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Leaves of Grass (1871-72)
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SO LONG!
1
1 To conclude—I announce what comes after me; |
I announce mightier offspring, orators, days, and then,
for the present, depart.
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2 I remember I said, before my leaves sprang at all, |
I would raise my voice jocund and strong, with reference
to consummations.
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3 When America does what was promis'd, |
When there are plentiful athletic bards, inland and
seaboard,
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When through These States walk a hundred millions of
superb persons,
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When the rest part away for superb persons, and con-
tribute to them,
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When breeds of the most perfect mothers denote
America,
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Then to me and mine our due fruition. |
4 I have press'd through in my own right, |
I have sung the Body and the Soul—War and Peace
have I sung,
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And the songs of Life and of Birth—and shown that
there are many births:
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I have offer'd my style to every one—I have journey'd
with confident step;
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While my pleasure is yet at the full, I whisper, So long! |
And take the young woman's hand, and the young
man's hand, for the last time.
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2
5 I announce natural persons to arise; |
I announce justice triumphant; |
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I announce uncompromising liberty and equality; |
I announce the justification of candor, and the justifica-
tion of pride.
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6 I announce that the identity of These States is a
single identity only;
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I announce the Union more and more compact, indis-
soluble;
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I announce splendors and majesties to make all the
previous politics of the earth insignificant.
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7 I announce adhesiveness—I say it shall be limitless,
unloosen'd;
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I say you shall yet find the friend you were looking for. |
8 I announce a man or woman coming—perhaps you
are the one, ( So long! )
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I announce the great individual, fluid as Nature, chaste,
affectionate, compassionate, fully armed.
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9 I announce a life that shall be copious, vehement,
spiritual, bold;
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I announce an end that shall lightly and joyfully meet
its translation;
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I announce myriads of youths, beautiful, gigantic, sweet-
blooded;
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I announce a race of splendid and savage old men. |
3
10 O thicker and faster! ( So long! ) |
O crowding too close upon me; |
I foresee too much—it means more than I thought; |
It appears to me I am dying. |
11 Hasten throat, and sound your last! |
Salute me—salute the days once more. Peal the old
cry once more.
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12 Screaming electric, the atmosphere using, |
At random glancing, each as I notice absorbing, |
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Swiftly on, but a little while alighting, |
Curious envelop'd messages delivering, |
Sparkles hot, seed ethereal, down in the dirt dropping, |
Myself unknowing, my commission obeying, to question
it never daring,
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To ages, and ages yet, the growth of the seed leaving, |
To troops out of me, out of the army, the war arising—
they the tasks I have set promulging,
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To women certain whispers of myself bequeathing—
their affection me more clearly explaining,
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To young men my problems offering—no dallier I—I
the muscle of their brains trying,
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So I pass—a little time vocal, visible, contrary; |
Afterward, a melodious echo, passionately bent for—
(death making me really undying;)
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The best of me then when no longer visible—for toward
that I have been incessantly preparing.
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13 What is there more, that I lag and pause, and crouch
extended with unshut mouth?
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Is there a single final farewell? |
4
14 My songs cease—I abandon them; |
From behind the screen where I hid, I advance person-
ally, solely to you.
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15 Camerado! This is no book; |
Who touches this, touches a man; |
(Is it night? Are we here alone?) |
It is I you hold, and who holds you; |
I spring from the pages into your arms—decease calls
me forth.
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16 O how your fingers drowse me! |
Your breath falls around me like dew—your pulse lulls
the tympans of my ears;
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I feel immerged from head to foot; |
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17 Enough, O deed impromptu and secret! |
Enough, O gliding present! Enough, O summ'd-up
past!
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5
18 Dear friend, whoever you are, take this kiss, |
I give it especially to you—Do not forget me; |
I feel like one who has done work for the day, to retire
awhile;
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I receive now again of my many translations—from my
avataras ascending—while others doubtless await
me;
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An unknown sphere, more real than I dream'd, more
direct, darts awakening rays about me— So long!
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Remember my words—I may again return, |
I love you—I depart from materials; |
I am as one disembodied, triumphant, dead. |
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