Section 40

The coffin is pass’d out, lower’d and settled, the whip is laid on the coffin, the earth is swiftly shovel’d in, 4o
The mound above is flatted with the spades—silence,
A minute—no one moves or speaks—it is done,
He is decently put away—is there anything more?
He was a good fellow, free-mouth’d, quick-temper’d, not bad- looking, able to take his own part, witty, sensitive to a slight, ready with life or death for a friend, fond of women, gambled, ate hearty, drank hearty, had known what it was to be flush, grew low-spirited toward the last, sicken’d, was help’d by a contribution, died, aged forty- one years—and that was his funeral.
Thumb extended, finger uplifted, apron, cape, gloves, strap, wet-weather clothes, whip carefully chosen, boss, spotter, starter, hostler, somebody loafing on you, you loafing on somebody, headway, man before and man behind, good
1 Lines 34-36 added in 1870. 2 «¢ Broadway ”’ added in 1856,
288) LEAVES OF GRASS
day’s work, bad day’s work, pet stock, mean stock, first out, last out, turning-in at night ;
To think that these are so much and so nigh to other drivers— and he there takes no interest in them !
5
The markets, the government, the working-man’s wages—to think what account they are through our nights and days !
To think that other working-men will make just as great account of them—yet we make little or no account !
The vulgar and the refined—what you call sin, and what you call goodness—to think how wide a difference !
To think the difference will still continue to others, yet we lie beyond the difference. 50
To think how much pleasure there is !
Have you pleasure from looking at the sky? have you pleasure from poems ?
Do you enjoy yourself in the city? or engaged in business? or planning a nomination and election? or with your wife and family ?
Or with your mother and sisters? or in womanly housework? or the beautiful maternal cares?
—These also flow onward to others—you and I flow onward,
But in due time, you and I shall take less interest in them.
Your farm, profits, crops,—to think how engross’d you are! To think there will still be farms, profits, crops—yet for you, of what avail ?
6
What will be, will be well—for what is, is well, To take interest is well, and not to take interest shall be well. 60
The sky continues beautiful,
The pleasure of men with women shall never be sated, nor the pleasure of women with men, nor the pleasure from poems,
The domestic joys, the daily housework or business, the build-
ing of houses—these are not phantasms—they have weight, form, location ;
TO THINK OF TIME 389
Farms, profits, crops, markets, wages, government, are none of them phantasms,’
The difference between sin and goodness is no delusion,?
The earth is not an echo—man and his life, and all the things of his life, are well-consider’ d.
You are not thrown to the winds—you gather certainly and safely around yourself ; Yourself! Yourself! Yourself, forever and ever!
7 It is not to diffuse you that you were born of your mother and father—it is to identify you ; It is not that you should be undecided, but that you should be
decided ; 70 Something long preparing and formless is arrived and form’d in you,
You are henceforth secure, whatever comes or goes.
The threads that were spun are gather’d, the weft crosses the warp, the pattern is systematic.
The preparations have every one been justified, The orchestra have sufficiently tuned their instruments—the baton has given the signal.
The guest that was coming—he waited long, for reasons—he is now housed,
He is one of those who are beautiful and happy—he is one of those that to look upon and be with is enough.
The law of the past cannot be eluded,
The law of the present and future cannot be eluded,
The law of the living cannot be eluded—it is eternal, 80
The law of promotion and transformation cannot be eluded,
The law of heroes and good-doers cannot be eluded,
The law of drunkards, informers, mean persons—not one iota thereof can be eluded.*
1 4855 reads ‘‘ they also are not phantasms.” 2 1855 for ‘‘delusion’’ reads ‘‘ apparition.” 3 1855 ’60 read ‘‘ cannot be eluded,”’
399 LEAVES OF GRASS
8
Slow moving and black lines go ceaselessly over the earth,
Northerner goes carried, and Southerner goes carried, and they on the Atlantic side, and they on the Pacific, and they between, and all through the Mississippi country, and all over the earth.
