 | Leaves of grass. |  |
11
31 Her shape arises,
She, less guarded than ever, yet more guarded than ever;
The gross and soil'd she moves among do not make her gross and soil'd;
She knows the thoughts as she passes — nothing is con- ceal'd from her;
She is none the less considerate or friendly therefor;
She is the best-beloved — it is without exception — she has no reason to fear, and she does not fear;
Oaths, quarrels, hiccupp'd songs, smutty expressions, are idle to her as she passes;
She is silent — she is possess'd of herself — they do not offend her;
She receives them as the laws of nature receive them — she is strong,
She too is a law of nature — there is no law stronger than she is.
She, less guarded than ever, yet more guarded than ever;
The gross and soil'd she moves among do not make her gross and soil'd;
She knows the thoughts as she passes — nothing is con- ceal'd from her;
She is none the less considerate or friendly therefor;
She is the best-beloved — it is without exception — she has no reason to fear, and she does not fear;
Oaths, quarrels, hiccupp'd songs, smutty expressions, are idle to her as she passes;
She is silent — she is possess'd of herself — they do not offend her;
She receives them as the laws of nature receive them — she is strong,
She too is a law of nature — there is no law stronger than she is.
| Leaves of grass. | |