,
Courage,alertness,patience,faith,thesame—e'enindefeat
defeatednot,thesame:)
Whereversailsaship,orhouseisbuiltonland,ordayornight,
Through teeming cities' streets, indoors or out, factories or
farms,
Now,ortocome,orpast—wherepatriotwillsexistedorexist,
WhereverFreedom,pois'dbyToleration,sway'dbyLaw,
Standsorisrisingthytruemonument.
Ofthatblithethroatofthinefromarcticbleakandblank,
I'll mind the lesson, solitary bird—let me too welcome chilling
drifts,
E'en the profoundest chill, as now—a torpid pulse, a brain
unnerv'd,
Oldageland-lock'dwithinitswinterbay—(cold,cold,Ocold!)
Thesesnowyhairs,myfeeblearm,myfrozenfeet,
Forthemthyfaith,thyruleItake,andgraveittothelast;
Notsummer'szonesalone—notchantsofyouth,orsouth'swarmtides
alone,
Butheldbysluggishfloes,pack'dinthenorthernice,thecumulus
ofyears,
ThesewithgayheartIalsosing.
Broadway
Whathurryinghumantides,ordayornight!
Whatpassions,winnings,losses,ardors,swimthywaters!
Whatwhirlsofevil,blissandsorrow,stemthee!
Whatcuriousquestioningglances—glintsoflove!
Leer,envy,scorn,contempt,hope,aspiration!
Thou portal—thou arena—thou of the myriad long-drawn lines and
groups!
(Could but thy flagstones, curbs, facades, tell their inimitable
tales;
Thywindowsrich,andhugehotels—thyside-walkswide;)
Thouoftheendlesssliding,mincing,shufflingfeet!
Thou,liketheparti-coloredworlditself—likeinfinite,teeming,
mockinglife!
Thouvisor'd,vast,unspeakableshowandlesson!
Togetthefinalliltofsongs,
Topenetratetheinmostloreofpoets—toknowthemightyones,
Job,Homer,Eschylus,Dante,Shakespere,Tennyson,Emerson;
Todiagnosetheshifting-delicatetintsofloveandprideanddoubt
—
totrulyunderstand,
Toencompassthese,thelastkeenfacultyandentrance-price,
Oldage,andwhatitbringsfromallitspastexperiences.
OldSaltKossabone
Farback,relatedonmymother'sside,
OldSaltKossabone,I'lltellyouhowhedied:
(Hadbeenasailorallhislife—wasnearly90—livedwithhis
marriedgrandchild,Jenny;
Houseonahill,withviewofbayathand,anddistantcape,and
stretchtoopensea;)
Thelastofafternoons,theeveninghours,formanyayearhis
regularcustom,
Inhisgreatarmchairbythewindowseated,
(Sometimes,indeed,throughhalftheday,)
Watchingthecoming,goingofthevessels,hemutterstohimself—
Andnowthecloseofall:
Onestrugglingoutboundbrig,oneday,baffledforlong—cross-tides
andmuchwronggoing,
At last at nightfall strikes the breeze aright, her whole luck
veering,
Andswiftlybendingroundthecape,thedarknessproudlyentering,
cleaving,ashewatches,
"She'sfree—she'sonherdestination"—thesethelastwords—when
Jennycame,hesattheredead,
DutchKossabone,OldSalt,relatedonmymother'sside,farback.
TheDeadTenor
Asdownthestageagain,
WithSpanishhatandplumes,andgaitinimitable,
Back from the fading lessons of the past, I'd call, I'd tell and
own,
Howmuchfromthee!therevelationofthesingingvoicefromthee!
(Sofirm—soliquid-soft—againthattremulous,manlytimbre!
Theperfectsingingvoice—deepestofalltomethelesson—trial
andtestofall:)
Howthroughthosestrainsdistill'd—howtheraptears,thesoulof
me,absorbing
Fernando's heart, Manrico's passionate call, Ernani's, sweet
Gennaro's,
Ifoldthenceforth,orseektofold,withinmychantstransmuting,
Freedom'sandLove'sandFaith'sunloos'dcantabile,
(Asperfume's,color's,sunlight'scorrelation:)
Fromthese,forthese,withthese,ahurriedline,deadtenor,
A wafted autumn leaf, dropt in the closing grave, the shovel'd
earth,
Tomemoryofthee.
Continuities
Nothingiseverreallylost,orcanbelost,
Nobirth,identity,form—noobjectoftheworld.
Norlife,norforce,noranyvisiblething;
Appearancemustnotfoil,norshiftedsphereconfusethybrain.
Amplearetimeandspace—amplethefieldsofNature.
Thebody,sluggish,aged,cold—theembersleftfromearlierfires,
Thelightintheeyegrowndim,shalldulyflameagain;
The sun now low in the west rises for mornings and for noons
continual;
Tofrozenclodseverthespring'sinvisiblelawreturns,
Withgrassandflowersandsummerfruitsandcorn.
Yonnondio
Asong,apoemofitself—theworditselfadirge,
Amidthewilds,therocks,thestormandwintrynight,
Tomesuchmisty,strangetableauxthesyllablescallingup;
Yonnondio—Isee,farinthewestornorth,alimitlessravine,with
plainsandmountainsdark,
Iseeswarmsofstalwartchieftains,medicine-men,andwarriors,
Asflittingbylikecloudsofghosts,theypassandaregoneinthe
twilight,
(Raceofthewoods,thelandscapesfree,andthefalls!
Nopicture,poem,statement,passingthemtothefuture:)
Yonnondio!Yonnondio!—unlimn'dtheydisappear;
To-daygivesplace,andfades—thecities,farms,factoriesfade;
Amuffledsonoroussound,awailingwordisbornethroughtheair
foramoment,
Thenblankandgoneandstill,andutterlylost.
