LEAVESOFGRASS:1855
EDITION
WALTWHITMAN
WilliamRalphPress
Omaha
www.williamralphpress.com
Nopartofthisbookmaybereproducedinanyformorbyanyelectronicormechanicalmeans,
includinginformationstorageandretrievalsystems,withoutpermissioninwritingfromthe
publisher,exceptbyareviewer,whomayquotebriefpassagesinareview.Anyotherrequestto
reprint,copyorquoteshouldbesubmittedinwritingtoWilliamRalphPress.Whilethepoetry
containedinthisvolumewrittenbytheauthorisinthepublicdomain,thesubstantialefforts
andchoicesmadetorepresentitelectronicallyinitsmostauthenticlightarenot,norarethe
editor’sintroductionand/orotherwrittenmaterialorcomments.
ISBN:978-1-932023-52-7
AReader’sLibraryEdition:Volume10.
Firstpublishedintheyear2015.
Introductionandtextualedits©WilliamRalphPress,AllRightsReserved
LeavesofGrass:1855Edition©WilliamRalphPressAllRightsReserved,exceptwhere
otherwisenoted
Contents
Introduction
"Frontispiece"
"LetterfromRalphWaldoEmerson"
"OriginalTitlePage"
"EnteredaccordingtoActofCongress..."
"Preface"
"SongofMyself"
"ASongforOccupations"
"ToThinkofTime"
"TheSleepers"
"ISingtheBodyElectric"
"Faces"
"SongoftheAnswerer"
"Europethe72dand73dYearsofTheseStates"
"ABostonBallad"
"ThereWasaChildWentForth"
"WhoLearnsMyLessonComplete"
"GreatAretheMyths"
AbouttheEditor
AlsobyWilliamRalphPress
Introduction
Walt Whitman (1819-1892) is widely considered to be the greatest and
mostinfluentialofallAmericanpoets.LeavesofGrass,Whitman’ssole
bookpublishedathisownexpense,representsalmosttheentiretyofhis
poetical output. The first edition ofLeaves of Grass, which he would
continuetoreviseoverthecourseofhislifeexpandingandrewritingit
until the year of his death, appeared in 1855. This volume endeavors to
recreate that edition as much as an e-book’s virtual typesetting will
allow.
While it was a commercial and critical failure during Whitman’s
lifetime,Leaves of Grass has gone on to become one of the most
canonical books of poetry ever written, influencing and inspiring
countless artists in the last two centuries. Written in a groundbreaking
prosodicstyleWhitmanreferredtoas“freeverse”LeavesofGrasstakes
the individual and a young American democracy as its themes and
illustratesthemwithalong-linedcadenceWhitmancoinedhis“barbaric
yawp”alongwithallthedetailsthatconstitutethem,afewbeingsexual
love,commonplaceAmericanscenesandpersonalities,theCivilWar,the
physical landscape of America, and freedom in all its many facets—
sexual, religious, political, philosophical, etc. Whitman was very much
awareofhisbook’ssingularity,andhisprefacetothisvolume—aswell
as his epilogue to the 1892 “Deathbed” edition titled “A Backward
GlanceO’erTravel’dRoads”—areinspiringessayswherehelaysouthis
ideasaboutpoetryandwhyhiswaswritteninadeliberatelydifferentway
illustrating beautifully an iconoclastic impulse common to all great
artists but shiningly apparent in Whitman because ofLeaves of Grass’
starkdeparturefromeverythingelsebeingpublishedatitstime.
Please enjoy this electronic recreation of the 1855 debut edition of
LeavesofGrass—thetentheditionintheReader’sLibrarySeries.Please
alsolookfortheninthbookintheserieswhichisarecreationofthe1892
finaledition.
Thankyouforyourpatronage,andIhopeyouareasinspiredbythe
contentsthatfollowasIhavebeen.Icanthinkofnoothersinglebookof
poemsthathasinfluencedmeoverthecourseofmylifemorethanthis
one.
—NeilAzevedo,1/31/2015
(copyfortheconvenienceofprivatereadingonly)
CONCORD.MASSACHUSETTS,21July,1855.
DEAR SIR—I am not blind to the worth of the wonderful gift of
“LEAVESOFGRASS.”Ifinditthemostextraordinarypieceofwitand
wisdomthatAmericahasyetcontributed.Iamveryhappyinreadingit,
asgreatpowermakesushappy.ItmeetsthedemandIamalwaysmaking
ofwhatseemedthesterileandstingynature,asiftoomuchhandiwork,or
too much lymph in the temperament, were making our western wits fat
andmean.
Igiveyoujoyofyourfreeandbravethought.Ihavegreatjoyinit.I
findincomparablethingssaidincomparablywell,astheymustbe.Ifind
thecourageoftreatmentwhichsodelightsus,andwhichlargeperception
onlycaninspire.
Igreetyouatthebeginningofagreatcareer,whichyetmusthave
had a long foreground somewhere, for such a start. I rubbed my eyes a
little,toseeifthissunbeamwerenoillusion;butthesolidsenseofthe
bookisasobercertainty.Ithasthebestmerits,namely,offortifyingand
encouraging.
I did not know until I last night saw the book advertised in a
newspaper that I could trust the name as realand available for a postoffice.Iwishtoseemybenefactor,andhavefeltmuchlikestrikingmy
tasksandvisitingNewYorktopayyoumyrespects.
R.W.EMERSON.
WaltWhitman.
LEAVES
OF
GRASS.
Brooklyn,NewYork:
1855
(Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1855, by WALTER
WHITMAN,intheClerk’sofficeoftheDistrictCourtoftheUnitedStates
fortheSouthernDistrictofNewYork.)
Americadoesnotrepelthepastorwhatithasproducedunderitsforms
or amid other politics or the idea of castes or the old religions . . . .
accepts the lesson with calmness . . . is not so impatient as has been
supposed that the slough still sticks to opinions and manners and
literaturewhilethelifewhichserveditsrequirementshaspassedintothe
newlifeofthenewforms...perceivesthatthecorpseisslowlyborne
from the eating and sleeping rooms of the house . . . perceives that it
waitsalittlewhileinthedoor...thatitwasfittestforitsdays...that
its action has descended to the stalwart and wellshaped heir who
approaches...andthatheshallbefittestforhisdays.
The Americans of all nations at any time upon the earth have
probably the fullest poetical nature. The United States themselves are
essentially the greatest poem. In the history of the earth hitherto the
largest and most stirring appear tame and orderly to their ampler
largeness and stir. Here at last is something in the doings of man that
corresponds with the broadcast doings of the day and night. Here is not
merely a nation but a teeming nation of nations. Here is action untied
from strings necessarily blind to particulars and details magnificently
moving in vast masses. Here is the hospitality which forever indicates
heroes....Herearetheroughsandbeardsandspaceandruggednessand
nonchalance that the soul loves. Here the performance disdaining the
trivial unapproached in the tremendous audacity of its crowds and
groupings and the push of its perspective spreads with crampless and
flowingbreadthandshowersitsprolificandsplendidextravagance.One
sees it must indeed own the riches of the summer and winter, and need
neverbebankruptwhilecorngrowsfromthegroundortheorchardsdrop
applesorthebayscontainfishormenbegetchildrenuponwomen.
Otherstatesindicatethemselvesintheirdeputies....butthegenius
oftheUnitedStatesisnotbestormostinitsexecutivesorlegislatures,
norinitsambassadorsorauthorsorcollegesorchurchesorparlors,nor
eveninitsnewspapersorinventors...butalwaysmostinthecommon
people. Their manners speech dress friendships—the freshness and
candor of their physiognomy—the picturesque looseness of their
carriage . . . their deathless attachment to freedom—their aversion to
anything indecorous or soft or mean—the practical acknowledgment of
thecitizensofonestatebythecitizensofallotherstates—thefierceness
of their roused resentment—their curiosity and welcome of novelty—
theirself-esteemandwonderfulsympathy—theirsusceptibilitytoaslight
—theairtheyhaveofpersonswhoneverknewhowitfelttostandinthe
presence of superiors—the fluency of their speech—their delight in
music, the sure symptom of manly tenderness and native elegance of
soul...theirgoodtemperandopenhandedness—theterriblesignificance
oftheirelections—thePresident’stakingoffhishattothemnottheyto
him—thesetooareunrhymedpoetry.Itawaitsthegiganticandgenerous
treatmentworthyofit.
The largeness of nature or the nation were monstrous without a
corresponding largeness and generosity of the spirit of the citizen. Not
nature nor swarming states nor streets and steamships nor prosperous
business nor farms nor capital nor learning may suffice for the ideal of
man...norsufficethepoet.Noreminiscencesmaysufficeeither.Alive
nation can always cut a deep mark and can have the best authority the
cheapest...namelyfromitsownsoul.Thisisthesumoftheprofitable
usesofindividualsorstatesandofpresentactionandgrandeurandofthe
subjects of poets.—As if it were necessary to trot back generation after
generationtotheeasternrecords!Asifthebeautyandsacrednessofthe
demonstrable must fall behind that of the mythical! As if men do not
make their mark out of any times! As if the opening of the western
continentbydiscoveryandwhathastranspiredsinceinNorthandSouth
America were less than the small theatre of the antique or the aimless
sleepwalking of the middle ages! The pride of the United States leaves
the wealth and finesse of the cities and all returns of commerce and
agriculture and all the magnitude of geography or shows of exterior
victory to enjoy the breed of fullsized men or one fullsized man
unconquerableandsimple.
TheAmerican poets are to enclose old and new forAmerica is the
race of races. Of them a bard is to be commensurate with a people. To
him the other continents arrive as contributions . . . he gives them
reception for their sake and his own sake. His spirit responds to his
country’s spirit . . . . he incarnates its geography and natural life and
rivers and lakes. Mississippi with annual freshets and changing chutes,
MissouriandColumbiaandOhioandSaintLawrencewiththefallsand
beautiful masculine Hudson, do not embouchure where they spend
themselvesmorethantheyembouchureintohim.Thebluebreadthover
the inland sea of Virginia and Maryland and the sea off Massachusetts
and Maine and over Manhattan bay and over Champlain and Erie and
overOntarioandHuronandMichiganandSuperior,andovertheTexan
and Mexican and Floridian and Cuban seas and over the seas off
California and Oregon, is not tallied by the blue breadth of the waters
belowmorethanthebreadthofaboveandbelowistalliedbyhim.When
the long Atlantic coast stretches longer and the Pacific coast stretches
longer he easily stretches with them north or south. He spans between
themalsofromeasttowestandreflectswhatisbetweenthem.Onhim
risesolidgrowthsthatoffsetthegrowthsofpineandcedarandhemlock
andliveoakandlocustandchestnutandcypressandhickoryandlimetree
andcottonwoodandtuliptreeandcactusandwildvineandtamarindand
persimmon....andtanglesastangledasanycanebrakeorswamp....
and forests coated with transparent ice and icicles hanging from the
boughs and crackling in the wind . . . . and sides and peaks of
mountains . . . . and pasturage sweet and free as savannah or upland or
prairie....withflightsandsongsandscreamsthatanswerthoseofthe
wildpigeon and highhold and orchard-oriole and coot and surf-duck and
redshouldered-hawkandfish-hawkandwhite-ibisandindian-henandcatowl and water-pheasant and qua-bird and pied-sheldrake and blackbird
andmockingbirdandbuzzardandcondorandnight-heronandeagle.To
himthehereditarycountenancedescendsbothmother’sandfather’s.To
himentertheessencesoftherealthingsandpastandpresentevents—of
the enormous diversity of temperature and agriculture and mines—the
tribes of red aborigines—the weather-beaten vessels entering new ports
ormakinglandingsonrockycoasts—thefirstsettlementsnorthorsouth
—therapidstatureandmuscle—thehaughtydefianceof’76,andthewar
and peace and formation of the constitution . . . . the union always
surrounded by blatherers and always calm and impregnable—the
perpetual coming of immigrants—the wharf hem’d cities and superior
marine—the unsurveyed interior—the loghouses and clearings and wild
animalsandhuntersandtrappers....thefreecommerce—thefisheries
andwhalingandgold-digging—theendlessgestationofnewstates—the
convening of Congress every December, the members duly coming up
fromallclimatesandtheuttermostparts....thenoblecharacterofthe
young mechanics and of all free American workmen and
workwomen....thegeneralardorandfriendlinessandenterprise—the
perfectequalityofthefemalewiththemale....thelargeamativeness—
thefluidmovementofthepopulation—thefactoriesandmercantilelife
and laborsaving machinery—the Yankee swap—the New York firemen
and the target excursion—the southern plantation life—the character of
the northeast and of the northwest and southwest—slavery and the
tremulousspreadingofhandstoprotectit,andthesternoppositiontoit
whichshallneverceasetillitceasesorthespeakingoftonguesandthe
movingoflipscease.ForsuchtheexpressionoftheAmericanpoetisto
betranscendantandnew.Itistobeindirectandnotdirectordescriptive
orepic.Itsqualitygoesthroughthesetomuchmore.Lettheageandwars
of other nations be chanted and their eras and characters be illustrated
andthatfinishtheverse.Notsothegreatpsalmoftherepublic.Herethe
themeiscreativeandhasvista.Herecomesoneamongthewellbeloved
stonecutters and plans with decision and science and sees the solid and
beautifulformsofthefuturewheretherearenownosolidforms.
OfallnationstheUnitedStateswithveinsfullofpoeticalstuffmost
needpoetsandwilldoubtlesshavethegreatestandusethemthegreatest.
TheirPresidentsshallnotbetheircommonrefereesomuchastheirpoets
shall.Ofallmankindthegreatpoetistheequableman.Notinhimbut
off from him things are grotesque or eccentric or fail of their sanity.
Nothing out of its place is good and nothing in its place is bad. He
bestows on every object or quality its fit proportions neither more nor
less.Heisthearbiterofthediverseandheisthekey.Heistheequalizer
of his age and land . . . . he supplies what wants supplying and checks
whatwantschecking.Ifpeaceistheroutineoutofhimspeaksthespirit
of peace, large, rich, thrifty, building vast and populous cities,
encouragingagricultureandtheartsandcommerce—lightingthestudyof
man, the soul, immortality—federal, state or municipal
government,marriage,health,freetrade,intertravelbylandandsea....
nothingtooclose,nothingtoofaroff...thestarsnottoofaroff.Inwar
he is the most deadly force of the war. Who recruits him recruits horse
andfoot...hefetchesparksofartillerythebestthatengineereverknew.
Ifthetimebecomesslothfulandheavyheknowshowtoarouseit...he
can make every word he speaks draw blood. Whatever stagnates in the
flatofcustomorobedienceorlegislationheneverstagnates.Obedience
doesnotmasterhim,hemastersit.Highupoutofreachhestandsturning
aconcentratedlight...heturnsthepivotwithhisfinger...hebaffles
theswiftestrunnersashestandsandeasilyovertakesandenvelopsthem.
The time straying toward infidelity and confections and persiflage he
withholdsbyhissteadyfaith...hespreadsouthisdishes...heoffers
the sweet firmfibred meat that grows men and women. His brain is the
ultimatebrain.Heisnoarguer...heisjudgment.Hejudgesnotasthe
judgejudgesbutasthesunfallingaroundahelplessthing.Asheseesthe
farthesthehasthemostfaith.Histhoughtsarethehymnsofthepraiseof
things.InthetalkonthesoulandeternityandGodoffofhisequalplane
he is silent. He sees eternity less like a play with a prologue and
denouement....heseeseternityinmenandwomen...hedoesnotsee
men and women as dreams or dots. Faith is the antiseptic of the
soul . . . it pervades the common people and preserves them . . . they
never give up believing and expecting and trusting. There is that
indescribable freshness and unconsciousness about an illiterate person
thathumblesandmocksthepowerofthenoblestexpressivegenius.The
poetseesforacertaintyhowonenotagreatartistmaybejustassacred
andperfectasthegreatestartist......Thepowertodestroyorremould
isfreelyusedbyhimbutneverthepowerofattack.Whatispastispast.
Ifhedoesnotexposesuperiormodelsandprovehimselfbyeverystephe
takes he is not what is wanted. The presence of the greatest poet
conquers...notparleyingorstrugglingoranypreparedattempts.Now
he has passed that way see after him! there is not left any vestige of
despairormisanthropyorcunningorexclusivenessortheignominyofa
nativityorcolorordelusionofhellorthenecessityofhell.....andno
manthenceforwardshallbedegradedforignoranceorweaknessorsin.
Thegreatestpoethardlyknowspettinessortriviality.Ifhebreathes
intoanythingthatwasbeforethoughtsmallitdilateswiththegrandeur
and life of the universe. He is a seer . . . . he is individual . . . he is
completeinhimself....theothersareasgoodashe,onlyheseesitand
they do not. He is not one of the chorus . . . . he does not stop for any
regulation...heisthepresidentofregulation.Whattheeyesightdoesto
the rest he does to the rest. Who knows the curious mystery of the
eyesight? The other senses corroborate themselves, but this is removed
from any proof but its own and foreruns the identities of the spiritual
world.Asingleglanceofitmocksalltheinvestigationsofmanandall
the instruments and books of the earth and all reasoning. What is
marvellous? what is unlikely? what is impossible or baseless or vague?
after you have once just opened the space of a peachpit and given
audience to far and near and to the sunset and had all things enter with
electricswiftnesssoftlyanddulywithoutconfusionorjostlingorjam.
Thelandandsea,theanimalsfishesandbirds,theskyofheavenand
theorbs,theforestsmountainsandrivers,arenotsmallthemes...but
folks expect of the poet to indicate more than the beauty and dignity
whichalwaysattachtodumbrealobjects....theyexpecthimtoindicate
the path between reality and their souls. Men and women perceive the
beautywellenough..probablyaswellashe.Thepassionatetenacityof
hunters, woodmen, early risers, cultivators of gardens and orchards and
fields,theloveofhealthywomenforthemanlyform,seafaringpersons,
drivers of horses, the passion for light and the open air, all is an old
variedsignoftheunfailingperceptionofbeautyandofaresidenceofthe
poetic in outdoor people. They can never be assisted by poets to
perceive . . . some may but they never can. The poetic quality is not
marshalledinrhymeoruniformityorabstractaddressestothingsnorin
melancholycomplaintsorgoodprecepts,butisthelifeoftheseandmuch
else and is in the soul. The profit of rhyme is that it drops seeds of a
sweeter and more luxuriant rhyme, and of uniformity that it conveys
itself into its own roots in the ground out of sight. The rhyme and
uniformity of perfect poems show the free growth of metrical laws and
budfromthemasunerringlyandlooselyaslilacsorrosesonabush,and
take shapes as compact as the shapes of chestnuts and oranges and
melonsandpears,andshedtheperfumeimpalpabletoform.Thefluency
andornamentsofthefinestpoemsormusicororationsorrecitationsare
not independent but dependent.All beauty comes from beautiful blood
and a beautiful brain. If the greatnesses are in conjunction in a man or
womanitisenough....thefactwillprevailthroughtheuniverse....
butthegaggeryandgiltofamillionyearswillnotprevail.Whotroubles
himselfabouthisornamentsorfluencyislost.Thisiswhatyoushalldo:
Lovetheearthandsunandtheanimals,despiseriches,givealmstoevery
onethatasks,standupforthestupidandcrazy,devoteyourincomeand
labortoothers,hatetyrants,arguenotconcerningGod,havepatienceand
indulgence toward the people, take off your hat to nothing known or
unknown or to any man or number of men, go freely with powerful
uneducatedpersonsandwiththeyoungandwiththemothersoffamilies,
readtheseleavesintheopenaireveryseasonofeveryyearofyourlife,
re-examine all you have been told at school or church or in any book,
dismiss whatever insults your own soul, and your very flesh shall be a
greatpoemandhavetherichestfluencynotonlyinitswordsbutinthe
silentlinesofitslipsandfaceandbetweenthelashesofyoureyesandin
everymotionandjointofyourbody........Thepoetshallnotspendhis
time in unneeded work. He shall know that the ground is always ready
ploughedandmanured....othersmaynotknowitbutheshall.Heshall
godirectlytothecreation.Histrustshallmasterthetrustofeverything
hetouches....andshallmasterallattachment.
Theknownuniversehasonecompleteloverandthatisthegreatest
poet. He consumes an eternal passion and is indifferent which chance
happens and which possible contingency of fortune or misfortune and
persuadesdailyandhourlyhisdeliciouspay.Whatbalksorbreaksothers
is fuel for his burning progress to contact and amorous joy. Other
proportions of the reception of pleasure dwindle to nothing to his
proportions.Allexpectedfromheavenorfromthehighestheisrapport
with in the sight of the daybreak or a scene of the winter woods or the
presenceofchildrenplayingorwithhisarmroundtheneckofamanor
woman.Hisloveabovealllovehasleisureandexpanse....heleaves
roomaheadofhimself.Heisnoirresoluteorsuspiciouslover...heis
sure . . . he scorns intervals. His experience and the showers and thrills
are not for nothing. Nothing can jar him . . . . suffering and darkness
cannot—deathandfearcannot.Tohimcomplaintandjealousyandenvy
arecorpsesburiedandrottenintheearth....hesawthemburied.The
sea is not surer of the shore or the shore of the sea than he is of the
fruitionofhisloveandofallperfectionandbeauty.
Thefruitionofbeautyisnochanceofhitormiss...itisinevitable
as life . . . . it is exact and plumb as gravitation. From the eyesight
proceedsanothereyesightandfromthehearingproceedsanotherhearing
and from the voice proceeds another voice eternally curious of the
harmonyofthingswithman.Totheserespondperfectionsnotonlyinthe
committees that were supposed to stand for the rest but in the rest
themselves just the same. These understand the law of perfection in
massesandfloods...thatitsfinishistoeachforitselfandonwardfrom
itself...thatitisprofuseandimpartial...thatthereisnotaminuteof
the light or dark nor an acre of the earth or sea without it—nor any
directionoftheskynoranytradeoremploymentnoranyturnofevents.
This is the reason that about the proper expression of beauty there is
precision and balance . . . one part does not need to be thrust above
another. The best singer is not the one who has the most lithe and
powerful organ . . . the pleasure of poems is not in them that take the
handsomestmeasureandsimilesandsound.
Withouteffortandwithoutexposingintheleasthowitisdonethe
greatestpoetbringsthespiritofanyoralleventsandpassionsandscenes
and persons some more and some less to bear on your individual
characterasyouhearorread.Todothiswellistocompetewiththelaws
thatpursueandfollowtime.Whatisthepurposemustsurelybethereand
the clue of it must be there . . . . and the faintest indication is the
indicationofthebestandthenbecomestheclearestindication.Pastand
present and future are not disjoined but joined. The greatest poet forms
theconsistenceofwhatistobefromwhathasbeenandis.Hedragsthe
deadoutoftheircoffinsandstandsthemagainontheirfeet....hesays
tothepast,RiseandwalkbeforemethatImayrealizeyou.Helearnsthe
lesson . . . . he places himself where the future becomes present. The
greatestpoetdoesnotonlydazzlehisraysovercharacterandscenesand
passions . . . he finally ascends and finishes all . . . he exhibits the
pinnaclesthatnomancantellwhattheyarefororwhatisbeyond....he
glowsamomentontheextremestverge.Heismostwonderfulinhislast
half-hiddensmileorfrown...bythatflashofthemomentofpartingthe
onethatseesitshallbeencouragedorterrifiedafterwardformanyyears.
Thegreatestpoetdoesnotmoralizeormakeapplicationsofmorals...he
knows the soul. The soul has that measureless pride which consists in
never acknowledging any lessons but its own. But it has sympathy as
measureless as its pride and the one balances the other and neither can
stretchtoofarwhileitstretchesincompanywiththeother.Theinmost
secrets of art sleep with the twain. The greatest poet has lain close
betwixtbothandtheyarevitalinhisstyleandthoughts.
Theartofart,thegloryofexpressionandthesunshineofthelightof
letters is simplicity. Nothing is better than simplicity . . . . nothing can
makeupforexcessorforthelackofdefiniteness.Tocarryontheheave
of impulse and pierce intellectual depths and give all subjects their
articulations are powers neither common nor very uncommon. But to
speak in literature with the perfect rectitude and insousiance of the
movements of animals and the unimpeachableness of the sentiment of
treesinthewoodsandgrassbytheroadsideistheflawlesstriumphofart.
Ifyouhavelookedonhimwhohasachievedityouhavelookedononeof
the masters of the artists of all nations and times. You shall not
contemplate the flight of the graygull over the bay or the mettlesome
actionofthebloodhorseorthetallleaningofsunflowersontheirstalkor
theappearanceofthesunjourneyingthroughheavenortheappearanceof
the moon afterward with any more satisfaction than you shall
contemplatehim.Thegreatestpoethaslessamarkedstyleandismore
thechannelofthoughtsandthingswithoutincreaseordiminution,andis
the free channel of himself. He swears to his art, I will not be
meddlesome, will not have in my writing any elegance or effect or
originalitytohanginthewaybetweenmeandtherestlikecurtains.Iwill
havenothinghangintheway,nottherichestcurtains.WhatItellItell
forpreciselywhatitis.Letwhomayexaltorstartleorfascinateorsoothe
Iwillhavepurposesashealthorheatorsnowhasandbeasregardlessof
observation.WhatIexperienceorportrayshallgofrommycomposition
withoutashredofmycomposition.Youshallstandbymysideandlook
inthemirrorwithme.
The old red blood and stainless gentility of great poets will be
proved by their unconstraint.A heroic person walks at his ease through
andoutofthatcustomorprecedentorauthoritythatsuitshimnot.Ofthe
traitsofthebrotherhoodofwriterssavansmusiciansinventorsandartists
nothing is finer than silent defiance advancing from new free forms. In
theneedofpoemsphilosophypoliticsmechanismsciencebehaviour,the
craftofart,anappropriatenativegrand-opera,shipcraft,oranycraft,he
is greatest forever and forever who contributes the greatest original
practicalexample.Thecleanestexpressionisthatwhichfindsnosphere
worthyofitselfandmakesone.
Themessagesofgreatpoetstoeachmanandwomanare,Cometous
onequalterms,Onlythencanyouunderstandus,Wearenobetterthan
you, What we enclose you enclose, What we enjoy you may enjoy. Did
you suppose there could be only one Supreme? We affirm there can be
unnumbered Supremes, and that one does not countervail another any
morethanoneeyesightcountervailsanother..andthatmencanbegood
orgrandonlyoftheconsciousnessoftheirsupremacywithinthem.What
do you think is the grandeur of storms and dismemberments and the
deadliestbattlesandwrecksandthewildestfuryoftheelementsandthe
power of the sea and the motion of nature and of the throes of human
desires and dignity and hate and love? It is that something in the soul
which says, Rage on, Whirl on, I tread master here and everywhere,
Masterofthespasmsoftheskyandoftheshatterofthesea,Masterof
natureandpassionanddeath,Andofallterrorandallpain.
The American bards shall be marked for generosity and affection
and for encouraging competitors . . They shall be kosmos . . without
monopolyorsecrecy..gladtopassanythingtoanyone..hungryfor
equals night and day. They shall not be careful of riches and
privilege....theyshallberichesandprivilege....theyshallperceive
whothemostaffluentmanis.Themostaffluentmanishethatconfronts
alltheshowsheseesbyequivalentsoutofthestrongerwealthofhimself.
TheAmericanbardshalldelineatenoclassofpersonsnoroneortwoout
ofthestrataofinterestsnorlovemostnortruthmostnorthesoulmost
nor the body most . . . . and not be for the eastern states more than the
westernorthenorthernstatesmorethanthesouthern.
Exact science and its practical movements are no checks on the
greatestpoetbutalwayshisencouragementandsupport.Theoutsetand
remembrance are there . . there the arms that lifted him first and brace
himbest....therehereturnsafterallhisgoingsandcomings.Thesailor
andtraveler..theanatomistchemistastronomergeologistphrenologist
spiritualistmathematicianhistorianandlexicographerarenotpoets,but
they are the lawgivers of poets and their construction underlies the
structureofeveryperfectpoem.Nomatterwhatrisesorisutteredthey
senttheseedoftheconceptionofit...ofthemandbythemstandthe
visibleproofsofsouls.....alwaysoftheirfatherstuffmustbebegotten
thesinewyracesofbards.Ifthereshallbeloveandcontentbetweenthe
father and the son and if the greatness of the son is the exuding of the
greatnessofthefatherthereshallbelovebetweenthepoetandtheman
of demonstrable science. In the beauty of poems are the tuft and final
applauseofscience.
Greatisthefaithoftheflushofknowledgeandoftheinvestigation
ofthedepthsofqualitiesandthings.Cleavingandcirclinghereswellsthe
soul of the poet yet is president of itself always. The depths are
fathomless and therefore calm. The innocence and nakedness are
resumed...theyareneithermodestnorimmodest.Thewholetheoryof
thespecialandsupernaturalandallthatwastwinedwithitoreducedout
ofitdepartsasadream.Whathaseverhappened....whathappensand
whatever may or shall happen, the vital laws enclose all . . . . they are
sufficient for any case and for all cases . . . none to be hurried or
retarded....anymiracleofaffairsorpersonsinadmissibleinthevast
clearschemewhereeverymotionandeveryspearofgrassandtheframes
andspiritsofmenandwomenandallthatconcernsthemareunspeakably
perfectmiraclesallreferringtoallandeachdistinctandinitsplace.Itis
also not consistent with the reality of the soul to admit that there is
anythingintheknownuniversemoredivinethanmenandwomen.
