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Leaves of Grass (1881-82)
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TURN O LIBERTAD.
TURN O Libertad, for the war is over, |
From it and all henceforth expanding, doubting no more, resolute,
sweeping the world,
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Turn from lands retrospective recording proofs of the past, |
From the singers that sing the trailing glories of the past, |
From the chants of the feudal world, the triumphs of kings, slavery,
caste,
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Turn to the world, the triumphs reserv'd and to come—give up
that backward world,
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Leave to the singers of hitherto, give them the trailing past, |
But what remains remains for singers for you—wars to come are
for you,
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(Lo, how the wars of the past have duly inured to you, and the
wars of the present also inure;)
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Then turn, and be not alarm'd O Libertad—turn your undying
face,
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To where the future, greater than all the past, |
Is swiftly, surely preparing for you. |
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