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Leaves of Grass (1871-72)
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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;
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The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting, |
While follow eyes the steady keel, the vessel grim and
daring:
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But O heart! heart! heart! |
O the bleeding drops of red, |
Where on the deck my Captain lies, |
2
O Captain! my Captain! rise up and hear the bells; |
Rise up—for you the flag is flung—for you the bugle
trills;
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For you bouquets and ribbon'd wreaths—for you the shores
a-crowding,
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For you they call, the swaying mass, their eager faces
turning;
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Here Captain! dear father! |
This arm beneath your head; |
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; |
The ship is anchor'd safe and sound, its voyage closed
and done;
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From fearful trip, the victor ship, comes in with object
won:
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Exult, O shores, and ring, O bells! |
But I, with mournful tread, |
Walk the deck my Captain lies, |
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