Life
Evertheundiscouraged,resolute,strugglingsoulofman;
(Have former armies fail'd? then we send fresh armies—and fresh
again;)
Everthegrappledmysteryofallearth'sagesoldornew;
Evertheeagereyes,hurrahs,thewelcome-clappinghands,theloud
applause;
Everthesouldissatisfied,curious,unconvincedatlast;
Strugglingto-daythesame—battlingthesame.
"GoingSomewhere"
Myscience-friend,mynoblestwoman-friend,
(NowburiedinanEnglishgrave—andthisamemory-leafforherdear
sake,)
Endedourtalk—"Thesum,concludingallweknowofoldormodern
learning,intuitionsdeep,
"OfallGeologies—Histories—ofallAstronomy—ofEvolution,
Metaphysicsall,
"Is, that we all are onward, onward, speeding slowly, surely
bettering,
"Life,lifeanendlessmarch,anendlessarmy,(nohalt,butitis
dulyover,)
"Theworld,therace,thesoul—inspaceandtimetheuniverses,
"Allboundasisbefittingeach—allsurelygoingsomewhere."
SmallthethemeofmyChant,yetthegreatest—namely,One's-Self—
asimple,separateperson.That,fortheuseoftheNewWorld,
Ising.
Man'sphysiologycomplete,fromtoptotoe,Ising.Notphysiognomy
alone,
nor brain alone, is worthy for the Muse;—I say the Form
complete
isworthierfar.TheFemaleequallywiththeMale,Ising.
NorceaseatthethemeofOne's-Self.Ispeakthewordofthe
modern,thewordEn-Masse.
My Days I sing, and the Lands—with interstice I knew of hapless
War.
(Ofriend,whoe'eryouare,atlastarrivinghithertocommence,I
feel through every leaf the pressure of your hand, which I
return.
And thus upon our journey, footing the road, and more than once,
and
link'dtogetherletusgo.)
TrueConquerors
Oldfarmers,travelers,workmen(nomatterhowcrippledorbent,)
Oldsailors,outofmanyaperilousvoyage,stormandwreck,
Old soldiers from campaigns, with all their wounds, defeats and
scars;
Enoughthatthey'vesurvivedatall—longlife'sunflinchingones!
Forthfromtheirstruggles,trials,fights,tohaveemergedatall—
inthatalone,
Trueconquerorso'eralltherest.
Herefirstthedutiesofto-day,thelessonsoftheconcrete,
Wealth,order,travel,shelter,products,plenty;
Asofthebuildingofsomevaried,vast,perpetualedifice,
Whencetoariseinevitableintime,thetoweringroofs,thelamps,
Thesolid-plantedspirestallshootingtothestars.
Thatcoursingon,whate'ermen'sspeculations,
Amidthechangingschools,theologies,philosophies,
Amidthebawlingpresentationsnewandold,
Theroundearth'ssilentvitallaws,facts,modescontinue.
ThanksinOldAge
Thanksinoldage—thanksereIgo,
Forhealth,themiddaysun,theimpalpableair—forlife,merelife,
Forpreciousever-lingeringmemories,(ofyoumymotherdear—you,
father—you,brothers,sisters,friends,)
Forallmydays—notthoseofpeacealone—thedaysofwarthesame,
Forgentlewords,caresses,giftsfromforeignlands,
Forshelter,wineandmeat—forsweetappreciation,
(Youdistant,dimunknown—oryoungorold—countless,unspecified,
readersbelov'd,
Wenevermet,andneershallmeet—andyetoursoulsembrace,long,
closeandlong;)
Forbeings,groups,love,deeds,words,books—forcolors,forms,
Forallthebravestrongmen—devoted,hardymen—who'veforward
sprunginfreedom'shelp,allyears,alllands
Forbraver,stronger,moredevotedmen—(aspeciallaurelereIgo,
tolife'swar'schosenones,
Thecannoneersofsongandthought—thegreatartillerists—the
foremostleaders,captainsofthesoul:)
Assoldierfromanendedwarreturn'd—Astraveleroutofmyriads,
tothelongprocessionretrospective,
Thanks—joyfulthanks!—asoldier's,traveler'sthanks.
LifeandDeath
Thetwoold,simpleproblemseverintertwined,
Closehome,elusive,present,baffled,grappled.
Byeachsuccessiveageinsoluble,pass'don,
Tooursto-day—andwepassonthesame.
TheVoiceoftheRain
Andwhoartthou?saidItothesoft-fallingshower,
Which,strangetotell,gavemeananswer,asheretranslated:
IamthePoemofEarth,saidthevoiceoftherain,
EternalIriseimpalpableoutofthelandandthebottomlesssea,
Upwardtoheaven,whence,vaguelyform'd,altogetherchanged,and
yetthesame,
Idescendtolavethedrouths,atomies,dust-layersoftheglobe,
Andallthatinthemwithoutmewereseedsonly,latent,unborn;
Andforever,bydayandnight,Igivebacklifetomyownorigin,
andmakepureandbeautifyit;
(For song, issuing from its birth-place, after fulfilment,
wandering,
Reck'dorunreck'd,dulywithlovereturns.)
Soonshallthewinter'sfoilbehere;
Soonshalltheseicyligaturesunbindandmelt—Alittlewhile,
Andair,soil,wave,suffusedshallbeinsoftness,bloomand
growth—athousandformsshallrise
Fromthesedeadclodsandchillsasfromlowburialgraves.
Thineeyes,ears—allthybestattributes—allthattakescognizance
ofnaturalbeauty,
Shallwakeandfill.Thoushaltperceivethesimpleshows,the
delicatemiraclesofearth,
Dandelions, clover, the emerald grass, the early scents and
flowers,
Thearbutusunderfoot,thewillow'syellow-green,theblossoming
plumandcherry;
Withthesetherobin,larkandthrush,singingtheirsongs—the
flittingbluebird;
Forsuchthescenestheannualplaybringson.
