The Walt Whitman Archive
Published Works
Books by Whitman
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NOT THE PILOT.
NOT the pilot has charged himself to bring his ship into port,
though beaten back and many times baffled;
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,
reaches his destination,
More than I have charged myself, heeded or unheeded, to com-
pose a march for these States,
pose a march for these States,
For a battle-call, rousing to arms if need be, years, centuries
hence.
hence.