Menandwomenandtheearthandalluponitaresimplytobetaken
astheyare,andtheinvestigationoftheirpastandpresentandfutureshall
be unintermitted and shall be done with perfect candor. Upon this basis
philosophy speculates ever looking toward the poet, ever regarding the
eternaltendenciesofalltowardhappinessneverinconsistentwithwhatis
cleartothesensesandtothesoul.Fortheeternaltendenciesofalltoward
happiness make the only point of sane philosophy. Whatever
comprehendslessthanthat...whateverislessthanthelawsoflightand
ofastronomicalmotion...orlessthanthelawsthatfollowthethiefthe
liar the glutton and the drunkard through this life and doubtless
afterward......orlessthanvaststretchesoftimeortheslowformation
ofdensityorthepatientupheavingofstrata—isofnoaccount.Whatever
wouldputGodinapoemorsystemofphilosophyascontendingagainst
some being or influence is also of no account. Sanity and ensemble
characterisethegreatmaster...spoiltinoneprincipleallisspoilt.The
greatmasterhasnothingtodowithmiracles.Heseeshealthforhimself
inbeingoneofthemass....heseesthehiatusinsingulareminence.To
theperfectshapecomescommonground.Tobeunderthegenerallawis
great for that is to correspond with it. The master knows that he is
unspeakablygreatandthatallareunspeakablygreat....thatnothingfor
instance is greater than to conceive children and bring them up
well...thattobeisjustasgreatastoperceiveortell.
In the make of the great masters the idea of political liberty is
indispensible. Liberty takes the adherence of heroes wherever men and
womenexist....butnevertakesanyadherenceorwelcomefromtherest
morethanfrompoets.Theyarethevoiceandexpositionofliberty.They
outofagesareworthythegrandidea....tothemitisconfidedandthey
must sustain it. Nothing has precedence of it and nothing can warp or
degrade it. The attitude of great poets is to cheer up slaves and horrify
despots. The turn of their necks, the sound of their feet, the motions of
theirwrists,arefullofhazardtotheoneandhopetotheother.Comenigh
themawhileandthoughtheyneitherspeakoradviseyoushalllearnthe
faithfulAmerican lesson. Liberty is poorly served by men whose good
intent is quelled from one failure or two failures or any number of
failures, or from the casual indifference or ingratitude of the people, or
from the sharp show of the tushes of power, or the bringing to bear
soldiers and cannon or any penal statutes. Liberty relies upon itself,
invites no one, promises nothing, sits in calmness and light, is positive
andcomposed,andknowsnodiscouragement.Thebattlerageswithmany
a loud alarm and frequent advance and retreat . . . . the enemy
triumphs....theprison,thehandcuffs,theironnecklaceandanklet,the
scaffold,garroteandleadballsdotheirwork....thecauseisasleep....
thestrongthroatsarechokedwiththeirownblood....theyoungmen
drop their eyelashes toward the ground when they pass each other . . . .
andislibertygoneoutofthatplace?Nonever.Whenlibertygoesitisnot
thefirsttogonorthesecondorthirdtogo..itwaitsforalltherestto
go..itisthelast...Whenthememoriesoftheoldmartyrsarefaded
utterlyaway....whenthelargenamesofpatriotsarelaughedatinthe
publichallsfromthelipsoftheorators....whentheboysarenomore
christened after the same but christened after tyrants and traitors
instead....whenthelawsofthefreearegrudginglypermittedandlaws
forinformersandbloodmoneyaresweettothetasteofthepeople....
whenIandyouwalkabroadupontheearthstungwithcompassionatthe
sightofnumberlessbrothersansweringourequalfriendshipandcalling
no man master—and when we are elated with noble joy at the sight of
slaves....whenthesoulretiresinthecoolcommunionofthenightand
surveysitsexperienceandhasmuchextasyoverthewordanddeedthat
put back a helpless innocent person into the gripe of the gripers or into
anycruelinferiority....whenthoseinallpartsofthesestateswhocould
easier realize the true American character but do not yet—when the
swarmsofcringers,suckers,doughfaces,liceofpolitics,plannersofsly
involutionsfortheirownprefermenttocityofficesorstatelegislaturesor
thejudiciaryorcongressorthepresidency,obtainaresponseofloveand
naturaldeferencefromthepeoplewhethertheygettheofficesorno....
whenitisbettertobeaboundboobyandrogueinofficeatahighsalary
thanthepoorestfreemechanicorfarmerwithhishatunmovedfromhis
head and firm eyes and a candid and generous heart . . . . and when
servilitybytownorstateorthefederalgovernmentoranyoppressionon
a large scale or small scale can be tried on without its own punishment
following duly after in exact proportion against the smallest chance of
escape....orratherwhenalllifeandallthesoulsofmenandwomen
aredischargedfromanypartoftheearth—thenonlyshalltheinstinctof
libertybedischargedfromthatpartoftheearth.
As the attributes of the poets of the kosmos concentre in the real
bodyandsoulandinthepleasureofthingstheypossessthesuperiorityof
genuinenessoverallfictionandromance.Astheyemitthemselvesfacts
are showered over with light . . . . the daylight is lit with more volatile
light . . . . also the deep between the setting and rising sun goes deeper
many fold. Each precise object or condition or combination or process
exhibits a beauty . . . . the multiplication table its—old age its—the
carpenter’s trade its—the grand-opera its . . . . the hugehulled
cleanshapedNewYorkclipperatseaundersteamorfullsailgleamswith
unmatched beauty . . . . the American circles and large harmonies of
governmentgleamwiththeirs....andthecommonestdefiniteintentions
and actions with theirs. The poets of the kosmos advance through all
interpositions and coverings and turmoils and stratagems to first
principles.Theyareofuse....theydissolvepovertyfromitsneedand
richesfromitsconceit.Youlargeproprietortheysayshallnotrealizeor
perceivemorethananyoneelse.Theownerofthelibraryisnothewho
holdsalegaltitletoithavingboughtandpaidforit.Anyoneandevery
one is owner of the library who can read the same through all the
varietiesoftonguesandsubjectsandstyles,andinwhomtheyenterwith
ease and take residence and force toward paternity and maternity, and
makesuppleandpowerfulandrichandlarge.........TheseAmerican
states strong and healthy and accomplished shall receive no pleasure
fromviolationsofnaturalmodelsandmustnotpermitthem.Inpaintings
or mouldings or carvings in mineral or wood, or in the illustrations of
booksornewspapers,orinanycomicortragicprints,orinthepatternsof
wovenstuffsoranythingtobeautifyroomsorfurnitureorcostumes,or
toputuponcornicesormonumentsorontheprowsorsternsofships,or
toputanywherebeforethehumaneyeindoorsorout,thatwhichdistorts
honest shapes or which creates unearthly beings or places or
contingenciesisanuisanceandrevolt.Ofthehumanformespeciallyitis
so great it must never be made ridiculous. Of ornaments to a work
nothingoutrecanbeallowed..butthoseornamentscanbeallowedthat
conformtotheperfectfactsoftheopenairandthatflowoutofthenature
of the work and come irrepressibly from it and are necessary to the
completion of the work. Most works are most beautiful without
ornament...Exaggerationswillberevengedinhumanphysiology.Clean
andvigorouschildrenarejettedandconceivedonlyinthosecommunities
where the models of natural forms are public every day. . . . . Great
genius and the people of these states must never be demeaned to
romances.Assoonashistoriesareproperlytoldthereisnomoreneedof
romances.
Thegreatpoetsarealsotobeknownbytheabsenceinthemoftricks
andbythejustificationofperfectpersonalcandor.Thenfolksechoanew
cheapjoyandadivinevoiceleapingfromtheirbrains:Howbeautifulis
candor! All faults may be forgiven of him who has perfect candor.
Henceforthletnomanofuslie,forwehaveseenthatopennesswinsthe
innerandouterworldandthatthereisnosingleexception,andthatnever
since our earth gathered itself in a mass have deceit or subterfuge or
prevaricationattracteditssmallestparticleorthefaintesttingeofashade
—andthatthroughtheenvelopingwealthandrankofastateorthewhole
republic of states a sneak or sly person shall be discovered and
despised....andthatthesoulhasneverbeenoncefooledandnevercan
befooled....andthriftwithoutthelovingnodofthesoulisonlyafœtid
puff....andtherenevergrewupinanyofthecontinentsoftheglobe
noruponanyplanetorsatelliteorstar,norupontheasteroids,norinany
partofetherealspace,norinthemidstofdensity,norunderthefluidwet
ofthesea,norinthatconditionwhichprecedesthebirthofbabes,norat
any time during the changes of life, nor in that condition that follows
whatwetermdeath,norinanystretchofabeyanceoractionafterwardof
vitality,norinanyprocessofformationorreformationanywhere,abeing
whoseinstincthatedthetruth.
Extremecautionorprudence,thesoundestorganichealth,largehope
and comparison and fondness for women and children, large
alimentivenessanddestructivenessandcausality,withaperfectsenseof
the oneness of nature and the propriety of the same spirit applied to
humanaffairs..thesearecalledupofthefloatofthebrainoftheworld
tobepartsofthegreatestpoetfromhisbirthoutofhismother’swomb
andfromherbirthoutofhermother’s.Cautionseldomgoesfarenough.
Ithasbeenthoughtthattheprudentcitizenwasthecitizenwhoapplied
himself to solid gains and did well for himself and his family and
completedalawfullifewithoutdebtorcrime.Thegreatestpoetseesand
admitstheseeconomiesasheseestheeconomiesoffoodandsleep,but
has higher notions of prudence than to think he gives much when he
givesafewslightattentionsatthelatchofthegate.Thepremisesofthe
prudenceoflifearenotthehospitalityofitortheripenessandharvestof
it.Beyondtheindependenceofalittlesumlaidasideforburial-money,
and of a few clapboards around and shingles overhead on a lot of
American soil owned, and the easy dollars that supply the year’s plain
clothingandmeals,themelancholyprudenceoftheabandonmentofsuch
agreatbeingasamanistothetossandpallorofyearsofmoneymaking
withalltheirscorchingdaysandicynightsandalltheirstiflingdeceits
and underhanded dodgings, or infinitessimals of parlors, or shameless
stuffingwhileothersstarve..andallthelossofthebloomandodorof
theearthandoftheflowersandatmosphereandoftheseaandofthetrue
taste of the women and men you pass or have to do with in youth or
middleage,andtheissuingsicknessanddesperaterevoltatthecloseofa
life without elevation or naivete, and the ghastly chatter of a death
without serenity or majesty, is the great fraud upon modern civilization
and forethought, blotching the surface and system which civilization
undeniably drafts, and moistening with tears the immense features it
spreads and spreads with such velocity before the reached kisses of the
soul...Stilltherightexplanationremainstobemadeaboutprudence.
Theprudenceofthemerewealthandrespectabilityofthemostesteemed
life appears too faint for the eye to observe at all when little and large
alike drop quietly aside at the thought of the prudence suitable for
immortality.Whatiswisdomthatfillsthethinnessofayearorseventy
or eighty years to wisdom spaced out by ages and coming back at a
certain time with strong reinforcements and rich presents and the clear
facesofwedding-guestsasfarasyoucanlookineverydirectionrunning
gailytowardyou?Onlythesoulisofitself....allelsehasreferenceto
what ensues.All that a person does or thinks is of consequence. Not a
move can a man or woman make that affects him or her in a day or a
monthoranypartofthedirectlifetimeorthehourofdeathbutthesame
affects him or her onward afterward through the indirect lifetime. The
indirectisalwaysasgreatandrealasthedirect.Thespiritreceivesfrom
thebodyjustasmuchasitgivestothebody.Notonenameofwordor
deed..notofvenerealsoresordiscolorations..nottheprivacyofthe
onanist . . not of the putrid veins of gluttons or rumdrinkers . . . not
peculation or cunning or betrayal or murder . . no serpentine poison of
those that seduce women . . not the foolish yielding of women . . not
prostitution..notofanydepravityofyoungmen..notoftheattainment
ofgainbydiscreditablemeans..notanynastinessofappetite..notany
harshnessofofficerstomenorjudgestoprisonersorfatherstosonsor
sonstofathersorofhusbandstowivesorbossestotheirboys..notof
greedy looks or malignant wishes . . . nor any of the wiles practised by
people upon themselves . . . ever is or ever can be stamped on the
programme but it is duly realized and returned, and that returned in
further performances . . . and they returned again. Nor can the push of
charity or personal force ever be any thing else than the profoundest
reason, whether it bring arguments to hand or no. No specification is
necessary..toaddorsubtractordivideisinvain.Littleorbig,learned
orunlearned,whiteorblack,legalorillegal,sickorwell,fromthefirst
inspiration down the windpipe to the last expiration out of it, all that a
maleorfemaledoesthatisvigorousandbenevolentandcleanissomuch
sure profit to him or her in the unshakable order of the universe and
throughthewholescopeofitforever.Ifthesavageorfeloniswiseitis
well....ifthegreatestpoetorsavaniswiseitissimplythesame..if
the President or chief justice is wise it is the same . . . if the young
mechanicorfarmeriswiseitisnomoreorless..iftheprostituteiswise
it is no more nor less. The interest will come round . . all will come
round.Allthebestactionsofwarandpeace...allhelpgiventorelatives
andstrangersandthepoorandoldandsorrowfulandyoungchildrenand
widows and the sick, and to all shunned persons . . all furtherance of
fugitives and of the escape of slaves . . all the self-denial that stood
steady and aloof on wrecks and saw others take the seats of the
boats...allofferingofsubstanceorlifeforthegoodoldcause,orfora
friend’ssakeoropinion’ssake...allpainsofenthusiastsscoffedatby
their neighbors . . all the vast sweet love and precious suffering of
mothers...allhonestmenbaffledinstrifesrecordedorunrecorded....
allthegrandeurandgoodofthefewancientnationswhosefragmentsof
annalsweinherit..andallthegoodofthehundredsoffarmightierand
moreancientnationsunknowntousbynameordateorlocation....all
thatwasevermanfullybegun,whetheritsucceededorno....allthathas
atanytimebeenwellsuggestedoutofthedivineheartofmanorbythe
divinityofhismouthorbytheshapingofhisgreathands..andallthatis
wellthoughtordonethisdayonanypartofthesurfaceoftheglobe..or
on any of the wandering stars or fixed stars by those there as we are
here..orthatishenceforthtobewellthoughtordonebyyouwhoever
youare,orbyanyone—thesesinglyandwhollyinuredattheirtimeand
inurenowandwillinurealwaystotheidentitiesfromwhichtheysprung
orshallspring...Didyouguessanyofthemlivedonlyitsmoment?The
worlddoesnotsoexist..nopartspalpableorimpalpablesoexist...no
resultexistsnowwithoutbeingfromitslongantecedentresult,andthat
from its antecedent, and so backward without the farthest mentionable
spotcomingabitnearerthebeginningthananyotherspot.....Whatever
satisfies the soul is truth. The prudence of the greatest poet answers at
lastthecravingandglutofthesoul,isnotcontemptuousoflesswaysof
prudenceiftheyconformtoitsways,putsoffnothing,permitsnolet-up
foritsowncaseoranycase,hasnoparticularsabbathorjudgment-day,
divides not the living from the dead or the righteous from the
unrighteous,issatisfiedwiththepresent,matcheseverythoughtoractby
its correlative, knows no possible forgiveness or deputed
atonement..knowsthattheyoungmanwhocomposedlyperiledhislife
andlostithasdoneexceedingwellforhimself,whilethemanwhohas
notperiledhislifeandretainsittooldageinrichesandeasehasperhaps
achieved nothing for himself worth mentioning . . and that only that
person has no great prudence to learn who has learnt to prefer real
longlived things, and favors body and soul the same, and perceives the
indirect assuredly following the direct, and what evil or good he does
leapingonwardandwaitingtomeethimagain—andwhoinhisspiritin
anyemergencywhateverneitherhurriesoravoidsdeath.
Thedirecttrialofhimwhowouldbethegreatestpoetistoday.Ifhe
does not flood himself with the immediate age as with vast oceanic
tides . . . . . and if he does not attract his own land body and soul to
himself and hang on its neck with incomparable love and plunge his
semiticmuscleintoitsmeritsanddemerits...andifhebenothimself
theagetransfigured....andiftohimisnotopenedtheeternitywhich
gives similitude to all periods and locations and processes and animate
andinanimateforms,andwhichisthebondoftime,andrisesupfromits
inconceivable vagueness and infiniteness in the swimming shape of
today, and is held by the ductile anchors of life, and makes the present
spot the passage from what was to what shall be, and commits itself to
the representation of this wave of an hour and this one of the sixty
beautifulchildrenofthewave—lethimmergeinthegeneralrunandwait
hisdevelopment........Stillthefinaltestofpoemsoranycharacteror
work remains. The prescient poet projects himself centuries ahead and
judgesperformerorperformanceafterthechangesoftime.Doesitlive
throughthem?Doesitstillholdonuntired?Willthesamestyleandthe
direction of genius to similar points be satisfactory now? Has no new
discoveryinscienceorarrivalatsuperiorplanesofthoughtandjudgment
andbehaviourfixedhimorhissothateithercanbelookeddownupon?
Have the marches of tens and hundreds and thousands of years made
willing detours to the right hand and the left hand for his sake? Is he
belovedlongandlongafterheisburied?Doestheyoungmanthinkoften
ofhim?andtheyoungwomanthinkoftenofhim?anddothemiddleaged
andtheoldthinkofhim?
Agreatpoemisforagesandagesincommonandforalldegreesand
complexionsandalldepartmentsandsectsandforawomanasmuchasa
manandamanasmuchasawoman.Agreatpoemisnofinishtoaman
orwomanbutratherabeginning.Hasanyonefanciedhecouldsitatlast
undersomedueauthorityandrestsatisfiedwithexplanationsandrealize
and be content and full? To no such terminus does the greatest poet
bring . . . he brings neither cessation or sheltered fatness and ease. The
touchofhimtellsinaction.Whomhetakeshetakeswithfirmsuregrasp
intoliveregionspreviouslyunattained....thenceforwardisnorest....
theyseethespaceandineffablesheenthatturntheoldspotsandlights
intodeadvacuums.Thecompanionofhimbeholdsthebirthandprogress
ofstarsandlearnsoneofthemeanings.Nowthereshallbeamancohered
outoftumultandchaos....theelderencouragestheyoungerandshows
him how . . . they two shall launch off fearlessly together till the new
worldfitsanorbitforitselfandlooksunabashedonthelesserorbitsof
thestarsandsweepsthroughtheceaselessringsandshallneverbequiet
again.
There will soon be no more priests. Their work is done. They may
waitawhile..perhapsagenerationortwo..droppingoffbydegrees.A
superior breed shall take their place . . . . the gangs of kosmos and
prophetsenmasseshalltaketheirplace.Anewordershallariseandthey
shall be the priests of man, and every man shall be his own priest. The
churches built under their umbrage shall be the churches of men and
women.Throughthedivinityofthemselvesshallthekosmosandthenew
breed of poets be interpreters of men and women and of all events and
things.Theyshallfindtheirinspirationinrealobjectstoday,symptoms
ofthepastandfuture....Theyshallnotdeigntodefendimmortalityor
God or the perfection of things or liberty or the exquisite beauty and
realityofthesoul.TheyshallariseinAmericaandberespondedtofrom
theremainderoftheearth.
TheEnglishlanguagebefriendsthegrandAmericanexpression....
itisbrawnyenoughandlimberandfullenough.Onthetoughstockofa
racewhothroughallchangeofcircumstancewasneverwithouttheidea
ofpoliticalliberty,whichistheanimusofallliberty,ithasattractedthe
termsofdaintierandgayerandsubtlerandmoreeleganttongues.Itisthe
powerfullanguageofresistance...itisthedialectofcommonsense.It
isthespeechoftheproudandmelancholyracesandofallwhoaspire.It
isthechosentonguetoexpressgrowthfaithself-esteemfreedomjustice
equality friendliness amplitude prudence decision and courage. It is the
mediumthatshallwellnighexpresstheinexpressible.
No great literature nor any like style of behaviour or oratory or
socialintercourseorhouseholdarrangementsorpublicinstitutionsorthe
treatmentbybossesofemployedpeople,norexecutivedetailordetailof
thearmyornavy,norspiritoflegislationorcourtsorpoliceortuitionor
architectureorsongsoramusementsorthecostumesofyoungmen,can
long elude the jealous and passionate instinct of American standards.
Whetherornothesignappearsfromthemouthsofthepeople,itthrobsa
live interrogation in every freeman’s and freewoman’s heart after that
which passes by or this built to remain. Is it uniform with my country?
Are its disposals without ignominious distinctions? Is it for the
evergrowingcommunesofbrothersandlovers,large,well-united,proud
beyond the old models, generous beyond all models? Is it something
grownfreshoutofthefieldsordrawnfromtheseaforusetometoday
here?knowthatwhatanswersformeanAmericanmustanswerforany
individual or nation that serves for a part of my materials. Does this
answer? or is it without reference to universal needs? or sprung of the
needs of the less developed society of special ranks? or old needs of
pleasureoverlaidbymodernscienceandforms?Doesthisacknowledge
liberty with audible and absolute acknowledgement, and set slavery at
nought for life and death? Will it help breed one goodshaped and
wellhung man, and a woman to be his perfect and independent mate?
Does it improve manners? Is it for the nursing of the young of the
republic?Doesitsolvereadilywiththesweetmilkofthenipplesofthe
breasts of the mother of many children? Has it too the old ever-fresh
forbearanceandimpartiality?Doesitlookwiththesameloveonthelast
born and on those hardening toward stature, and on the errant, and on
thosewhodisdainallstrengthofassaultoutsideoftheirown?
Thepoemsdistilledfromotherpoemswillprobablypassaway.The
cowardwillsurelypassaway.Theexpectationofthevitalandgreatcan
onlybesatisfiedbythedemeanorofthevitalandgreat.Theswarmsof
thepolisheddeprecatingandreflectorsandthepolitefloatoffandleave
noremembrance.Americaprepareswithcomposureandgoodwillforthe
visitorsthathavesentword.Itisnotintellectthatistobetheirwarrant
and welcome. The talented, the artist, the ingenious, the editor, the
statesman,theerudite..theyarenotunappreciated..theyfallintheir
place and do their work. The soul of the nation also does its work. No
disguisecanpassonit..nodisguisecanconcealfromit.Itrejectsnone,
itpermitsall.Onlytowardasgoodasitselfandtowardthelikeofitself
willitadvancehalf-way.Anindividualisassuperbasanationwhenhe
hasthequalitieswhichmakeasuperbnation.Thesoulofthelargestand
wealthiestandproudestnationmaywellgohalf-waytomeetthatofits
poets.Thesignsareeffectual.Thereisnofearofmistake.Iftheoneis
truetheotheristrue.Theproofofapoetisthathiscountryabsorbshim
asaffectionatelyashehasabsorbedit.
LeavesofGrass
Icelebratemyself,
AndwhatIassumeyoushallassume,
Foreveryatombelongingtomeasgoodbelongstoyou.
Iloafeandinvitemysoul,
Ileanandloafeatmyease....observingaspearofsummergrass.
Housesandroomsarefullofperfumes....theshelvesarecrowdedwith
perfumes,
Ibreathethefragrancemyself,andknowitandlikeit,
Thedistillationwouldintoxicatemealso,butIshallnotletit.
Theatmosphereisnotaperfume....ithasnotasteofthedistillation...
.itisodorless,
Itisformymouthforever....Iaminlovewithit,
Iwillgotothebankbythewoodandbecomeundisguisedandnaked,
Iammadforittobeincontactwithme.
Thesmokeofmyownbreath,
Echos,ripples,andbuzzedwhispers....loveroot,silkthread,crotchand
vine,
Myrespirationandinspiration....thebeatingofmyheart....the
passingofbloodandairthroughmylungs,
Thesniffofgreenleavesanddryleaves,andoftheshoreanddarkcolored
sea-rocks,andofhayinthebarn,
Thesoundofthebelchedwordsofmyvoice....wordsloosedtothe
eddiesofthewind,
Afewlightkisses....afewembraces....areachingaroundofarms,
Theplayofshineandshadeonthetreesasthesuppleboughswag,
Thedelightaloneorintherushofthestreets,oralongthefieldsand
hillsides,
Thefeelingofhealth....thefull-noontrill....thesongofmerising
frombedandmeetingthesun.
Haveyoureckonedathousandacresmuch?Haveyoureckonedtheearth
much?
Haveyoupracticedsolongtolearntoread?
Haveyoufeltsoproudtogetatthemeaningofpoems?
Stopthisdayandnightwithmeandyoushallpossesstheoriginofall
poems,
Youshallpossessthegoodoftheearthandsun....therearemillionsof
sunsleft,
Youshallnolongertakethingsatsecondorthirdhand....norlook
throughtheeyesofthedead....norfeedonthespectresinbooks,
Youshallnotlookthroughmyeyeseither,nortakethingsfromme,
Youshalllistentoallsidesandfilterthemfromyourself.
Ihaveheardwhatthetalkersweretalking....thetalkofthebeginning
andtheend,
ButIdonottalkofthebeginningortheend.
Therewasneveranymoreinceptionthanthereisnow,
Noranymoreyouthoragethanthereisnow;
Andwillneverbeanymoreperfectionthanthereisnow,
Noranymoreheavenorhellthanthereisnow.
Urgeandurgeandurge,
Alwaystheprocreanturgeoftheworld.
Outofthedimnessoppositeequalsadvance....Alwayssubstanceand
increase,
Alwaysaknitofidentity....alwaysdistinction....alwaysabreedof
life.
Toelaborateisnoavail....Learnedandunlearnedfeelthatitisso.
Sureasthemostcertainsure....plumbintheuprights,wellentretied,
bracedinthebeams,
Stoutasahorse,affectionate,haughty,electrical,
Iandthismysteryherewestand.
Clearandsweetismysoul....andclearandsweetisallthatisnotmy
soul.
Lackonelacksboth....andtheunseenisprovedbytheseen,
Tillthatbecomesunseenandreceivesproofinitsturn.
Showingthebestanddividingitfromtheworst,agevexesage,
Knowingtheperfectfitnessandequanimityofthings,whiletheydiscuss
Iamsilent,andgobatheandadmiremyself.
Welcomeiseveryorganandattributeofme,andofanymanheartyand
clean,
Notaninchnoraparticleofaninchisvile,andnoneshallbeless
familiarthantherest.
Iamsatisfied....Isee,dance,laugh,sing;
AsGodcomesalovingbedfellowandsleepsatmysideallnightand
closeonthepeepoftheday,
Andleavesformebasketscoveredwithwhitetowelsbulgingthehouse
withtheirplenty,
ShallIpostponemyacceptationandrealizationandscreamatmyeyes,
Thattheyturnfromgazingafteranddowntheroad,
Andforthwithcipherandshowmetoacent,
Exactlythecontentsofone,andexactlythecontentsoftwo,andwhichis
ahead?
Trippersandaskerssurroundme,
PeopleImeet.....theeffectuponmeofmyearlylife....oftheward
andcityIlivein....ofthenation,
Thelatestnews....discoveries,inventions,societies....authorsold
andnew,
Mydinner,dress,associates,looks,business,compliments,dues,
TherealorfanciedindifferenceofsomemanorwomanIlove,
Thesicknessofoneofmyfolks—orofmyself....orill-doing....or
lossorlackofmoney....ordepressionsorexaltations,
Theycometomedaysandnightsandgofrommeagain,
ButtheyarenottheMemyself.
ApartfromthepullingandhaulingstandswhatIam,
Standsamused,complacent,compassionating,idle,unitary,
Looksdown,iserect,bendsanarmonanimpalpablecertainrest,
Lookswithitssidecurvedheadcuriouswhatwillcomenext,
Bothinandoutofthegame,andwatchingandwonderingatit.
BackwardIseeinmyowndayswhereIsweatedthroughfogwith
linguistsandcontenders,
Ihavenomockingsorarguments....Iwitnessandwait.
Ibelieveinyoumysoul....theotherIammustnotabaseitselftoyou,
Andyoumustnotbeabasedtotheother.
Loafewithmeonthegrass....loosethestopfromyourthroat,
Notwords,notmusicorrhymeIwant....notcustomorlecture,not
eventhebest,
OnlythelullIlike,thehumofyourvalvedvoice.
ImindhowwelayinJune,suchatransparentsummermorning;
Yousettledyourheadathwartmyhipsandgentlyturnedoveruponme,
Andpartedtheshirtfrommybosom-bone,andplungedyourtongueto
mybarestriptheart,
Andreachedtillyoufeltmybeard,andreachedtillyouheldmyfeet.
