Leaves of Grass (1867)


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O CAPTAIN! MY CAPTAIN!



 

1

O CAPTAIN! my captain! our fearful trip is done;
The ship has weather'd every rack, the prize we sought is
         won;
The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting,
While follow eyes the steady keel, the vessel grim and daring:
         But O heart! heart! heart!
         Leave you not the little spot,
         Where on the deck my captain lies.
         Fallen cold and dead.


 

2

O captain! my captain! rise up and hear the bells;
Rise up—for you the flag is flung—for you the bugle trills;
For you bouquets and ribbon'd wreaths—for you the shores
         a-crowding;
For you they call, the swaying mass, their eager faces
         turning;
         O captain! dear father!
         This arm I push beneath you;
         It is some dream that on the deck,
         You've fallen cold and dead.


 

3

My captain does not answer, his lips are pale and still;
My father does not feel my arm, he has no pulse nor will:
But the ship, the ship is anchor'd safe, its voyage closed and
         done;
From fearful trip, the victor ship, comes in with object won:
         Exult, O shores, and ring, O bells!
         But I, with silent tread,
         Walk the spot my captain lies,
         Fallen cold and dead.
 
 
 
 
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