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Leaves of Grass (1881-82)
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ADIEU TO A SOLDIER.
You of the rude campaigning, (which we shared,) |
The rapid march, the life of the camp, |
The hot contention of opposing fronts, the long manoeuvre, |
Red battles with their slaughter, the stimulus, the strong terrific
game,
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Spell of all brave and manly hearts, the trains of time through you
and like of you all fill'd,
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With war and war's expression. |
Your mission is fulfill'd—but I, more warlike, |
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Myself and this contentious soul of mine, |
Still on our own campaigning bound, |
Through untried roads with ambushes opponents lined, |
Through many a sharp defeat and many a crisis, often baffled, |
Here marching, ever marching on, a war fight out—aye here, |
To fiercer, weightier battles give expression. |
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