Whilenotthepastforgetting,
To-day, at least, contention sunk entire—peace, brotherhood
uprisen;
ForsignreciprocalourNorthern,Southernhands,
Layonthegravesofalldeadsoldiers,NorthorSouth,
(Norforthepastalone—formeaningstothefuture,)
Wreathsofrosesandbranchesofpalm.
TheDyingVeteran
Amidthesedaysoforder,ease,prosperity,
Amidthecurrentsongsofbeauty,peace,decorum,
Icastareminiscence—(likely'twilloffendyou,
Ihearditinmyboyhood;)—Morethanagenerationsince,
Aqueeroldsavageman,afighterunderWashingtonhimself,
(Large, brave, cleanly, hot-blooded, no talker, rather
spiritualistic,
Hadfoughtintheranks—foughtwell—hadbeenallthroughthe
Revolutionarywar,)
Laydying—sons,daughters,church-deacons,lovinglytendinghim,
Sharping their sense, their ears, towards his murmuring, halfcaughtwords:
"Letmereturnagaintomywar-days,
Tothesightsandscenes—toformingthelineofbattle,
Tothescoutsaheadreconnoitering,
Tothecannons,thegrimartillery,
Tothegallopingaides,carryingorders,
Tothewounded,thefallen,theheat,thesuspense,
Theperfumestrong,thesmoke,thedeafeningnoise;
Awaywithyourlifeofpeace!—yourjoysofpeace!
Givememyoldwildbattle-lifeagain!"
StrongerLessons
Haveyoulearn'dlessonsonlyofthosewhoadmiredyou,andwere
tenderwithyou,andstoodasideforyou?
Haveyounotlearn'dgreatlessonsfromthosewhorejectyou,and
bracethemselvesagainstyou?orwhotreatyouwithcontempt,
ordisputethepassagewithyou?
APrairieSunset
Shotgold,maroonandviolet,dazzlingsilver,emerald,fawn,
Theearth'swholeamplitudeandNature'smultiformpowerconsign'd
foroncetocolors;
The light, the general air possess'd by them—colors till now
unknown,
Nolimit,confine—nottheWesternskyalone—thehighmeridian—
North,South,all,
Pureluminouscolorfightingthesilentshadowstothelast.
TwentyYears
Down on the ancient wharf, the sand, I sit, with a new-comer
chatting:
Heshipp'dasgreen-handboy,andsail'daway,(tooksomesudden,
vehementnotion;)
Since,twentyyearsandmorehavecircledroundandround,
Whilehetheglobewascirclingroundandround,—andnowreturns:
Howchangedtheplace—alltheoldland-marksgone—theparentsdead;
(Yes,hecomesbacktolayinportforgood—tosettle—hasa
well-fill'dpurse—nospotwilldobutthis;)
Thelittleboatthatscull'dhimfromthesloop,nowheldinleash
Isee,
I hear the slapping waves, the restless keel, the rocking in the
sand,
I see the sailor kit, the canvas bag, the great box bound with
brass,
Iscanthefaceallberry-brownandbearded—thestout-strongframe,
Dress'dinitsrussetsuitofgoodScotchcloth:
(Then what the told-out story of those twenty years? What of the
future?)
AlesserproofthanoldVoltaire's,yetgreater,
Proofofthispresenttime,andthee,thybroadexpanse,America,
TomyplainNorthernhut,inoutsidecloudsandsnow,
Broughtsafelyforathousandmileso'erlandandtide,
Somethreedayssinceontheirownsoillive-sprouting,
Nowheretheirsweetnessthroughmyroomunfolding,
AbunchoforangebudsbymallfromFlorida.
Twilight
Thesoftvoluptuousopiateshades,
Thesunjustgone,theeagerlightdispell'd—(Itoowillsoonbe
gone,dispell'd,)
Ahaze—nirwana—restandnight—oblivion.
Youlingeringsparseleavesofmeonwinter-nearingboughs,
AndIsomewell-shorntreeoffieldororchard-row;
Youtokensdiminuteandlorn—(notnowtheflushofMay,orJuly
clover-bloom—nograinofAugustnow;)
You pallid banner-staves—you pennants valueless—you overstay'd of
time,
Yetmysoul-dearestleavesconfirmingalltherest,
Thefaithfulest—hardiest—last.
Notmeagre,latentboughsalone,Osongs!(scalyandbare,like
eagles'talons,)
Buthaplyforsomesunnyday(whoknows?)somefuturespring,some
summer—burstingforth,
Toverdantleaves,orshelteringshade—tonourishingfruit,
Applesandgrapes—thestalwartlimbsoftreesemerging—thefresh,
free,openair,
Andloveandfaith,likescentedrosesblooming.
TheDeadEmperor
To-day,withbendingheadandeyes,thou,too,Columbia,
Lessforthemightycrownlaidlowinsorrow—lessfortheEmperor,
Thy true condolence breathest, sendest out o'er many a salt sea
mile,
Mourningagoodoldman—afaithfulshepherd,patriot.
AstheGreek'ssignalflame,byantiquerecordstold,
Rosefromthehill-top,likeapplauseandglory,
Welcominginfamesomespecialveteran,hero,
Withrosytingereddeningthelandhe'dserved,
SoIaloftfromMannahatta'sship-fringedshore,
Lifthighakindledbrandforthee,OldPoet.
TheDismantledShip
Insomeunusedlagoon,somenamelessbay,
Onsluggish,lonesomewaters,anchor'dneartheshore,
Anold,dismasted,grayandbatter'dship,disabled,done,
Afterfreevoyagestoalltheseasofearth,haul'dupatlastand
hawser'dtight,
Liesrusting,mouldering.
