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Leaves of Grass (1891-92)
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ON JOURNEYS THROUGH THE STATES.
ON journeys through the States we start, |
(Ay through the world, urged by these songs, |
Sailing henceforth to every land, to every sea,) |
We willing learners of all, teachers of all, and lovers of all. |
We have watch'd the seasons dispensing themselves and passing
on,
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And have said, Why should not a man or woman do as much as
the seasons, and effuse as much?
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We dwell a while in every city and town, |
We pass through Kanada, the North-east, the vast valley of the
Mississippi, and the Southern States,
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We confer on equal terms with each of the States, |
We make trial of ourselves and invite men and women to hear, |
We say to ourselves, Remember, fear not, be candid, promulge the
body and the soul,
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Dwell a while and pass on, be copious, temperate, chaste, mag-
netic,
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And what you effuse may then return as the seasons return, |
And may be just as much as the seasons. |
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