Leaves of Grass (1871-72)


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DAREST THOU NOW O SOUL.


DAREST thou now, O soul,
Walk out with me toward the Unknown Region,
Where neither ground is for the feet, nor any path to
         follow?

2  No map, there, nor guide,
Nor voice sounding, nor touch of human hand,
Nor face with blooming flesh, nor lips, nor eyes, are in
         that land.

3  I know it not, O soul;
Nor dost thou—all is a blank before us;
All waits, undream'd of, in that region—that inaccessi-
         ble land.

4  Till, when the ties loosen,
All but the ties eternal, Time and Space,
Nor darkness, gravitation, sense, nor any bounds, bound
         us.

5  Then we burst forth—we float,
In Time and Space, O soul—prepared for them;
Equal, equipt at last—(O joy! O fruit of all!) them to
         fulfil, O soul.
 
 
 
 
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