Leaves of Grass, by Walt Whitman

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NOT the pilot has charged himself to bring his ship into port,
though beaten back and many times baffled;

Not the pathfinder penetrating inland weary and long,

By deserts parch'd, snows chill'd, rivers wet, perseveres till he
reaches his destination,

More than I have charged myself, heeded or unheeded, to com-
pose a march for these States,

For a battle-call, rousing to arms if need be, years, centuries
hence.

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