The Walt Whitman Archive
Published Works
Books by Whitman
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12.
ARE you the new person drawn toward me, and asking
something significant from me?
something significant from me?
To begin with, take warning—I am probably far
different from what you suppose;
different from what you suppose;
Do you suppose you will find in me your ideal?
Do you think it so easy to have me become your
lover?
lover?
Do you think the friendship of me would be unalloyed
satisfaction?
satisfaction?
Do you suppose I am trusty and faithful?
Do you see no further than this façade—this smooth
and tolerant manner of me?
and tolerant manner of me?
Do you suppose yourself advancing on real ground
toward a real heroic man?
toward a real heroic man?
Have you no thought, O dreamer, that it may be all
maya, illusion? O the next step may precipitate
you!
maya, illusion? O the next step may precipitate
you!
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - [begin page 359] - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
O let some past deceived one hiss in your ears, how
many have prest on the same as you are pressing
now,
many have prest on the same as you are pressing
now,
How many have fondly supposed what you are sup-
posing now—only to be disappointed.
posing now—only to be disappointed.