Swiftlyaroseandspreadaroundmethepeaceandjoyandknowledgethat
passalltheartandargumentoftheearth;
AndIknowthatthehandofGodistheelderhandofmyown,
AndIknowthatthespiritofGodistheeldestbrotherofmyown,
Andthatallthemeneverbornarealsomybrothers....andthewomen
mysistersandlovers,
Andthatakelsonofthecreationislove;
Andlimitlessareleavesstiffordroopinginthefields,
Andbrownantsinthelittlewellsbeneaththem,
Andmossyscabsofthewormfence,andheapedstones,andelderand
mullenandpokeweed.
Achildsaid,Whatisthegrass?fetchingittomewithfullhands;
HowcouldIanswerthechild?....Idonotknowwhatitisanymore
thanhe.
Iguessitmustbetheflagofmydisposition,outofhopefulgreenstuff
woven.
OrIguessitisthehandkerchiefoftheLord,
Ascentedgiftandremembrancerdesignedlydropped,
Bearingtheowner’snamesomewayinthecorners,thatwemayseeand
remark,andsayWhose?
OrIguessthegrassisitselfachild....theproducedbabeofthe
vegetation.
OrIguessitisauniformhieroglyphic,
Anditmeans,Sproutingalikeinbroadzonesandnarrowzones,
Growingamongblackfolksasamongwhite,
Kanuck,Tuckahoe,Congressman,Cuff,Igivethemthesame,Ireceive
themthesame.
Andnowitseemstomethebeautifuluncuthairofgraves.
TenderlywillIuseyoucurlinggrass,
Itmaybeyoutranspirefromthebreastsofyoungmen,
ItmaybeifIhadknownthemIwouldhavelovedthem;
Itmaybeyouarefromoldpeopleandfromwomen,andfromoffspring
takensoonoutoftheirmothers’laps,
Andhereyouarethemothers’laps.
Thisgrassisverydarktobefromthewhiteheadsofoldmothers,
Darkerthanthecolorlessbeardsofoldmen,
Darktocomefromunderthefaintredroofsofmouths.
OIperceiveafterallsomanyutteringtongues!
AndIperceivetheydonotcomefromtheroofsofmouthsfornothing.
IwishIcouldtranslatethehintsaboutthedeadyoungmenandwomen,
Andthehintsaboutoldmenandmothers,andtheoffspringtakensoon
outoftheirlaps.
Whatdoyouthinkhasbecomeoftheyoungandoldmen?
Andwhatdoyouthinkhasbecomeofthewomenandchildren?
Theyarealiveandwellsomewhere;
Thesmallestsproutshowsthereisreallynodeath,
Andifevertherewasitledforwardlife,anddoesnotwaitattheendto
arrestit,
Andceasedthemomentlifeappeared.
Allgoesonwardandoutward....andnothingcollapses,
Andtodieisdifferentfromwhatanyonesupposed,andluckier.
Hasanyonesupposeditluckytobeborn?
Ihastentoinformhimorheritisjustasluckytodie,andIknowit.
Ipassdeathwiththedying,andbirthwiththenew-washedbabe....and
amnotcontainedbetweenmyhatandboots,
Andperusemanifoldobjects,notwoalike,andeveryonegood,
Theearthgood,andthestarsgood,andtheiradjunctsallgood.
Iamnotanearthnoranadjunctofanearth,
Iamthemateandcompanionofpeople,alljustasimmortaland
fathomlessasmyself;
Theydonotknowhowimmortal,butIknow.
Everykindforitselfanditsown....formeminemaleandfemale,
Formeallthathavebeenboysandthatlovewomen,
Formethemanthatisproudandfeelshowitstingstobeslighted,
Formethesweetheartandtheoldmaid....formemothersandthe
mothersofmothers,
Formelipsthathavesmiled,eyesthathaveshedtears,
Formechildrenandthebegettersofchildren.
Whoneedbeafraidofthemerge?
Undrape....youarenotguiltytome,norstalenordiscarded,
Iseethroughthebroadclothandginghamwhetherorno,
Andamaround,tenacious,acquisitive,tireless....andcanneverbe
shakenaway.
Thelittleonesleepsinitscradle,
Iliftthegauzeandlookalongtime,andsilentlybrushawayflieswith
myhand.
Theyoungsterandtheredfacedgirlturnasideupthebushyhill,
Ipeeringlyviewthemfromthetop.
Thesuicidesprawlsonthebloodyfloorofthebedroom.
Itisso....Iwitnessedthecorpse....therethepistolhadfallen.
Theblabofthepave....thetiresofcartsandsluffofbootsolesandtalk
ofthepromenaders,
Theheavyomnibus,thedriverwithhisinterrogatingthumb,theclankof
theshodhorsesonthegranitefloor,
Thecarnivalofsleighs,theclinkingandshoutedjokesandpeltsof
snowballs;
Thehurrahsforpopularfavorites....thefuryofrousedmobs,
Theflapofthecurtainedlitter—thesickmaninside,bornetothe
hospital,
Themeetingofenemies,thesuddenoath,theblowsandfall,
Theexcitedcrowd—thepolicemanwithhisstarquicklyworkinghis
passagetothecentreofthecrowd;
Theimpassivestonesthatreceiveandreturnsomanyechoes,
Thesoulsmovingalong....aretheyinvisiblewhiletheleastatomofthe
stonesisvisible?
Whatgroansofoverfedorhalf-starvedwhofallontheflagssunstruckor
infits,
Whatexclamationsofwomentakensuddenly,whohurryhomeandgive
birthtobabes,
Whatlivingandburiedspeechisalwaysvibratinghere....whathowls
restrainedbydecorum,
Arrestsofcriminals,slights,adulterousoffersmade,acceptances,
rejectionswithconvexlips,
Imindthemortheresonanceofthem....Icomeagainandagain.
Thebigdoorsofthecountry-barnstandopenandready
Thedriedgrassoftheharvest-timeloadstheslow-drawnwagon,
Theclearlightplaysonthebrowngrayandgreenintertinged,
Thearmfulsarepackedtothesaggingmow:
Iamthere....Ihelp....Icamestretchedatopoftheload,
Ifeltitssoftjolts....onelegreclinedontheother,
Ijumpfromthecrossbeams,andseizethecloverandtimothy,
Androllheadoverheels,andtanglemyhairfullofwisps.
AlonefarinthewildsandmountainsIhunt,
Wanderingamazedatmyownlightnessandglee,
Inthelateafternoonchoosingasafespottopassthenight,
Kindlingafireandbroilingthefreshkilledgame,
Soundlyfallingasleeponthegatheredleaves,mydogandgunbymy
side.
TheYankeeclipperisunderherthreeskysails....shecutsthesparkle
andscud,
Myeyessettletheland....Ibendatherproworshoutjoyouslyfromthe
deck.
Theboatmenandclamdiggersaroseearlyandstoppedforme,
Ituckedmytrowser-endsinmybootsandwentandhadagoodtime,
Youshouldhavebeenwithusthatdayroundthechowder-kettle.
Isawthemarriageofthetrapperintheopenairinthefar-west....the
bridewasaredgirl,
Herfatherandhisfriendssatnearbycrossleggedanddumblysmoking..
..theyhadmoccasinstotheirfeetandlargethickblanketshanging
fromtheirshoulders;
Onabankloungedthetrapper....hewasdressedmostlyinskins....
hisluxuriantbeardandcurlsprotectedhisneck,
Onehandrestedonhisrifle....theotherhandheldfirmlythewristof
theredgirl,
Shehadlongeyelashes....herheadwasbare....hercoarsestraight
locksdescendeduponhervoluptuouslimbsandreachedtoherfeet.
Therunawayslavecametomyhouseandstoppedoutside,
Iheardhismotionscracklingthetwigsofthewoodpile,
Throughtheswunghalf-doorofthekitchenIsawhimlimpseyandweak,
Andwentwherehesatonalog,andledhiminandassuredhim,
Andbroughtwaterandfilledatubforhissweatedbodyandbruisedfeet,
Andgavehimaroomthatenteredfrommyown,andgavehimsome
coarsecleanclothes,
Andrememberperfectlywellhisrevolvingeyesandhisawkwardness,
Andrememberputtingplastersonthegallsofhisneckandankles;
Hestaidwithmeaweekbeforehewasrecuperatedandpassednorth,
Ihadhimsitnextmeattable....myfirelockleanedinthecorner.
Twenty-eightyoungmenbathebytheshore,
Twenty-eightyoungmen,andallsofriendly,
Twenty-eightyearsofwomanlylife,andallsolonesome.
Sheownsthefinehousebytheriseofthebank,
Shehideshandsomeandrichlydrestafttheblindsofthewindow.
Whichoftheyoungmendoesshelikethebest?
Ahthehomeliestofthemisbeautifultoher.
Whereareyouoffto,lady?forIseeyou,
Yousplashinthewaterthere,yetstaystockstillinyourroom.
Dancingandlaughingalongthebeachcamethetwenty-ninthbather,
Therestdidnotseeher,butshesawthemandlovedthem.
Thebeardsoftheyoungmenglistenedwithwet,itranfromtheirlong
hair,
Littlestreamspassedallovertheirbodies.
Anunseenhandalsopassedovertheirbodies,
Itdescendedtremblinglyfromtheirtemplesandribs.
Theyoungmenfloatontheirbacks,theirwhitebelliesswelltothesun..
..theydonotaskwhoseizesfasttothem,
Theydonotknowwhopuffsanddeclineswithpendantandbendingarch,
Theydonotthinkwhomtheysousewithspray.
Thebutcher-boyputsoffhiskilling-clothes,orsharpenshisknifeatthe
stallinthemarket,
Iloiterenjoyinghisreparteeandhisshuffleandbreakdown.
Blacksmithswithgrimedandhairychestsenvirontheanvil,
Eachhashismain-sledge....theyareallout....thereisagreatheatin
thefire.
Fromthecinder-strewedthresholdIfollowtheirmovements,
Thelithesheeroftheirwaistsplaysevenwiththeirmassivearms,
Overhandthehammersroll—overhandsoslow—overhandsosure,
Theydonothasten,eachmanhitsinhisplace.
Thenegroholdsfirmlythereinsofhisfourhorses....theblockswags
underneathonitstied-overchain,
Thenegrothatdrivesthehugedrayofthestoneyard....steadyandtall
hestandspoisedononelegonthestringpiece,
Hisblueshirtexposeshisampleneckandbreastandloosensoverhis
hipband,
Hisglanceiscalmandcommanding....hetossestheslouchofhishat
awayfromhisforehead,
Thesunfallsonhiscrispyhairandmoustache....fallsontheblackof
hispolish’dandperfectlimbs.
Ibeholdthepicturesquegiantandlovehim....andIdonotstopthere,
Igowiththeteamalso.
Inmethecaresseroflifewherevermoving....backwardaswellas
forwardslueing,
Tonichesasideandjuniorbending.
Oxenthatrattletheyokeorhaltintheshade,whatisthatyouexpressin
youreyes?
ItseemstomemorethanalltheprintIhavereadinmylife.
Mytreadscaresthewood-drakeandwood-duckonmydistantand
daylongramble,
Theyrisetogether,theyslowlycirclearound.
....Ibelieveinthosewingedpurposes,
Andacknowledgetheredyellowandwhiteplayingwithinme,
Andconsiderthegreenandvioletandthetuftedcrownintentional;
Anddonotcallthetortoiseunworthybecausesheisnotsomethingelse,
Andthemockingbirdintheswampneverstudiedthegamut,yettrills
prettywelltome,
Andthelookofthebaymareshamessillinessoutofme.
Thewildganderleadshisflockthroughthecoolnight,
Ya-honk!hesays,andsoundsitdowntomelikeaninvitation;
Thepertmaysupposeitmeaningless,butIlistencloser,
IfinditspurposeandplaceuptheretowardtheNovembersky.
Thesharphoofedmooseofthenorth,thecatonthehousesill,the
chickadee,theprairie-dog,
Thelitterofthegruntingsowastheytugatherteats,
Thebroodoftheturkeyhen,andshewithherhalfspreadwings,
Iseeinthemandmyselfthesameoldlaw.
Thepressofmyfoottotheearthspringsahundredaffections,
TheyscornthebestIcandotorelatethem.
Iamenamouredofgrowingoutdoors,
Ofmenthatliveamongcattleortasteoftheoceanorwoods,
Ofthebuildersandsteerersofships,ofthewieldersofaxesandmauls,of
thedriversofhorses,
Icaneatandsleepwiththemweekinandweekout.
WhatiscommonestandcheapestandnearestandeasiestisMe,
Megoinginformychances,spendingforvastreturns,
Adorningmyselftobestowmyselfonthefirstthatwilltakeme,
Notaskingtheskytocomedowntomygoodwill,
Scatteringitfreelyforever.
Thepurecontraltosingsintheorganloft,
Thecarpenterdresseshisplank....thetongueofhisforeplanewhistles
itswildascendinglisp,
Themarriedandunmarriedchildrenridehometotheirthanksgiving
dinner,
Thepilotseizestheking-pin,heheavesdownwithastrongarm,
Thematestandsbracedinthewhaleboat,lanceandharpoonareready,
Theduck-shooterwalksbysilentandcautiousstretches,
Thedeaconsareordainedwithcrossedhandsatthealtar,
Thespinning-girlretreatsandadvancestothehumofthebigwheel,
ThefarmerstopsbythebarsofaSundayandlooksattheoatsandrye,
Thelunaticiscarriedatlasttotheasylumaconfirmedcase,
Hewillneversleepanymoreashedidinthecotinhismother’s
bedroom;
Thejourprinterwithgrayheadandgauntjawsworksathiscase,
Heturnshisquidoftobacco,hiseyesgetblurredwiththemanuscript;
Themalformedlimbsaretiedtotheanatomist’stable,
Whatisremoveddropshorriblyinapail;
Thequadroongirlissoldatthestand....thedrunkardnodsbythe
barroomstove,
Themachinistrollsuphissleeves....thepolicemantravelshisbeat...
.thegatekeepermarkswhopass,
Theyoungfellowdrivestheexpress-wagon....IlovehimthoughIdo
notknowhim;
Thehalf-breedstrapsonhislightbootstocompeteintherace,
Thewesternturkey-shootingdrawsoldandyoung....someleanontheir
riflessomesitonlogs,
Outfromthecrowdstepsthemarksmanandtakeshispositionandlevels
hispiece;
Thegroupsofnewly-comeimmigrantscoverthewharforlevee,
Thewoollypateshoeinthesugarfield,theoverseerviewsthemfromhis
saddle;
Thebuglecallsintheballroom,thegentlemenrunfortheirpartners,the
dancersbowtoeachother;
Theyouthliesawakeinthecedar-roofedgarretandharkstothemusical
rain,
TheWolverinesetstrapsonthecreekthathelpsfilltheHuron,
Thereformerascendstheplatform,hespoutswithhismouthandnose,
Thecompanyreturnsfromitsexcursion,thedarkeybringsuptherear
andbearsthewell-riddledtarget,
Thesquawwraptinheryellow-hemmedclothisofferingmoccasinsand
beadbagsforsale,
Theconnoisseurpeersalongtheexhibition-gallerywithhalfshuteyes
bentsideways,
Thedeckhandsmakefastthesteamboat,theplankisthrownforthe
shoregoingpassengers,
Theyoungsisterholdsouttheskein,theeldersisterwindsitoffinaball
andstopsnowandthenfortheknots,
Theone-yearwifeisrecoveringandhappy,aweekagosheboreherfirst
child,
ThecleanhairedYankeegirlworkswithhersewing-machineorinthe
factoryormill,
Theninemonths’goneisintheparturitionchamber,herfaintnessand
painsareadvancing;
Thepavingmanleansonhistwohandedrammer—thereporter’sleadflies
swiftlyoverthenotebook—thesignpainterisletteringwithredand
gold,
Thecanal-boytrotsonthetowpath—thebookkeepercountsathisdesk—
theshoemakerwaxeshisthread,
Theconductorbeatstimeforthebandandalltheperformersfollowhim,
Thechildisbaptised—theconvertismakingthefirstprofessions,
Theregattaisspreadonthebay....howthewhitesailssparkle!
Thedroverwatcheshisdrove,hesingsouttothemthatwouldstray,
Thepedlarsweatswithhispackonhisback—thepurchaserhigglesabout
theoddcent,
Thecameraandplateareprepared,theladymustsitforher
daguerreotype,
Thebrideunrumplesherwhitedress,theminutehandoftheclockmoves
slowly,
Theopiumeaterreclineswithrigidheadandjust-openedlips,
Theprostitutedraggleshershawl,herbonnetbobsonhertipsyand
pimpledneck,
Thecrowdlaughatherblackguardoaths,themenjeerandwinktoeach
other,
(Miserable!Idonotlaughatyouroathsnorjeeryou,)
ThePresidentholdsacabinetcouncil,heissurroundedbythegreat
secretaries,
Onthepiazzawalkfivefriendlymatronswithtwinedarms;
Thecrewofthefish-smackpackrepeatedlayersofhalibutinthehold,
TheMissouriancrossestheplainstotinghiswaresandhiscattle,
Thefare-collectorgoesthroughthetrain—hegivesnoticebythejingling
ofloosechange,
Thefloormenarelayingthefloor—thetinnersaretinningtheroof—the
masonsarecallingformortar,
Insinglefileeachshoulderinghishodpassonwardthelaborers;
Seasonspursuingeachothertheindescribablecrowdisgathered....itis
theFourthofJuly....whatsalutesofcannonandsmallarms!
Seasonspursuingeachothertheplougherploughsandthemowermows
andthewintergrainfallsintheground;
Offonthelakesthepikefisherwatchesandwaitsbytheholeinthefrozen
surface,
Thestumpsstandthickroundtheclearing,thesquatterstrikesdeepwith
hisaxe,
Theflatboatmenmakefasttowarddusknearthecottonwoodor
pekantrees,
Thecoon-seekersgonowthroughtheregionsoftheRedriver,orthrough
thosedrainedbytheTennessee,orthroughthoseoftheArkansas,
ThetorchesshineinthedarkthathangsontheChattahoocheeor
Altamahaw;
Patriarchssitatsupperwithsonsandgrandsonsandgreatgrandsons
aroundthem,
Inwallsofadobe,incanvasstents,resthuntersandtrappersaftertheir
day’ssport.
Thecitysleepsandthecountrysleeps,
Thelivingsleepfortheirtime....thedeadsleepfortheirtime,
Theoldhusbandsleepsbyhiswifeandtheyounghusbandsleepsbyhis
wife;
Andtheseoneandalltendinwardtome,andItendoutwardtothem,
AndsuchasitistobeofthesemoreorlessIam.
Iamofoldandyoung,ofthefoolishasmuchasthewise,
Regardlessofothers,everregardfulofothers,
Maternalaswellaspaternal,achildaswellasaman,
Stuffedwiththestuffthatiscoarse,andstuffedwiththestuffthatisfine,
Oneofthegreatnation,thenationofmanynations—thesmallestthe
sameandthelargestthesame,
Asouthernersoonasanortherner,aplanternonchalantandhospitable,
AYankeeboundmyownway....readyfortrade....myjointsthe
limberestjointsonearthandthesternestjointsonearth,
AKentuckianwalkingthevaleoftheElkhorninmydeerskinleggings,
Aboatmanoverthelakesorbaysoralongcoasts....aHoosier,a
Badger,aBuckeye,
ALouisianianorGeorgian,apoke-easyfromsandhillsandpines,
AthomeonCanadiansnowshoesorupinthebush,orwithfishermenoff
Newfoundland,
Athomeinthefleetoficeboats,sailingwiththerestandtacking,
AthomeonthehillsofVermontorinthewoodsofMaineortheTexan
ranch,
ComradeofCalifornians....comradeoffreenorthwesterners,loving
theirbigproportions,
Comradeofraftsmenandcoalmen—comradeofallwhoshakehandsand
welcometodrinkandmeat;
Alearnerwiththesimplest,ateacherofthethoughtfulest,
Anovicebeginningexperientofmyriadsofseasons,
Ofeveryhueandtradeandrank,ofeverycasteandreligion,
NotmerelyoftheNewWorldbutofAfricaEuropeorAsia....a
wanderingsavage,
Afarmer,mechanic,orartist....agentleman,sailor,loverorquaker,
Aprisoner,fancy-man,rowdy,lawyer,physicianorpriest.
Iresistanythingbetterthanmyowndiversity,
Andbreathetheairandleaveplentyafterme,
Andamnotstuckup,andaminmyplace.
Themothandthefisheggsareintheirplace,
ThesunsIseeandthesunsIcannotseeareintheirplace,
Thepalpableisinitsplaceandtheimpalpableisinitsplace.
Thesearethethoughtsofallmeninallagesandlands,theyarenot
originalwithme,
Iftheyarenotyoursasmuchasminetheyarenothingornexttonothing,
Iftheydonotencloseeverythingtheyarenexttonothing,
Iftheyarenottheriddleandtheuntyingoftheriddletheyarenothing,
Iftheyarenotjustascloseastheyaredistanttheyarenothing.
Thisisthegrassthatgrowswhereverthelandisandthewateris,
Thisisthecommonairthatbathestheglobe.
Thisisthebreathoflawsandsongsandbehaviour,
Thisisthethetastelesswaterofsouls....thisisthetruesustenance,
Itisfortheilliterate....itisforthejudgesofthesupremecourt....it
isforthefederalcapitolandthestatecapitols,
Itisfortheadmirablecommunesofliterarymenandcomposersand
singersandlecturersandengineersandsavans,
Itisfortheendlessracesofworkingpeopleandfarmersandseamen.
Thisisthetrillofathousandclearcornetsandscreamoftheoctaveflute
andstrikeoftriangles.
Iplaynotamarchforvictorsonly....Iplaygreatmarchesfor
conqueredandslainpersons.
Haveyouheardthatitwasgoodtogaintheday?
Ialsosayitisgoodtofall....battlesarelostinthesamespiritinwhich
theyarewon.
Isoundtriumphaldrumsforthedead....Iflingthroughmy
embouchurestheloudestandgayestmusictothem,
Vivastothosewhohavefailed,andtothosewhosewar-vesselssankin
thesea,andthosethemselveswhosankinthesea,
Andtoallgeneralsthatlostengagements,andallovercomeheroes,and
thenumberlessunknownheroesequaltothegreatestheroesknown.
Thisisthemealpleasantlyset....thisisthemeatanddrinkfornatural
hunger,
Itisforthewickedjustthesameastherighteous....Imake
appointmentswithall,
Iwillnothaveasinglepersonslightedorleftaway,
Thekeptwomanandspongerandthiefareherebyinvited....theheavylippedslaveisinvited....thevenerealeeisinvited,
Thereshallbenodifferencebetweenthemandtherest.
Thisisthepressofabashfulhand....thisisthefloatandodorofhair,
Thisisthetouchofmylipstoyours....thisisthemurmurofyearning,
Thisisthefar-offdepthandheightreflectingmyownface,
Thisisthethoughtfulmergeofmyselfandtheoutletagain.
DoyouguessIhavesomeintricatepurpose?
WellIhave....fortheAprilrainhas,andthemicaonthesideofarock
has.
DoyoutakeitIwouldastonish?
Doesthedaylightastonish?ortheearlyredstarttwitteringthroughthe
woods?
DoIastonishmorethanthey?
ThishourItellthingsinconfidence,
ImightnottelleverybodybutIwilltellyou.
Whogoesthere!hankering,gross,mystical,nude?
HowisitIextractstrengthfromthebeefIeat?
Whatisamananyhow?WhatamI?andwhatareyou?
AllImarkasmyownyoushalloffsetitwithyourown,
Elseitweretimelostlisteningtome.
Idonotsnivelthatsniveltheworldover,
Thatmonthsarevacuumsandthegroundbutwallowandfilth,
Thatlifeisasuckandasell,andnothingremainsattheendbut
threadbarecrapeandtears.
Whimperingandtrucklingfoldwithpowdersforinvalids....
conformitygoestothefourth-removed,
IcockmyhatasIpleaseindoorsorout.
ShallIpray?ShallIvenerateandbeceremonious?
Ihavepriedthroughthestrataandanalyzedtoahair,
Andcounselledwithdoctorsandcalculatedcloseandfoundnosweeter
fatthanstickstomyownbones.
InallpeopleIseemyself,nonemoreandnotoneabarleycornless,
AndthegoodorbadIsayofmyselfIsayofthem.
AndIknowIamsolidandsound,
Tometheconvergingobjectsoftheuniverseperpetuallyflow,
Allarewrittentome,andImustgetwhatthewritingmeans.
AndIknowIamdeathless,
Iknowthisorbitofminecannotbesweptbyacarpenter’scompass,
IknowIshallnotpasslikeachild’scarlacuecutwithaburntstickat
night.
IknowIamaugust,
Idonottroublemyspirittovindicateitselforbeunderstood,
Iseethattheelementarylawsneverapologize,
IreckonIbehavenoprouderthanthelevelIplantmyhousebyafterall.
IexistasIam,thatisenough,
IfnootherintheworldbeawareIsitcontent,
AndifeachandallbeawareIsitcontent.
Oneworldisaware,andbyfarthelargesttome,andthatismyself,
AndwhetherIcometomyowntodayorintenthousandortenmillion
years,
Icancheerfullytakeitnow,orwithequalcheerfulnessIcanwait.
Myfootholdistenonedandmortisedingranite,
Ilaughatwhatyoucalldissolution,
AndIknowtheamplitudeoftime.
Iamthepoetofthebody,
AndIamthepoetofthesoul.
Thepleasuresofheavenarewithme,andthepainsofhellarewithme,
ThefirstIgraftandincreaseuponmyself....thelatterItranslateintoa
newtongue.
Iamthepoetofthewomanthesameastheman,
AndIsayitisasgreattobeawomanastobeaman,
AndIsaythereisnothinggreaterthanthemotherofmen.
Ichantanewchantofdilationorpride,
Wehavehadduckinganddeprecatingaboutenough,
Ishowthatsizeisonlydevelopement.
Haveyououtstripttherest?AreyouthePresident?
Itisatrifle....theywillmorethanarrivethereeveryone,andstillpass
on.
Iamhethatwalkswiththetenderandgrowingnight;
Icalltotheearthandseahalf-heldbythenight.
Pressclosebarebosomednight!Pressclosemagneticnourishingnight!
Nightofsouthwinds!Nightofthelargefewstars!
Stillnoddingnight!Madnakedsummernight!
SmileOvoluptuouscoolbreathedearth!
Earthoftheslumberingandliquidtrees!
Earthofdepartedsunset!Earthofthemountainsmisty-topt!
Earthofthevitreouspourofthefullmoonjusttingedwithblue!
Earthofshineanddarkmottlingthetideoftheriver!
Earthofthelimpidgrayofcloudsbrighterandclearerformysake!
Far-swoopingelbowedearth!Richapple-blossomedearth!
Smile,foryourlovercomes!
Prodigal!youhavegivenmelove!....thereforeItoyougivelove!
Ounspeakablepassionatelove!
ThrusterholdingmetightandthatIholdtight!
Wehurteachotherasthebridegroomandthebridehurteachother.
Yousea!Iresignmyselftoyoualso....Iguesswhatyoumean,
Ibeholdfromthebeachyourcrookedinvitingfingers,
Ibelieveyourefusetogobackwithoutfeelingofme;
Wemusthaveaturntogether....Iundress....hurrymeoutofsightof
theland,
Cushionmesoft....rockmeinbillowydrowse,
Dashmewithamorouswet....Icanrepayyou.
Seaofstretchedground-swells!
Seabreathingbroadandconvulsivebreaths!
Seaofthebrineoflife!Seaofunshovelledandalways-readygraves!
Howlerandscooperofstorms!Capriciousanddaintysea!
Iamintegralwithyou....Itooamofonephaseandofallphases.
Partakerofinfluxandefflux....extolerofhateandconciliation,
Extolerofamiesandthosethatsleepineachothers’arms.
Iamheattestingsympathy;
ShallImakemylistofthingsinthehouseandskipthehousethat
supportsthem?
Iamthepoetofcommonsenseandofthedemonstrableandof
immortality;
Andamnotthepoetofgoodnessonly....Idonotdeclinetobethepoet
ofwickednessalso.
Washesandrazorsforfoofoos....formefrecklesandabristlingbeard.
Whatblurtisitaboutvirtueandaboutvice?
Evilpropelsme,andreformofevilpropelsme....Istandindifferent,
Mygaitisnofaultfinder’sorrejecter’sgait,
Imoistentherootsofallthathasgrown.
Didyoufearsomescrofulaoutoftheunflaggingpregnancy?
Didyouguessthecelestiallawsareyettobeworkedoverandrectified?
Istepuptosaythatwhatwedoisrightandwhatweaffirmisright....
andsomeisonlytheoreofright,
Witnessesofus....onesideabalanceandtheantipodalsideabalance,
Softdoctrineassteadyhelpasstabledoctrine,
Thoughtsanddeedsofthepresentourrouseandearlystart.
