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 | Leaves of grass. |  |
2
3 A nation announcing
itself,
I myself make the only growth by which I can be ap- preciated,
I reject none, accept all, then reproduce all in my own forms.
4 A breed whose proof is in
time and deeds;
What we are, we are — nativity is answer enough to objections;
We wield ourselves as a weapon is wielded,
We are powerful and tremendous in ourselves,
We are executive in ourselves — We are sufficient in the variety of ourselves,
We are the most beautiful to ourselves, and in our- selves;
We stand self-pois'd, in the middle, branching thence over the world;
From Missouri, Nebraska, or Kansas, laughing attacks to scorn.
5 Nothing is sinful to us outside of ourselves,
Whatever appears, whatever does not appear, we are beautiful or sinful in ourselves only.
6 (O mother! O sisters dear!
If we are lost, no victor else has destroy'd us;
It is by ourselves we go down to eternal night.)
I myself make the only growth by which I can be ap- preciated,
I reject none, accept all, then reproduce all in my own forms.
4c
What we are, we are — nativity is answer enough to objections;
We wield ourselves as a weapon is wielded,
We are powerful and tremendous in ourselves,
We are executive in ourselves — We are sufficient in the variety of ourselves,
We are the most beautiful to ourselves, and in our- selves;
We stand self-pois'd, in the middle, branching thence over the world;
From Missouri, Nebraska, or Kansas, laughing attacks to scorn.
5 Nothing is sinful to us outside of ourselves,
Whatever appears, whatever does not appear, we are beautiful or sinful in ourselves only.
6 (O mother! O sisters dear!
If we are lost, no victor else has destroy'd us;
It is by ourselves we go down to eternal night.)
| Leaves of grass. | |