< Page:Leaves of Grass (1860).djvu
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158
Leaves of Grass.
:All I love America for, is contained in men and women like you.
33. When the psalm sings instead of the singer,
- When the script preaches instead of the preacher.
- When the pulpit descends and goes instead of the carver that carved the supporting-desk,
- When I can touch the body of books, by night or by day, and when they touch my body back again,
- When the holy vessels, or the bits of the eucharist, or the lath and plast, procreate as effectually as the young silver-smiths or bakers, or the masons in their over-alls,
- When a university course convinces like a slumbering woman and child convince,
- When the minted gold in the vault smiles like the night-watchman's daughter,
- When warrantee deeds loafe in chairs opposite, and are my friendly companions,
- I intend to reach them my hand, and make as much of them as I do of men and women like you.
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