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My Departure

—A dusky mist spread itself before my eyes.

I wandered far, far away from my then and there existence.

scenes long since past, and faces that may never more greet my view.

—I saw every particular tree, and hill, and field, my old haunts.

—This is what I dread: for I have not enjoyed my young time.

My two acquaintances were both born and bred in the city; they both were sent to good schools; both had

And yet no man can differ more from my friend H OM than does my friend T OM .

My friend H OM is, at the same time, very much of a gentleman in his manners.

Now all that my friend H OM is not , my friend Tom B EPRIM is .

When I meet H OM in the street, he always grasps my hand, and salutes me by my first name.

Venice : "SHYLOCK: 'Signior Antonio, many a time and oft / In the Rialto you have rated me / About my

moneys and my usances: / Still have I borne it with a patient shrug, / For sufferance is the badge of

of Venice: "SHYLOCK: 'Signior Antonio, many a time and oft / In the Rialto you have rated me / About my

moneys and my usances: / Still have I borne it with a patient shrug, / For sufferance is the badge of

These are exceptions to the correctness of my assertions with regard to the evil effects of tobacco;

account of a wondrous and important discovery, a treatise upon which would fill up the principal part of my

Some years ago, when my judgement was in the bud, I thought riches were very desirable things.

But I have altered my mind. Light has flowed in upon me. I am not quite so green as I was.

From my very soul, I look with sorrow on the pitiable and black souled malice which actuates such men

Compare to, "I loafe and invite my soul,/ I lean and loafe at my ease . . . . observing a spear of summer

eagerly scanned to discover the object of my labours.

, and brighter, and more precious than earthly jewels; but in vain, for it eluded my sight.

which had been showered upon my mind. * * * * * * * The agitation of my thoughts, however, broke my slumbers

I slowly wended my way homeward, my soul improved in knowledge, and determined to treasure during life

.; Compare to, "I loafe and invite my soul,/ I lean and loafe at my ease . . . . observing a spear of

To such an one will I doff my beaver. Whitman here means to tip his hat.

For my part, I have had serious thoughts of getting up a regular ticket for President and Congress and

It is my impression, too, that we should poll a pretty strong vote. We number largely in the land.

the balmy coolness and the voluptuousness of the scene had led me into, being thus broken in upon, my

—This individual, my enemy, and I, had differed upon a matter of opinion; a sharp word had passed, and

an enormous basket, containing a towel, fishing tackle, and incalculable quantities of provisions; Captain

But my limits will not allow me to expatiate upon the events of this interesting voyage.

"I went that way because it is on my road home.

Please to let me go to my seat—I a'n't well." "Oh yes; that's very likely;" and Mr.

are you, my young gentleman!"

trifling suffusion spread over his face; "if you like, I'll put the saddle on Black Nell—she's here at my

"You have worked hard to-day, my son." "I've been mowing."

Feel of my hands." There were blisters on them like great lumps. Tears started in the widow's eyes.

I'd as leive lieve be in my grave as there." And the child burst into a passionate fit of weeping.

"There, my lads," he said to his companions, "there's a new recruit for you.

"I've no occasion; beside, it makes my head ache, and I have promised my mother not to drink any," was

The circumstances of my family were easy; I received a good education, was intended by my father for

The eldest was my favorite.

I kept a box of my own, and frequently attended, often giving my family permission also to be present

My blood curdled as I saw there an image of the form of my son—my cruelly treated Luke—but oh, how ghastly

I clapped my hands to my ears, to keep out the appalling sounds that seemed to freeze my very blood.

I took my lamp, and went my way to my room.

I stopped and leaned my back against the fence, with my face turned toward the white marble stones a

; and answered, "My husband's."

She looked at me for a minute, as if in wonder at my perverseness; and then answered as before, "My husband's

my open hands and thought.

have of late frequently come to me times when I do not dread the grave—when I could lie down, and pass my

I was alone, the family of my host having gone on some visit to a neighbor.

Insensibly, my consciousness became less and less distinct; my head leaned back; my eyes closed; and

my senses relaxed from their waking vigilance.

The person to whom I spoke stared in my face surprisedly.

"Himself hung it around my neck," said the veteran.

Wisdom mentioned by Whitman is Captain William A.

Wisdom mentioned by Whitman is Captain William A.

