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University of Virginia Library

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.

Enfans d' Adam.

POEM OF THE ROAD.

TO THE SAYERS OF WORDS.

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

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1.

[1. In paths untrodden]

2.

[2. Scented herbage of my breast]

3.

[3. Whoever you are holding me now in hand]

4.

[4. These I, singing in spring, collect for lovers]

5.

6.

[6. Not heaving from my ribbed breast only]

7.

[7. Of the terrible question of appearances]

8.

[8. Long I thought that knowledge alone would suffice me—O if I could but obtain knowledge!]

9.

[9. Hours continuing long, sore and heavy-hearted]

10.

[10. You bards of ages hence! when you refer to me, mind not so much my poems]

11.

[11. When I heard at the close of the day how my name had been received with plaudits in the capitol, still it was not a happy night for me that followed]

12.

[12. Are you the new person drawn toward me, and asking something significant from me?]

13.

[13. Calamus taste]

14.

[14. Not heat flames up and consumes]

15.

[15. O drops of me! trickle, slow drops]

16.

[16. Who is now reading this?]

17.

[17. Of him I love day and night, I dreamed I heard he was dead]

18.

[18. City of my walks and joys!]

19.

[19. Mind you the the timid models of the rest, the majority?]

20.

[20. I saw in Louisiana a live-oak growing]

21.

[21. Music always round me, unceasing, unbeginning—yet long untaught I did not hear]

22.

[22. Passing stranger! you do not know how longingly I look upon you]

23.

[23. This moment as I sit alone, yearning and thoughtful, it seems to me there are other men in other lands, yearning and thoughtful]

24.

[24. I hear it is charged against me that I seek to destroy institutions]

25.

[25. The prairie-grass dividing—its own odor breathing]

26.

[26. We two boys together clinging]

27.

28.

[28. When I peruse the conquered fame of heroes, and the victories of mighty generals, I do not envy the generals]

29.

[29. One flitting glimpse, caught through an interstice]

30.

[30. A promise and gift to California]

31.

[31. What ship, puzzled at sea, cons for the true reckoning?]

32.

[32. What think you I take my pen in hand to record?]

33.

[33. No labor-saving machine]

34.

[34. I dreamed in a dream, I saw a city invincible to the attacks of the whole of the rest of the earth]

35.

[35. To you of New England]

36.

[36. Earth! my likeness!]

37.

[37. A leaf for hand in hand!]

38.

[38. Primeval my love for the woman I love]

39.

[39. Sometimes with one I love, I fill myself with rage, for fear I effuse unreturned love]

40.

[40. That shadow, my likeness, that goes to and fro, seeking a livelihood, chattering, chaffering]

41.

[41. Among the men and women, the multitude, I perceive one picking me out by secret and divine signs]

42.

[42. To the young man, many things to absorb, to engraft, to develop, I teach, to help him become élève of mine]

43.

[43. O you whom I often and silently come where you are, that I may be with you]

44.

[44. Here my last words, and the most baffling]

45.

[45. Full of life, sweet-blooded, compact, visible]

CROSSING BROOKLYN FERRY.

LONGINGS FOR HOME.

MESSENGER LEAVES.

FRANCE, The 18th Year of These States.

SLEEP-CHASINGS.

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[39. Sometimes with one I love, I fill myself with rage, for fear I effuse unreturned love]

Sometimes with one I love, I fill myself with rage, for fear I effuse unreturned love;
But now I think there is no unreturned love—the pay is certain, one way or another,

376

Doubtless I could not have perceived the universe, or written one of my poems, if I had not freely given myself to comrades, to love.