 | Leaves of grass (1872) |  |
248
SUGGESTIONS.
1
That whatever tastes sweet to the most perfect person—That is finally right.2
That the human shape or face is so great, it must never be made ridiculous;That for ornaments nothing outré can be allowed,
That anything is most beautiful without ornament;
That exaggerations will be sternly revenged in your own physiology, and in other persons' physiology also;
That clean-shaped children can be jetted and conceiv'd only where natural forms prevail in public, and the human face and form are never caricatured;
And that genius need never more be turn'd to romances,
(For facts properly told, how mean appear all romances.)
3
I have said many times that materials and the Soul are great, and that all depends on physique;Now I reverse what I said, and suggest that all depends on the æsthetic, or intellectual,
And that criticism is great—and that refinement is greatest of all;
And that the mind governs—and that all depends on the mind.
4
With one man or woman—(no matter which one—I even pick out the lowest,)With him or her I now suggest the whole law;
And that every right, in politics or what-not, shall be eligible to that one man or woman, on the same terms as any.
| Leaves of grass (1872) | |