The great masters and kosmos are well as they go—the heroes and good-doers are well,
The known leaders and inventors, and the rich owners and pious and distinguish’d, may be well,
But there is more account than that—there is strict account of
all.
The interminable hordes of the ignorant and wicked are not nothing,
The barbarians of Africa and Asia are not nothing, go
The common people of Europe are not nothing—the American aborigines are not nothing,’
The infected in the immigrant hospital are not nothing—the murderer or mean person is not nothing,
The perpetual successions of shallow people are not nothing a they go,
The lowest prostitute is not nothing—the mocker of religion is not nothing as he goes.
9
Of and in all these things,’
I have dream’d that we are not to be changed so much, nor the law of us changed, :
I have dream’d that heroes and good-doers shall be under the present and past law,
And that murderers, drunkards, liars, shall be under the present and past law,
For I have dream’d that the law they are under now is enough.?®
1 After line 91, 1855 adds ‘* A zambo or a foreheadless Crowfoot or a Co- manche is not nothing,’’
? For line 95, 1855 ’56’60 ’67 read ‘‘I shall go withthe rest—we have satisfaction.’?
3 After line 99, 1855 ’56 ’60 read : ‘And I have dreamed that the satisfaction is not so much changed, and that
there is no life without satisfaction ;
What is the earth ? what are body and Soul, without satisfaction ?
TO THINK OF TIME 391
If otherwise, all came but to ashes of dung, 100 If maggots and rats ended us, then Alarum! for we are betray’d! Then indeed suspicion of death.
Do _you suspect death? If | were to suspect. death, I should die now ar ea Spann TEE
Do you think I could walk pleasantly and well-suited toward an- nihilation ?
Io
Pleasantly and well-suited I walk,
i nnot define, but I know it is good, The whole universe indicates that itis good, The past and the present indicate that it is good.
How beautiful and perfect are the animals !?
How perfect the earth, and the minutest thing upon it! 110 What is called good is perfect, and what is called bad* is just as perfect,
The vegetables and minerals are all perfect, and the imponder- able fluids are perfect ;
Slowly and surely they have pass’d on to this, and slowly and surely they yet pass on.*
II
5J swear I think now that everything without exception® has an eternal Soul !
I shall go with the rest, We cannot be stopped at a given point—that is no satisfaction, To show us a good thing, or a few good things, for a space of time—that is no satisfaction, We must have the indestructible breed of the best, regardless of time.”’ 1 For lines 101-2, 1855 ’56 read ‘‘ If maggots and rats ended us, then sus- picion, treachery, death.”’ 2 1855 ’56’60 67 add “ How perfect is my soul !”’ 3 1855 for ‘*bad”’ reads ‘¢sin.”’ 4 1855 ’56 60 67 after line 113 read ‘‘O my soul! if I realize you I have satisfaction, Animals and vegetables ! if I realize you I have satisfaction, Laws of the earth and air! if I realize you I have satisfaction.
I cannot define my satisfaction—yet it is. so.
I cannot define my life—yet it is so.”’ 5 3860 ’67 begin stanza 11 ‘‘O it comes to me now.” 6 «¢ without exception’’ added in 1860,
392 LEAVES OF GRASS
The trees have, rooted in the ground! the weeds of the sea have! the animals!
I swear I think there is nothing but immortality !
That the exquisite scheme is for it, and the nebulous float is for it, and the cohering is for it ;
And all preparation is for it! and identity is for it! and life and materials are altogether for it !*
*
CHANTING THE SQUARE DEIFIC. First published in ‘‘ When Lilacs Last in the Door-yard Bloom’d,’’ 1865-6.