Thisminutethatcomestomeoverthepastdecillions,
Thereisnobetterthanitandnow.
Whatbehavedwellinthepastorbehaveswelltodayisnotsucha
wonder,
Thewonderisalwaysandalwayshowtherecanbeameanmanoran
infidel.
Endlessunfoldingofwordsofages!
Andmineawordofthemodern....awordenmasse.
Awordofthefaiththatneverbalks,
Onetimeasgoodasanothertime....hereorhenceforwarditisallthe
sametome.
Awordofreality....materialismfirstandlastimbueing.
Hurrahforpositivescience!Longliveexactdemonstration!
Fetchstonecropandmixitwithcedarandbranchesoflilac;
Thisisthelexicographerorchemist....thismadeagrammaroftheold
cartouches,
Thesemarinersputtheshipthroughdangerousunknownseas,
Thisisthegeologist,andthisworkswiththescalpel,andthisisa
mathematician.
GentlemenIreceiveyou,andattachandclasphandswithyou,
Thefactsareusefulandreal....theyarenotmydwelling....Ienterby
themtoanareaofthedwelling.
Iamlessthereminderofpropertyorqualities,andmorethereminderof
life,
Andgoonthesquareformyownsakeandforothers’sakes,
Andmakeshortaccountofneutersandgeldings,andfavormenand
womenfullyequipped,
Andbeatthegongofrevolt,andstopwithfugitivesandthemthatplot
andconspire.
WaltWhitman,anAmerican,oneoftheroughs,akosmos,
Disorderlyfleshyandsensual....eatingdrinkingandbreeding,
Nosentimentalist....nostanderabovemenandwomenorapartfrom
them....nomoremodestthanimmodest.
Unscrewthelocksfromthedoors!
Unscrewthedoorsthemselvesfromtheirjambs!
Whoeverdegradesanotherdegradesme....andwhateverisdoneorsaid
returnsatlasttome,
AndwhateverIdoorsayIalsoreturn.
Throughmetheafflatussurgingandsurging....throughmethecurrent
andindex.
Ispeakthepasswordprimeval....Igivethesignofdemocracy;
ByGod!Iwillacceptnothingwhichallcannothavetheircounterpartof
onthesameterms.
Throughmemanylongdumbvoices,
Voicesoftheinterminablegenerationsofslaves,
Voicesofprostitutesandofdeformedpersons,
Voicesofthediseasedanddespairing,andofthievesanddwarfs,
Voicesofcyclesofpreparationandaccretion,
Andofthethreadsthatconnectthestars—andofwombs,andofthe
fatherstuff,
Andoftherightsofthemtheothersaredownupon,
Ofthetrivialandflatandfoolishanddespised,
Offogintheairandbeetlesrollingballsofdung.
Throughmeforbiddenvoices,
Voicesofsexesandlusts....voicesveiled,andIremovetheveil,
Voicesindecentbymeclarifiedandtransfigured.
Idonotpressmyfingeracrossmymouth,
Ikeepasdelicatearoundthebowelsasaroundtheheadandheart,
Copulationisnomoreranktomethandeathis.
Ibelieveinthefleshandtheappetites,
Seeinghearingandfeelingaremiracles,andeachpartandtagofmeisa
miracle.
DivineamIinsideandout,andImakeholywhateverItouchoram
touchedfrom;
Thescentofthesearm-pitsisaromafinerthanprayer,
Thisheadismorethanchurchesorbiblesorcreeds.
IfIworshipanyparticularthingitshallbesomeofthespreadofmy
body;
Translucentmouldofmeitshallbeyou,
Shadedledgesandrests,firmmasculinecoulter,itshallbeyou,
Whatevergoestothetilthofmeitshallbeyou,
Youmyrichblood,yourmilkystreampalestrippingsofmylife;
Breastthatpressesagainstotherbreastsitshallbeyou.
Mybrainitshallbeyouroccultconvolutions,
Rootofwashedsweet-flag,timorouspond-snipe,nestofguarded
duplicateeggs,itshallbeyou,
Mixedtussledhayofheadandbeardandbrawnitshallbeyou,
Tricklingsapofmaple,fibreofmanlywheat,itshallbeyou;
Sunsogenerousitshallbeyou,
Vaporslightingandshadingmyfaceitshallbeyou,
Yousweatybrooksanddewsitshallbeyou,
Windswhosesoft-ticklinggenitalsrubagainstmeitshallbeyou,
Broadmuscularfields,branchesofliveoak,lovingloungerinmywinding
paths,itshallbeyou,
HandsIhavetaken,faceIhavekissed,mortalIhaveevertouched,it
shallbeyou.
Idoteonmyself....thereisthatlotofme,andallsoluscious,
Eachmomentandwhateverhappensthrillsmewithjoy.
Icannottellhowmyanklesbend....norwhencethecauseofmy
faintestwish,
NorthecauseofthefriendshipIemit....northecauseofthefriendship
Itakeagain.
Towalkupmystoopisunaccountable....Ipausetoconsiderifitreally
be,
ThatIeatanddrinkisspectacleenoughforthegreatauthorsandschools,
Amorning-gloryatmywindowsatisfiesmemorethanthemetaphysics
ofbooks.
Tobeholdthedaybreak!
Thelittlelightfadestheimmenseanddiaphanousshadows,
Theairtastesgoodtomypalate.
Heftsofthemovingworldatinnocentgambols,silentlyrising,freshly
exuding,
Scootingobliquelyhighandlow.
SomethingIcannotseeputsupwardlibidinousprongs,
Seasofbrightjuicesuffuseheaven.
Theearthbytheskystaidwith....thedailycloseoftheirjunction,
Theheavedchallengefromtheeastthatmomentovermyhead,
Themockingtaunt,Seethenwhetheryoushallbemaster!
Dazzlingandtremendoushowquickthesunrisewouldkillme,
IfIcouldnotnowandalwayssendsunriseoutofme.
Wealsoascenddazzlingandtremendousasthesun,
Wefoundourownmysoulinthecalmandcoolofthedaybreak.
Myvoicegoesafterwhatmyeyescannotreach,
WiththetwirlofmytongueIencompassworldsandvolumesofworlds.
Speechisthetwinofmyvision....itisunequaltomeasureitself.
Itprovokesmeforever,
Itsayssarcastically,Walt,youunderstandenough....whydon’tyoulet
itoutthen?
ComenowIwillnotbetantalized....youconceivetoomuchof
articulation.
Doyounotknowhowthebudsbeneatharefolded?
Waitingingloomprotectedbyfrost,
Thedirtrecedingbeforemypropheticalscreams,
Iunderlyingcausestobalancethematlast,
Myknowledgemyliveparts....itkeepingtallywiththemeaningof
things,
Happiness....whichwhoeverhearsmelethimorhersetoutinsearch
ofthisday.
MyfinalmeritIrefuseyou....IrefuseputtingfrommethebestIam.
Encompassworldsbutnevertrytoencompassme,
Icrowdyournoisiesttalkbylookingtowardyou.
Writingandtalkdonotproveme,
Icarrytheplenumofproofandeverythingelseinmyface,
WiththehushofmylipsIconfoundthetopmostskeptic.
IthinkIwilldonothingforalongtimebutlisten,
AndaccruewhatIhearintomyself....andletsoundscontributetoward
me.
Ihearthebravurasofbirds....thebustleofgrowingwheat....gossip
offlames....clackofstickscookingmymeals.
Ihearthesoundofthehumanvoice....asoundIlove,
Ihearallsoundsastheyaretunedtotheiruses....soundsofthecity
andsoundsoutofthecity....soundsofthedayandnight;
Talkativeyoungonestothosethatlikethem....therecitativeoffishpedlarsandfruit-pedlars....theloudlaughofworkpeopleattheir
meals,
Theangrybaseofdisjointedfriendship....thefainttonesofthesick,
Thejudgewithhandstighttothedesk,hisshakylipspronouncinga
death-sentence,
Theheave’e’yoofstevedoresunladingshipsbythewharves....the
refrainoftheanchor-lifters;
Theringofalarm-bells....thecryoffire....thewhirrofswiftstreakingenginesandhose-cartswithpremonitorytinklesandcolored
lights,
Thesteam-whistle....thesolidrollofthetrainofapproachingcars;
Theslow-marchplayedatnightattheheadoftheassociation,
Theygotoguardsomecorpse....theflag-topsaredrapedwithblack
muslin.
Iheartheviolincelloorman’sheart’scomplaint,
Andhearthekeyedcornetorelsetheechoofsunset.
Ihearthechorus....itisagrand-opera....thisindeedismusic!
Atenorlargeandfreshasthecreationfillsme,
Theorbicflexofhismouthispouringandfillingmefull.
Ihearthetrainedsoprano....sheconvulsesmeliketheclimaxofmy
love-grip;
TheorchestrawhirlsmewiderthanUranusflies,
Itwrenchesunnamableardorsfrommybreast,
Itthrobsmetogulpsofthefarthestdownhorror,
Itsailsme....Idabwithbarefeet....theyarelickedbytheindolent
waves,
Iamexposed....cutbybitterandpoisonedhail,
Steepedamidhoneyedmorphine....mywindpipesqueezedinthefakes
ofdeath,
Letupagaintofeelthepuzzleofpuzzles,
AndthatwecallBeing.
Tobeinanyform,whatisthat?
Ifnothinglaymoredevelopedthequahauganditscallousshellwere
enough.
Mineisnocallousshell,
IhaveinstantconductorsallovermewhetherIpassorstop,
Theyseizeeveryobjectandleaditharmlesslythroughme.
Imerelystir,press,feelwithmyfingers,andamhappy,
Totouchmypersontosomeoneelse’sisaboutasmuchasIcanstand.
Isthisthenatouch?....quiveringmetoanewidentity,
Flamesandethermakingarushformyveins,
Treacheroustipofmereachingandcrowdingtohelpthem,
Myfleshandbloodplayingoutlightning,tostrikewhatishardly
differentfrommyself,
Onallsidesprurientprovokersstiffeningmylimbs,
Strainingtheudderofmyheartforitswithhelddrip,
Behavinglicentioustowardme,takingnodenial,
Deprivingmeofmybestasforapurpose,
Unbuttoningmyclothesandholdingmebythebarewaist,
Deludingmyconfusionwiththecalmofthesunlightandpasturefields,
Immodestlyslidingthefellow-sensesaway,
Theybribedtoswapoffwithtouch,andgoandgrazeattheedgesofme,
Noconsideration,noregardformydrainingstrengthormyanger,
Fetchingtherestoftheherdaroundtoenjoythemawhile,
Thenallunitingtostandonaheadlandandworryme.
Thesentriesdeserteveryotherpartofme,
Theyhaveleftmehelplesstoaredmarauder,
Theyallcometotheheadlandtowitnessandassistagainstme.
Iamgivenupbytraitors;
Italkwildly....Ihavelostmywits....Iandnobodyelseamthe
greatesttraitor,
Iwentmyselffirsttotheheadland....myownhandscarriedmethere.
Youvillaintouch!whatareyoudoing?....mybreathistightinits
throat;
Unclenchyourfloodgates!youaretoomuchforme.
Blindlovingwrestlingtouch!Sheathedhoodedsharptoothedtouch!
Diditmakeyouachesoleavingme?
Partingtrackedbyarriving....perpetualpaymentoftheperpetualloan,
Richshoweringrain,andrecompensericherafterward.
Sproutstakeandaccumulate....standbythecurbprolificandvital,
Landscapesprojectedmasculinefull-sizedandgolden.
Alltruthswaitinallthings,
Theyneitherhastentheirowndeliverynorresistit,
Theydonotneedtheobstetricforcepsofthesurgeon,
Theinsignificantisasbigtomeasany,
Whatislessormorethanatouch?
Logicandsermonsneverconvince,
Thedampofthenightdrivesdeeperintomysoul.
Onlywhatprovesitselftoeverymanandwomanisso,
Onlywhatnobodydeniesisso.
Aminuteandadropofmesettlemybrain;
Ibelievethesoggyclodsshallbecomeloversandlamps,
Andacompendofcompendsisthemeatofamanorwoman,
Andasummitandflowerthereisthefeelingtheyhaveforeachother,
Andtheyaretobranchboundlesslyoutofthatlessonuntilitbecomes
omnific,
Anduntileveryoneshalldelightus,andwethem.
Ibelievealeafofgrassisnolessthanthejourneyworkofthestars,
Andthepismireisequallyperfect,andagrainofsand,andtheeggofthe
wren,
Andthetree-toadisachef-d’ouvreforthehighest,
Andtherunningblackberrywouldadorntheparlorsofheaven,
Andthenarrowesthingeinmyhandputstoscornallmachinery,
Andthecowcrunchingwithdepressedheadsurpassesanystatue,
Andamouseismiracleenoughtostaggersextillionsofinfidels,
AndIcouldcomeeveryafternoonofmylifetolookatthefarmer’sgirl
boilingherirontea-kettleandbakingshortcake.
IfindIincorporategneissandcoalandlong-threadedmossandfruitsand
grainsandesculentroots,
Andamstucco’dwithquadrupedsandbirdsallover,
Andhavedistancedwhatisbehindmeforgoodreasons,
AndcallanythingcloseagainwhenIdesireit.
Invainthespeedingorshyness,
Invaintheplutonicrockssendtheiroldheatagainstmyapproach,
Invainthemastadonretreatsbeneathitsownpowderedbones,
Invainobjectsstandleaguesoffandassumemanifoldshapes,
Invaintheoceansettlinginhollowsandthegreatmonsterslyinglow,
Invainthebuzzardhousesherselfwiththesky,
Invainthesnakeslidesthroughthecreepersandlogs,
Invaintheelktakestotheinnerpassesofthewoods,
InvaintherazorbilledauksailsfarnorthtoLabrador,
Ifollowquickly....Iascendtothenestinthefissureofthecliff.
IthinkIcouldturnandliveawhilewiththeanimals....theyareso
placidandself-contained,
Istandandlookatthemsometimeshalfthedaylong.
Theydonotsweatandwhineabouttheircondition,
Theydonotlieawakeinthedarkandweepfortheirsins,
TheydonotmakemesickdiscussingtheirdutytoGod,
Notoneisdissatisfied....notoneisdementedwiththemaniaofowning
things,
Notonekneelstoanothernortohiskindthatlivedthousandsofyears
ago,
Notoneisrespectableorindustriousoverthewholeearth.
SotheyshowtheirrelationstomeandIacceptthem;
Theybringmetokensofmyself....theyevincethemplainlyintheir
possession.
Idonotknowwheretheygotthosetokens,
Imusthavepassedthatwayuntoldtimesagoandnegligentlydroptthem,
Myselfmovingforwardthenandnowandforever,
Gatheringandshowingmorealwaysandwithvelocity,
Infiniteandomnigenousandthelikeoftheseamongthem;
Nottooexclusivetowardthereachersofmyremembrancers,
Pickingouthereonethatshallbemyamie,
Choosingtogowithhimonbrotherlyterms.
Agiganticbeautyofastallion,freshandresponsivetomycaresses,
Headhighintheforeheadandwidebetweentheears,
Limbsglossyandsupple,taildustingtheground,
Eyeswellapartandfullofsparklingwickedness....earsfinelycutand
flexiblymoving.
Hisnostrilsdilate....myheelsembracehim....hiswellbuiltlimbs
tremblewithpleasure....wespeedaroundandreturn.
IbutuseyouamomentandthenIresignyoustallion....anddonot
needyourpaces,andoutgallopthem,
AndmyselfasIstandorsitpassfasterthanyou.
Swiftwind!Space!MySoul!NowIknowitistruewhatIguessedat;
WhatIguessedwhenIloafedonthegrass,
WhatIguessedwhileIlayaloneinmybed....andagainasIwalkedthe
beachunderthepalingstarsofthemorning.
Mytiesandballastsleaveme....Itravel....Isail....myelbowsrest
inthesea-gaps,
Iskirtthesierras....mypalmscovercontinents,
Iamafootwithmyvision.
Bythecity’squadrangularhouses....inlog-huts,orcampingwith
lumbermen,
Alongtherutsoftheturnpike....alongthedrygulchandrivuletbed,
Hoeingmyonion-patch,androwsofcarrotsandparsnips....crossing
savannas...trailinginforests,
Prospecting....gold-digging....girdlingthetreesofanewpurchase,
Scorchedankle-deepbythehotsand....haulingmyboatdownthe
shallowriver;
Wherethepantherwalkstoandfroonalimboverhead....wherethe
buckturnsfuriouslyatthehunter,
Wheretherattlesnakesunshisflabbylengthonarock....wherethe
otterisfeedingonfish,
Wherethealligatorinhistoughpimplessleepsbythebayou,
Wheretheblackbearissearchingforrootsorhoney....wherethe
beaverpatsthemudwithhispaddle-tail;
Overthegrowingsugar....overthecottonplant....overthericeinits
lowmoistfield;
Overthesharp-peakedfarmhousewithitsscallopedscumandslender
shootsfromthegutters;
Overthewesternpersimmon....overthelongleavedcornandthe
delicateblue-floweredflax;
Overthewhiteandbrownbuckwheat,ahummerandabuzzertherewith
therest,
Overtheduskygreenoftheryeasitripplesandshadesinthebreeze;
Scalingmountains....pullingmyselfcautiouslyup....holdingonby
lowscraggedlimbs,
Walkingthepathworninthegrassandbeatthroughtheleavesofthe
brush;
Wherethequailiswhistlingbetwixtthewoodsandthewheatlot,
WherethebatfliesintheJulyeve....wherethegreatgoldbugdrops
throughthedark;
Wheretheflailskeeptimeonthebarnfloor,
Wherethebrookputsoutoftherootsoftheoldtreeandflowstothe
meadow,
Wherecattlestandandshakeawayflieswiththetremulousshudderingof
theirhides,
Wherethecheese-clothhangsinthekitchen,andandironsstraddlethe
hearth-slab,andcobwebsfallinfestoonsfromtherafters;
Wheretriphammerscrash....wherethepressiswhirlingitscylinders;
Whereverthehumanheartbeatswithterriblethroesoutofitsribs;
Wherethepear-shapedballoonisfloatingaloft....floatinginitmyself
andlookingcomposedlydown;
Wherethelife-carisdrawnontheslipnoose....wheretheheathatches
pale-greeneggsinthedentedsand,
Wheretheshe-whaleswimswithhercalvesandneverforsakesthem,
Wherethesteamshiptrailshindwaysitslongpennantofsmoke,
Wheretheground-shark’sfincutslikeablackchipoutofthewater,
Wherethehalf-burnedbrigisridingonunknowncurrents,
Whereshellsgrowtoherslimydeck,andthedeadarecorruptingbelow;
Wherethestripedandstarredflagisborneattheheadoftheregiments;
ApproachingManhattan,upbythelong-stretchingisland,
UnderNiagara,thecataractfallinglikeaveilovermycountenance;
Uponadoor-step....uponthehorse-blockofhardwoodoutside,
Upontherace-course,orenjoyingpic-nicsorjigsoragoodgameof
base-ball,
Athe-festivalswithblackguardjibesandironicallicenseandbull-dances
anddrinkingandlaughter,
Atthecider-mill,tastingthesweetofthebrownsqush....suckingthe
juicethroughastraw,
Atapple-pealings,wantingkissesforalltheredfruitIfind,
Atmustersandbeach-partiesandfriendlybeesandhuskingsandhouseraisings;
Wherethemockingbirdsoundshisdeliciousgurgles,andcacklesand
screamsandweeps,
Wherethehay-rickstandsinthebarnyard,andthedry-stalksare
scattered,andthebroodcowwaitsinthehovel,
Wherethebulladvancestodohismasculinework,andthestudtothe
mare,andthecockistreadingthehen,
Wheretheheifersbrowse,andthegeeseniptheirfoodwithshortjerks;
Wherethesundownshadowslengthenoverthelimitlessandlonesome
prairie,
Wheretheherdsofbuffalomakeacrawlingspreadofthesquaremiles
farandnear;
Wherethehummingbirdshimmers....wheretheneckofthelonglived
swaniscurvingandwinding;
Wherethelaughing-gullscootsbytheslappyshoreandlaughshernearhumanlaugh;
Wherebeehivesrangeonagraybenchinthegardenhalf-hidbythehigh
weeds;
Wheretheband-neckedpartridgesroostinaringonthegroundwiththeir
headsout;
Whereburialcoachesenterthearchedgatesofacemetery;
Wherewinterwolvesbarkamidwastesofsnowandicicledtrees;
Wheretheyellow-crownedheroncomestotheedgeofthemarshatnight
andfeedsuponsmallcrabs;
Wherethesplashofswimmersanddiverscoolsthewarmnoon;
Wherethekatydidworksherchromaticreedonthewalnut-treeoverthe
well;
Throughpatchesofcitronsandcucumberswithsilver-wiredleaves,
Throughthesalt-lickororangeglade....orunderconicalfurs;
Throughthegymnasium....throughthecurtainedsaloon....through
theofficeorpublichall;
Pleasedwiththenativeandpleasedwiththeforeign....pleasedwiththe
newandold,
Pleasedwithwomen,thehomelyaswellasthehandsome,
Pleasedwiththequakeressassheputsoffherbonnetandtalks
melodiously,
Pleasedwiththeprimitivetunesofthechoirofthewhitewashedchurch,
PleasedwiththeearnestwordsofthesweatingMethodistpreacher,or
anypreacher....lookingseriouslyatthecamp-meeting;
Lookinginattheshop-windowsinBroadwaythewholeforenoon....
pressingthefleshofmynosetothethickplate-glass,
Wanderingthesameafternoonwithmyfaceturneduptotheclouds;
MyrightandleftarmsroundthesidesoftwofriendsandIinthemiddle;
Cominghomewiththebeardedanddark-cheekedbush-boy....riding
behindhimatthedrapeoftheday;
Farfromthesettlementsstudyingtheprintofanimals’feet,orthe
moccasinprint;
Bythecotinthehospitalreachinglemonadetoafeverishpatient,
Bythecoffinedcorpsewhenallisstill,examiningwithacandle;
Voyagingtoeveryporttodickerandadventure;
Hurryingwiththemoderncrowd,aseagerandfickleasany,
HottowardoneIhate,readyinmymadnesstoknifehim;
Solitaryatmidnightinmybackyard,mythoughtsgonefrommealong
while,
WalkingtheoldhillsofJudeawiththebeautifulgentlegodbymyside;
Speedingthroughspace....speedingthroughheavenandthestars,
Speedingamidthesevensatellitesandthebroadringandthediameterof
eightythousandmiles,
Speedingwithtailedmeteors....throwingfire-ballsliketherest,
Carryingthecrescentchildthatcarriesitsownfullmotherinitsbelly;
Stormingenjoyingplanninglovingcautioning,
Backingandfilling,appearinganddisappearing,
Itreaddayandnightsuchroads.
IvisittheorchardsofGodandlookatthesphericproduct,
Andlookatquintillionsripened,andlookatquintillionsgreen.
Iflytheflightofthefluidandswallowingsoul,
Mycourserunsbelowthesoundingsofplummets.
Ihelpmyselftomaterialandimmaterial,
Noguardcanshutmeoff,nolawcanpreventme.
Ianchormyshipforalittlewhileonly,
Mymessengerscontinuallycruiseawayorbringtheirreturnstome.
Igohuntingpolarfursandtheseal....leapingchasmswithapikepointedstaff....clingingtotopplesofbrittleandblue.
Iascendtotheforetruck....Itakemyplacelateatnightinthecrow’s
nest....wesailthroughthearcticsea....itisplentylightenough,
ThroughtheclearatmosphereIstretcharoundonthewonderfulbeauty,
TheenormousmassesoficepassmeandIpassthem....thesceneryis
plaininalldirections,
Thewhite-toppedmountainspointupinthedistance....Iflingoutmy
fanciestowardthem;
Weareaboutapproachingsomegreatbattlefieldinwhichwearesoonto
beengaged,
Wepassthecolossaloutpostsoftheencampments....wepasswithstill
feetandcaution;
Orweareenteringbythesuburbssomevastandruinedcity....the
blocksandfallenarchitecturemorethanallthelivingcitiesofthe
globe.
Iamafreecompanion....Ibivouacbyinvadingwatchfires.
Iturnthebridegroomoutofbedandstaywiththebridemyself,
Andtightenherallnighttomythighsandlips.
Myvoiceisthewife’svoice,thescreechbytherailofthestairs,
Theyfetchmyman’sbodyupdrippinganddrowned.
Iunderstandthelargeheartsofheroes,
Thecourageofpresenttimesandalltimes;
Howtheskippersawthecrowdedandrudderlesswreckofthesteamship,
anddeathchasingitupanddownthestorm,
Howheknuckledtightandgavenotbackoneinch,andwasfaithfulof
daysandfaithfulofnights,
Andchalkedinlargelettersonaboard,Beofgoodcheer,Wewillnot
desertyou;
Howhesavedthedriftingcompanyatlast,
Howthelankloose-gownedwomenlookedwhenboatedfromthesideof
theirpreparedgraves,
Howthesilentold-facedinfants,andtheliftedsick,andthesharp-lipped
unshavedmen;
AllthisIswallowandittastesgood....Ilikeitwell,anditbecomes
mine,
Iamtheman....Isuffered....Iwasthere.
Thedisdainandcalmnessofmartyrs,
Themothercondemnedforawitchandburntwithdrywood,andher
childrengazingon;
Thehoundedslavethatflagsintheraceandleansbythefence,blowing
andcoveredwithsweat,
Thetwingesthatstinglikeneedleshislegsandneck,
Themurderousbuckshotandthebullets,
AlltheseIfeeloram.
Iamthehoundedslave....Iwinceatthebiteofthedogs,
Hellanddespairareuponme....crackandagaincrackthemarksmen,
Iclutchtherailsofthefence....mygoredribsthinnedwiththeoozeof
myskin,
Ifallontheweedsandstones,
Theridersspurtheirunwillinghorsesandhaulclose,
Theytauntmydizzyears....theybeatmeviolentlyovertheheadwith
theirwhip-stocks.
Agoniesareoneofmychangesofgarments;
Idonotaskthewoundedpersonhowhefeels....Imyselfbecomethe
woundedperson,
MyhurtturnslividuponmeasIleanonacaneandobserve.
Iamthemashedfiremanwithbreastbonebroken....tumblingwalls
buriedmeintheirdebris,
HeatandsmokeIinspired....Iheardtheyellingshoutsofmy
comrades,
Iheardthedistantclickoftheirpicksandshovels;
Theyhaveclearedthebeamsaway....theytenderlyliftmeforth.
Ilieinthenightairinmyredshirt....thepervadinghushisformy
sake,
PainlessafterallIlie,exhaustedbutnotsounhappy,
Whiteandbeautifularethefacesaroundme....theheadsarebaredof
theirfire-caps,
Thekneelingcrowdfadeswiththelightofthetorches.
Distantanddeadresuscitate,
Theyshowasthedialormoveasthehandsofme....andIamtheclock
myself.
Iamanoldartillerist,andtellofsomefort’sbombardment....andam
thereagain.
Againthereveilleofdrummers....againtheattackingcannonand
mortarsandhowitzers,
Againtheattackedsendtheircannonresponsive.
Itakepart....Iseeandhearthewhole,
Thecriesandcursesandroar....theplauditsforwellaimedshots,
Theambulanzaslowlypassingandtrailingitsreddrip,
Workmensearchingafterdamagesandtomakeindispensiblerepairs,
Thefallofgrenadesthroughtherentroof....thefan-shapedexplosion,
Thewhizzoflimbsheadsstonewoodandironhighintheair.
Againgurglesthemouthofmydyinggeneral....hefuriouslywaves
withhishand,
Hegaspsthroughtheclot....Mindnotme....mind....the
entrenchments.
ItellnotthefallofAlamo....notoneescapedtotellthefallofAlamo,
ThehundredandfiftyaredumbyetatAlamo.
Hearnowthetaleofajetblacksunrise,
Hearofthemurderincoldbloodoffourhundredandtwelveyoungmen.
Retreatingtheyhadformedinahollowsquarewiththeirbaggagefor
breastworks,
Ninehundredlivesoutofthesurroundingenemy’sninetimestheir
numberwasthepricetheytookinadvance,
Theircolonelwaswoundedandtheirammunitiongone,
Theytreatedforanhonorablecapitulation,receivedwritingandseal,
gaveuptheirarms,andmarchedbackprisonersofwar.
Theywerethegloryoftheraceofrangers,
Matchlesswithahorse,arifle,asong,asupperoracourtship,
Large,turbulent,brave,handsome,generous,proudandaffectionate,
Bearded,sunburnt,dressedinthefreecostumeofhunters,
Notasingleoneoverthirtyyearsofage.
ThesecondSundaymorningtheywerebroughtoutinsquadsand
massacred....itwasbeautifulearlysummer,
Theworkcommencedaboutfiveo’clockandwasoverbyeight.
