44
289
It is time to explain myself—Let us stand up.
290
What is known I strip away;
I launch all men and women forward with me into THE Unknown.
291
The clock indicates the moment—but what does eternity indicate?
292
We have thus far exhausted trillions of winters and summers;
There are trillions ahead, and trillions ahead of them.
293
Births have brought us richness and variety,
And other births will bring us richness and variety.
294
I do not call one greater and one smaller;
That which fills its period and place is equal to any.
295
Were mankind murderous or jealous upon you, my brother, my sister?
I am sorry for you—they are not murderous or jealous upon me;
All has been gentle with me—I keep no account with lamentation;
(What have I to do with lamentation?)
296
I am an acme of things accomplish'd, and I an encloser of things to be.
297
My feet strike an apex of the apices of the stairs;
On every step bunches of ages, and larger bunches between the steps;
All below duly travel'd, and still I mount and mount.
298
Rise after rise bow the phantoms behind me;
Afar down I see the huge first Nothing—I know I was even there;
I waited unseen and always, and slept through the lethargic mist.
And took my time, and took no hurt from the fetid carbon.
299
Long I was hugg'd close—long and long.
300
Immense have been the preparations for me,
Faithful and friendly the arms that have help'd me.
301
Cycles ferried my cradle, rowing and rowing like cheerful boatmen;
For room to me stars kept aside in their own rings;
They sent me influences to look after what was to hold me.
302
Before I was born out of my mother, generations guided me;
My embryo has never been torpid—nothing could overlay it.
303
For it the nebula cohered to an orb,
The long slow strata piled to rest it on,
Vast vegetables gave it sustenance,
Monstrous sauroids transported it in their mouths, and deposited it with care.
304
All forces have been steadily employ'd to complete and delight me;
Now on this spot I stand with my robust Soul.