I
CHANTING the square deific, out of the One advancing, out of the sides ;
Out of the old and new—out of the square entirely divine,
Solid, four-sided, (all the sides needed)... from this side JEHOVAH am I,
Old Brahm I, and [ Saturnius am ;
Not Time affects me—I am Time, old,’ modern as any ;
Unpersuadable, relentless, executing righteous judgments ;
As the Earth, the Father, the brown old Kronos, with laws,
Aged beyond computation—yet ever new—ever with those mighty laws rolling,
Relentless, I forgive no man—whoever sins, dies—I will have that man’s life ;
Therefore let none expect mercy —Have the seasons, gravitation, the appointed days, mercy P—No more have I; Io
But as the seasons, and gravitation—and as all the appointed days, that forgive not,
I dispense from this side judgments inexorable, without the least remorse.
2
Consolator most mild, the promis’d one advancing,
With gentle hand extended—the mightier God am I,
Foretold by prophets and poets, in their most rapt prophecies and poems ;
* 1855 56 read ‘and life and death are for it.”’ 1860 67 read “and life and death are altogether for it.’’ 2 old’? added in 1870.
CHANTING THE SQUARE DEIFIC 393
From this side, lo! the Lord Curist gazes—lo! Hermes I—lo! mine is Hercules’ face ;
All sorrow, labor, suffering, I, tallying it, absorb in myself ;
Many times have I been rejected, taunted, put in prison, and crucified—and many times shall be again ;
All the world have I given up for my dear brothers’ and sisters’ sake—for the soul’s sake ;
Wending my way through the homes of men, rich or poor, with the kiss of affection ; 20
For I am affection—I am the cheer-bringing God, with hope, and all-enclosing Charity ;
(Conqueror yet—for before me all the armies and soldiers of the earth shall yet bow—and all the weapons of war become impotent : )
With indulgent words, as to children—with fresh and sane words, mine only ;
Young and strong I pass, knowing well I am destin’d myself to an early death :
But my Charity has no death—my Wisdom dies not, neither early nor late,
And my sweet Love, bequeath’d here and elsewhere, never dies.
3
Aloof, dissatisfied, plotting revolt,
Comrade of criminals, brother of slaves,
Crafty, despised, a drudge, ignorant,
With sudra face and worn brow, black, but in the depths of my
heart, proud as any ; 30 Lifted, now and always, against whoever, scorning, assumes to rule me ;
Morose, full of guile, full of reminiscences, brooding, with many wiles,
(Though it was thought I was baffled and dispell’d, and my wiles done—but that will never be ;)
Defiant, I, Satan, still live—still utter words—in new lands duly appearing, (and old ones also ;)
Permanent here, from my side, warlike, equal with any, real as any ,
Nor time, nor change, shall ever change me or my words.
Santa SprritTa, breather, life, Beyond the light, lighter than light,
394 LEAVES OF GRASS
Beyond the flames of hell—joyous, leaping easily above hell ;
Beyond Paradise—perfumed solely with mine own perfume; 40
Including all life on earth—touching, including God—including Saviour and Satan ;
Ethereal, pervading all, (for without me, what were all? what were God ?)
Essence of forms—life of the real identities, permanent, posi- tive, (namely the unseen, )
Life of the great round world, the sun and stars, and of man— I, the general Soul,
Here the square finishing, the solid, I the most solid,
Breathe my breath also through these songs.
WHISPERS OF HEAVENLY DEATH.
WHISPERS OF HEAVENLY DEATH. First published in 1870. WuispeErs of heavenly death, murmur’d I hear ;
Labial gossip of night—sibilant chorals ; Footsteps gently ascending—mystical breezes, wafted soft and
low ;
Ripples of unseen rivers—tides ofa current, flowing, forever flow- ing ;
(Or is it the plashing of tears? the measureless waters of human tears ?)
I see, just see, skyward, great cloud-masses ;
Mournfully, slowly they roll, silently swelling and mixing ; With, at times, a half-dimm’d, sadden’d, far-off star, Appearing and disappearing.
(Some parturition, rather;—-some solemn, immortal birth: 10 On the frontiers, to eyes impenetrable, Some Soul is passing over. )
. Z S of OO Z ZOU oS IN Ge ZG . IS
Sa
YS e d
WHISPERS OF HEAVENLY DEATH 305
DAREST THOU NOW, O SOUL.
