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Leaves of grass. (1861-1861)

Whitman, Walt (1819-1892)

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CHANTS DEMOCRATIC AND NATIVE AMERICAN.

Leaves of Grass.

Salut au Monde!

A WORD OUT OF THE SEA.

EUROPE, The 72d and 73d Years of These States.

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Enfans d' Adam.

1.

[1. To the garden, the world, anew ascending]

2.

[2. From that of myself, without which I were nothing]

3.

[3. O my children! O mates!]

4.

[4. A woman waits for me—she contains all, nothing is lacking]

5.

[5. Spontaneous me, Nature]

6.

[6. O furious! O confine me not!]

7.

[7. You and I—what the earth is, we are]

8.

[8. Native moments! when you come upon me—Ah you are here now!]

9.

[9. Once I passed through a populous city, imprinting my brain, for future use, with its shows, architecture, customs, and traditions]

10.

[10. Inquiring, tireless, seeking that yet unfound]

11.

[11. In the new garden, in all the parts]

12.

[12. Ages and ages, returning at intervals]

13.

[13. O hymen! O hymenee!]

14.

[14. I am he that aches with love]

15.

[15. Early in the morning]

POEM OF THE ROAD.

TO THE SAYERS OF WORDS.

A BOSTON BALLAD, The 78th Year of These States.

CROSSING BROOKLYN FERRY.

LONGINGS FOR HOME.

MESSENGER LEAVES.

FRANCE, The 18th Year of These States.

SLEEP-CHASINGS.

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[13. O hymen! O hymenee!]

O hymen! O hymenee!
Why do you tantalize me thus?
O why sting me for a swift moment only?
Why can you not continue? O why do you now cease?
Is it because, if you continued beyond the swift moment, you would soon certainly kill me?