Noneobeyedthecommandtokneel,
Somemadeamadandhelplessrush....somestoodstarkandstraight,
Afewfellatonce,shotinthetempleorheart....thelivinganddeadlay
together,
Themaimedandmangledduginthedirt....thenew-comerssawthem
there;
Somehalf-killedattemptedtocrawlaway,
Theseweredispatchedwithbayonetsorbatteredwiththebluntsof
muskets;
Ayouthnotseventeenyearsoldseizedhisassassintilltwomorecameto
releasehim,
Thethreewerealltorn,andcoveredwiththeboy’sblood.
Ateleveno’clockbegantheburningofthebodies;
Andthatisthetaleofthemurderofthefourhundredandtwelveyoung
men,
Andthatwasajetblacksunrise.
Didyoureadintheseabooksoftheoldfashionedfrigate-fight?
Didyoulearnwhowonbythelightofthemoonandstars?
Ourfoewasnoskulkinhisship,Itellyou,
HiswastheEnglishpluck,andthereisnotougherortruer,andnever
was,andneverwillbe;
Alongtheloweredevehecame,horriblyrakingus.
Weclosedwithhim....theyardsentangled....thecannontouched,
Mycaptainlashedfastwithhisownhands.
Wehadreceivedsomeeighteen-poundshotsunderthewater,
Onourlower-gun-decktwolargepieceshadburstatthefirstfire,killing
allaroundandblowingupoverhead.
Teno’clockatnight,andthefullmoonshiningandtheleaksonthegain,
andfivefeetofwaterreported,
Themaster-at-armsloosingtheprisonersconfinedintheafter-holdto
givethemachanceforthemselves.
Thetransittoandfromthemagazinewasnowstoppedbythesentinels,
Theysawsomanystrangefacestheydidnotknowwhomtotrust.
Ourfrigatewasafire....theotheraskedifwedemandedquarters?ifour
colorswerestruckandthefightingdone?
IlaughedcontentwhenIheardthevoiceofmylittlecaptain,
Wehavenotstruck,hecomposedlycried,Wehavejustbegunourpartof
thefighting.
Onlythreegunswereinuse,
Onewasdirectedbythecaptainhimselfagainsttheenemy’smainmast,
Twowell-servedwithgrapeandcanistersilencedhismusketryand
clearedhisdecks.
Thetopsalonesecondedthefireofthislittlebattery,especiallythe
maintop,
Theyallheldoutbravelyduringthewholeoftheaction.
Notamoment’scease,
Theleaksgainedfastonthepumps....thefireeattowardthepowdermagazine,
Oneofthepumpswasshotaway....itwasgenerallythoughtwewere
sinking.
Serenestoodthelittlecaptain,
Hewasnothurried....hisvoicewasneitherhighnorlow,
Hiseyesgavemorelighttousthanourbattle-lanterns.
Towardtwelveatnight,thereinthebeamsofthemoontheysurrendered
tous.
Stretchedandstilllaythemidnight,
Twogreathullsmotionlessonthebreastofthedarkness,
Ourvesselriddledandslowlysinking....preparationstopasstotheone
wehadconquered,
Thecaptainonthequarterdeckcoldlygivinghisordersthrougha
countenancewhiteasasheet,
Nearbythecorpseofthechildthatservedinthecabin,
Thedeadfaceofanoldsaltwithlongwhitehairandcarefullycurled
whiskers,
Theflamesspiteofallthatcouldbedoneflickeringaloftandbelow,
Thehuskyvoicesofthetwoorthreeofficersyetfitforduty,
Formlessstacksofbodiesandbodiesbythemselves....dabsofflesh
uponthemastsandspars,
Thecutofcordageanddangleofrigging....theslightshockofthe
sootheofwaves,
Blackandimpassiveguns,andlitterofpowder-parcels,andthestrong
scent,
Delicatesniffsoftheseabreeze....smellsofsedgygrassandfieldsby
theshore...death-messagesgiveninchargetosurvivors,
Thehissofthesurgeon’sknifeandthegnawingteethofhissaw,
Thewheeze,thecluck,theswashoffallingblood....theshortwild
scream,thelongdulltaperinggroan,
Theseso....theseirretrievable.
OChrist!Myfitismasteringme!
Whattherebelsaidgailyadjustinghisthroattotherope-noose,
Whatthesavageatthestump,hiseye-socketsempty,hismouthspirting
whoopsanddefiance,
WhatstillsthetravelercometothevaultatMountVernon,
WhatsoberstheBrooklynboyashelooksdowntheshoresofthe
Wallaboutandrememberstheprisonships,
WhatburntthegumsoftheredcoatatSaratogawhenhesurrenderedhis
brigades,
Thesebecomemineandmeeveryone,andtheyarebutlittle,
IbecomeasmuchmoreasIlike.
Ibecomeanypresenceortruthofhumanityhere,
Andseemyselfinprisonshapedlikeanotherman,
Andfeelthedullunintermittedpain.
Formethekeepersofconvictsshouldertheircarbinesandkeepwatch,
ItisIletoutinthemorningandbarredatnight.
Notamutineerwalkshandcuffedtothejail,butIamhandcuffedtohim
andwalkbyhisside,
Iamlessthejollyonethere,andmorethesilentonewithsweatonmy
twitchinglips.
Notayoungsteristakenforlarceny,butIgouptooandamtriedand
sentenced.
Notacholerapatientliesatthelastgasp,butIalsolieatthelastgasp,
Myfaceisash-colored,mysinewsgnarl....awayfrommepeople
retreat.
Askersembodythemselvesinme,andIamembodiedinthem,
Iprojectmyhatandsitshamefacedandbeg.
Iriseextaticthroughall,andsweepwiththetruegravitation,
Thewhirlingandwhirlingiselementalwithinme.
SomehowIhavebeenstunned.Standback!
Givemealittletimebeyondmycuffedheadandslumbersanddreams
andgaping,
Idiscovermyselfonavergeoftheusualmistake.
ThatIcouldforgetthemockersandinsults!
ThatIcouldforgetthetricklingtearsandtheblowsofthebludgeonsand
hammers!
ThatIcouldlookwithaseparatelookonmyowncrucifixionandbloody
crowning!
Iremember....Iresumetheoverstaidfraction,
Thegraveofrockmultiplieswhathasbeenconfidedtoit....ortoany
graves,
Thecorpsesrise....thegashesheal....thefasteningsrollaway.
Itroopforthreplenishedwithsupremepower,oneofanaverageunending
procession,
WewalktheroadsofOhioandMassachusettsandVirginiaand
WisconsinandNewYorkandNewOrleansandTexasandMontreal
andSanFranciscoandCharlestonandSavannahandMexico,
Inlandandbytheseacoastandboundarylines....andwepassthe
boundarylines.
Ourswiftordinancesareontheirwayoverthewholeearth,
Theblossomswewearinourhatsarethegrowthoftwothousandyears.
ElevesIsaluteyou,
Iseetheapproachofyournumberlessgangs....Iseeyouunderstand
yourselvesandme,
Andknowthattheywhohaveeyesaredivine,andtheblindandlameare
equallydivine,
Andthatmystepsdragbehindyoursyetgobeforethem,
AndareawarehowIamwithyounomorethanIamwitheverybody.
Thefriendlyandflowingsavage....Whoishe?
Ishewaitingforcivilizationorpastitandmasteringit?
Ishesomesouthwesternerraisedoutdoors?IsheCanadian?
IshefromtheMississippicountry?orfromIowa,OregonorCalifornia?
orfromthemountains?orprairielifeorbush-life?orfromthesea?
Whereverhegoesmenandwomenacceptanddesirehim,
Theydesireheshouldlikethemandtouchthemandspeaktothemand
staywiththem.
Behaviourlawlessassnow-flakes....wordssimpleasgrass....
uncombedheadandlaughterandnaivete;
Slowsteppingfeetandthecommonfeatures,andthecommonmodesand
emanations,
Theydescendinnewformsfromthetipsofhisfingers,
Theyarewaftedwiththeodorofhisbodyorbreath....theyflyoutof
theglanceofhiseyes.
FlauntofthesunshineIneednotyourbask....lieover,
Youlightsurfacesonly....Iforcethesurfacesandthedepthsalso.
Earth!youseemtolookforsomethingatmyhands,
Sayoldtopknot!whatdoyouwant?
Manorwoman!ImighttellhowIlikeyou,butcannot,
Andmighttellwhatitisinmeandwhatitisinyou,butcannot,
AndmighttellthepiningsIhave....thepulseofmynightsanddays.
BeholdIdonotgivelecturesoralittlecharity,
WhatIgiveIgiveoutofmyself.
Youthere,impotent,looseintheknees,openyourscarfedchopstillI
blowgritwithinyou,
Spreadyourpalmsandlifttheflapsofyourpockets,
Iamnottobedenied....Icompel....Ihavestoresplentyandtospare,
AndanythingIhaveIbestow.
Idonotaskwhoyouare....thatisnotimportanttome,
YoucandonothingandbenothingbutwhatIwillinfoldyou.
ToadrudgeofthecottonfieldsoremptierofpriviesIlean....onhis
rightcheekIputthefamilykiss,
AndinmysoulIswearIneverwilldenyhim.
OnwomenfitforconceptionIstartbiggerandnimblerbabes,
ThisdayIamjettingthestuffoffarmorearrogantrepublics.
Toanyonedying....thitherIspeedandtwisttheknobofthedoor,
Turnthebedclothestowardthefootofthebed,
Letthephysicianandthepriestgohome.
Iseizethedescendingman....Iraisehimwithresistlesswill.
Odespairer,hereismyneck,
ByGod!youshallnotgodown!Hangyourwholeweightuponme.
Idilateyouwithtremendousbreath....Ibuoyyouup;
EveryroomofthehousedoIfillwithamarmedforce....loversofme,
bafflersofgraves:
Sleep!Iandtheykeepguardallnight;
Notdoubt,notdeceaseshalldaretolayfingeruponyou,
Ihaveembracedyou,andhenceforthpossessyoutomyself,
AndwhenyouriseinthemorningyouwillfindwhatItellyouisso.
Iamhebringinghelpforthesickastheypantontheirbacks,
AndforstronguprightmenIbringyetmoreneededhelp.
Iheardwhatwassaidoftheuniverse,
Hearditandheardofseveralthousandyears;
Itismiddlingwellasfarasitgoes....butisthatall?
MagnifyingandapplyingcomeI,
Outbiddingatthestarttheoldcautioushucksters,
Themosttheyofferformankindandeternitylessthanaspirtofmyown
seminalwet,
TakingmyselftheexactdimensionsofJehovahandlayingthemaway,
LithographingKronosandZeushisson,andHerculeshisgrandson,
BuyingdraftsofOsirisandIsisandBelusandBrahmaandAdonai,
InmyportfolioplacingManitoloose,andAllahonaleaf,andthe
crucifixengraved,
WithOdin,andthehideous-facedMexitli,andallidolsandimages,
Honestlytakingthemallforwhattheyareworth,andnotacentmore,
Admittingtheywerealiveanddidtheworkoftheirday,
Admittingtheyboremitesasforunfledgedbirdswhohavenowtorise
andflyandsingforthemselves,
Acceptingtheroughdeificsketchestofilloutbetterinmyself....
bestowingthemfreelyoneachmanandwomanIsee,
Discoveringasmuchormoreinaframerframingahouse,
Puttinghigherclaimsforhimtherewithhisrolled-upsleeves,drivingthe
malletandchisel;
Notobjectingtospecialrevelations....consideringacurlofsmokeora
haironthebackofmyhandascuriousasanyrevelation;
Thoseaholdoffire-enginesandhook-and-ladderropesmoretomethan
thegodsoftheantiquewars,
Mindingtheirvoicespealthroughthecrashofdestruction,
Theirbrawnylimbspassingsafeovercharredlaths....theirwhite
foreheadswholeandunhurtoutoftheflames;
Bythemechanic’swifewithherbabeathernippleintercedingforevery
personborn;
Threescythesatharvestwhizzinginarowfromthreelustyangelswith
shirtsbaggedoutattheirwaists;
Thesnag-toothedhostlerwithredhairredeemingsinspastandtocome,
Sellingallhepossessesandtravelingonfoottofeelawyersforhis
brotherandsitbyhimwhileheistriedforforgery:
Whatwasstrewnintheampleststrewingthesquarerodaboutme,and
notfillingthesquarerodthen;
Thebullandthebugneverworshippedhalfenough,
Dunganddirtmoreadmirablethanwasdreamed,
Thesupernaturalofnoaccount....myselfwaitingmytimetobeoneof
thesupremes,
ThedaygettingreadyformewhenIshalldoasmuchgoodasthebest,
andbeasprodigious,
GuessingwhenIamitwillnotticklememuchtoreceivepuffsoutof
pulpitorprint;
Bymylife-lumps!becomingalreadyacreator!
Puttingmyselfhereandnowtotheambushedwomboftheshadows!
....Acallinthemidstofthecrowd,
Myownvoice,orotundsweepingandfinal.
Comemychildren,
Comemyboysandgirls,andmywomenandhouseholdandintimates,
Nowtheperformerlauncheshisnerve....hehaspassedhispreludeon
thereedswithin.
Easilywrittenloosefingeredchords!Ifeelthethrumoftheirclimaxand
close.
Myheadevolvesonmyneck,
Musicrolls,butnotfromtheorgan....folksarearoundme,buttheyare
nohouseholdofmine.
Everthehardandunsunkground,
Evertheeatersanddrinkers....evertheupwardanddownwardsun....
evertheairandtheceaselesstides,
Evermyselfandmyneighbors,refreshingandwickedandreal,
Evertheoldinexplicablequery....everthatthornedthumb—thatbreath
ofitchesandthirsts,
Everthevexer’shoot!hoot!tillwefindwheretheslyonehidesandbring
himforth;
Everlove....everthesobbingliquidoflife,
Everthebandageunderthechin....everthetresselsofdeath.
Hereandtherewithdimesontheeyeswalking,
Tofeedthegreedofthebellythebrainsliberallyspooning,
Ticketsbuyingortakingorselling,butintothefeastneveroncegoing;
Manysweatingandploughingandthrashing,andthenthechafffor
paymentreceiving,
Afewidlyowning,andtheythewheatcontinuallyclaiming.
Thisisthecity....andIamoneofthecitizens;
Whateverintereststherestinterestsme....politics,churches,
newspapers,schools,
Benevolentsocieties,improvements,banks,tariffs,steamships,factories,
markets,
Stocksandstoresandrealestateandpersonalestate.
Theywhopiddleandpatterhereincollarsandtailedcoats....Iam
awarewhotheyare....andthattheyarenotwormsorfleas,
Iacknowledgetheduplicatesofmyselfunderallthescrape-lippedand
pipe-leggedconcealments.
Theweakestandshallowestisdeathlesswithme,
WhatIdoandsaythesamewaitsforthem,
Everythoughtthatfloundersinmethesamefloundersinthem.
Iknowperfectlywellmyownegotism,
Andknowmyomniverouswords,andcannotsayanyless,
Andwouldfetchyouwhoeveryouareflushwithmyself.
Mywordsarewordsofaquestioning,andtoindicatereality;
Thisprintedandboundbook....buttheprinterandtheprinting-office
boy?
Themarriageestateandsettlement....butthebodyandmindofthe
bridegroom?alsothoseofthebride?
Thepanoramaofthesea....buttheseaitself?
Thewell-takenphotographs....butyourwifeorfriendcloseandsolid
inyourarms?
Thefleetofshipsofthelineandallthemodernimprovements....but
thecraftandpluckoftheadmiral?
Thedishesandfareandfurniture....butthehostandhostess,andthe
lookoutoftheireyes?
Theskyupthere....yethereornextdoororacrosstheway?
Thesaintsandsagesinhistory....butyouyourself?
Sermonsandcreedsandtheology....butthehumanbrain,andwhatis
calledreason,andwhatiscalledlove,andwhatiscalledlife?
Idonotdespiseyoupriests;
Myfaithisthegreatestoffaithsandtheleastoffaiths,
Enclosingallworshipancientandmodern,andallbetweenancientand
modern,
BelievingIshallcomeagainupontheearthafterfivethousandyears,
Waitingresponsesfromoracles....honoringthegods....salutingthe
sun,
Makingafetishofthefirstrockorstump....powowingwithsticksin
thecircleofobis,
Helpingthelamaorbrahminashetrimsthelampsoftheidols,
Dancingyetthroughthestreetsinaphallicprocession....raptand
austereinthewoods,agymnosophist,
Drinkingmeadfromtheskull-cup....toshastaandvedasadmirant....
mindingthekoran,
Walkingtheteokallis,spottedwithgorefromthestoneandknife—
beatingtheserpent-skindrum;
Acceptingthegospels,acceptinghimthatwascrucified,knowing
assuredlythatheisdivine,
Tothemasskneeling—tothepuritan’sprayerrising—sittingpatientlyin
apew,
Rantingandfrothinginmyinsanecrisis—waitingdead-liketillmyspirit
arousesme;
Lookingforthonpavementandland,andoutsideofpavementandland,
Belongingtothewindersofthecircuitofcircuits.
Oneofthatcentripetalandcentrifugalgang,
Iturnandtalklikeamanleavingchargesbeforeajourney.
Down-hearteddoubters,dullandexcluded,
Frivoloussullenmopingangryaffecteddisheartenedatheistical,
Iknoweveryoneofyou,andknowtheunspokeninterrogatories,
ByexperienceIknowthem.
Howtheflukessplash!
Howtheycontortrapidaslightning,withspasmsandspoutsofblood!
Beatpeacebloodyflukesofdoubtersandsullenmopers,
Itakemyplaceamongyouasmuchasamongany;
Thepastisthepushofyouandmeandallpreciselythesame,
Andthedayandnightareforyouandmeandall,
Andwhatisyetuntriedandafterwardisforyouandmeandall.
Idonotknowwhatisuntriedandafterward,
ButIknowitissureandalive,andsufficient.
Eachwhopassesisconsidered,andeachwhostopsisconsidered,andnot
asingleonecanitfail.
Itcannotfailtheyoungmanwhodiedandwasburied,
Northeyoungwomanwhodiedandwasputbyhisside,
Northelittlechildthatpeepedinatthedoorandthendrewbackandwas
neverseenagain,
Northeoldmanwhohaslivedwithoutpurpose,andfeelsitwith
bitternessworsethangall,
Norhiminthepoorhousetubercledbyrumandthebaddisorder,
Northenumberlessslaughteredandwrecked....northebrutishkoboo,
calledtheordureofhumanity,
Northesacsmerelyfloatingwithopenmouthsforfoodtoslipin,
Noranythingintheearth,ordownintheoldestgravesoftheearth,
Noranythinginthemyriadsofspheres,noroneofthemyriadsof
myriadsthatinhabitthem,
Northepresent,northeleastwispthatisknown.
Itistimetoexplainmyself....letusstandup.
WhatisknownIstripaway....Ilaunchallmenandwomenforward
withmeintotheunknown.
Theclockindicatesthemoment....butwhatdoeseternityindicate?
Eternityliesinbottomlessreservoirs....itsbucketsarerisingforever
andever,
Theypourandtheypourandtheyexhaleaway.
Wehavethusfarexhaustedtrillionsofwintersandsummers;
Therearetrillionsahead,andtrillionsaheadofthem.
Birthshavebroughtusrichnessandvariety,
Andotherbirthswillbringusrichnessandvariety.
Idonotcallonegreaterandonesmaller,
Thatwhichfillsitsperiodandplaceisequaltoany.
Weremankindmurderousorjealousuponyoumybrotherormysister?
Iamsorryforyou....theyarenotmurderousorjealousuponme;
Allhasbeengentlewithme......Ikeepnoaccountwithlamentation;
WhathaveItodowithlamentation?
Iamanacmeofthingsaccomplished,andIanencloserofthingstobe.
Myfeetstrikeanapexoftheapicesofthestairs,
Oneverystepbunchesofages,andlargerbunchesbetweenthesteps,
Allbelowdulytraveled—andstillImountandmount.
Riseafterrisebowthephantomsbehindme,
AfardownIseethehugefirstNothing,thevaporfromthenostrilsof
death,
IknowIwaseventhere....Iwaitedunseenandalways,
AndsleptwhileGodcarriedmethroughthelethargicmist,
Andtookmytime....andtooknohurtfromthefœtidcarbon.
LongIwashuggedclose....longandlong.
Immensehavebeenthepreparationsforme,
Faithfulandfriendlythearmsthathavehelpedme.
Cyclesferriedmycradle,rowingandrowinglikecheerfulboatmen;
Forroomtomestarskeptasideintheirownrings,
Theysentinfluencestolookafterwhatwastoholdme.
BeforeIwasbornoutofmymothergenerationsguidedme,
Myembryohasneverbeentorpid....nothingcouldoverlayit;
Foritthenebulacoheredtoanorb....thelongslowstratapiledtorest
iton....vastvegetablesgaveitsustenance,
Monstroussauroidstransporteditintheirmouthsanddepositeditwith
care.
Allforceshavebeensteadilyemployedtocompleteanddelightme,
NowIstandonthisspotwithmysoul.
Spanofyouth!Ever-pushedelasticity!Manhoodbalancedandfloridand
full!
Myloverssuffocateme!
Crowdingmylips,andthickintheporesofmyskin,
Jostlingmethroughstreetsandpublichalls....comingnakedtomeat
night,
CryingbydayAhoyfromtherocksoftheriver....swingingand
chirpingovermyhead,
Callingmynamefromflowerbedsorvinesortangledunderbrush,
OrwhileIswiminthebath....ordrinkfromthepumpatthecorner...
.orthecurtainisdownattheopera....orIglimpseatawoman’s
faceintherailroadcar;
Lightingoneverymomentofmylife,
Bussingmybodywithsoftandbalsamicbusses,
Noiselesslypassinghandfulsoutoftheirheartsandgivingthemtobe
mine.
Oldagesuperblyrising!Ineffablegraceofdyingdays!
Everyconditionpromulgesnotonlyitself....itpromulgeswhatgrows
afterandoutofitself,
Andthedarkhushpromulgesasmuchasany.
Iopenmyscuttleatnightandseethefar-sprinkledsystems,
AndallIsee,multipliedashighasIcancipher,edgebuttherimofthe
farthersystems.
Widerandwidertheyspread,expandingandalwaysexpanding,
Outwardandoutwardandforeveroutward.
Mysunhashissun,androundhimobedientlywheels,
Hejoinswithhispartnersagroupofsuperiorcircuit,
Andgreatersetsfollow,makingspecksofthegreatestinsidethem.
Thereisnostoppage,andnevercanbestoppage;
IfIandyouandtheworldsandallbeneathorupontheirsurfaces,andall
thepalpablelife,werethismomentreducedbacktoapallidfloat,it
wouldnotavailinthelongrun,
Weshouldsurelybringupagainwherewenowstand,
Andassurelygoasmuchfarther,andthenfartherandfarther.
Afewquadrillionsoferas,afewoctillionsofcubicleagues,donot
hazardthespan,ormakeitimpatient,
Theyarebutparts....anythingisbutapart.
Seeeversofar....thereislimitlessspaceoutsideofthat,
Counteversomuch....thereislimitlesstimearoundthat.
Ourrendezvousisfitlyappointed....Godwillbethereandwaittillwe
come.
IknowIhavethebestoftimeandspace—andthatIwasnevermeasured,
andneverwillbemeasured.
Itrampaperpetualjourney,
Mysignsarearain-proofcoatandgoodshoesandastaffcutfromthe
woods;
Nofriendofminetakeshiseaseinmychair,
Ihavenochair,norchurchnorphilosophy;
Ileadnomantoadinner-tableorlibraryorexchange,
ButeachmanandeachwomanofyouIleaduponaknoll,
Mylefthandhooksyouroundthewaist,
Myrighthandpointstolandscapesofcontinents,andaplainpublicroad.
NotI,notanyoneelsecantravelthatroadforyou,
Youmusttravelitforyourself.
Itisnotfar....itiswithinreach,
Perhapsyouhavebeenonitsinceyouwereborn,anddidnotknow,
Perhapsitiseverywhereonwaterandonland.
Shoulderyourduds,andIwillmine,andletushastenforth;
Wonderfulcitiesandfreenationsweshallfetchaswego.
Ifyoutire,givemebothburdens,andrestthechuffofyourhandonmy
hip,
Andinduetimeyoushallrepaythesameservicetome;
Forafterwestartweneverliebyagain.
ThisdaybeforedawnIascendedahillandlookedatthecrowdedheaven,
AndIsaidtomyspirit,Whenwebecometheenfoldersofthoseorbsand
thepleasureandknowledgeofeverythinginthem,shallwebefilled
andsatisfiedthen?
AndmyspiritsaidNo,welevelthatlifttopassandcontinuebeyond.
Youarealsoaskingmequestions,andIhearyou;
IanswerthatIcannotanswer....youmustfindoutforyourself.
Sitawhilewayfarer,
Herearebiscuitstoeatandhereismilktodrink,
ButassoonasyousleepandrenewyourselfinsweetclothesIwill
certainlykissyouwithmygoodbyekissandopenthegateforyour
egresshence.
Longenoughhaveyoudreamedcontemptibledreams,
NowIwashthegumfromyoureyes,
Youmusthabityourselftothedazzleofthelightandofeverymomentof
yourlife
Longhaveyoutimidlywaded,holdingaplankbytheshore,
NowIwillyoutobeaboldswimmer,
Tojumpoffinthemidstofthesea,andriseagainandnodtomeand
shout,andlaughinglydashwithyourhair.
Iamtheteacherofathletes,
Hethatbymespreadsawiderbreastthanmyownprovesthewidthofmy
own,
Hemosthonorsmystylewholearnsunderittodestroytheteacher.
TheboyIlove,thesamebecomesamannotthroughderivedpowerbutin
hisownright,
Wicked,ratherthanvirtuousoutofconformityorfear,
Fondofhissweetheart,relishingwellhissteak,
Unrequitedloveoraslightcuttinghimworsethanawoundcuts,
Firstratetoride,tofight,tohitthebull’seye,tosailaskiff,tosinga
songorplayonthebanjo,
Preferringscarsandfacespittedwithsmallpoxoveralllatherersand
thosethatkeepoutofthesun.
Iteachstrayingfromme,yetwhocanstrayfromme?
Ifollowyouwhoeveryouarefromthepresenthour;
Mywordsitchatyourearstillyouunderstandthem.
Idonotsaythesethingsforadollar,ortofillupthetimewhileIwaitfor
aboat;
Itisyoutalkingjustasmuchasmyself....Iactasthetongueofyou,
Itwastiedinyourmouth....inmineitbeginstobeloosened.
IswearIwillnevermentionloveordeathinsideahouse,
AndIswearIneverwilltranslatemyselfatall,onlytohimorherwho
privatelystayswithmeintheopenair.
Ifyouwouldunderstandmegototheheightsorwater-shore,
Thenearestgnatisanexplanationandadroporthemotionofwavesa
key,
Themaultheoarandthehandsawsecondmywords.
Noshutteredroomorschoolcancommunewithme,
Butroughsandlittlechildrenbetterthanthey.
Theyoungmechanicisclosesttome....heknowsmeprettywell,
Thewoodmanthattakeshisaxeandjugwithhimshalltakemewithhim
allday,
Thefarmboyploughinginthefieldfeelsgoodatthesoundofmyvoice,
Invesselsthatsailmywordsmustsail....Igowithfishermenand
seamen,andlovethem,
Myfacerubstothehunter’sfacewhenheliesdownaloneinhisblanket,
Thedriverthinkingofmedoesnotmindthejoltofhiswagon,
Theyoungmotherandoldmothershallcomprehendme,
Thegirlandthewiferesttheneedleamomentandforgetwheretheyare,
TheyandallwouldresumewhatIhavetoldthem.
Ihavesaidthatthesoulisnotmorethanthebody,
AndIhavesaidthatthebodyisnotmorethanthesoul,
Andnothing,notGod,isgreatertoonethanone’s-selfis,
Andwhoeverwalksafurlongwithoutsympathywalkstohisownfuneral,
dressedinhisshroud,
AndIoryoupocketlessofadimemaypurchasethepickoftheearth,
Andtoglancewithaneyeorshowabeaninitspodconfoundsthe
learningofalltimes,
Andthereisnotradeoremploymentbuttheyoungmanfollowingitmay
becomeahero,
Andthereisnoobjectsosoftbutitmakesahubforthewheeleduniverse,
Andanymanorwomanshallstandcoolandsuperciliousbeforeamillion
universes.
AndIcalltomankind,BenotcuriousaboutGod,
ForIwhoamcuriousabouteachamnotcuriousaboutGod,
NoarrayoftermscansayhowmuchIamatpeaceaboutGodandabout
death.
IhearandbeholdGodineveryobject,yetIunderstandGodnotinthe
least,
NordoIunderstandwhotherecanbemorewonderfulthanmyself.
WhyshouldIwishtoseeGodbetterthanthisday?
IseesomethingofGodeachhourofthetwenty-four,andeachmoment
then,
InthefacesofmenandwomenIseeGod,andinmyownfaceinthe
glass;
IfindlettersfromGoddroppedinthestreet,andeveryoneissignedby
God’sname,
AndIleavethemwheretheyare,forIknowthatotherswillpunctually
comeforeverandever.
