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As Nearing Departure

AS NEARING DEPARTURE.

1 AS nearing departure, As the time draws nigh, glooming, a cloud, A dread beyond, of I know not what, darkens me. 2I shall go forth, I shall traverse The States—but I cannot tell whither  
 or how long; Perhaps soon, some day or night while I am singing,  
 my voice will suddenly cease. 3O book and chant! must all then amount to but  
 this? Must we barely arrive at this beginning of me?…  
 And yet it is enough, O soul! O soul! we have positively appear'd—that is enough.
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