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 | Leaves of grass (1872) |  |
292
Over the Carnage Rose Prophetic a Voice.
1
Over the carnage rose prophetic a voice,Be not dishearten'd—Affection shall solve the problems of Freedom yet;
Those who love each other shall become invincible—they shall yet make Columbia victorious.
2
Sons of the Mother of All! you shall yet be victorious!You shall yet laugh to scorn the attacks of all the remainder of the earth.
3
No danger shall balk Columbia's lovers;If need be, a thousand shall sternly immolate themselves for one.
4
One from Massachusetts shall be a Missourian's comrade;From Maine and from hot Carolina, and another, an Oregonese, shall be friends triune,
More precious to each other than all the riches of the earth.
5
To Michigan, Florida perfumes shall tenderly come;Not the perfumes of flowers, but sweeter, and wafted beyond death.
6
It shall be customary in the houses and streets to see manly affection;The most dauntless and rude shall touch face to face lightly;
The dependence of Liberty shall be lovers,
The continuance of Equality shall be comrades.
7
These shall tie you and band you stronger than hoops of iron;I, extatic, O partners! O lands! with the love of lovers tie you.
293
8
(Were you looking to be held together by the lawyers?Or by an agreement on a paper? or by arms?
—Nay—nor the world, nor any living thing, will so cohere.)
| Leaves of grass (1872) | |