Andastoyoudeath,andyoubitterhugofmortality....itisidletotry
toalarmme.
Tohisworkwithoutflinchingtheaccoucheurcomes,
Iseetheelderhandpressingreceivingsupporting,
Ireclinebythesillsoftheexquisiteflexibledoors....andmarkthe
outlet,andmarkthereliefandescape.
AndastoyoucorpseIthinkyouaregoodmanure,butthatdoesnot
offendme,
Ismellthewhiterosessweetscentedandgrowing,
Ireachtotheleafylips....Ireachtothepolishedbreastsofmelons.
Andastoyoulife,Ireckonyouaretheleavingsofmanydeaths,
NodoubtIhavediedmyselftenthousandtimesbefore.
IhearyouwhisperingthereOstarsofheaven,
Osuns....Ograssofgraves....Operpetualtransfersandpromotions.
...ifyoudonotsayanythinghowcanIsayanything?
Oftheturbidpoolthatliesintheautumnforest,
Ofthemoonthatdescendsthesteepsofthesoughingtwilight,
Toss,sparklesofdayanddusk....tossontheblackstemsthatdecayin
themuck,
Tosstothemoaninggibberishofthedrylimbs.
Iascendfromthemoon....Iascendfromthenight,
Andperceiveoftheghastlyglitterthesunbeamsreflected,
Anddebouchtothesteadyandcentralfromtheoffspringgreatorsmall.
Thereisthatinme....Idonotknowwhatitis....butIknowitisin
me.
Wrenchedandsweaty....calmandcoolthenmybodybecomes;
Isleep....Isleeplong.
Idonotknowit....itiswithoutname....itisawordunsaid,
Itisnotinanydictionaryorutteranceorsymbol.
SomethingitswingsonmorethantheearthIswingon,
Toitthecreationisthefriendwhoseembracingawakesme.
PerhapsImighttellmore....Outlines!Ipleadformybrothersand
sisters.
DoyouseeOmybrothersandsisters?
Itisnotchaosordeath....itisformandunionandplan....itiseternal
life....itishappiness.
Thepastandpresentwilt....Ihavefilledthemandemptiedthem,
Andproceedtofillmynextfoldofthefuture.
Listenerupthere!Hereyou....whathaveyoutoconfidetome?
LookinmyfacewhileIsnuffthesidleofevening,
Talkhonestly,fornooneelsehearsyou,andIstayonlyaminutelonger.
DoIcontradictmyself?
Verywellthen....Icontradictmyself;
Iamlarge....Icontainmultitudes.
Iconcentratetowardthemthatarenigh....Iwaitonthedoor-slab.
Whohasdonehisday’sworkandwillsoonestbethroughwithhis
supper?
Whowishestowalkwithme?
WillyouspeakbeforeIamgone?Willyouprovealreadytoolate?
Thespottedhawkswoopsbyandaccusesme....hecomplainsofmy
gabandmyloitering.
Itooamnotabittamed....Itooamuntranslatable,
Isoundmybarbaricyawpovertheroofsoftheworld.
Thelastscudofdayholdsbackforme,
Itflingsmylikenessaftertherestandtrueasanyontheshadowedwilds,
Itcoaxesmetothevaporandthedusk.
Idepartasair....Ishakemywhitelocksattherunawaysun,
Ieffusemyfleshineddiesanddriftitinlacyjags.
IbequeathmyselftothedirttogrowfromthegrassIlove,
Ifyouwantmeagainlookformeunderyourbootsoles.
YouwillhardlyknowwhoIamorwhatImean,
ButIshallbegoodhealthtoyounevertheless,
Andfilterandfibreyourblood.
Failingtofetchmemeatfirstkeepencouraged,
Missingmeoneplacesearchanother,
Istopsomewherewaitingforyou
LeavesofGrass
Comeclosertome,
PushclosemyloversandtakethebestIpossess,
Yieldcloserandcloserandgivemethebestyoupossess.
Thisisunfinishedbusinesswithme....howisitwithyou?
Iwaschilledwiththecoldtypesandcylinderandwetpaperbetweenus.
Ipasssopoorlywithpaperandtypes....Imustpasswiththecontactof
bodiesandsouls.
IdonotthankyouforlikingmeasIam,andlikingthetouchofme....I
knowthatitisgoodforyoutodoso.
Werealleducationspracticalandornamentalwelldisplayedoutofme,
whatwoulditamountto?
WereIastheheadteacherorcharitableproprietororwisestatesman,
whatwoulditamountto?
WereItoyouasthebossemployingandpayingyou,wouldthatsatisfy
you?
Thelearnedandvirtuousandbenevolent,andtheusualterms;
Amanlikeme,andnevertheusualterms.
NeitheraservantnoramasteramI,
Itakenosooneralargepricethanasmallprice....Iwillhavemyown
whoeverenjoysme,
Iwillbeevenwithyou,andyoushallbeevenwithme.
IfyouareaworkmanorworkwomanIstandasnighasthenighestthat
worksinthesameshop,
Ifyoubestowgiftsonyourbrotherordearestfriend,Idemandasgoodas
yourbrotherordearestfriend,
Ifyourloverorhusbandorwifeiswelcomebydayornight,Imustbe
personallyaswelcome;
Ifyouhavebecomedegradedorill,thenIwillbecomesoforyoursake;
Ifyourememberyourfoolishandoutlaweddeeds,doyouthinkIcannot
remembermyfoolishandoutlaweddeeds?
IfyoucarouseatthetableIsayIwillcarouseattheoppositesideofthe
table;
Ifyoumeetsomestrangerinthestreetandlovehimorher,doInotoften
meetstrangersinthestreetandlovethem?
IfyouseeagooddealremarkableinmeIseejustasmuchremarkablein
you.
Whywhathaveyouthoughtofyourself?
Isityouthenthatthoughtyourselfless?
IsityouthatthoughtthePresidentgreaterthanyou?ortherichbetteroff
thanyou?ortheeducatedwiserthanyou?
Becauseyouaregreasyorpimpled—orthatyouwasoncedrunk,ora
thief,ordiseased,orrheumatic,oraprostitute—oraresonow—or
fromfrivolityorimpotence—orthatyouarenoscholar,andneversaw
yournameinprint....doyougiveinthatyouareanylessimmortal?
Soulsofmenandwomen!itisnotyouIcallunseen,unheard,
untouchableanduntouching;
ItisnotyouIgoargueproandconabout,andtosettlewhetheryouare
aliveorno;
Iownpubliclywhoyouare,ifnobodyelseowns....andseeandhear
you,andwhatyougiveandtake;
Whatisthereyoucannotgiveandtake?
Iseenotmerelythatyouarepoliteorwhitefaced....marriedorsingle.
...citizensofoldstatesorcitizensofnewstates....eminentinsome
profession....aladyorgentlemaninaparlor....ordressedinthe
jailuniform....orpulpituniform,
NotonlythefreeUtahan,Kansian,orArkansian....notonlythefree
Cuban...notmerelytheslave....notMexicannative,orFlatfoot,or
negrofromAfrica,
Iroquoiseatingthewarflesh—fishtearerinhislairofrocksandsand....
Esquimauxinthedarkcoldsnowhouse....Chinesewithhis
transverseeyes....Bedowee—orwanderingnomad—ortabounschik
attheheadofhisdroves,
Grown,half-grown,andbabe—ofthiscountryandeverycountry,indoors
andoutdoorsIsee....andallelseisbehindorthroughthem.
Thewife—andsheisnotonejotlessthanthehusband,
Thedaughter—andsheisjustasgoodastheson,
Themother—andsheiseverybitasmuchasthefather.
Offspringofthosenotrich—boysapprenticedtotrades,
Youngfellowsworkingonfarmsandoldfellowsworkingonfarms;
Thenaive....thesimpleandhardy....hegoingtothepollstovote...
.hewhohasagoodtime,andhewhohasabadtime;
Mechanics,southerners,newarrivals,sailors,mano’warsmen,
merchantmen,coasters,
AlltheseIsee....butnigherandfartherthesameIsee;
Noneshallescapeme,andnoneshallwishtoescapeme.
Ibringwhatyoumuchneed,yetalwayshave,
Ibringnotmoneyoramoursordressoreating....butIbringasgood;
Andsendnoagentormedium....andoffernorepresentativeofvalue—
butofferthevalueitself.
Thereissomethingthatcomeshometoonenowandperpetually,
Itisnotwhatisprintedorpreachedordiscussed....iteludesdiscussion
andprint,
Itisnottobeputinabook....itisnotinthisbook,
Itisforyouwhoeveryouare....itisnofartherfromyouthanyour
hearingandsightarefromyou,
Itishintedbynearestandcommonestandreadiest....itisnotthem,
thoughitisendlesslyprovokedbythem....Whatistherereadyand
nearyounow?
Youmayreadinmanylanguagesandreadnothingaboutit;
YoumayreadthePresident’smessageandreadnothingaboutitthere,
Nothinginthereportsfromthestatedepartmentortreasurydepartment.
...orinthedailypapers,ortheweeklypapers,
Orinthecensusreturnsorassessors’returnsorpricescurrentorany
accountsofstock.
Thesunandstarsthatfloatintheopenair....theappleshapedearthand
weuponit....surelythedriftofthemissomethinggrand;
Idonotknowwhatitisexceptthatitisgrand,andthatitishappiness,
Andthattheenclosingpurportofushereisnotaspeculation,orbon-mot
orreconnoissance,
Andthatitisnotsomethingwhichbyluckmayturnoutwellforus,and
withoutluckmustbeafailureforus,
Andnotsomethingwhichmayyetberetractedinacertaincontingency.
Thelightandshade—thecurioussenseofbodyandidentity—thegreed
thatwithperfectcomplaisancedevoursallthings—theendlesspride
andout-stretchingofman—unspeakablejoysandsorrows,
Thewondereveryoneseesineveryoneelsehesees....andthewonders
thatfilleachminuteoftimeforeverandeachacreofsurfaceandspace
forever,
Haveyoureckonedthemasmainlyforatradeorfarmwork?orforthe
profitsofastore?ortoachieveyourselfaposition?ortofilla
gentleman’sleisureoralady’sleisure?
Haveyoureckonedthelandscapetooksubstanceandformthatitmight
bepaintedinapicture?
Ormenandwomenthattheymightbewrittenof,andsongssung?
Ortheattractionofgravityandthegreatlawsandharmonious
combinationsandthefluidsoftheairassubjectsforthesavans?
Orthebrownlandandtheblueseaformapsandcharts?
Orthestarstobeputinconstellationsandnamedfancynames?
Orthatthegrowthofseedsisforagriculturaltablesoragricultureitself?
Oldinstitutions....theseartslibrarieslegendscollections—andthe
practicehandedalonginmanufactures....willweratethemsohigh?
Willwerateourprudenceandbusinesssohigh?....Ihavenoobjection,
Iratethemashighasthehighest....butachildbornofawomanand
manIratebeyondallrate.
WethoughtourUniongrandandourConstitutiongrand;
Idonotsaytheyarenotgrandandgood—fortheyare,
Iamthisdayjustasmuchinlovewiththemasyou,
ButIameternallyinlovewithyouandwithallmyfellowsuponthe
earth.
Weconsiderthebiblesandreligionsdivine....Idonotsaytheyarenot
divine,
Isaytheyhaveallgrownoutofyouandmaygrowoutofyoustill,
Itisnottheywhogivethelife....itisyouwhogivethelife;
Leavesarenotmoreshedfromthetreesortreesfromtheearththanthey
areshedoutofyou.
ThesumofallknownvalueandrespectIaddupinyouwhoeveryouare;
ThePresidentisupthereintheWhiteHouseforyou....itisnotyou
whoarehereforhim,
TheSecretariesactintheirbureausforyou....notyouhereforthem,
TheCongressconveneseveryDecemberforyou,
Laws,courts,theformingofstates,thechartersofcities,thegoingand
comingofcommerceandmailsareallforyou.
Alldoctrines,allpoliticsandcivilizationexurgefromyou,
Allsculptureandmonumentsandanythinginscribedanywherearetallied
inyou,
Thegistofhistoriesandstatisticsasfarbackastherecordsreachisin
youthishour—andmythsandtalesthesame;
Ifyouwerenotbreathingandwalkingherewherewouldtheyallbe?
Themostrenownedpoemswouldbeashes....orationsandplayswould
bevacuums.
Allarchitectureiswhatyoudotoitwhenyoulookuponit;
Didyouthinkitwasinthewhiteorgraystone?orthelinesofthearches
andcornices?
Allmusiciswhatawakensfromyouwhenyouareremindedbythe
instruments,
Itisnottheviolinsandthecornets....itisnottheoboenorthebeating
drums—northenotesofthebaritonesingersinginghissweetromanza
....northoseofthemen’schorus,northoseofthewomen’schorus,
Itisnearerandfartherthanthey.
Willthewholecomebackthen?
Caneachseethesignsofthebestbyalookinthelookingglass?Isthere
nothinggreaterormore?
Doesallsittherewithyouandherewithme?
Theoldforevernewthings....youfoolishchild!....theclosest
simplestthings—thismomentwithyou,
Yourpersonandeveryparticlethatrelatestoyourperson,
Thepulsesofyourbrainwaitingtheirchanceandencouragementatevery
deedorsight;
Anythingyoudoinpublicbyday,andanythingyoudoinsecret
betweendays,
Whatiscalledrightandwhatiscalledwrong....whatyoubeholdor
touch....whatcausesyourangerorwonder,
Theanklechainoftheslave,thebedofthebedhouse,thecardsofthe
gambler,theplatesoftheforger;
Whatisseenorlearnedinthestreet,orintuitivelylearned,
Whatislearnedinthepublicschool—spelling,reading,writingand
ciphering....theblackboardandtheteacher’sdiagrams:
Thepanesofthewindowsandallthatappearsthroughthem....the
goingforthinthemorningandtheaimlessspendingoftheday;
(Whatisitthatyoumademoney?whatisitthatyougotwhatyou
wanted?)
Theusualroutine....theworkshop,factory,yard,office,store,ordesk;
Thejauntofhuntingorfishing,orthelifeofhuntingorfishing,
Pasturelife,foddering,milkingandherding,andallthepersonneland
usages;
Theplum-orchardandapple-orchard....gardening..seedlings,
cuttings,flowersandvines,
Grainsandmanures..marl,clay,loam..thesubsoilplough..theshovel
andpickandrakeandhoe..irrigationanddraining;
Thecurrycomb..thehorse-cloth..thehalterandbridleandbits..the
verywispsofstraw,
Thebarnandbarn-yard..thebinsandmangers..themowsandracks:
Manufactures..commerce..engineering..thebuildingofcities,and
everytradecarriedonthere..andtheimplementsofeverytrade,
Theanvilandtongsandhammer..theaxeandwedge..thesquareand
mitreandjointerandsmoothingplane;
Theplumbobandtrowelandlevel..thewall-scaffold,andtheworkof
wallsandceilings..oranymason-work:
Theship’scompass..thesailor’starpaulin..thestaysandlanyards,and
theground-tackleforanchoringormooring,
Thesloop’stiller..thepilot’swheelandbell..theyachtorfish-smack.
.thegreatgay-pennantedthree-hundred-footsteamboatunderfull
headway,withherproudfatbreastsandherdelicateswift-flashing
paddles;
Thetrailandlineandhooksandsinkers..theseine,andhaulingthe
seine;
Smallarmsandrifles....thepowderandshotandcapsandwadding....
theordnanceforwar....thecarriages:
Everydayobjects....thehousechairs,thecarpet,thebedandthe
counterpaneofthebed,andhimorhersleepingatnight,andthewind
blowing,andtheindefinitenoises:
Thesnowstormorrainstorm....thetow-trowsers....thelodge-hutin
thewoods,andthestill-hunt:
Cityandcountry..fireplaceandcandle..gaslightandheaterand
aqueduct;
Themessageofthegovernor,mayor,orchiefofpolice....thedishesof
breakfastordinnerorsupper;
Thebunkroom,thefire-engine,thestring-team,andthecarortruck
behind;
ThepaperIwriteonoryouwriteon..andeverywordwewrite..and
everycrossandtwirlofthepen..andthecuriouswaywewritewhat
wethink....yetveryfaintly;
Thedirectory,thedetector,theledger....thebooksinranksorthe
bookshelves....theclockattachedtothewall,
Theringonyourfinger..thelady’swristlet..thehammersof
stonebreakersorcoppersmiths..thedruggist’svialsandjars;
Theetuiofsurgicalinstruments,andtheetuiofoculist’soraurist’s
instruments,ordentist’sinstruments;
Glassblowing,grindingofwheatandcorn..casting,andwhatiscast..
tinroofing,shingledressing,
Shipcarpentering,flaggingofsidewalksbyflaggers..dockbuilding,
fishcuring,ferrying;
Thepump,thepiledriver,thegreatderrick..thecoalkilnandbrickkiln,
Ironworksorwhiteleadworks..thesugarhouse..steam-saws,andthe
greatmillsandfactories;
Thecottonbale..thestevedore’shook..thesawandbuckofthesawyer.
.thescreenofthecoalscreener..themouldofthemoulder..the
workingknifeofthebutcher;
Thecylinderpress..thehandpress..thefrisketandtympan..the
compositor’sstickandrule,
Theimplementsfordaguerreotyping....thetoolsoftheriggeror
grapplerorsailmakerorblockmaker,
Goodsofguttaperchaorpapiermache....colorsandbrushes....
glaziers’implements,
Theveneerandgluepot..theconfectioner’sornaments..thedecanter
andglasses..theshearsandflatiron;
Theawlandkneestrap..thepintmeasureandquartmeasure..the
counterandstool..thewritingpenofquillormetal;
Billiardsandtenpins....theladdersandhangingropesofthe
gymnasium,andthemanlyexercises;
Thedesignsforwallpapersoroilclothsorcarpets....thefanciesfor
goodsforwomen....thebookbinder’sstamps;
Leatherdressing,coachmaking,boilermaking,ropetwisting,distilling,
signpainting,limeburning,coopering,cottonpicking,
Thewalkingbeamofthesteam-engine..thethrottleandgovernors,and
theupanddownrods,
Stavemachinesandplainingmachines....thecartofthecarman..the
omnibus..theponderousdray;
Thesnowploughandtwoenginespushingit....therideintheexpress
trainofonlyonecar....theswiftgothroughahowlingstorm:
Thebearhuntorcoonhunt....thebonfireofshavingsintheopenlotin
thecity..thecrowdofchildrenwatching;
Theblowsofthefighting-man..theuppercutandone-two-three;
Theshopwindows....thecoffinsinthesexton’swareroom....thefruit
onthefruitstand....thebeefonthebutcher’sstall,
Thebreadandcakesinthebakery....thewhiteandredporkinthe
pork-store;
Themilliner’sribbons..thedressmaker’spatterns....thetea-table..
thehomemadesweetmeats:
Thecolumnofwantsintheone-centpaper..thenewsbytelegraph....
theamusementsandoperasandshows:
Thecottonandwoolenandlinenyouwear....themoneyyoumakeand
spend;
Yourroomandbedroom....yourpiano-forte....thestoveand
cookpans,
Thehouseyoulivein....therent....theothertenants....the
depositeinthesavings-bank....thetradeatthegrocery,
ThepayonSaturdaynight....thegoinghome,andthepurchases;
Inthemtheheftoftheheaviest....inthemfarmorethanyouestimated,
andfarlessalso,
Inthem,notyourself....youandyoursoulencloseallthings,regardless
ofestimation,
Inthemyourthemesandhintsandprovokers..ifnot,thewholeearth
hasnothemesorhintsorprovokers,andneverhad.
Idonotaffirmwhatyouseebeyondisfutile....Idonotadviseyouto
stop,
Idonotsayleadingsyouthoughtgreatarenotgreat,
ButIsaythatnoneleadtogreaterorsadderorhappierthanthoseleadto.
Willyouseekafaroff?Yousurelycomebackatlast,
Inthingsbestknowntoyoufindingthebestorasgoodasthebest,
Infolksnearesttoyoufindingalsothesweetestandstrongestand
lovingest,
Happinessnotinanotherplace,butthisplace..notforanotherhour,but
thishour,
Maninthefirstyouseeortouch....alwaysinyourfriendorbrotheror
nighestneighbor....Womaninyourmotherorloverorwife,
Andallelsethusfarknowngivingplacetomenandwomen.
Whenthepsalmsingsinsteadofthesinger,
Whenthescriptpreachesinsteadofthepreacher,
Whenthepulpitdescendsandgoesinsteadofthecarverthatcarvedthe
supportingdesk,
Whenthesacredvesselsorthebitsoftheeucharist,orthelathandplast,
procreateaseffectuallyastheyoungsilversmithsorbakers,orthe
masonsintheiroveralls,
Whenauniversitycourseconvinceslikeaslumberingwomanandchild
convince,
Whenthemintedgoldinthevaultsmileslikethenightwatchman’s
daughter,
Whenwarranteedeedsloafeinchairsoppositeandaremyfriendly
companions,
IintendtoreachthemmyhandandmakeasmuchofthemasIdoofmen
andwomen.
LeavesofGrass
Tothinkoftime....tothinkthroughtheretrospection,
Tothinkoftoday..andtheagescontinuedhenceforward.
Haveyouguessedyouyourselfwouldnotcontinue?Haveyoudreaded
thoseearth-beetles?
Haveyoufearedthefuturewouldbenothingtoyou?
Istodaynothing?Isthebeginninglesspastnothing?
Ifthefutureisnothingtheyarejustassurelynothing.
Tothinkthatthesunroseintheeast....thatmenandwomenwere
flexibleandrealandalive....thateverythingwasrealandalive;
TothinkthatyouandIdidnotseefeelthinknorbearourpart,
Tothinkthatwearenowhereandbearourpart.
Notadaypasses..notaminuteorsecondwithoutanaccouchement;
Notadaypasses..notaminuteorsecondwithoutacorpse.
Whenthedullnightsareover,andthedulldaysalso,
Whenthesorenessoflyingsomuchinbedisover,
Whenthephysician,afterlongputtingoff,givesthesilentandterrible
lookforananswer,
Whenthechildrencomehurriedandweeping,andthebrothersandsisters
havebeensentfor,
Whenmedicinesstandunusedontheshelf,andthecamphor-smellhas
pervadedtherooms,
Whenthefaithfulhandofthelivingdoesnotdesertthehandofthedying,
Whenthetwitchinglipspresslightlyontheforeheadofthedying,
Whenthebreathceasesandthepulseoftheheartceases,
Thenthecorpse-limbsstretchonthebed,andthelivinglookuponthem,
Theyarepalpableasthelivingarepalpable.
Thelivinglookuponthecorpsewiththeireyesight,
Butwithouteyesightlingersadifferentlivingandlookscuriouslyonthe
corpse.
Tothinkthattheriverswillcometoflow,andthesnowfall,andfruits
ripen..andactuponothersasuponusnow....yetnotactuponus;
Tothinkofallthesewondersofcityandcountry..andotherstaking
greatinterestinthem..andwetakingsmallinterestinthem.
Tothinkhoweagerweareinbuildingourhouses,
Tothinkothersshallbejustaseager..andwequiteindifferent.
Iseeonebuildingthehousethatserveshimafewyears....orseventy
oreightyyearsatmost;
Iseeonebuildingthehousethatserveshimlongerthanthat.
Slowmovingandblacklinescreepoverthewholeearth....theynever
cease....theyaretheburiallines,
HethatwasPresidentwasburied,andhethatisnowPresidentshall
surelybeburied.
Colddashofwavesattheferrywharf,
Poshandiceintheriver....half-frozenmudinthestreets,
Agraydiscouragedskyoverhead....theshortlastdaylightof
December,
Ahearseandstages....othervehiclesgiveplace,
Thefuneralofanoldstagedriver....thecortegemostlydrivers.
Rapidthetrottothecemetery,
Dulyrattlesthedeathbell....thegateispassed....thegraveishalted
at....thelivingalight....thehearseuncloses,
Thecoffinisloweredandsettled....thewhipislaidonthecoffin,
Theearthisswiftlyshovelledin....aminute..noonemovesorspeaks
....itisdone,
Heisdecentlyputaway....isthereanythingmore?
Hewasagoodfellow,
Freemouthed,quicktempered,notbadlooking,abletotakehisownpart,
Witty,sensitivetoaslight,readywithlifeordeathforafriend,
Fondofwomen,..playedsome..eatheartyanddrankhearty,
Hadknownwhatitwastobeflush..grewlowspiritedtowardthelast..
sickened..washelpedbyacontribution,
Diedagedforty-oneyears..andthatwashisfuneral.
Thumbextendedorfingeruplifted,
Apron,cape,gloves,strap....wetweatherclothes....whipcarefully
chosen....boss,spotter,starter,andhostler,
Somebodyloafingonyou,oryouloafingonsomebody....headway...
.manbeforeandmanbehind,
Goodday’sworkorbadday’swork....petstockormeanstock....
firstoutorlastout....turninginatnight,
Tothinkthatthesearesomuchandsonightootherdrivers..andhe
theretakesnointerestinthem.
Themarkets,thegovernment,theworkingman’swages....tothinkwhat
accounttheyarethroughournightsanddays;
Tothinkthatotherworkingmenwillmakejustasgreataccountofthem.
.yetwemakelittleornoaccount.
Thevulgarandtherefined....whatyoucallsinandwhatyoucall
goodness..tothinkhowwideadifference;
Tothinkthedifferencewillstillcontinuetoothers,yetweliebeyondthe
difference.
Tothinkhowmuchpleasurethereis!
Haveyoupleasurefromlookingatthesky?Haveyoupleasurefrom
poems?
Doyouenjoyyourselfinthecity?orengagedinbusiness?orplanninga
nominationandelection?orwithyourwifeandfamily?
Orwithyourmotherandsisters?orinwomanlyhousework?orthe
beautifulmaternalcares?
Thesealsoflowonwardtoothers....youandIflowonward;
ButinduetimeyouandIshalltakelessinterestinthem.
Yourfarmandprofitsandcrops....tothinkhowengrossedyouare;
Tothinktherewillstillbefarmsandprofitsandcrops..yetforyouof
whatavail?
Whatwillbewillbewell—forwhatisiswell,
Totakeinterestiswell,andnottotakeinterestshallbewell.
Theskycontinuesbeautiful....thepleasureofmenwithwomenshall
neverbesated..northepleasureofwomenwithmen..northe
pleasurefrompoems;
Thedomesticjoys,thedailyhouseworkorbusiness,thebuildingof
houses—theyarenotphantasms..theyhaveweightandformand
location;
Thefarmsandprofitsandcrops..themarketsandwagesand
government..theyalsoarenotphantasms;
Thedifferencebetweensinandgoodnessisnoapparition;
Theearthisnotanecho....manandhislifeandallthethingsofhislife
arewell-considered.
Youarenotthrowntothewinds..yougathercertainlyandsafelyaround
yourself,
Yourself!Yourself!Yourselfforeverandever!
Itisnottodiffuseyouthatyouwerebornofyourmotherandfather—it
istoidentifyyou,
Itisnotthatyoushouldbeundecided,butthatyoushouldbedecided;
Somethinglongpreparingandformlessisarrivedandformedinyou,
Youarethenceforthsecure,whatevercomesorgoes.
Thethreadsthatwerespunaregathered....theweftcrossesthewarp..
..thepatternissystematic.
Thepreparationshaveeveryonebeenjustified;
Theorchestrahavetunedtheirinstrumentssufficiently....thebatonhas
giventhesignal.
Theguestthatwascoming....hewaitedlongforreasons....heisnow
housed,
Heisoneofthosewhoarebeautifulandhappy....heisoneofthose
thattolookuponandbewithisenough.
Thelawofthepastcannotbeeluded.
Thelawofthepresentandfuturecannotbeeluded,
Thelawofthelivingcannotbeeluded....itiseternal,
Thelawofpromotionandtransformationcannotbeeluded,
Thelawofheroesandgood-doerscannotbeeluded,
Thelawofdrunkardsandinformersandmeanpersonscannotbeeluded.
Slowmovingandblacklinesgoceaselesslyovertheearth,
Northernergoescarriedandsouthernergoescarried....andtheyonthe
AtlanticsideandtheyonthePacific,andtheybetween,andallthrough
theMississippicountry....andallovertheearth.
Thegreatmastersandkosmosarewellastheygo....theheroesand
good-doersarewell,
Theknownleadersandinventorsandtherichownersandpiousand
distinguishedmaybewell,
Butthereismoreaccountthanthat....thereisstrictaccountofall.
Theinterminablehordesoftheignorantandwickedarenotnothing,
ThebarbariansofAfricaandAsiaarenotnothing,
ThecommonpeopleofEuropearenotnothing....theAmerican
aboriginesarenotnothing,
AzambooraforeheadlessCrowfootoraCamancheisnotnothing,
Theinfectedintheimmigranthospitalarenotnothing....themurderer
ormeanpersonisnotnothing,
Theperpetualsuccessionofshallowpeoplearenotnothingastheygo,
Theprostituteisnotnothing....themockerofreligionisnotnothingas
hegoes.
