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Leaves of grass (1872)

Whitman, Walt (1819-1892)

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Leaves of Grass.
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INSCRIPTIONS.
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Starting from Paumanok.
  
THE SHIP STARTING.
  
UNFOLDED OUT OF THE FOLDS.
  
TO YOU.
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WALT WHITMAN.
  
Laws for Creations.
  
VISOR'D.
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CHILDREN OF ADAM.
  
To Him that was Crucified.
  
Perfections.
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CALAMUS.
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SALUT AU MONDE!
  
A Child's Amaze.
  
The Runner.
  
Beautiful Women.
  
Mother and Babe.
  
Thought.
  
American Feuillage.
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Song of the Broad-Axe.
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Song of the Open Road.
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Leaves of Grass.
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Crossing Brooklyn Ferry.
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WITH ANTECEDENTS.
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THE ANSWERER.
  
The City Dead-House.
  
A Farm Picture.
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Carol of Occupations.
  
THOUGHTS.
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THE SLEEPERS.
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CAROL OF WORDS.
  
Ah Poverties, Wincings, and Sulky Retreats.
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Leaves of Grass.
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A Broadway Pageant.
  
SUGGESTIONS.
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Great are the Myths.
  
Thought.
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Leaves of Grass.
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DRUM-TAPS.
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Leaves of Grass.
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Marches now the War is Over.
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As I sat Alone by Blue Ontario's Shore.
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Pioneers! O Pioneers!
  
RESPONDEZ!
  
Turn O Libertad.
  
Adieu to a Soldier.
  
As I walk These Broad, Majestic Days.
  
Weave In, Weave In, My Hardy Life.
  
Race of Veterans.
  
O Sun of Real Peace.
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Leaves of Grass.
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Bathed in War's Perfume.
  
A Hand-Mirror.
  
Germs.
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Leaves of Grass.
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Songs of Insurrection.
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Leaves of Grass.
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SONGS OF PARTING.
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PASSAGE TO INDIA.

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15

47

I swear I begin to see the meaning of these things!
It is not the earth, it is not America, who is so great,
It is I who am great, or to be great—it is you up there, or any one;
It is to walk rapidly through civilizations, governments, theories,
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Through poems, pageants, shows, to form great individuals.

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Underneath all, individuals!
I swear nothing is good to me now that ignores individuals,
The American compact is altogether with individuals,
The only government is that which makes minute of individuals,
The whole theory of the universe is directed to one single individual—namely, to You.

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(Mother! with subtle sense severe—with the naked sword in your hand,
I saw you at last refuse to treat but directly with individuals.)
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