University of Virginia Library

WHO has gone farthest? For I swear I will go
     farther;
And who has been just? For I would be the most
     just person of the earth;
And who most cautious? For I would be more
     cautious;
And who has been happiest? O I think it is I! I
     think no one was ever happier than I;
And who has lavished all? For I lavish constantly
     the best I have;
And who has been firmest? For I would be firmer;
And who proudest? For I think I have reason to be
     the proudest son alive—for I am the son of the
     brawny and tall-topt city;
And who has been bold and true? For I would be
     the boldest and truest being of the universe;
And who benevolent? For I would show more be-
     nevolence than all the rest;
And who has projected beautiful words through the
     longest time? By God! I will outvie him! I
     will say such words, they shall stretch through
     longer time!
And who has received the love of the most friends?
     For I know what it is to receive the passionate
     love of many friends;
And to whom has been given the sweetest from
     women, and paid them in kind? For I will
     take the like sweets and pay them in kind;
And who possesses a perfect and enamoured body?
     For I do not believe any one possesses a more
     perfect or enamoured body than mine;
And who thinks the amplest thoughts? For I will
     surround those thoughts;
And who has made hymns fit for the earth? For I
     am mad with devouring extacy to make joyous
     hymns for the whole earth!