Ishallgowiththerest....wehavesatisfaction:
Ihavedreamedthatwearenottobechangedsomuch....northelawof
uschanged;
Ihavedreamedthatheroesandgood-doersshallbeunderthepresentand
pastlaw,
Andthatmurderersanddrunkardsandliarsshallbeunderthepresentand
pastlaw;
ForIhavedreamedthatthelawtheyareundernowisenough.
AndIhavedreamedthatthesatisfactionisnotsomuchchanged....and
thatthereisnolifewithoutsatisfaction;
Whatistheearth?whatarebodyandsoulwithoutsatisfaction?
Ishallgowiththerest,
Wecannotbestoppedatagivenpoint....thatisnosatisfaction;
Toshowusagoodthingorafewgoodthingsforaspaceoftime—thatis
nosatisfaction;
Wemusthavetheindestructiblebreedofthebest,regardlessoftime.
Ifotherwise,allthesethingscamebuttoashesofdung;
Ifmaggotsandratsendedus,thensuspicionandtreacheryanddeath.
Doyoususpectdeath?IfIweretosuspectdeathIshoulddienow,
DoyouthinkIcouldwalkpleasantlyandwell-suitedtoward
annihilation?
Pleasantlyandwell-suitedIwalk,
WhitherIwalkIcannotdefine,butIknowitisgood,
Thewholeuniverseindicatesthatitisgood,
Thepastandthepresentindicatethatitisgood.
Howbeautifulandperfectaretheanimals!Howperfectismysoul!
Howperfecttheearth,andtheminutestthinguponit!
Whatiscalledgoodisperfect,andwhatiscalledsinisjustasperfect;
Thevegetablesandmineralsareallperfect..andtheimponderable
fluidsareperfect;
Slowlyandsurelytheyhavepassedontothis,andslowlyandsurelythey
willyetpasson.
Omysoul!ifIrealizeyouIhavesatisfaction,
Animalsandvegetables!ifIrealizeyouIhavesatisfaction,
Lawsoftheearthandair!ifIrealizeyouIhavesatisfaction.
Icannotdefinemysatisfaction..yetitisso,
Icannotdefinemylife..yetitisso.
IswearIseenowthateverythinghasaneternalsoul!
Thetreeshave,rootedintheground....theweedsoftheseahave....
theanimals.
IswearIthinkthereisnothingbutimmortality!
Thattheexquisiteschemeisforit,andthenebulousfloatisforit,andthe
coheringisforit,
Andallpreparationisforit..andidentityisforit..andlifeanddeath
areforit.
LeavesofGrass
Iwanderallnightinmyvision,
Steppingwithlightfeet....swiftlyandnoiselesslysteppingand
stopping,
Bendingwithopeneyesovertheshuteyesofsleepers;
Wanderingandconfused....losttomyself....ill-assorted....
contradictory,
Pausingandgazingandbendingandstopping.
Howsolemntheylookthere,stretchedandstill;
Howquiettheybreathe,thelittlechildrenintheircradles.
Thewretchedfeaturesofennuyees,thewhitefeaturesofcorpses,the
lividfacesofdrunkards,thesick-grayfacesofonanists,
Thegashedbodiesonbattlefields,theinsaneintheirstrong-doored
rooms,thesacredidiots,
Thenewbornemergingfromgatesandthedyingemergingfromgates,
Thenightpervadesthemandenfoldsthem.
Themarriedcouplesleepcalmlyintheirbed,hewithhispalmonthehip
ofthewife,andshewithherpalmonthehipofthehusband,
Thesisterssleeplovinglysidebysideintheirbed,
Themensleeplovinglysidebysideintheirs,
Andthemothersleepswithherlittlechildcarefullywrapped.
Theblindsleep,andthedeafanddumbsleep,
Theprisonersleepswellintheprison....therunawaysonsleeps,
Themurdererthatistobehungnextday....howdoeshesleep?
Andthemurderedperson....howdoeshesleep?
Thefemalethatlovesunrequitedsleeps,
Andthemalethatlovesunrequitedsleeps;
Theheadofthemoneymakerthatplottedalldaysleeps,
Andtheenragedandtreacherousdispositionssleep.
Istandwithdroopingeyesbytheworstsufferingandrestless,
Ipassmyhandssoothinglytoandfroafewinchesfromthem;
Therestlesssinkintheirbeds....theyfitfullysleep.
Theearthrecedesfrommeintothenight,
Isawthatitwasbeautiful....andIseethatwhatisnottheearthis
beautiful.
Igofrombedsidetobedside....Isleepclosewiththeothersleepers,
eachinturn;
Idreaminmydreamallthedreamsoftheotherdreamers,
AndIbecometheotherdreamers.
Iamadance....Playupthere!thefitiswhirlingmefast.
Iamtheeverlaughing....itisnewmoonandtwilight,
Iseethehidingofdouceurs....IseenimbleghostswhicheverwayI
look,
Cacheandcacheagaindeepinthegroundandsea,andwhereitisneither
groundorsea.
Welldotheydotheirjobs,thosejourneymendivine,
Onlyfrommecantheyhidenothingandwouldnotiftheycould;
IreckonIamtheirboss,andtheymakemeapetbesides,
Andsurroundme,andleadmeandrunaheadwhenIwalk,
Andlifttheircunningcoversandsignifymewithstretchedarms,and
resumetheway;
Onwardwemove,agaygangofblackguardswithmirthshoutingmusic
andwild-flappingpennantsofjoy.
Iamtheactorandtheactress....thevoter..thepolitician,
Theemigrantandtheexile..thecriminalthatstoodinthebox,
Hewhohasbeenfamous,andhewhoshallbefamousaftertoday,
Thestammerer....thewellformedperson..thewastedorfeeble
person.
Iamshewhoadornedherselfandfoldedherhairexpectantly,
Mytruantloverhascomeanditisdark.
Doubleyourselfandreceivemedarkness,
Receivemeandmylovertoo....hewillnotletmegowithouthim.
Irollmyselfuponyouasuponabed....Iresignmyselftothedusk.
HewhomIcallanswersmeandtakestheplaceofmylover,
Heriseswithmesilentlyfromthebed.
Darknessyouaregentlerthanmylover....hisfleshwassweatyand
panting,
Ifeelthehotmoistureyetthatheleftme.
Myhandsarespreadforth..Ipasstheminalldirections,
Iwouldsounduptheshadowyshoretowhichyouarejourneying.
Becareful,darkness....already,whatwasittouchedme?
Ithoughtmyloverhadgone....elsedarknessandheareone,
Iheartheheart-beat....Ifollow..Ifadeaway.
Ohotcheekedandblushing!Ofoolishhectic!
Oforpity’ssake,noonemustseemenow!....myclotheswerestolen
whileIwasabed,
NowIamthrustforth,whereshallIrun?
PierthatIsawdimlylastnightwhenIlookedfromthewindows,
Pieroutfromthemain,letmecatchmyselfwithyouandstay....Iwill
notchafeyou;
Ifeelashamedtogonakedabouttheworld,
Andamcurioustoknowwheremyfeetstand....andwhatisthis
floodingme,childhoodormanhood....andthehungerthatcrosses
thebridgebetween.
Theclothlapsafirstsweeteatinganddrinking,
Lapslife-swellingyolks....lapsearofrose-corn,milkyandjust
ripened:
Thewhiteteethstay,andtheboss-toothadvancesindarkness,
Andliquorisspilledonlipsandbosomsbytouchingglasses,andthebest
liquorafterward.
Idescendmywesterncourse....mysinewsareflaccid,
Perfumeandyouthcoursethroughme,andIamtheirwake.
Itismyfaceyellowandwrinkledinsteadoftheoldwoman’s,
Isitlowinastrawbottomchairandcarefullydarnmygrandson’s
stockings.
ItisItoo....thesleeplesswidowlookingoutonthewintermidnight,
Iseethesparklesofstarshineontheicyandpallidearth.
AshroudIsee—andIamtheshroud....Iwrapabodyandlieinthe
coffin;
Itisdarkhereunderground....itisnotevilorpainhere....itisblank
here,forreasons.
Itseemstomethateverythinginthelightandairoughttobehappy;
Whoeverisnotinhiscoffinandthedarkgrave,lethimknowhehas
enough.
Iseeabeautifulgiganticswimmerswimmingnakedthroughtheeddies
ofthesea,
Hisbrownhairliescloseandeventohishead....hestrikesoutwith
courageousarms....heurgeshimselfwithhislegs.
Iseehiswhitebody....Iseehisundauntedeyes;
Ihatetheswift-runningeddiesthatwoulddashhimheadforemostonthe
rocks.
Whatareyoudoingyouruffianlyred-trickledwaves?
Willyoukillthecourageousgiant?Willyoukillhimintheprimeofhis
middleage?
Steadyandlonghestruggles;
Heisbaffledandbangedandbruised....heholdsoutwhilehisstrength
holdsout,
Theslappingeddiesarespottedwithhisblood....theybearhimaway..
..theyrollhimandswinghimandturnhim:
Hisbeautifulbodyisborneinthecirclingeddies....itiscontinually
bruisedonrocks,
Swiftlyandoutofsightisbornethebravecorpse.
Iturnbutdonotextricatemyself;
Confused....apastreading....another,butwithdarknessyet.
Thebeachiscutbytherazoryice-wind....thewreck-gunssound,
Thetempestlullsandthemooncomesflounderingthroughthedrifts.
Ilookwheretheshiphelplesslyheadsendon....Iheartheburstasshe
strikes..Ihearthehowlsofdismay....theygrowfainterandfainter.
Icannotaidwithmywringingfingers;
Icanbutrushtothesurfandletitdrenchmeandfreezeuponme.
Isearchwiththecrowd....notoneofthecompanyiswashedtous
alive;
InthemorningIhelppickupthedeadandlaytheminrowsinabarn.
Nowoftheoldwar-days..thedefeatatBrooklyn;
Washingtonstandsinsidethelines..hestandsontheentrenchedhills
amidacrowdofofficers,
Hisfaceiscoldanddamp....hecannotrepresstheweepingdrops....
heliftstheglassperpetuallytohiseyes....thecolorisblanchedfrom
hischeeks,
Heseestheslaughterofthesouthernbravesconfidedtohimbytheir
parents.
Thesameatlastandatlastwhenpeaceisdeclared,
Hestandsintheroomoftheoldtavern....thewellbelovedsoldiersall
passthrough,
Theofficersspeechlessandslowdrawnearintheirturns,
Thechiefencirclestheirneckswithhisarmandkissesthemonthecheek,
Hekisseslightlythewetcheeksoneafteranother....heshakeshands
andbidsgoodbyetothearmy.
NowItellwhatmymothertoldmetodayaswesatatdinnertogether,
Ofwhenshewasanearlygrowngirllivinghomewithherparentsonthe
oldhomestead.
Aredsquawcameonebreakfasttimetotheoldhomestead,
Onherbackshecarriedabundleofrushesforrushbottomingchairs;
Herhairstraightshinycoarseblackandprofusehalfenvelopedherface,
Herstepwasfreeandelastic....hervoicesoundedexquisitelyasshe
spoke.
Mymotherlookedindelightandamazementatthestranger,
Shelookedatthebeautyofhertallbornefaceandfullandpliantlimbs,
Themoreshelookeduponhershelovedher,
Neverbeforehadsheseensuchwonderfulbeautyandpurity;
Shemadehersitonabenchbythejambofthefireplace....shecooked
foodforher,
Shehadnoworktogiveherbutshegaveherremembranceandfondness.
Theredsquawstaidalltheforenoon,andtowardthemiddleofthe
afternoonshewentaway;
Omymotherwaslothtohavehergoaway,
Alltheweekshethoughtofher....shewatchedforhermanyamonth,
Sherememberedhermanyawinterandmanyasummer,
Buttheredsquawnevercamenorwasheardofthereagain.
NowLuciferwasnotdead....orifhewasIamhissorrowfulterrible
heir;
Ihavebeenwronged....Iamoppressed....Ihatehimthatoppresses
me,
Iwilleitherdestroyhim,orheshallreleaseme.
Damnhim!howhedoesdefileme,
Howheinformsagainstmybrotherandsisterandtakespayfortheir
blood,
HowhelaughswhenIlookdownthebendafterthesteamboatthatcarries
awaymywoman.
Nowthevastduskbulkthatisthewhale’sbulk....itseemsmine,
Warily,sportsman!thoughIliesosleepyandsluggish,mytapisdeath.
Ashowofthesummersoftness....acontactofsomethingunseen....
anamourofthelightandair;
Iamjealousandoverwhelmedwithfriendliness,
Andwillgogallivantwiththelightandtheairmyself,
Andhaveanunseensomethingtobeincontactwiththemalso.
Oloveandsummer!youareinthedreamsandinme,
Autumnandwinterareinthedreams....thefarmergoeswithhisthrift,
Thedrovesandcropsincrease....thebarnsarewellfilled.
Elementsmergeinthenight....shipsmaketacksinthedreams....the
sailorsails....theexilereturnshome,
Thefugitivereturnsunharmed....theimmigrantisbackbeyondmonths
andyears;
ThepoorIrishmanlivesinthesimplehouseofhischildhood,withthe
wellknownneighborsandfaces,
Theywarmlywelcomehim....heisbarefootagain....heforgetsheis
welloff;
TheDutchmanvoyageshome,andtheScotchmanandWelchmanvoyage
home..andthenativeoftheMediterraneanvoyageshome;
ToeveryportofEnglandandFranceandSpainenterwellfilledships;
TheSwissfootsittowardhishills....thePrussiangoeshisway,andthe
Hungarianhisway,andthePolegoeshisway,
TheSwedereturns,andtheDaneandNorwegianreturn.
Thehomewardboundandtheoutwardbound,
Thebeautifullostswimmer,theennuyee,theonanist,thefemalethat
lovesunrequited,themoneymaker,
Theactorandactress..thosethroughwiththeirpartsandthosewaiting
tocommence,
Theaffectionateboy,thehusbandandwife,thevoter,thenomineethatis
chosenandthenomineethathasfailed,
Thegreatalreadyknown,andthegreatanytimeaftertoday,
Thestammerer,thesick,theperfectformed,thehomely,
Thecriminalthatstoodinthebox,thejudgethatsatandsentencedhim,
thefluentlawyers,thejury,theaudience,
Thelaugherandweeper,thedancer,themidnightwidow,theredsquaw,
Theconsumptive,theerysipalite,theidiot,hethatiswronged,
Theantipodes,andeveryonebetweenthisandtheminthedark,
Isweartheyareaveragednow....oneisnobetterthantheother,
Thenightandsleephavelikenedthemandrestoredthem.
Isweartheyareallbeautiful,
Everyonethatsleepsisbeautiful....everythinginthedimnightis
beautiful,
Thewildestandbloodiestisoverandallispeace.
Peaceisalwaysbeautiful,
Themythofheavenindicatespeaceandnight.
Themythofheavenindicatesthesoul;
Thesoulisalwaysbeautiful....itappearsmoreoritappearsless....it
comesorlagsbehind,
Itcomesfromitsemboweredgardenandlookspleasantlyonitselfand
enclosestheworld;
Perfectandcleanthegenitalspreviouslyjetting,andperfectandcleanthe
wombcohering,
Theheadwellgrownandproportionedandplumb,andthebowelsand
jointsproportionedandplumb.
Thesoulisalwaysbeautiful,
Theuniverseisdulyinorder....everythingisinitsplace,
Whatisarrivedisinitsplace,andwhatwaitsisinitsplace;
Thetwistedskullwaits....thewateryorrottenbloodwaits,
Thechildofthegluttonorvenerealeewaitslong,andthechildofthe
drunkardwaitslong,andthedrunkardhimselfwaitslong,
Thesleepersthatlivedanddiedwait....thefaradvancedaretogoonin
theirturns,andthefarbehindaretogoonintheirturns,
Thediverseshallbenolessdiverse,buttheyshallflowandunite....
theyunitenow.
Thesleepersareverybeautifulastheylieunclothed,
Theyflowhandinhandoverthewholeearthfromeasttowestastheylie
unclothed;
TheAsiaticandAfricanarehandinhand....theEuropeanand
Americanarehandinhand,
Learnedandunlearnedarehandinhand..andmaleandfemalearehand
inhand;
Thebarearmofthegirlcrossesthebarebreastofherlover....they
pressclosewithoutlust....hislipspressherneck,
Thefatherholdshisgrownorungrownsoninhisarmswithmeasureless
love....andthesonholdsthefatherinhisarmswithmeasureless
love,
Thewhitehairofthemothershinesonthewhitewristofthedaughter,
Thebreathoftheboygoeswiththebreathoftheman....friendis
inarmedbyfriend,
Thescholarkissestheteacherandtheteacherkissesthescholar....the
wrongedismaderight,
Thecalloftheslaveisonewiththemaster’scall..andthemaster
salutestheslave,
Thefelonstepsforthfromtheprison....theinsanebecomessane....
thesufferingofsickpersonsisrelieved,
Thesweatingsandfeversstop..thethroatthatwasunsoundissound..
thelungsoftheconsumptiveareresumed..thepoordistressedheadis
free,
Thejointsoftherheumaticmoveassmoothlyasever,andsmootherthan
ever,
Stiflingsandpassagesopen....theparalysedbecomesupple,
Theswelledandconvulsedandcongestedawaketothemselvesin
condition,
Theypasstheinvigorationofthenightandthechemistryofthenightand
awake.
Itoopassfromthenight;
IstayawhileawayOnight,butIreturntoyouagainandloveyou;
WhyshouldIbeafraidtotrustmyselftoyou?
Iamnotafraid....Ihavebeenwellbroughtforwardbyyou;
Ilovetherichrunningday,butIdonotdesertherinwhomIlaysolong;
IknownothowIcameofyou,andIknownotwhereIgowithyou....
butIknowIcamewellandshallgowell.
Iwillstoponlyatimewiththenight....andrisebetimes.
IwilldulypassthedayOmymotheranddulyreturntoyou;
Notyouwillyieldforththedawnagainmoresurelythanyouwillyield
forthmeagain,
NotthewombyieldsthebabeinitstimemoresurelythanIshallbe
yieldedfromyouinmytime.
LeavesofGrass
Thebodiesofmenandwomenengirthme,andIengirththem,
TheywillnotletmeoffnorIthemtillIgowiththemandrespondto
themandlovethem.
Wasitdreamedwhetherthosewhocorruptedtheirownlivebodiescould
concealthemselves?
Andwhetherthosewhodefiledthelivingwereasbadastheywhodefiled
thedead?
Theexpressionofthebodyofmanorwomanbalksaccount,
Themaleisperfectandthatofthefemaleisperfect.
Theexpressionofawellmademanappearsnotonlyinhisface,
Itisinhislimbsandjointsalso....itiscuriouslyinthejointsofhis
hipsandwrists,
Itisinhiswalk..thecarriageofhisneck..theflexofhiswaistand
knees....dressdoesnothidehim,
Thestrongsweetsupplequalityhehasstrikesthroughthecottonand
flannel;
Toseehimpassconveysasmuchasthebestpoem..perhapsmore,
Youlingertoseehisbackandthebackofhisneckandshoulderside.
Thesprawlandfulnessofbabes....thebosomsandheadsofwomen...
.thefoldsoftheirdress....theirstyleaswepassinthestreet....the
contouroftheirshapedownwards;
Theswimmernakedintheswimmingbath..seenasheswimsthrough
thesalttransparentgreenshine,orliesonhisbackandrollssilently
withtheheaveofthewater;
Framersbare-armedframingahouse..hoistingthebeamsintheirplaces
..orusingthemalletandmortising-chisel,
Thebendingforwardandbackwardofrowersinrowboats....the
horsemaninhissaddle;
Girlsandmothersandhousekeepersinalltheirexquisiteoffices,
Thegroupoflaborersseatedatnoontimewiththeiropendinnerkettles,
andtheirwiveswaiting,
Thefemalesoothingachild....thefarmer’sdaughterinthegardenor
cowyard,
Thewoodmanrapidlyswinginghisaxeinthewoods....theyoung
fellowhoeingcorn....thesleighdriverguidinghissixhorsesthrough
thecrowd,
Thewrestleofwrestlers..twoapprentice-boys,quitegrown,lusty,
goodnatured,nativeborn,outonthevacantlotatsundownafterwork,
Thecoatsvestsandcapsthrowndown..theembraceofloveand
resistance,
Theupperholdandunderhold—thehairrumpledoverandblindingthe
eyes;
Themarchoffiremenintheirowncostumes—theplayofthemasculine
musclethroughcleansettingtrowsersandwaistbands,
Theslowreturnfromthefire....thepausewhenthebellstrikes
suddenlyagain—thelisteningonthealert,
Thenaturalperfectandvariedattitudes....thebenthead,thecurved
neck,thecounting:
SuchlikeIlove....Iloosenmyselfandpassfreely....andamatthe
mother’sbreastwiththelittlechild,
Andswimwiththeswimmer,andwrestlewithwrestlers,andmarchin
linewiththefiremen,andpauseandlistenandcount.
Iknewaman....hewasacommonfarmer....hewasthefatheroffive
sons...andinthemwerethefathersofsons...andinthemwerethe
fathersofsons.
Thismanwasofwonderfulvigorandcalmnessandbeautyofperson;
Theshapeofhishead,therichnessandbreadthofhismanners,thepale
yellowandwhiteofhishairandbeard,theimmeasurablemeaningof
hisblackeyes,
TheseIusedtogoandvisithimtosee....Hewaswisealso,
Hewassixfeettall....hewasovereightyyearsold....hissonswere
massivecleanbeardedtanfacedandhandsome,
Theyandhisdaughterslovedhim...allwhosawhimlovedhim...they
didnotlovehimbyallowance...theylovedhimwithpersonallove;
Hedrankwateronly....thebloodshowedlikescarletthroughtheclear
brownskinofhisface;
Hewasafrequentgunnerandfisher...hesailedhisboathimself...he
hadafineonepresentedtohimbyashipjoiner....hehadfowlingpieces,presentedtohimbymenthatlovedhim;
Whenhewentwithhisfivesonsandmanygrandsonstohuntorfishyou
wouldpickhimoutasthemostbeautifulandvigorousofthegang,
Youwouldwishlongandlongtobewithhim....youwouldwishtosit
byhimintheboatthatyouandhemighttoucheachother.
IhaveperceivedthattobewiththoseIlikeisenough,
Tostopincompanywiththerestateveningisenough,
Tobesurroundedbybeautifulcuriousbreathinglaughingfleshisenough,
Topassamongthem..totouchanyone....torestmyarmeverso
lightlyroundhisorherneckforamoment....whatisthisthen?
Idonotaskanymoredelight....Iswiminitasinasea.
Thereissomethinginstayingclosetomenandwomenandlookingon
themandinthecontactandodorofthemthatpleasesthesoulwell,
Allthingspleasethesoul,butthesepleasethesoulwell.
Thisisthefemaleform,
Adivinenimbusexhalesfromitfromheadtofoot,
Itattractswithfierceundeniableattraction,
IamdrawnbyitsbreathasifIwerenomorethanahelplessvapor....
allfallsasidebutmyselfandit,
Books,art,religion,time..thevisibleandsolidearth..theatmosphere
andthefringedclouds..whatwasexpectedofheavenorfearedofhell
arenowconsumed,
Madfilaments,ungovernableshootsplayoutofit..theresponse
likewiseungovernable,
Hair,bosom,hips,bendoflegs,negligentfallinghands—alldiffused...
.minetoodiffused,
Ebbstungbytheflow,andflowstungbytheebb....lovefleshswelling
anddeliciouslyaching,
Limitlesslimpidjetsoflovehotandenormous....quiveringjellyof
love...white-blowanddeliriousjuice,
Bridegroom-nightofloveworkingsurelyandsoftlyintotheprostrate
dawn,
Undulatingintothewillingandyieldingday,
Lostinthecleaveoftheclaspingandsweetfleshedday.
Thisisthenucleus...afterthechildisbornofwomanthemanisbornof
woman,
Thisisthebathofbirth...thisisthemergeofsmallandlargeandthe
outletagain.
Benotashamedwomen..yourprivilegeenclosestherest..itistheexit
oftherest,
Youarethegatesofthebodyandyouarethegatesofthesoul.
Thefemalecontainsallqualitiesandtempersthem....sheisinher
place....shemoveswithperfectbalance,
Sheisallthingsdulyveiled....sheisbothpassiveandactive....sheis
toconceivedaughtersaswellassonsandsonsaswellasdaughters.
AsIseemysoulreflectedinnature....asIseethroughamistonewith
inexpressiblecompletenessandbeauty....seethebentheadandarms
foldedoverthebreast....thefemaleIsee,
Iseethebearerofthegreatfruitwhichisimmortality....thegood
thereofisnottastedbyroues,andnevercanbe.
Themaleisnotlessthesoul,normore....hetooisinhisplace,
Hetooisallqualities....heisactionandpower....theflushofthe
knownuniverseisinhim,
Scornbecomeshimwellandappetiteanddefiancebecomehimwell,
Thefiercestlargestpassions..blissthatisutmostandsorrowthatis
utmostbecomehimwell....prideisforhim,
Thefullspreadprideofmaniscalmingandexcellenttothesoul;
Knowledgebecomeshim....helikesitalways....hebrings
everythingtothetestofhimself,
Whateverthesurvey..whatevertheseaandthesail,hestrikessoundings
atlastonlyhere,
Whereelsedoeshestrikesoundingsexcepthere?
Theman’sbodyissacredandthewoman’sbodyissacred....itisno
matterwho,
Isitaslave?Isitoneofthedullfacedimmigrantsjustlandedonthe
wharf?
Eachbelongshereoranywherejustasmuchasthewelloff....justas
muchasyou,
Eachhashisorherplaceintheprocession.
Allisaprocession,
Theuniverseisaprocessionwithmeasuredandbeautifulmotion.
Doyouknowsomuchthatyoucalltheslaveorthedullfaceignorant?
Doyousupposeyouhavearighttoagoodsight...andheorshehasno
righttoasight?
Doyouthinkmatterhascoheredtogetherfromitsdiffusedfloat,andthe
soilisonthesurfaceandwaterrunsandvegetationsproutsforyou..
andnotforhimandher?
Aslaveatauction!
Ihelptheauctioneer....theslovendoesnothalfknowhisbusiness.
Gentlemenlookonthiscuriouscreature,
Whateverthebidsofthebidderstheycannotbehighenoughforhim,
Forhimtheglobelaypreparingquintillionsofyearswithoutoneanimal
orplant,
Forhimtherevolvingcyclestrulyandsteadilyrolled.
Inthatheadtheallbafflingbrain,
Initandbelowitthemakingoftheattributesofheroes.
Examinetheselimbs,redblackorwhite....theyareverycunningin
tendonandnerve;
Theyshallbestriptthatyoumayseethem.
Exquisitesenses,lifeliteyes,pluck,volition,
Flakesofbreastmuscle,pliantbackboneandneck,fleshnotflabby,
goodsizedarmsandlegs,
Andwonderswithinthereyet.
Withinthererunshisblood....thesameoldblood..thesamered
runningblood;
Thereswellsandjetshisheart....Thereallpassionsanddesires..all
reachingsandaspirations:
Doyouthinktheyarenottherebecausetheyarenotexpressedinparlors
andlecture-rooms?
Thisisnotonlyoneman....heisthefatherofthosewhoshallbe
fathersintheirturns,
Inhimthestartofpopulousstatesandrichrepublics,
Ofhimcountlessimmortalliveswithcountlessembodimentsand
enjoyments.
Howdoyouknowwhoshallcomefromtheoffspringofhisoffspring
throughthecenturies?
Whomightyoufindyouhavecomefromyourselfifyoucouldtraceback
throughthecenturies?
Awomanatauction,
Shetooisnotonlyherself....sheistheteemingmotherofmothers,
Sheisthebearerofthemthatshallgrowandbematestothemothers.
Herdaughtersortheirdaughters’daughters..whoknowswhoshallmate
withthem?
Whoknowsthroughthecenturieswhatheroesmaycomefromthem?
Inthemandofthemnatallove....inthemthedivinemystery....the
sameoldbeautifulmystery.
Haveyoueverlovedawoman?
Yourmother....issheliving?....Haveyoubeenmuchwithher?and
hasshebeenmuchwithyou?
Doyounotseethattheseareexactlythesametoallinallnationsand
timesallovertheearth?
Iflifeandthesoularesacredthehumanbodyissacred;
Andthegloryandsweetofamanisthetokenofmanhooduntainted,
Andinmanorwomanacleanstrongfirmfibredbodyisbeautifulasthe
mostbeautifulface.
Haveyouseenthefoolthatcorruptedhisownlivebody?orthefoolthat
corruptedherownlivebody?
Fortheydonotconcealthemselves,andcannotconcealthemselves.
Whodegradesordefilesthelivinghumanbodyiscursed,
Whodegradesordefilesthebodyofthedeadisnotmorecursed.
