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In Paths Untrodden.

Part of the cluster CALAMUS.

IN PATHS UNTRODDEN.

IN paths untrodden, In the growth by margins of pond-waters, Escaped from the life that exhibits itself, From all the standards hitherto publish'd—from the  
 pleasures, profits, eruditions, conformities,
Which too long I was offering to feed my soul; Clear to me, now, standards not yet publish'd—clear to  
 me that my Soul,
That the Soul of the man I speak for, feeds, rejoices  
 most in comrades;
Here, by myself, away from the clank of the world, Tallying and talk'd to here by tongues aromatic, No longer abash'd—for in this secluded spot I can re- 
 spond as I would not dare elsewhere,
Strong upon me the life that does not exhibit itself, yet  
 contains all the rest,
Resolv'd 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.

Part of the cluster CALAMUS.

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