In the 1855 edition of Leaves of Grass, Whitman famously wrote, "I loafe and invite my soul, I lean and

loafe at my ease . . . . observing a spear of summer grass" ( Leaves of Grass [Brooklyn: n.p., 1855]

In the 1855 edition of Leaves of Grass, Whitman famously wrote, "I loafe and invite my soul, I lean and

loafe at my ease . . . . observing a spear of summer grass" (Leaves of Grass [Brooklyn: n.p., 1855],

expression changed, and his face greeted ours with an arch confiding smile, as much as to say "I know, my

first edition of Leaves of Grass thirteen years later, where he famously writes, "I loaf and invite my

soul, / I lean and loafe at my ease . . . . observing a spear of summer grass," and later asking his

first edition of Leaves of Grass thirteen years later, where he famously writes, "I loaf and invite my

soul, / I lean and loafe at my ease . . . . observing a spear of summer grass," and later asking his

I cannot, of course, convey to others that particular kind of influence, which is derived from my being

I must hardly expect, therefore, that to those who hear it through the medium of my pen, the narration

times which marked our American Revolution that the incidents occurred which are the foundation of my

Again I ask pardon for my rudeness. Let me now be shown to this chamber—this haunted chamber.

He came to my very bed-side; his small hand was raised, and almost touched my face.

greatest and profoundest truths are often most plain to the senses of men—in the same resemblance, my

The scene of the meeting was the school house; and having no other means of employing my time, I determined

"You are whimsical, my dear," said the matron, as she took the paper; "why do you desire so needless

"My son," she cried, in uncontrollable agony; "my son! you die!"

Whitman reused this sentence and the preceding one, beginning "My son," with minor revisions, in " The

.; Whitman reused this sentence and the preceding one, beginning "My son," with minor revisions, in "

And the gentle creature blushes at my protestations of love, and leans her cheek upon my neck.

"My brother, thus have I lived my life. Your look asks me if I have been happy.

"My brother, a maiden's tears washed my stern resolves away.

Various fortune followed my path.

But I can lay my hand upon my heart, and thank the Great Master, that the sunshine has been far oftener

What is yours, my brother?" "Behold!" answered the Spirit.

I expressed my desire at the suggestion, and he commenced his narrative: Both this original printing

"My child!" she cried, in uncontrollable agony, "my child! you die!"

This sentence and the preceding one, beginning "My child," also first appeared, with minor differences

He acknowledged in answer to my questioning, that he had indeed been relating a story, the hero of which

.; This sentence and the preceding one, beginning "My child," also first appeared, with minor differences

I felt of my hatchet's edge—it was keen as my hate.

my sorrowful cousins, and went my way.

Wife of my youth! of my early youth!

All my cruelty—all my former love—all my guilt—all my disregard of the sacred ties—seemed concentrated

My deeds were as good as my word.

Among temperance novels then quite popular were Lucius Manley Sargent's My Mother's Gold Ring (1833),

equipages roll by—I see the respectful bow at the presence of pride—and I curse the contrast between my

The lofty air—the show of dress—the aristocratic demeanor—the glitter of jewels—dazzle my eyes; and sharp-toothed

Why: should my path be so much rougher than theirs? Pitiable, unfortunate man that I am!

to be placed beneath those whom in my heart I despise—and to be constantly tantalized with the presence

Barcoure was a young man—like my hero.

Indeed it may be found, before the end of my story, that the right of main personage may lie between

advance any farther, it were well for me to remind the reader that I seek to paint life and men, in my

.; An earlier version of this poem entitled "My Departure" appeared in the Long Island Democrat, 23 October

New-York is my birth-place.

Of my brothers and sisters I shall introduce only one, my brother Matthew, not quite two years younger

I was intended for the profession of the law; though, being lazy in my studies, it was not until my twenty-first

The very first day of my appearance there, about the middle of the morning, there came to see my master

My eyesight seemed to waver, my head felt dizzy, and a feeling of deadly nausea came over me.

fiercely, and rack my soul with great pain.

These elements are the influences of my nature on the one side, and those of my habits on the other.

My eyes answered, yes. So I learned language.

Only one of them came near to me, in my progress.

about my own age.

though shining out very brightly by fits and starts, seemed incapable of conveying any warmth, I took my

hat, which I was able to keep on my head not without considerable effort.

My flesh quivered with the bitter coldness of the air. My breath appeared steam. Qu-foo-o!

I gave an extra pull of my hat over my brows—a closer adjustment of my collar around my shoulders, and

way homeward, imbue my fancy with a kindred glee and joyousness!

