< Page:Leaves of Grass (1860).djvu
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Leaves of Grass.
8. The greatest city is that which has the greatest man or woman,
- If it be a few ragged huts, it is still the greatest city in the whole world.
9. The place where the greatest city stands is not the place of stretched wharves, docks, manufactures, deposits of produce,
- Nor the place of ceaseless salutes of new comers, or the anchor-lifters of the departing,
- Nor the place of the tallest and costliest buildings, or shops selling goods from the rest of the earth,
- Nor the place of the best libraries and schools—nor the place where money is plentiest,
- Nor the place of the most numerous population.
10. Where the city stands with the brawniest breed of orators and bards,
- Where the city stands that is beloved by these, and loves them in return, and understands them,
- Where these may be seen going every day in the streets, with their arms familiar to the shoulders of their friends,
- Where no monuments exist to heroes, but in the common words and deeds,
- Where thrift is in its place, and prudence is in its place,
- Where behavior is the finest of the fine arts,
- Where the men and women think lightly of the laws,
- Where the slave ceases, and the master of slaves ceases,
- Where the populace rise at once against the never-ending audacity of elected persons,
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