Nowprecedentsongs,farewell—byeverynamefarewell,
(Trainsofastaggeringlineinmanyastrangeprocession,waggons,
From ups and downs—with intervals—from elder years, mid-age, or
youth,)
"InCabin'dShips,orTheeOldCauseorPoetstoCome
OrPaumanok,SongofMyself,Calamus,orAdam,
OrBeat!Beat!Drums!orTotheLeaven'dSoiltheyTrod,
OrCaptain!MyCaptain!Kosmos,QuicksandYears,orThoughts,
ThouMotherwiththyEqualBrood,"andmany,manymoreunspecified,
Fromfibreheartofmine—fromthroatandtongue—(Mylife'shot
pulsingblood,
Thepersonalurgeandformforme—notmerelypaper,automatictype
andink,)
Eachsongofmine—eachutteranceinthepast—havingitslong,long
history,
Oflifeordeath,orsoldier'swound,ofcountry'slossorsafety,
(Oheaven!whatflashandstartedendlesstrainofall!compared
indeedtothat!
Whatwretchedshrede'enatthebestofall!)
AnEveningLull
Afteraweekofphysicalanguish,
Unrestandpain,andfeverishheat,
Towardtheendingdayacalmandlullcomeson,
Threehoursofpeaceandsoothingrestofbrain.
Thetouchofflame—theilluminatingfire—theloftiestlookatlast,
O'er city, passion, sea—o'er prairie, mountain, wood—the earth
itself,
Theairy,different,changinghuesofall,infailingtwilight,
Objectsandgroups,bearings,faces,reminiscences;
Thecalmersight—thegoldensetting,clearandbroad:
So much i' the atmosphere, the points of view, the situations
whence
wescan,
Bro'toutbythemalone—somuch(perhapsthebest)unreck'dbefore;
Thelightsindeedfromthem—oldage'slambentpeaks.
Afterthesupperandtalk—afterthedayisdone,
Asafriendfromfriendshisfinalwithdrawalprolonging,
Good-byeandGood-byewithemotionallipsrepeating,
(So hard for his hand to release those hands—no more will they
meet,
Nomoreforcommunionofsorrowandjoy,ofoldandyoung,
Afar-stretchingjourneyawaitshim,toreturnnomore,)
Shunning,postponingseverance—seekingtowardoffthelastword
eversolittle,
E'enattheexit-doorturning—chargessuperfluouscallingback—
e'enashedescendsthesteps,
Something to eke out a minute additional—shadows of nightfall
deepening,
Farewells, messages lessening—dimmer the forthgoer's visage and
form,
Soontobelostforayeinthedarkness—loth,Osolothtodepart!
Garruloustotheverylast.
SailoutforGood,EidolonYacht!
Heavetheanchorshort!
Raisemain-sailandjib—steerforth,
Olittlewhite-hull'dsloop,nowspeedonreallydeepwaters,
(Iwillnotcallitourconcludingvoyage,
Butoutsetandsureentrancetothetruest,best,maturest;)
Depart,departfromsolidearth—nomorereturningtotheseshores,
Nowonforayeourinfinitefreeventurewending,
Spurning all yet tried ports, seas, hawsers, densities,
gravitation,
Sailoutforgood,eidolonyachtofme!
LingeringLastDrops
Andwhenceandwhycomeyou?
Weknownotwhence,(wastheanswer,)
Weonlyknowthatwedriftherewiththerest,
That we linger'd and lagg'd—but were wafted at last, and are now
here,
Tomakethepassingshower'sconcludingdrops.
Good-ByeMyFancy
Good-byemyfancy—(Ihadawordtosay,
But'tisnotquitethetime—Thebestofanyman'swordorsay,
Iswhenitsproperplacearrives—andforitsmeaning,
Ikeepminetillthelast.)
On,onthesame,yejocundtwain!
Mylifeandrecitative,containingbirth,youth,mid-ageyears,
Fitfulasmotley-tonguesofflame,inseparablytwinedandmergedin
one—combiningall,
My single soul—aims, confirmations, failures, joys—Nor single soul
alone,
Ichantmynation'scrucialstage,(America's,haplyhumanity's)—
thetrialgreat,thevictorygreat,
A strange eclaircissement of all the masses past, the eastern
world,
theancient,medieval,
Here,herefromwanderings,strayings,lessons,wars,defeats—here
atthewestavoicetriumphant—justifyingall,
A gladsome pealing cry—a song for once of utmost pride and
satisfaction;
Ichantfromitthecommonbulk,thegeneralaveragehorde,(the
bestsoonerthantheworst)—AndnowIchantoldage,
(Myverses,writtenfirstforforenoonlife,andforthesummer's,
autumn'sspread,
Ipasstosnow-whitehairsthesame,andgivetopulses
winter-cool'dthesame;)
As here in careless trill, I and my recitatives, with faith and
love,
waftingtootherwork,tounknownsongs,conditions,
On,onyejocundtwain!continueonthesame!
MY71stYear
Aftersurmountingthree-scoreandten,
Withalltheirchances,changes,losses,sorrows,
Myparents'deaths,thevagariesofmylife,themanytearing
passionsofme,thewarof'63and'4,
Assomeoldbrokensoldier,afteralong,hot,wearyingmarch,or
haplyafterbattle,
To-dayattwilight,hobbling,answeringcompanyroll-call,Here,
withvitalvoice,
Reportingyet,salutingyettheOfficeroverall.
Apparitions
Avaguemisthanging'roundhalfthepages:
(Sometimeshowstrangeandcleartothesoul,
Thatallthesesolidthingsareindeedbutapparitions,concepts,
non-realities.)
ThePallidWreath
SomehowIcannotletitgoyet,funeralthoughitis,
Letitremainbackthereonitsnailsuspended,
With pink, blue, yellow, all blanch'd, and the white now gray and
ashy,
Onewither'droseputyearsagoforthee,dearfriend;
ButIdonotforgetthee.Hastthouthenfaded?
Istheodorexhaled?Arethecolors,vitalities,dead?
No,whilememoriessubtlyplay—thepastvividasever;
ForbutlastnightIwoke,andinthatspectralringsawthee,
Thysmile,eyes,face,calm,silent,lovingasever:
Soletthewreathhangstillawhilewithinmyeye-reach,
Itisnotyetdeadtome,norevenpallid.