First published in 1870.
I Darest thou now, O Soul, Walk out with me toward the Unknown Region, Where neither ground is for the feet, nor any path to follow?
2 No map, there, nor guide, Nor voice sounding, nor touch of human hand, Nor face with blooming flesh, nor lips, nor eyes, are in that land.
3 I know it not, O Soul; Nor dost thou—all is a blank before us ; All waits, undream’d of, in that region—that inaccessible land.
4 Till, when the ties loosen, ake) All but the ties eternal, Time and Space, Nor darkness, gravitation, sense, nor any bounds, bound us.
5 Then we burst forth—we float, In Time and Space, O Soul—prepared for them ; Equal, equipt at last—(O joy! O fruit of all!) them to fulfil, O Soul. Sd
OF HIM I LOVE DAY AND NIGHT.
First published in 1870.
OF him I ee day and night, I dream’d I heard he was dead ;
And I dream’d I went where they had buried him I love—but he was not in that place ;
And I dream’d I wander’d, searching among burial- places, to find him ;
And I found that every place was a burial-place ;
The houses full of life were equally full of death, (this house is now ;
The streets, ie shipping, the places of amusement, the Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia, the Mannahatta, were as full of the dead as of the living,
306 LEAVES OF GRASS
And fuller, O vastly fuller, of the dead than of the living ; —And what I dream’d I will henceforth tell to every person and
age
And I nae henceforth bound to what I dream’d ;
And now I am willing to disregard burial-places, and dispense with them ; 10
And if the memorials of the dead were put up indifferently everywhere, even in the room where I eat or sleep, I should be satisfied ;
And if the corpse of any one I love, or if my own corpse, be duly render’d to powder, and pour’d in the sea, I shall be satisfied ; °
Or if it be distributed to the winds, I shall be satisfied.
&*
ASSURANCES.
First published in 1856 under title of “‘ Faith Poem.’’
I NEED no assurances—I am a man who is preoccupied, of his own Soul ;?
I do not doubt that from under the feet, and beside the hands and face Iam cognizant of, are now looking faces I am not cognizant of—calm and actual faces ;
I do not doubt but the majesty and beauty of the world are latent in any iota of the world ;?
I do not doubt I am limitless, and that the universes are limitless —in vain I try to think how limitless ;
I do not doubt that the orbs, and the systems of orbs, play their swift sports through the air on purpose—and that I shall one day be eligible to do as much as they, and more than they ;°
I do not doubt that temporary affairs keep on and on, millions of years ;
1 After line 1, 1856 ’60 add ‘*I do not doubt that whatever I know at a given time, there waits for me more which I do not know.’
After line 3, 1856 ’60 add ‘*I do not doubt there are realizations I have no idea of waiting for me through time and through the universes—also upon this earth.’’
3 After line 5, 1856 ’60 add :
‘ dwarfs, weeds, rejected refuse, than I have supposed ;
I do not doubt there is more in myself than I have supposed—and more in all men and women—and more in my poems than I have supposed,”
WHISPERS OF HEAVENLY DEATH 3907
I do not doubt interiors have their interiors, and exteriors have their exteriors—and that the eye-sight has another eye- sight, and the hearing another hearing, and the voice an- other voice ;
I do not doubt that the passionately-wept deaths of young men are provided for—and that the deaths of young women, and the deaths of little children, are provided for ;
(Did you think Life was so well provided for—and Death, the purport of all Life, is not well provided for?)!
I do not doubt that wrecks at sea, no matter what the horrors of them—no matter whose wife, child, husband, father, lover, has gone down, are provided for, to the minutest points ;” IO
I do not doubt that whatever can possibly happen, any where, at any time, is provided for, in the inherences of things ;
I do not think Life provides for all, and for Time and Space— but I believe Heavenly Death provides for all.*
*
YET, YET,-YE: DOWNCAST HOURS. First published in 1870,