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Leaves of Grass (1871-72)
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AS TOILSOME I WANDER'D VIRGINIA'S WOODS.
1 AS TOILSOME I wander'd Virginia's woods, |
To the music of rustling leaves, kick'd by my feet, (for
'twas autumn,)
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I mark'd at the foot of a tree the grave of a soldier, |
Mortally wounded he, and buried on the retreat, (easily
all could I understand;
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The halt of a mid-day hour, when up! no time to lose
—yet this sign left,
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On a tablet scrawl'd and nail'd on the tree by the grave, |
Bold, cautious, true, and my loving comrade . |
2 Long, long I muse, then on my way go wandering; |
Many a changeful season to follow, and many a scene
of life;
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Yet at times through changeful season and scene, ab-
rupt, alone, or in the crowded street,
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Comes before me the unknown soldier's grave—comes
the inscription rude in Virginia's woods,
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Bold, cautious, true, and my loving comrade . |
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