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Leaves of Grass (1871-72)
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1
With my fathers and mothers, and the accumulations
of past ages;
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With all which, had it not been, I would not now be
here, as I am:
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With Egypt, India, Phenicia, Greece and Rome; |
With the Kelt, the Scandinavian, the Alb, and the
Saxon;
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With antique maritime ventures,—with laws, artizan-
ship, wars and journeys;
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With the poet, the skald, the saga, the myth, and the
oracle;
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With the sale of slaves—with enthusiasts—with the
troubadour, the crusader, and the monk;
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With those old continents whence we have come to this
new continent;
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With the fading kingdoms and kings over there; |
With the fading religions and priests; |
With the small shores we look back to from our own
large and present shores;
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With countless years drawing themselves onward, and
arrived at these years;
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You and Me arrived—America arrived, and making
this year;
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This year! sending itself ahead countless years to come. |
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