AnEndedDay
Thesoothingsanityandblithenessofcompletion,
Thepompandhurriedcontest-glareandrusharedone;
Nowtriumph!transformation!jubilate!
Fromeastandwestacrossthehorizon'sedge,
Twomightymasterfulvesselssailersstealuponus:
Butwe'llmakeracea-timeupontheseas—abattle-contestyet!bear
livelythere!
(Ourjoysofstrifeandderring-dotothelast!)
Putontheoldshipallherpowerto-day!
Crowdtop-sail,top-gallantandroyalstudding-sails,
Outchallengeanddefiance—flagsandflauntingpennantsadded,
Aswetaketotheopen—taketothedeepest,freestwaters.
TothePendingYear
HaveInoweapon-wordforthee—somemessagebriefandfierce?
(Have I fought out and done indeed the battle?) Is there no shot
left,
Forallthyaffectations,lisps,scorns,manifoldsilliness?
Norformyself—myownrebelliousselfinthee?
Down,down,proudgorge!—thoughchokingthee;
Thybeardedthroatandhigh-borneforeheadtothegutter;
Crouchlowthynecktoeleemosynarygifts.
Idoubtitnot—thenmore,farmore;
Ineacholdsongbequeath'd—ineverynoblepageortext,
(Different—somethingunreck'dbefore—someunsuspectedauthor,)
Ineveryobject,mountain,tree,andstar—ineverybirthandlife,
Aspartofeach—evolv'dfromeach—meaning,behindtheostent,
Amysticcipherwaitsinfolded.
Long,LongHence
Afteralong,longcourse,hundredsofyears,denials,
Accumulations,rous'dloveandjoyandthought,
Hopes, wishes, aspirations, ponderings, victories, myriads of
readers,
Coating,compassing,covering—afterages'andages'encrustations,
Thenonlymaythesesongsreachfruition.
Addtoyourshow,beforeyoucloseit,France,
Withalltherest,visible,concrete,temples,towers,goods,
machinesandores,
Our sentiment wafted from many million heart-throbs, ethereal but
solid,
(Wegrand-sonsandgreat-grandsonsdonotforgetyourgrandsires,)
From fifty Nations and nebulous Nations, compacted, sent oversea
to-day,
America'sapplause,love,memoriesandgood-will.
InterpolationSounds
Overandthroughtheburialchant,
Organandsolemnservice,sermon,bendingpriests,
Tomecomeinterpolationsoundsnotintheshow—plainlytome,
crowdinguptheaisleandfromthewindow,
Ofsuddenbattle'shurryandharshnoises—war'sgrimgametosight
andearinearnest;
Thescoutcall'dupandforward—thegeneralmountedandhisaides
aroundhim—thenew-broughtword—theinstantaneousorderissued;
Theriflecrack—thecannonthud—therushingforthofmenfromtheir
tents;
Theclankofcavalry—thestrangecelerityofformingranks—the
slenderbuglenote;
Thesoundofhorses'hoofsdeparting—saddles,arms,accoutrements.
TotheSun-SetBreeze
Ah,whispering,somethingagain,unseen,
Wherelatethisheateddaythouenterestatmywindow,door,
Thou,laving,temperingall,cool-freshing,gentlyvitalizing
Me,old,alone,sick,weak-down,melted-wornwithsweat;
Thou,nestling,foldingcloseandfirmyetsoft,companionbetter
thantalk,book,art,
(Thouhast,ONature!elements!utterancetomyheartbeyondthe
rest—andthisisofthem,)
Sosweetthyprimitivetastetobreathewithin—thysoothingfingers
myfaceandhands,
Thou,messenger—magicalstrangebringertobodyandspiritofme,
(Distances balk'd—occult medicines penetrating me from head to
foot,)
Ifeelthesky,theprairiesvast—Ifeelthemightynorthernlakes,
Ifeeltheoceanandtheforest—somehowIfeeltheglobeitself
swift-swimminginspace;
Thoublownfromlipssoloved,nowgone—haplyfromendlessstore,
God-sent,
(Forthouartspiritual,Godly,mostofallknowntomysense,)
Minister to speak to me, here and now, what word has never told,
and
cannottell,
Artthounotuniversalconcrete'sdistillation?Law's,all
Astronomy'slastrefinement?
Hastthounosoul?CanInotknow,identifythee?
OldChants
Anancientsong,reciting,ending,
Oncegazingtowardthee,MotherofAll,
Musing,seekingthemesfittedforthee,
Acceptme,thousaidst,theelderballads,
Andnameformebeforethougoesteachancientpoet.
(Ofmanydebtsincalculable,
HaplyourNewWorld'schieftestdebtistooldpoems.)
Eversofarback,preludingthee,America,
Oldchants,Egyptianpriests,andthoseofEthiopia,
TheHinduepics,theGrecian,Chinese,Persian,
TheBiblicbooksandprophets,anddeepidylsoftheNazarene,
TheIliad,Odyssey,plots,doings,wanderingsofEneas,
Hesiod,Eschylus,Sophocles,Merlin,Arthur,
TheCid,RolandatRoncesvalles,theNibelungen,
Thetroubadours,minstrels,minnesingers,skalds,
Chaucer,Dante,flocksofsingingbirds,
The Border Minstrelsy, thebye-gone ballads, feudal tales, essays,
plays,
Shakespere,Schiller,WalterScott,Tennyson,
Assomevastwondrousweirddream-presences,
Thegreatshadowygroupsgatheringaround,
Dartingtheirmightymasterfuleyesforwardatthee,
Thou!withasnowthybendingneckandhead,withcourteoushand
andword,ascending,
Thou!pausingamoment,droopingthineeyesuponthem,blent
withtheirmusic,
Wellpleased,acceptingall,curiouslypreparedforbythem,
Thouenterestatthyentranceporch.
AChristmasGreeting
Welcome,Brazilianbrother—thyampleplaceisready;
Alovinghand—asmilefromthenorth—asunnyinstanthall!
