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Leaves of Grass (1881-82)
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VIRGINIA—THE WEST.
THE noble sire fallen on evil days, |
I saw with hand uplifted, menacing, brandishing, |
(Memories of old in abeyance, love and faith in abeyance,) |
The insane knife toward the Mother of All. |
The noble son on sinewy feet advancing, |
I saw, out of the land of prairies, land of Ohio's waters and of
Indiana,
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To the rescue the stalwart giant hurry his plenteous offspring, |
Drest in blue, bearing their trusty rifles on their shoulders. |
Then the Mother of All with calm voice speaking, |
As to you Rebellious, (I seemed to hear her say,) why strive
against me, and why seek my life?
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When you yourself forever provide to defend me? |
For you provided me Washington—and now these also. |
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