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Excelsior

EXCELSIOR.

WHO has gone farthest? For I swear I will go farther; And who has been just? For I would be the most just  
 person of the earth;
And who most cautious? For I would be more  
 cautious;
And who has been happiest? O I think it is I! I  
 think no one was ever happier than I;
And who has lavish'd all? For I lavish constantly the  
 best I have;
And who has been firmest? For I would be firmer; And who proudest? For I think I have reason to be  
 the proudest son alive—for I am the son of the  
 brawny and tall-topt city;
And who has been bold and true? For I would be  
 the boldest and truest being of the universe;
And who benevolent? For I would show more be- 
 nevolence than all the rest;
And who has projected beautiful words through the  
 longest time? By God! I will outvie him! I  
 will say such words, they shall stretch through  
 longer time!
And who has receiv'd the love of the most friends?  
 For I know what it is to receive the passionate  
 love of many friends;
And to whom has been given the sweetest from  
 women, and paid them in kind? For I will  
 take the like sweets and pay them in kind;
And who possesses a perfect and enamour'd body?  
 For I do not believe any one possesses a more  
 perfect or enamour'd body than mine;
And who thinks the amplest thoughts? For I will  
 surround those thoughts;
And who has made hymns fit for the earth? For I  
 am mad with devouring extacy to make joyous  
 hymns for the whole earth!
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