(Letthefuturecareforitself,whereitrevealsitstroubles,
impedimentas,
Ours, ours the present throe, the democratic aim, the acceptance
and
thefaith;)
Totheeto-dayourreachingarm,ourturningneck—totheefromus
theexpectanteye,
Thou cluster free! thou brilliant lustrous one! thou, learning
well,
Thetruelessonofanation'slightinthesky,
(MoreshiningthantheCross,morethantheCrown,)
Theheighttobesuperbhumanity.
SoundsoftheWinter
Soundsofthewintertoo,
Sunshineuponthemountains—manyadistantstrain
Fromcheeryrailroadtrain—fromnearerfield,barn,house,
Thewhisperingair—eventhemutecrops,garner'dapples,corn,
Children'sandwomen'stones—rhythmofmanyafarmerandofflail,
An old man's garrulous lips among the rest, Think not we give out
yet,
Forthfromthesesnowyhairswekeepupyetthelilt.
ATwilightSong
AsIsitintwilightlatealonebytheflickeringoak-flame,
Musingonlong-pass'dwar-scenes—ofthecountlessburiedunknown
soldiers,
Ofthevacantnames,asunindentedair'sandsea's—theunreturn'd,
Thebrieftruceafterbattle,withgrimburial-squads,andthe
deep-fill'dtrenches
Ofgather'dfromdeadallAmerica,North,South,East,West,whence
theycameup,
FromwoodedMaine,New-England'sfarms,fromfertilePennsylvania,
Illinois,Ohio,
From the measureless West, Virginia, the South, the Carolinas,
Texas,
(Evenhereinmyroom-shadowsandhalf-lightsinthenoiseless
flickeringflames,
AgainIseethestalwartrankson-filing,rising—Ihearthe
rhythmictrampofthearmies;)
You million unwrit names all, all—you dark bequest from all the
war,
Aspecialverseforyou—aflashofdutylongneglected—yourmystic
rollstrangelygather'dhere,
Eachnamerecall'dbymefromoutthedarknessanddeath'sashes,
Henceforthtobe,deep,deepwithinmyheartrecording,formany
futureyear,
Yourmysticrollentireofunknownnames,orNorthorSouth,
Embalm'dwithloveinthistwilightsong.
Whenthefull-grownpoetcame,
OutspakepleasedNature(theroundimpassiveglobe,withallits
showsofdayandnight,)saying,Heismine;
ButoutspaketootheSoulofman,proud,jealousandunreconciled,
Nayheisminealone;
—Thenthefull-grownpoetstoodbetweenthetwo,andtookeach
bythehand;
Andto-dayandeversostands,asblender,uniter,tightlyholding
hands,
Whichhewillneverreleaseuntilhereconcilesthetwo,
Andwhollyandjoyouslyblendsthem.
Osceola
Whenhishourfordeathhadcome,
Heslowlyrais'dhimselffromthebedonthefloor,
Drewonhiswar-dress,shirt,leggings,andgirdledthebeltaround
hiswaist,
Call'dforvermilionpaint(hislooking-glasswasheldbeforehim,)
Paintedhalfhisfaceandneck,hiswrists,andback-hands.
Putthescalp-knifecarefullyinhisbelt—thenlyingdown,resting
moment,
Roseagain,halfsitting,smiled,gaveinsilencehisextendedhand
toeachandall,
Sank faintly low to the floor (tightly grasping the tomahawk
handle,)
Fix'dhislookonwifeandlittlechildren—thelast:
(Andherealineinmemoryofhisnameanddeath.)
AVoicefromDeath
AvoicefromDeath,solemnandstrange,inallhissweepandpower,
Withsudden,indescribableblow—townsdrown'd—humanityby
thousandsslain,
The vaunted work of thrift, goods, dwellings, forge, street, iron
bridge,
Dash'dpell-mellbytheblow—yetusher'dlifecontinuingon,
(Amidtherest,amidtherushing,whirling,wilddebris,
Asufferingwomansaved—ababysafelyborn!)
AlthoughIcomeandunannounc'd,inhorrorandinpang,
Inpouringfloodandfire,andwholesaleelementalcrash,(this
voicesosolemn,strange,)
ItooaministerofDeity.
Yea,Death,webowourfaces,veiloureyestothee,
Wemourntheold,theyounguntimelydrawntothee,
Thefair,thestrong,thegood,thecapable,
The household wreck'd, the husband and the wife, the engulfed
forger
inhisforge,
Thecorpsesinthewhelmingwatersandthemud,
Thegather'dthousandstotheirfuneralmounds,andthousandsnever
foundorgather'd.
Thenafterburying,mourningthedead,
(Faithfultothemfoundorunfound,forgettingnot,bearingthe
past,herenewmusing,)
Aday—apassingmomentoranhour—Americaitselfbendslow,
Silent,resign'd,submissive.
War,death,cataclysmlikethis,America,
Takedeeptothyproudprosperousheart.
E'enasIchant,lo!outofdeath,andoutofoozeandslime,
Theblossomsrapidlyblooming,sympathy,help,love,
FromWestandEast,fromSouthandNorthandoversea,
Itshot-spurr'dheartsandhandshumanitytohumanaidmoveson;
Andfromwithinathoughtandlessonyet.
Thouever-dartingGlobe!throughSpaceandAir!
Thouwatersthatencompassus!
Thouthatinallthelifeanddeathofus,inactionorinsleep!
Thoulawsinvisiblethatpermeatethemandall,
Thou that in all, and over all, and through and under all,
incessant!
Thou! thou! the vital, universal, giant force resistless,
sleepless,calm,
HoldingHumanityasinthyopenhand,assomeephemeraltoy,
Howilltoe'erforgetthee!
ForItoohaveforgotten,
(Wraptintheselittlepotenciesofprogress,politics,culture,
wealth,inventions,civilization,)
Havelostmyrecognitionofyoursilentever-swayingpower,ye
mighty,elementalthroes,
Inwhichanduponwhichwefloat,andeveryoneofusisbuoy'd.