LeavesofGrass
Saunteringthepavementorridingthecountrybyroadherethenarefaces,
Facesoffriendship,precision,caution,suavity,ideality,
Thespiritualprescientface,thealwayswelcomecommonbenevolent
face,
Thefaceofthesingingofmusic,thegrandfacesofnaturallawyersand
judgesbroadatthebacktop,
Thefacesofhuntersandfishers,bulgedatthebrows....theshaved
blanchedfacesoforthodoxcitizens,
Thepureextravagantyearningquestioningartist’sface,
Thewelcomeuglyfaceofsomebeautifulsoul....thehandsome
detestedordespisedface,
Thesacredfacesofinfants....theilluminatedfaceofthemotherof
manychildren,
Thefaceofanamour....thefaceofveneration,
Thefaceasofadream....thefaceofanimmobilerock,
Thefacewithdrawnofitsgoodandbad..acastratedface,
Awildhawk..hiswingsclippedbytheclipper,
Astallionthatyieldedatlasttothethongsandknifeofthegelder.
Saunteringthepavementorcrossingtheceaselessferry,herethenare
faces;
Iseethemandcomplainnotandamcontentwithall.
DoyousupposeIcouldbecontentwithallifIthoughtthemtheirown
finale?
Thisnowistoolamentableafaceforaman;
Someabjectlouseaskingleavetobe..cringingforit,
Somemilknosedmaggotblessingwhatletsitwrigtoitshole.
Thisfaceisadog’ssnoutsniffingforgarbage;
Snakesnestinthatmouth..Ihearthesibilantthreat.
Thisfaceisahazemorechillthanthearcticsea,
Itssleepyandwobblingicebergscrunchastheygo.
Thisisafaceofbitterherbs....thisanemetic....theyneednolabel,
Andmoreofthedrugshelf..laudanum,caoutchouc,orhog’slard.
Thisfaceisanepilepsyadvertisinganddoingbusiness....itswordless
tonguegivesouttheunearthlycry,
Itsveinsdowntheneckdistend....itseyesrolltilltheyshownothing
buttheirwhites,
Itsteethgrit..thepalmsofthehandsarecutbytheturned-innails,
Themanfallsstrugglingandfoamingtothegroundwhilehespeculates
well.
Thisfaceisbittenbyverminandworms,
Andthisissomemurderer’sknifewithahalfpulledscabbard.
Thisfaceowestothesextonhisdismalestfee,
Anunceasingdeathbelltollsthere.
Thosearereallymen!....thebossesandtuftsofthegreatroundglobe.
Featuresofmyequals,wouldyoutrickmewithyourcreasedand
cadaverousmarch?
Wellthenyoucannottrickme.
Iseeyourroundednever-erasedflow,
Iseeneaththerimsofyourhaggardandmeandisguises.
Splayandtwistasyoulike....pokewiththetanglingforesoffishesor
rats,
You’llbeunmuzzled....youcertainlywill.
Isawthefaceofthemostsmearedandslobberingidiottheyhadatthe
asylum,
AndIknewformyconsolationwhattheyknewnot;
Iknewoftheagentsthatemptiedandbrokemybrother,
Thesamewaittocleartherubbishfromthefallentenement;
AndIshalllookagaininascoreortwoofages,
AndIshallmeetthereallandlordperfectandunharmed,everyinchas
goodasmyself.
TheLordadvancesandyetadvances:
Alwaystheshadowinfront....alwaysthereachedhandbringingupthe
laggards.
Outofthisfaceemergebannersandhorses....Osuperb!....Iseewhat
iscoming,
Iseethehighpioneercaps....Iseethestavesofrunnersclearingthe
way,
Ihearvictoriousdrums.
Thisfaceisalifeboat;
Thisisthefacecommandingandbearded....itasksnooddsoftherest;
Thisfaceisflavoredfruitreadyforeating;
Thisfaceofahealthyhonestboyistheprogrammeofallgood.
Thesefacesbeartestimonyslumberingorawake,
TheyshowtheirdescentfromtheMasterhimself.
OffthewordIhavespokenIexceptnotone....redwhiteorblack,all
aredeific,
Ineachhouseistheovum....itcomesforthafterathousandyears.
Spotsorcracksatthewindowsdonotdisturbme,
Tallandsufficientstandbehindandmakesignstome;
Ireadthepromiseandpatientlywait.
Thisisafullgrownlily’sface,
Shespeakstothelimber-hip’dmannearthegardenpickets,
Comehere,sheblushinglycries....Comenightomelimber-hip’dman
andgivemeyourfingerandthumb,
StandatmysidetillIleanashighasIcanuponyou,
Fillmewithalbescenthoney....benddowntome,
Rubtomewithyourchafingbeard..rubtomybreastandshoulders.
Theoldfaceofthemotherofmanychildren:
Whist!Iamfullycontent.
LulledandlateisthesmokeoftheSabbathmorning,
Ithangslowovertherowsoftreesbythefences,
Ithangsthinbythesassafras,thewildcherryandthecatbrierunderthem.
Isawtherichladiesinfulldressatthesoiree,
Iheardwhattherunofpoetsweresayingsolong,
Heardwhosprangincrimsonyouthfromthewhitefrothandthewaterblue.
Beholdawoman!
Shelooksoutfromherquakercap....herfaceisclearerandmore
beautifulthanthesky.
Shesitsinanarmchairundertheshadedporchofthefarmhouse,
Thesunjustshinesonheroldwhitehead.
Heramplegownisofcreamhuedlinen,
Hergrandsonsraisedtheflax,andhergranddaughtersspunitwiththe
distaffandthewheel.
Themelodiouscharacteroftheearth!
Thefinishbeyondwhichphilosophycannotgoanddoesnotwishtogo!
Thejustifiedmotherofmen!
Ayoungmancametomewithamessagefromhisbrother,
Howshouldtheyoungmanknowthewhetherandwhenofhisbrother?
Tellhimtosendmethesigns.
AndIstoodbeforetheyoungmanfacetoface,andtookhisrighthandin
mylefthandandhislefthandinmyrighthand,
AndIansweredforhisbrotherandformen....andIansweredforthe
poet,andsentthesesigns.
Himallwaitfor....himallyieldupto....hiswordisdecisiveand
final,
Himtheyaccept....inhimlave....inhimperceivethemselvesas
amidlight,
Himtheyimmerse,andheimmersesthem.
Beautifulwomen,thehaughtiestnations,laws,thelandscape,peopleand
animals,
Theprofoundearthanditsattributes,andtheunquietocean,
Allenjoymentsandproperties,andmoney,andwhatevermoneywillbuy,
Thebestfarms....otherstoilingandplanting,andheunavoidablyreaps,
Thenoblestandcostliestcities....othersgradingandbuilding,andhe
domicilesthere;
Nothingforanyonebutwhatisforhim....nearandfarareforhim,
Theshipsintheoffing....theperpetualshowsandmarchesonlandare
forhimiftheyareforanybody.
Heputsthingsintheirattitudes,
Heputstodayoutofhimselfwithplasticityandlove,
Heplaceshisowncity,times,reminiscences,parents,brothersand
sisters,associationsemploymentandpolitics,sothattherestnever
shamethemafterward,norassumetocommandthem.
Heistheanswerer,
Whatcanbeansweredheanswers,andwhatcannotbeansweredheshows
howitcannotbeanswered.
Amanisasummonsandchallenge,
Itisvaintoskulk....Doyouhearthatmockingandlaughter?Doyou
heartheironicalechoes?
Booksfriendshipsphilosopherspriestsactionpleasurepridebeatupand
downseekingtogivesatisfaction;
Heindicatesthesatisfaction,andindicatesthemthatbeatupanddown
also.
Whicheverthesex...whatevertheseasonorplacehemaygofreshly
andgentlyandsafelybydayorbynight,
Hehasthepasskeyofhearts....tohimtheresponseofthepryingof
handsontheknobs.
Hiswelcomeisuniversal....theflowofbeautyisnotmorewelcomeor
universalthanheis,
Thepersonhefavorsbydayorsleepswithatnightisblessed.
Everyexistencehasitsidiom....everythinghasanidiomandtongue;
Heresolvesalltonguesintohisown,andbestowsituponmen..andany
mantranslates..andanymantranslateshimselfalso:
Onepartdoesnotcounteractanotherpart....Heisthejoiner..hesees
howtheyjoin.
Hesaysindifferentlyandalike,Howareyoufriend?tothePresidentat
hislevee,
AndhesaysGooddaymybrother,toCudgethathoesinthesugarfield;
Andbothunderstandhimandknowthathisspeechisright.
Hewalkswithperfecteaseinthecapitol,
HewalksamongtheCongress....andonerepresentativesaysto
another,Hereisourequalappearingandnew.
Thenthemechanicstakehimforamechanic,
Andthesoldierssupposehimtobeacaptain....andthesailorsthathe
hasfollowedthesea,
Andtheauthorstakehimforanauthor....andtheartistsforanartist,
Andthelaborersperceivehecouldlaborwiththemandlovethem;
Nomatterwhattheworkis,thatheisonetofollowitorhasfollowedit,
Nomatterwhatthenation,thathemightfindhisbrothersandsisters
there.
TheEnglishbelievehecomesoftheirEnglishstock,
AJewtotheJewheseems....aRusstotheRuss....usualandnear..
removedfromnone.
Whoeverhelooksatinthetraveler’scoffeehouseclaimshim,
TheItalianorFrenchmanissure,andtheGermanissure,andthe
Spaniardissure....andtheislandCubanissure.
Theengineer,thedeckhandonthegreatlakesorontheMississippiorSt
LawrenceorSacramentoorHudsonorDelawareclaimshim.
Thegentlemanofperfectbloodacknowledgeshisperfectblood,
Theinsulter,theprostitute,theangryperson,thebeggar,seethemselves
inthewaysofhim....hestrangelytransmutesthem,
Theyarenotvileanymore....theyhardlyknowthemselves,theyareso
grown.
Youthinkitwouldbegoodtobethewriterofmelodiousverses,
Wellitwouldbegoodtobethewriterofmelodiousverses;
Butwhatareversesbeyondtheflowingcharacteryoucouldhave?....or
beyondbeautifulmannersandbehaviour?
Orbeyondonemanlyoraffectionatedeedofanapprenticeboy?..orold
woman?..ormanthathasbeeninprisonorislikelytobeinprison?
Suddenlyoutofitsstaleanddrowsylair,thelairofslaves,
LikelightningEuropele’ptforth....halfstartledatitself,
Itsfeetupontheashesandtherags....Itshandstighttothethroatsof
kings.
Ohopeandfaith!Oachingcloseoflives!Omanyasickenedheart!
Turnbackuntothisday,andmakeyourselvesafresh.
Andyou,paidtodefilethePeople....youliarsmark:
Notfornumberlessagonies,murders,lusts,
Forcourtthievinginitsmanifoldmeanforms,
Wormingfromhissimplicitythepoorman’swages;
Formanyapromiseswornbyroyallips,Andbroken,andlaughedatin
thebreaking,
Thenintheirpowernotforallthesedidtheblowsstrikeofpersonal
revenge..ortheheadsofthenoblesfall;
ThePeoplescornedtheferocityofkings.
Butthesweetnessofmercybrewedbitterdestruction,andthefrightened
rulerscomeback:
Eachcomesinstatewithhistrain....hangman,priestandtax-gatherer.
...soldier,lawyer,jailerandsycophant.
Yetbehindall,lo,aShape,
Vagueasthenight,drapedinterminably,headfrontandforminscarlet
folds,
Whosefaceandeyesnonemaysee,
Outofitsrobesonlythis....theredrobes,liftedbythearm,
Onefingerpointedhighoverthetop,liketheheadofasnakeappears.
Meanwhilecorpseslieinnew-madegraves....bloodycorpsesofyoung
men:
Theropeofthegibbethangsheavily....thebulletsofprincesareflying
....thecreaturesofpowerlaughaloud,
Andallthesethingsbearfruits....andtheyaregood.
Thosecorpsesofyoungmen,
Thosemartyrsthathangfromthegibbets...thoseheartspiercedbythe
graylead,
Coldandmotionlessastheyseem..liveelsewherewithunslaughter’d
vitality.
Theyliveinotheryoungmen,Okings,
Theyliveinbrothers,againreadytodefyyou:
Theywerepurifiedbydeath....Theyweretaughtandexalted.
Notagraveofthemurderedforfreedombutgrowsseedforfreedom....
initsturntobearseed,
Whichthewindscarryafarandre-sow,andtherainsandthesnows
nourish.
Notadisembodiedspiritcantheweaponsoftyrantsletloose,
Butitstalksinvisiblyovertheearth..whisperingcounselingcautioning.
Libertyletothersdespairofyou....Ineverdespairofyou.
Isthehouseshut?Isthemasteraway?
Neverthelessbeready....benotwearyofwatching,
Hewillsoonreturn....hismessengerscomeanon.
ClearthewaythereJonathan!
WayforthePresident’smarshal!Wayforthegovernmentcannon!
Wayforthefederalfootanddragoons....andthephantomsafterward.
IrosethismorningearlytogetbetimesinBostontown;
Here’sagoodplaceatthecorner....Imuststandandseetheshow.
Ilovetolookonthestarsandstripes....Ihopethefifeswillplay
YankeeDoodle.
Howbrightshinetheforemostwithcutlasses,
Everymanholdshisrevolver....marchingstiffthroughBostontown.
Afogfollows....antiquesofthesamecomelimping,
Someappearwooden-leggedandsomeappearbandagedandbloodless.
Whythisisashow!Ithascalledthedeadoutoftheearth,
Theoldgraveyardsofthehillshavehurriedtosee;
Uncountablephantomsgatherbyflankandrearofit,
Cockedhatsofmothymouldandcrutchesmadeofmist,
Armsinslingsandoldmenleaningonyoungmen’sshoulders.
Whattroublesyou,Yankeephantoms?Whatisallthischatteringofbare
gums?
Doestheagueconvulseyourlimbs?Doyoumistakeyourcrutchesfor
firelocks,andlevelthem?
IfyoublindyoureyeswithtearsyouwillnotseethePresident’smarshal,
Ifyougroansuchgroansyoumightbalkthegovernmentcannon.
Forshameoldmaniacs!....Bringdownthosetossedarms,andletyour
whitehairbe;
Heregapeyoursmartgrandsons....theirwivesgazeatthemfromthe
windows,
Seehowwell-dressed....seehoworderlytheyconductthemselves.
Worseandworse....Can’tyoustandit?Areyouretreating?
Isthishourwiththelivingtoodeadforyou?
Retreatthen!Pell-mell!....Backtothehills,oldlimpers!
Idonotthinkyoubelonghereanyhow.
Butthereisonethingthatbelongshere....ShallItellyouwhatitis,
gentlemenofBoston?
IwillwhisperittotheMayor....heshallsendacommitteetoEngland,
TheyshallgetagrantfromtheParliament,andgowithacarttotheroyal
vault,
DigoutKingGeorge’scoffin....unwraphimquickfromthe
graveclothes....boxuphisbonesforajourney:
FindaswiftYankeeclipper....hereisfreightforyoublackbellied
clipper,
Upwithyouranchor!shakeoutyoursails!....steerstraighttoward
Bostonbay.
NowcallthePresident’smarshalagain,andbringoutthegovernment
cannon,
AndfetchhometheroarersfromCongress,andmakeanotherprocession
andguarditwithfootanddragoons.
Hereisacentrepieceforthem:
Look!allorderlycitizens....lookfromthewindowswomen.
Thecommitteeopentheboxandsetuptheregalribsandgluethosethat
willnotstay,
Andclaptheskullontopoftheribs,andclapacrownontopoftheskull.
Youhavegotyourrevengeoldbuster!....Thecrowniscometoitsown
andmorethanitsown.
StickyourhandsinyourpocketsJonathan....youareamademanfrom
thisday,
Youaremightycute....andhereisoneofyourbargains.
Therewasachildwentfortheveryday,
Andthefirstobjecthelookeduponandreceivedwithwonderorpityor
loveordread,thatobjecthebecame,
Andthatobjectbecamepartofhimforthedayoracertainpartoftheday
....orformanyyearsorstretchingcyclesofyears.
Theearlylilacsbecamepartofthischild,
Andgrass,andwhiteandredmorningglories,andwhiteandredclover,
andthesongofthephœbe-bird,
AndtheMarch-bornlambs,andthesow’spink-faintlitter,andthemare’s
foal,andthecow’scalf,andthenoisybroodofthebarnyardorbythe
mireofthepond-side..andthefishsuspendingthemselvesso
curiouslybelowthere..andthebeautifulcuriousliquid..andthe
water-plantswiththeirgracefulflatheads..allbecamepartofhim.
Andthefield-sproutsofAprilandMaybecamepartofhim....
wintergrainsprouts,andthoseofthelight-yellowcorn,andofthe
esculentrootsofthegarden,
Andtheappletreescoveredwithblossoms,andthefruitafterward....
andwoodberries..andthecommonestweedsbytheroad;
Andtheolddrunkardstaggeringhomefromtheouthouseofthetavern
whencehehadlatelyrisen,
Andtheschoolmistressthatpassedonherwaytotheschool..andthe
friendlyboysthatpassed..andthequarrelsomeboys..andthetidy
andfreshcheekedgirls..andthebarefootnegroboyandgirl,
Andallthechangesofcityandcountrywhereverhewent.
Hisownparents..hethathadpropelledthefatherstuffatnight,and
fatheredhim..andshethatconceivedhiminherwombandbirthed
him....theygavethischildmoreofthemselvesthanthat,
Theygavehimafterwardeveryday....theyandofthembecamepartof
him.
Themotherathomequietlyplacingthedishesonthesuppertable,
Themotherwithmildwords....cleanhercapandgown....a
wholesomeodorfallingoffherpersonandclothesasshewalksby:
Thefather,strong,selfsufficient,manly,mean,angered,unjust,
Theblow,thequickloudword,thetightbargain,thecraftylure,
Thefamilyusages,thelanguage,thecompany,thefurniture....the
yearningandswellingheart,
Affectionthatwillnotbegainsayed....Thesenseofwhatisreal....
thethoughtifafterallitshouldproveunreal,
Thedoubtsofdaytimeandthedoubtsofnighttime...thecurious
whetherandhow,
Whetherthatwhichappearssoisso....Orisitallflashesandspecks?
Menandwomencrowdingfastinthestreets..iftheyarenotflashesand
speckswhatarethey?
Thestreetsthemselves,andthefacadesofhouses....thegoodsinthe
windows,
Vehicles..teams..thetieredwharves,andthehugecrossingatthe
ferries;
Thevillageonthehighlandseenfromafaratsunset....theriver
between,
Shadows..aureolaandmist..lightfallingonroofsandgablesofwhite
orbrown,threemilesoff,
Theschoonernearbysleepilydroppingdownthetide..thelittleboat
slacktowedastern,
Thehurryingtumblingwavesandquickbrokencrestsandslapping;
Thestrataofcoloredclouds....thelongbarofmaroontintawaysolitary
byitself....thespreadofpurityitliesmotionlessin,
Thehorizon’sedge,theflyingseacrow,thefragranceofsaltmarshand
shoremud;
Thesebecamepartofthatchildwhowentfortheveryday,andwhonow
goesandwillalwaysgofortheveryday,
Andthesebecomeofhimorherthatperusesthemnow.
Wholearnsmylessoncomplete?
Bossandjourneymanandapprentice?....churchmanandatheist?
Thestupidandthewisethinker....parentsandoffspring....merchant
andclerkandporterandcustomer....editor,author,artistand
schoolboy?
Drawnighandcommence,
Itisnolesson....itletsdownthebarstoagoodlesson,
Andthattoanother....andeveryonetoanotherstill.
Thegreatlawstakeandeffusewithoutargument,
Iamofthesamestyle,forIamtheirfriend,
Ilovethemquitsandquits....Idonothaltandmakesalaams.
Ilieabstractedandhearbeautifultalesofthingsandthereasonsof
things,
TheyaresobeautifulInudgemyselftolisten.
IcannotsaytoanypersonwhatIhear....Icannotsayittomyself....
itisverywonderful.
Itisnolittlematter,thisroundanddeliciousglobe,movingsoexactlyin
itsorbitforeverandever,withoutonejoltortheuntruthofasingle
second;
Idonotthinkitwasmadeinsixdays,norintenthousandyears,norten
decillionsofyears,
Norplannedandbuiltonethingafteranother,asanarchitectplansand
buildsahouse.
Idonotthinkseventyyearsisthetimeofamanorwoman,
Northatseventymillionsofyearsisthetimeofamanorwoman,
Northatyearswilleverstoptheexistenceofmeoranyoneelse.
IsitwonderfulthatIshouldbeimmortal?aseveryoneisimmortal,
Iknowitiswonderful....butmyeyesightisequallywonderful....and
howIwasconceivedinmymother’swombisequallywonderful,
AndhowIwasnotpalpableoncebutamnow....andwasbornonthe
lastdayofMay1819....andpassedfromababeinthecreeping
tranceofthreesummersandthreewinterstoarticulateandwalk....
areallequallywonderful.
AndthatIgrewsixfeethigh....andthatIhavebecomeamanthirty-six
yearsoldin1855....andthatIamhereanyhow—areallequally
wonderful;
Andthatmysoulembracesyouthishour,andweaffecteachother
withouteverseeingeachother,andneverperhapstoseeeachother,is
everybitaswonderful:
AndthatIcanthinksuchthoughtsastheseisjustaswonderful,
AndthatIcanremindyou,andyouthinkthemandknowthemtobetrue
isjustaswonderful,
Andthatthemoonspinsroundtheearthandonwiththeearthisequally
wonderful,
Andthattheybalancethemselveswiththesunandstarsisequally
wonderful.
ComeIshouldliketohearyoutellmewhatthereisinyourselfthatisnot
justaswonderful,
AndIshouldliketohearthenameofanythingbetweenSundaymorning
andSaturdaynightthatisnotjustaswonderful.
Greatarethemyths....Itoodelightinthem,
GreatareAdamandEve....Itoolookbackandacceptthem;
Greattherisenandfallennations,andtheirpoets,women,sages,
inventors,rulers,warriorsandpriests.
Greatisliberty!Greatisequality!Iamtheirfollower,
Helmsmenofnations,chooseyourcraft....whereyousailIsail,
Yoursisthemuscleoflifeordeath....yoursistheperfectscience....
inyouIhaveabsolutefaith.
Greatistoday,andbeautiful,
Itisgoodtoliveinthisage....thereneverwasanybetter.
Greataretheplungesandthroesandtriumphsandfallsofdemocracy,
Greatthereformerswiththeirlapsesandscreams,
Greatthedaringandventureofsailorsonnewexplorations.
Greatareyourselfandmyself,
Wearejustasgoodandbadastheoldestandyoungestorany,
Whatthebestandworstdidwecoulddo,
Whattheyfelt..donotwefeelitinourselves?
Whattheywished..dowenotwishthesame?
Greatisyouth,andequallygreatisoldage....greatarethedayand
night;
Greatiswealthandgreatispoverty....greatisexpressionandgreatis
silence.
Youthlargelustyandloving....youthfullofgraceandforceand
fascination,
Doyouknowthatoldagemaycomeafteryouwithequalgraceandforce
andfascination?
Dayfullblownandsplendid....dayoftheimmensesun,andactionand
ambitionandlaughter,
Thenightfollowsclose,withmillionsofsuns,andsleepandrestoring
darkness.
Wealthwiththeflushhandandfineclothesandhospitality:
Butthenthesoul’swealth—whichiscandorandknowledgeandprideand
enfoldinglove:
Whogoesformenandwomenshowingpovertyricherthanwealth?
Expressionofspeech..inwhatiswrittenorsaidforgetnotthatsilenceis
alsoexpressive,
Thatanguishashotasthehottestandcontemptascoldasthecoldestmay
bewithoutwords,
Thatthetrueadorationislikewisewithoutwordsandwithoutkneeling.
Greatisthegreatestnation..thenationofclustersofequalnations.
Greatistheearth,andthewayitbecamewhatitis,
Doyouimagineitisstoppedatthis?....andtheincreaseabandoned?
Understandthenthatitgoesasfaronwardfromthisasthisisfromthe
timeswhenitlayincoveringwatersandgases.
Greatisthequalityoftruthinman,
Thequalityoftruthinmansupportsitselfthroughallchanges,
Itisinevitablyintheman....Heanditareinlove,andneverleaveeach
other.
Thetruthinmanisnodictum....itisvitalaseyesight,
Iftherebeanysoulthereistruth....iftherebemanorwomanthereis
truth....Iftherebephysicalormoralthereistruth,
Iftherebeequilibriumorvolitionthereistruth....iftherebethingsat
allupontheearththereistruth.
Otruthoftheearth!Otruthofthings!Iamdeterminedtopressthewhole
waytowardyou,
Soundyourvoice!Iscalemountainsordiveintheseaafteryou.
Greatislanguage....itisthemightiestofthesciences,
Itisthefulnessandcolorandformanddiversityoftheearth....andof
menandwomen....andofallqualitiesandprocesses;
Itisgreaterthanwealth....itisgreaterthanbuildingsorshipsor
religionsorpaintingsormusic.
GreatistheEnglishspeech....WhatspeechissogreatastheEnglish?
GreatistheEnglishbrood....Whatbroodhassovastadestinyasthe
English?
Itisthemotherofthebroodthatmustruletheearthwiththenewrule,
Thenewruleshallruleasthesoulrules,andastheloveandjusticeand
equalitythatareinthesoulrule.
Greatisthelaw....Greataretheoldfewlandmarksofthelaw....they
arethesameinalltimesandshallnotbedisturbed.
Greataremarriage,commerce,newspapers,books,freetrade,railroads,
steamers,internationalmailsandtelegraphsandexchanges.
GreatisJustice;
Justiceisnotsettledbylegislatorsandlaws....itisinthesoul,
Itcannotbevariedbystatutesanymorethanloveorprideorthe
attractionofgravitycan,
Itisimmutable..itdoesnotdependonmajorities....majoritiesor
whatnotcomeatlastbeforethesamepassionlessandexacttribunal.
Forjusticearethegrandnaturallawyersandperfectjudges....itisin
theirsouls,
Itiswellassorted....theyhavenotstudiedfornothing....thegreat
includestheless,
Theyruleonthehighestgrounds....theyoverseeallerasandstatesand
administrations.
Theperfectjudgefearsnothing....hecouldgofronttofrontbefore
God,
Beforetheperfectjudgeallshallstandback....lifeanddeathshall
standback....heavenandhellshallstandback.
Greatisgoodness;
IdonotknowwhatitisanymorethanIknowwhathealthis....butI
knowitisgreat.
Greatiswickedness....IfindIoftenadmireitjustasmuchasIadmire
goodness:
Doyoucallthataparadox?Itcertainlyisaparadox.
Theeternalequilibriumofthingsisgreat,andtheeternaloverthrowof
thingsisgreat,
Andthereisanotherparadox.
Greatislife..andrealandmystical..whereverandwhoever,
Greatisdeath....Sureaslifeholdsallpartstogether,deathholdsall
partstogether;
Sureasthestarsreturnagainaftertheymergeinthelight,deathisgreat
aslife.
AbouttheEditor
NeilAzevedo’sfirstbook,Ocean,waspublishedbyGrovePressin2005.
Abookofrock‘n’rolltrivia, Fan,waspublishedbyWilliamRalphPress
under the pseudonym Roland McAlsberg in 2007. His first book of
pr os e ,These Details in Preference to Nothing, is also available
electronically from William Ralph Press, as is his second,A Book of
Nightmares.Thethird,Ruin,willbeavailablesoon.Inadditiontobooks,
Neil has published poems and articles in such magazines asThe New
Criterion, First Things, The Gettysburg Review, The Antioch Review,
Image,TheWesternHumanitiesReview,TheJournal,PrairieSchooner,
Drunken Boat andThe Paris Review where he won the Bernard F.
ConnersPrizeforPoetryin1998.HecurrentlylivesinOmaha,Nebraska
wherehereads,reclusivelyspendstimewithhisthreechildren,andfrom
timetotimedirectsthevinylreissuelabelDrasticPlasticRecords.
www.williamralphpress.com
AlsobyWilliamRalphPress
TheseDetailsinPreferencetoNothingbyNeilAzevedo
ABookofNightmaresbyNeilAzevedo
andcomingsoon,RuinbyNeilAzevedo
Additionale-editionsintheReader’sLibrarySeries
TheSonnetsofWilliamShakespearebyWilliamShakespeare
ParadiseLostandParadiseRegainedbyJohnMilton
CollectedPoemsofJohnDonnebyJohnDonne
ASelectionofSatiricalandLicentiousVersebyJohnWilmot,2ndEarlof
Rochester
TheSelectedPoemsofSamuelTaylorColeridgebySamuelTaylor
Coleridge
CollectedPoemsofJohnKeatsbyJohnKeats
CompletePoemsofEdgarAllanPoebyEdgarAllanPoe
LeavesofGrass:1892“Deathbed”EditionbyWaltWhitman
Poems(1876-1889)byGerardManleyHopkins
www.williamralphpress.com