University of Virginia Library

1   To conclude — I announce what comes after me,
I announce mightier offspring, orators, days, and      then depart.
2  I remember I said, before my leaves sprang at all,
I would raise my voice jocund and strong, with re-     ference to consummations.
3  When America does what was promis'd,
When there are plentiful athletic bards, inland and      seaboard,
When through These States walk a hundred millions      of superb persons,
When the rest part away for superb persons, and con-     tribute to them,
When breeds of the most perfect mothers denote      America,
Then to me my due fruition.
4  I have press'd through in my own right,
I have offer'd my style to every one — I have journey'd      with confident step,
While my pleasure is yet at the full, I whisper, So      long!
And take the young woman's hand, and the young      man's hand, for the last time.

5   I announce natural persons to arise,
I announce justice triumphant,
I announce uncompromising liberty and equality,
I announce the justification of candor, and the justi-     fication of pride.
6  I announce that the identity of These States is a      single identity only,
I announce the Union more and more compact,
I announce splendors and majesties to make all the      previous politics of the earth insignificant.
7  I announce adhesiveness — I say it shall be limitless,      unloosen'd,
I say you shall yet find the friend you was looking      for.
8  I announce a man or woman coming — perhaps you      are the one, (So long!)
I announce the great individual, fluid as Nature, chaste,      affectionate, compassionate, fully armed.
9  I announce a life that shall be copious, vehement,      spiritual, bold,
And I announce an old age that shall lightly and joy-     fully meet its translation.

10   O thicker and faster! (So long!)
O crowding too close upon me;
I foresee too much — it means more than I thought,
It appears to me I am dying.
11  Hasten throat, and sound your last!
Salute me — salute the days once more. Peal the old      cry once more.
12   Screaming electric, the atmosphere using,
At random glancing, each as a notice absorbing,
Swiftly on, but a little while alighting,
Curious envelop'd messages delivering,
Sparkles hot, seed ethereal, down in the dirt dropping,
Myself unknowing, my commission obeying, to ques-     tion it never daring,
To ages, and ages yet, the growth of the seed leaving,
To troops out of me rising — they the tasks I have set      promulging,
To women certain whispers of myself bequeathing —      their affection me more clearly explaining,
To young men my problems offering — no dallier I —      I the muscle of their brains trying,
So I pass — a little time vocal, visible, contrary,
Afterward, a melodious echo, passionately bent for —      (death making me really undying,)
The best of me then when no longer visible — for to-     ward that I have been incessantly preparing.
13  What is there more, that I lag and pause, and      crouch extended with unshut mouth?
Is there a single final farewell?

14   My songs cease — I abandon them,
From behind the screen where I hid, I advance per-     sonally, solely to you.
15  Camerado! This is no book,
Who touches this, touches a man,
(Is it night? Are we here alone?)
It is I you hold, and who holds you,
I spring from the pages into your arms — decease calls      me forth.
16   O how your fingers drowse me!
Your breath falls around me like dew — your pulse lulls      the tympans of my ears,
I feel immerged from head to foot,
Delicious — enough.
17  Enough, O deed impromptu and secret!
Enough, O gliding present! Enough, O summ'd-up      past!

18  Dear friend, whoever you are, here, take this kiss,
I give it especially to you — Do not forget me,
I feel like one who has done his work — I progress on,       — (long enough have I dallied with Life,)
The unknown sphere, more real than I dream'd, more      direct, darts awakening rays about me — So      long!
Remember my words — I love you — I depart from      materials,
I am as one disembodied, triumphant, dead.