[Leaf 1 recto]

245
2485

[The Great Laws do not treasure chips]

The Great Laws do not treasure chips, and ^or

stick for the odd cent;

I am of the same fashion—for I am their

friend.—

I rate myself high—I receive no small sums;

I must have my full price—whoever enjoys me.

I feel satisfied my visit will be worthy of me

and of my Hosts and Favorites;

I leave it to them how to receive me.—

[Leaf 1 verso]

[The teeth grit]

[Begin hashmark section]

[The teeth grit?] [about three words cut away] [palms of the?]

hands are cut by the naturned in nails

St He It _^^{The man} falls struggling and foaming to the ground,

though he begs and barters there.— ^{so cooly.—}

I remember when I visited the Asylum and they

showed me their most smeared and slobbering

idiot,

Yet I knew for my for my consolation, of the great

laws that emptied and broke my my brothers

[about six words cut away]

[End hashmark section]

Date: This manuscript was probably composed between 1850 and 1855, when Whitman was writing the poems of the first edition of Leaves of Grass.

Editorial note

"[The Great Laws do not treasure chips]" contains draft lines that appeared in a revised form in the eleventh poem of the first (1855) edition of Leaves of Grass. The poem was ultimately titled "Who Learns My Lesson Complete?" "[hands are cut by the]" contains draft lines that appeared in a revised form in the sixth poem of the 1855 edition of Leaves of Grass. The poem was ultimately titled "Faces."

The verso of leaf #1 is blank.

Location: [The Great Laws do not treasure chips] MS 4to 9 | Trent Collection of Whitmaniana, Duke University Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library.

Whitman Archive ID: duk.00264