< Page:Leaves of Grass (1860).djvu
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157
Chants Democratic.
:In them themes, hints, provokers—if not, the whole earth has no themes, hints, provokers, and never had.
30. I do not affirm what you see beyond is futile—I do not advise you to stop,
- I do not say leadings you thought great are not great,
- But I say that none lead to greater, sadder, happier, than those lead to.
31. Will you seek afar off? You surely come back at last,
- In things best known to you, finding the best, or as good as the best,
- In folks nearest to you finding also the sweetest,strongest, lovingest,
- Happiness, knowledge, not in another place, but this place—not for another hour, but this hour,
- Man in the first you see or touch—always in your friend, brother, nighest neighbor—Woman in your mother, lover, wife,
- The popular tastes and occupations taking precedence in poems or any where,
- You workwomen and workmen of These States having your own divine and strong life,
- Looking the President always sternly in the face, unbending, nonchalant,
- Understanding that he is to be kept by you to short and sharp account of himself,
- And all else thus far giving place to men and women like you.
32. O you robust, sacred!
- I cannot tell you how I love you;
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