University of Virginia Library

IN paths untrodden,
In the growth by margins of pond-waters,
Escaped from the life that exhibits itself,
From all the standards hitherto published—from
     the pleasures, profits, conformities,
Which too long I was offering to feed to my Soul
Clear to me now, standards not yet published—
     clear to me that my Soul,
That the Soul of the man I speak for, feeds, rejoices
     only in comrades;
Here, by myself, away from the clank of the world,
Tallying and talked to here by tongues aromatic,
No longer abashed—for in this secluded spot I can
     respond as I would not dare elsewhere,
Strong upon me the life that does not exhibit itself,
     yet contains all the rest,
Resolved to sing no songs to-day but those of manly
     attachment,
Projecting them along that substantial life,
Bequeathing, hence, types of athletic love,
Afternoon, this delicious Ninth Month, in my forty-
     first year,
I proceed, for all who are, or have been, young
     men,
To tell the secret of my nights and days,
To celebrate the need of comrades.