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About "My Boys and Girls" Whitman's " My Boys and Girls " is a brief sketch that first appeared in The

Because issues of The Rover do not include a publication date, there is some disagreement about when "My

See Whitman's " My Boys and Girls ."

For further discussion of the plot of "My Boys and Girls," see Patrick McGuire, " My Boys and Girls (

"My Boys and Girls" Walter Whitman My Boys and Girls The Rover March or April 1844 3 75 per.00333 Written

Because issues of The Rover do not include a publication date, there is some disagreement about when "My

suggests March or April 1844—between March 27 and April 20, 1844—as the likely date of publication of "My

Boys and Girls" in The Rover.; See Whitman's "My Boys and Girls

"; For further discussion of the plot of "My Boys and Girls," see Patrick McGuire, "My Boys and Girls

Requital," a sentence that seemed to make an explicit statement against capital punishment: "Some of my

By 1855 when Whitman wrote "I lean and loafe at my ease . . . . observing a spear of summer grass," he

his second letter to Hale, Whitman emphasized the success of his earlier fiction pieces, writing, "My

Boanes' nephew, admitting that "the name of the person is burnt in welcome characters of fire upon my

Much like the bachelor narrator of " My Boys and Girls ," closely identified with Whitman himself, the

Also, like "My Boys and Girls," this story too turns to the fleeting nature of youth and childhood and

in London in 1882, albeit in a significantly edited form under the title of "The Tomb Flowers," in My

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

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.

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 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.

Reprinted in Good-Bye My Fancy (1891).; Our transcription is based on a digital image of an original

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

.; Reprinted in Good-Bye My Fancy (1891).; Published with the subtitle "For unknown buried soldiers,

Revised and reprinted in Good-Bye My Fancy (1891).

"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!

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.

"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

.; Reprinted in Good-Bye My Fancy (1891) under the title "Shakspere-Bacon's Cipher."

.; Reprinted under the new title "To the Pending Year" in Good-Bye My Fancy (1891).; Reprinted in Good-Bye

My Fancy (1891).

"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!"

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

"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!"

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.

It was included without the note in Good-Bye My Fancy (1891).; Our transcription is based on a digital

I threw my valise upon a bench, and my over-coat upon it.

The good landlady's further inquisitiveness was cut short, by my taking the driver out to his wagon,

for the purpose of making arrangements and settling the price of my passage.

My neighbor by the side of the country woman, was the only exception to this.

Turning around a moment to look at Colby, who called my attention in the room, the next minute my hearing

As I approached my nineteenth year, my uncle, who was an honest and worthy man, evidently felt that he

money, which I felt sure he must have cramped himself to bestow on me, I made my adieus to my aunt and

sorrowful cousins, and went my way.

city where I was to take up my abode.

Yes, here I had come to seek my fortune!

—She was as solemn and sour as the spinster, and upon my mentioning my business, gave me to understand

, but my friend of the day before, the antiquary.

What that may be, will depend a good deal upon my luck.

"I am determined to do my best.

I carefully deposited it in my breast pocket, and with a lighter step wended on to my new boarding-house

, and he walked with me toward my residence.

—My slumbers were deep and unbroken.

As I took my departure from the place, who should I see in front, with a quill behind his ear, but my

My mistake in regard to the fashionable gentleman , had taught me a lesson, and my country life had taught

I pass over my stares of wonder, and my running aslant dungeon walls, castles, and canvas palaces.

My employer, Mr.

Andrews, had become so well satisfied with my performance of my duties, that he advanced me somewhat

above my original situation.

my duties during the day.

of my employer's honesty.

After I had been a while in my situation at Mr.

I made improvements both in my style of living, and in my dress—The new boarding-house in which I took

As it was now quite in the evening, I had hardly finished my meal before my companions came, according

Forgetful of my duty—of my employer's honor, and the crisis which would turn against him, if I continued

What fire burnt in my brain!

There is no need that I should pause here to dwell on my meeting with my benefactor Lee, and the shame

with which I acknowledged my guilt, and gave him back his letter.

But great as was my fault, I was hardly prepared for his storm of anger.

: and at the end of a fortnight I left my place.

My little guide crouched down close by my feet—it may be that the knowledge of the presence of death

Upon my arrival at my destination, (at which it was probable I should have to stay the better part of

I don't know whether I have intimated, in the preceeding course of my narrative, that my nature was not

My safety, hitherto, had been from the swiftness with which my passion passed over.

delusion to smile at my own folly.

I shortly made no secret of my attachment to Mrs. Conway.

Conway returned my admiration, and whether she would have accepted the offer of my hand, had I been in

And I spoke with an energy that showed my mind.

it, than upon any other portion of my conduct.

I already began to blame myself for my deceit.

knowledge and my memory.

As she mentioned the course of her walk, I started, for a dim fear took possession of my mind, to which

"Did you," gasped I faintly, as the name struck my ear, and a feeling of deadly sickness crept over my

I was almost out of my senses with agony and alarm.

But time pressed, and lifting that form so dear to me, in my arms, I bore her into the planter's residence

I shall not think it worth while for my story, to give a minute account of the lady's illness.

Upon the distraction which filled my breast, when it was found in the morning that the widow had died—and

If you leave me, my heart will crack!" Then in a whisper: "O, never tell me of her kindness.

Never in all my life did I receive such a shock, as when authentic information was first brought me of

I shut myself up in my room for several days, waiting the conclusion of all these horrible circumstances

I have already dwelt long enough, and too long, on this part of my history.

"My own fancy, Evans," he answered, "my own whim, perhaps. But we are not strangers.

I shall give his story in my own words.

My constitution, notwithstanding the heavy draughts made upon its powers by my youthful dissipations,

I allude to my old friend, Colby.

My country relations were not forgotten by me in my good fortune.

I threw my valise upon a bench, and my over-coat upon it.

My employer, Mr.

my duties during the day.

knowledge and my memory.

My country relations were not forgotten by me in my good fortune.

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),

Having neither the funds nor disposition to pass my little term of ruralizing at the fashionable baths

That is, my lodging place is at Greenport; but, in truth, I "circulate" in all directions around.

found on the coasts of Long Island between spring and late fall. however, are the most delicious, to my

Can there be any thing of the old gossip in my composition?

Bathing in this pure, clear, salt water, twice every day, is one of my best pleasures.

Indeed, had there been a little hurrahing, we might (my companion and I,) have fancied ourselves some

Lighting his pipe very deliberately, he proceeded to catechise me as to my name, birth-place, and lineage—where

I was from last, where I was staying, what my occupation was, and so on.

He volunteered the information that he was a Universalist in his religious belief, and asked my opinion

now pretty far advanced, Aunt Rebby wended on her way towards the east; and the old man, with I and my

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.

.; Reprinted in Good-Bye My Fancy (1891).

the stories he had written approximately fifty years earlier, when, according to the poet, "I tried my

Wisdom" as Captain William A.

upon them without any of the bitterness and mortification which they might be supposed to arouse in my

The formal narration of them, to be sure, is far from agreeable to me—but in my own self-communion upon

Michael Winship has written in response to an email inquiry that: My working hypothesis is that there