APersianLesson
Forhiso'erarchingandlastlessonthegreybeardsufi,
Inthefreshscentofthemorningintheopenair,
OntheslopeofateemingPersianrose-garden,
Underanancientchestnut-treewidespreadingitsbranches,
Spoketotheyoungpriestsandstudents.
"Finallymychildren,toenvelopeachword,eachpartoftherest,
Allahisall,all,all—immanentineverylifeandobject,
May-be at many and many-a-more removes—yet Allah, Allah, Allah is
there.
"Hastheestraywander'dfar?Isthereason-whystrangelyhidden?
Wouldyousoundbelowtherestlessoceanoftheentireworld?
Would you know the dissatisfaction? the urge and spur of every
life;
Thesomethingneverstill'd—neverentirelygone?theinvisibleneed
ofeveryseed?
"Itisthecentralurgeineveryatom,
(Oftenunconscious,oftenevil,downfallen,)
Toreturntoitsdivinesourceandorigin,howeverdistant,
Latentthesameinsubjectandinobject,withoutoneexception."
TheCommonplace
ThecommonplaceIsing;
Howcheapishealth!howcheapnobility!
Abstinence,nofalsehood,nogluttony,lust;
TheopenairIsing,freedom,toleration,
(Take here the mainest lesson—less from books—less from the
schools,)
Thecommondayandnight—thecommonearthandwaters,
Yourfarm—yourwork,trade,occupation,
Thedemocraticwisdomunderneath,likesolidgroundforall.
Thedevilishandthedark,thedyinganddiseas'd,
Thecountless(nineteen-twentieths)lowandevil,crudeandsavage,
Thecrazed,prisonersinjail,thehorrible,rank,malignant,
Venom and filth, serpents, the ravenous sharks, liars, the
dissolute;
(Whatisthepartthewickedandtheloathesomebearwithinearth's
orbicscheme?)
Newts,crawlingthingsinslimeandmud,poisons,
Thebarrensoil,theevilmen,theslagandhideousrot.
Mirages
Moreexperiencesandsights,stranger,thanyou'dthinkfor;
Timesagain,nowmostlyjustaftersunriseorbeforesunset,
Sometimesinspring,oftenerinautumn,perfectlyclearweather,in
plainsight,
Camps far or near, the crowded streets of cities and the
shopfronts,
(Accountforitornot—creditornot—itisalltrue,
Andmymatetherecouldtellyouthelike—wehaveoftenconfab'd
aboutit,)
Peopleandscenes,animals,trees,colorsandlines,plainascould
be,
Farms and dooryards of home, paths border'd with box, lilacs in
corners,
Weddings in churches, thanksgiving dinners, returns of long-absent
sons,
Glumfunerals,thecrape-veil'dmotherandthedaughters,
Trialsincourts,juryandjudge,theaccusedinthebox,
Contestants,battles,crowds,bridges,wharves,
Nowandthenmark'dfacesofsorroworjoy,
(IcouldpickthemoutthismomentifIsawthemagain,)
Show'dtome—justtotherightinthesky-edge,
Orplainlytheretotheleftonthehill-tops.
L.ofG.'sPurport
Not to exclude or demarcate, or pick out evils from their
formidable
masses(eventoexposethem,)
Butadd,fuse,complete,extend—andcelebratetheimmortalandthe
good.
Haughtythissong,itswordsandscope,
Tospanvastrealmsofspaceandtime,
Evolution—thecumulative—growthsandgenerations.
Beguninripen'dyouthandsteadilypursued,
Wandering,peering,dallyingwithall—war,peace,dayandnight
absorbing,
Neverevenforonebriefhourabandoningmytask,
Iendithereinsickness,poverty,andoldage.
Isingoflife,yetmindmewellofdeath:
To-day shadowy Death dogs my steps, my seated shape, and has for
years—
Drawssometimesclosetome,asfacetoface.
TheUnexpress'd
Howdareonesayit?
Afterthecycles,poems,singers,plays,
VauntedIonia's,India's—Homer,Shakspere—thelong,longtimes'
thickdottedroads,areas,
The shining clusters and the Milky Ways of stars—Nature's pulses
reap'd,
Allretrospectivepassions,heroes,war,love,adoration,
Allages'plummetsdropttotheirutmostdepths,
All human lives, throats, wishes, brains—all experiences'
utterance;
After the countless songs, or long or short, all tongues, all
lands,
Still something not yet told in poesy's voice or print—something
lacking,
(Whoknows?thebestyetunexpress'dandlacking.)
GrandIstheSeen
Grandistheseen,thelight,tome—grandaretheskyandstars,
Grandistheearth,andgrandarelastingtimeandspace,
Andgrandtheirlaws,somultiform,puzzling,evolutionary;
Butgranderfartheunseensoulofme,comprehending,endowingall
those,
Lightingthelight,theskyandstars,delvingtheearth,sailing
thesea,
(Whatwereallthose,indeed,withoutthee,unseensoul?ofwhat
amountwithoutthee?)
Moreevolutionary,vast,puzzling,Omysoul!
Moremultiformfar—morelastingthouthanthey.
UnseenBuds
Unseenbuds,infinite,hiddenwell,
Under the snow and ice, under the darkness, in every square or
cubicinch,
Germinal,exquisite,indelicatelace,microscopic,unborn,
Likebabesinwombs,latent,folded,compact,sleeping;
Billionsofbillions,andtrillionsoftrillionsofthemwaiting,
(Onearthandinthesea—theuniverse—thestarsthereinthe
heavens,)
Urgingslowly,surelyforward,formingendless,
Andwaitingevermore,forevermorebehind.
Good-ByeMyFancy!
Good-byemyFancy!
Farewelldearmate,dearlove!