"You have worked hard to-day, my son." "I've been mowing."

So, curse me if you sha'n't have a suck at my expense."

"There, my lads," said he, turning to his companions, "There's a new recruit for you.

Besides, my mother has often prayed me not to drink , and I promised to obey her."

" My mother has often prayed me not to drink!

My people knew not of my coming—none but my brother's wife, to whom I confided my purpose, lest they

My sister fell!

"One day my sister was missing.

He accepted my challenge.

I was blinded by my hate for my sister's betrayer.

of the stranger was not deficient in dignity, but it seemed far unlike the dignity of princes and captains

My companion, the moment he saw her, directed my attention to her by a peculiar movement of the head.

female—though I could hardly divine what or who she had been—and when we left the place, I reminded my

He then went on to give me the particulars of this celebrated mutiny, which I had read in my own country

when a boy, but which had nearly escaped my memory.

intentions, and that G OD will receive me into favor: and I sincerely hope that my death will be the

I was at that time studying law, the profession my father followed.

brother, and two other students who were in my father's office.

my fingers quiver yet as I write the word!) young Ninon, the daughter of the widow.

My brother was the only one who preserved his usual tenor of temper and conduct.

My sight seemed to waver, my head felt dizzy, and a feeling of deadly sickness came over me.

"You are welcome, my brother," said the Unrelenting.

Behold all that is left to brighten my heart!"

"Many years since," said the chief, "when my cheek was soft, and my arms felt the numbness of but few

I felt the edge of my tomahawk—it was keen as my hate.

I raised my arm—I gathered my strength—I struck, and cleft the warrior's brain in quivering halves!"

Therefore have I rummaged over the garners of my observation and memory for the following anecdotes—and

When my mother was a girl, the house where she and her parents lived was in a gloomy wood, out of the

When nightfall came, and my grandfather did not return, my grandmother began to feel a little uneasy.

My grandmother sprung to the door, but upon opening it, she almost fainted in my mother's arms.

For there stood D ANDY , saddled and bridled, but no signs of my grandfather.

The Captain's Daughter.

Now I, who so love to see my neighbors happy," the hunchback grinned, "could not bear that the pretty

I approached, and told him my errand.

He took my letter—and then asked me into his hut; for it was near at hand.

He put before me some drink and meat, and then, though he spoke not, I saw he wished my departure.

"And now you have all of my story—and I must go, for it is time Peter Brown received his answer."

My people knew not of my coming—none but my brother's wife, to whom I confided my purpose, lest they

The love of life was strong in my soul.

I felt my arm, and said to myself, perhaps in the village of the pale-faces, there may be something that

In the night, when all were sleeping, I came out from our lodge, and bent my steps toward your town.

"Shame were it to me and my wife," said Thorne, "did we let one who has saved a life very dear to us,

For two or three mornings past, on going as I usually do at daylight to take care of my cattle, and feed

them, I have missed something from the storehouse where I keep my grain and farming utensils.

"And lest I should oversleep myself," said the boy, "come to my window, which opens on the river, and

"They met—this man and my sister.

My sister fell!

"One day my sister was missing.

He accepted my challenge.

I was blinded by my hate for my sister's betrayer.

Thorne, "it will be the best for Quincy to come with my party.

"Know you aught of this terrible business, my son?"

Boddo went on, "though to tell the fact, he did not know it himself for quite a long while—I, with my

And I would not have my wife come hither, at least at present—for I think of no good she can do.

Tell me, Father Luke, how long do you think will be the duration of my illness?"

But judging from the best of my knowledge, I may be able to recover you in three days, so that you can

At this very moment you are falling into a fever which will require all my watchfulness.

Now, my son, compose yourself to sleep."

"My companions and myself have been sent hither," answered the other, "to learn from you what you can

They will ask me of news about my brother: Let me not say, I left him weeping like a girl!"

"Tell them," rejoined the chief, "that I met my punishment as a hunter grasps the hand of one he loves

When I came hither, not many days since, I was near to death, even then—and my fate would have happened

monk when he could safely walk the distance of the village: "Though judging by the cool kindness of my

"Patience, my son!" said the holy father; "tomorrow I will myself accompany you thither.

Burke, Chatham, Adam Clarke, Lord Clive, Captain Cook, Fox, Franklin, Warren Hastings, Bishop Heber,