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Leaves of Grass (1867)
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OVER THE CARNAGE ROSE PROPHETIC
A VOICE.
| 1 OVER the carnage rose prophetic a voice, |
Be not dishearten'd—Affection shall solve the problems
of Freedom yet;
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Those who love each other shall become invincible—
they shall yet make Columbia victorious.
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2 Sons of the Mother of All! you shall yet be victo-
rious!
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You shall yet laugh to scorn the attacks of all the re-
mainder of the earth.
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| 3 No danger shall balk Columbia's lovers; |
If need be, a thousand shall sternly immolate themselves
for one.
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4 One from Massachusetts shall be a Missourian's com-
rade;
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From Maine and from hot Carolina, and another an Ore-
gonese, shall be friends triune,
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More precious to each other than all the riches of the
earth.
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View Page 50a
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| 5 To Michigan, Florida perfumes shall tenderly come; |
Not the perfumes of flowers, but sweeter, and wafted
beyond death.
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6 It shall be customary in the houses and streets to see
manly affection;
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The most dauntless and rude shall touch face to face
lightly;
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| The dependence of Liberty shall be lovers, |
| The continuance of Equality shall be comrades. |
7 These shall tie you and band you stronger than hoops
of iron;
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I, extatic, O partners! O lands! with the love of lovers
tie you.
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| 8 Were you looking to be held together by the lawyers? |
| Or by an agreement on a paper? or by arms? |
—Nay—nor the world, nor any living thing, will so
cohere.
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