I'mgoingaway,Iknownotwhere,
Ortowhatfortune,orwhetherImayeverseeyouagain,
SoGood-byemyFancy.
Nowformylast—letmelookbackamoment;
Theslowerfaintertickingoftheclockisinme,
Exit,nightfall,andsoontheheart-thudstopping.
Longhavewelived,joy'd,caress'dtogether;
Delightful!—nowseparation—Good-byemyFancy.
Yetletmenotbetoohasty,
Longindeedhavewelived,slept,filter'd,becomereallyblended
intoone;
Thenifwediewedietogether,(yes,we'llremainone,)
Ifwegoanywherewe'llgotogethertomeetwhathappens,
May-bewe'llbebetteroffandblither,andlearnsomething,
May-be it is yourself now really ushering me to the true songs,
(who
knows?)
May-be it is you the mortal knob really undoing, turning—so now
finally,
Good-bye—andhail!myFancy.
End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Leaves of Grass, by Walt
Whitman
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TableofContents
LEAVESOFGRASS
BOOKI.INSCRIPTIONS
One's-SelfISing
InCabin'dShipsatSea
ToForeignLands
ToaHistorian
ToTheeOldCause
Eidolons
ForHimISing
WhenIReadtheBook
BeginningMyStudies
Beginners
TotheStates
MeImperturbe
Savantism
TheShipStarting
IHearAmericaSinging
ShutNotYourDoors
PoetstoCome
ToYou
ThouReader
BOOKII
BOOKIII
AWomanWaitsforMe
SpontaneousMe
OHymen!OHymenee!
NativeMoments
BOOKV.CALAMUS
ForYou,ODemocracy
RecordersAgesHence
TrickleDrops
CityofOrgies
ToaStranger
AGlimpse
ALeafforHandinHand
Earth,MyLikeness
IDream'dinaDream
ToaWesternBoy
AmongtheMultitude
FullofLifeNow
BOOKVI
BOOKVII
BOOKVIII
BOOKIX
BOOKX
BOOKXI
BOOKXII
BOOKXIII
BOOKXIV
BOOKXV
BOOKXVI
Pioneers!OPioneers!
ToYou
MyselfandMine
WithAntecedents
BOOKXVIII
BOOKXIX.SEA-DRIFT
Tears
AboardataShip'sHelm
OntheBeachatNight
PatrolingBarnegat
AftertheSea-Ship
AHand-Mirror
Gods
Germs
Thoughts
Perfections
OMe!OLife!
ToaPresident
ISitandLookOut
ToRichGivers
AFarmPicture
AChild'sAmaze
TheRunner
BeautifulWomen
MotherandBabe
Thought
Visor'd
Thought
GlidingO'erall
Thought
ToOldAge
LocationsandTimes
Offerings
ToTheStates[ToIdentifythe16th,17th,or18thPresidentiad]
BOOKXXI.DRUM-TAPS
EighteenSixty-One
Beat!Beat!Drums!
Virginia—TheWest
CityofShips
AMarchintheRanksHard-Prest,andtheRoadUnknown
NotthePilot
TheWound-Dresser
Long,TooLongAmerica
DirgeforTwoVeterans
ISawOldGeneralatBay
RaceofVeterans
WorldTakeGoodNotice
LookDownFairMoon
Reconciliation
DelicateCluster
ToaCertainCivilian
AdieutoaSoldier
TurnOLibertad
OCaptain!MyCaptain!
BOOKXXIII
Reversals
OldIreland
TheCityDead-House
ThisCompost
UnnamedLand
SongofPrudence
WarbleforLilac-Time
Vocalism
LawsforCreations
ToaCommonProstitute
Thought
Miracles
ToaPupil
WhatAmIAfterAll
Kosmos
Tests
TheTorch
TheOx-Tamer
WanderingatMorn
WithAllThyGifts
MyPicture-Gallery
ThePrairieStates
BOOKXXV
BOOKXXVI
BOOKXXVII
BOOKXXVIII
Transpositions
BOOKXXIX
Assurances
QuicksandYears
ToOneShortlytoDie
NightonthePrairies
Thought
TheLastInvocation
PensiveandFaltering
BOOKXXXI
APaumanokPicture
Faces
TheMysticTrumpeter
OMagnet-South
Mannahatta
AllIsTruth
ARiddleSong
Excelsior
Thoughts
Mediums
Weavein,MyHardyLife
Spain,1873-74
OldWar-Dreams
AClearMidnight
YearsoftheModern
AshesofSoldiers
Thoughts
SongatSunset
MyLegacy
CampsofGreen
AsTheyDrawtoaClose
Joy,Shipmate,Joy!
TheUntoldWant
Portals
TheseCarols
NowFinaletotheShore
SoLong!
Paumanok
FromMontaukPoint
ToThoseWho'veFail'd
TheBravestSoldiers
AFontofType
AsISitWritingHere
MyCanaryBird
TheWallaboutMartyrs
TheFirstDandelion
America
Memories
To-DayandThee
AftertheDazzleofDay
HalcyonDays
DeathofGeneralGrant
Broadway
OldSaltKossabone
TheDeadTenor
Continuities
Yonnondio
Life
"GoingSomewhere"
TrueConquerors
ThanksinOldAge
LifeandDeath
TheVoiceoftheRain
TheDyingVeteran
StrongerLessons
APrairieSunset
TwentyYears
Twilight
TheDeadEmperor
TheDismantledShip
AnEveningLull
LingeringLastDrops
Good-ByeMyFancy
MY71stYear
Apparitions
ThePallidWreath
AnEndedDay
TothePendingYear
Long,LongHence
InterpolationSounds
TotheSun-SetBreeze
OldChants
AChristmasGreeting
SoundsoftheWinter
ATwilightSong
Osceola
AVoicefromDeath
APersianLesson
TheCommonplace
Mirages
L.ofG.'sPurport
TheUnexpress'd
GrandIstheSeen
UnseenBuds
Good-ByeMyFancy!

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