< Page:Leaves of Grass (1860).djvu
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176
Leaves of Grass.
:And that they could no-how have been better than they were,
- And that to-day is what it should and that America is,
- And that to-day and America could no-how be better than they are.
6. In the name of These States, and in your and my name, the Past,
- And in the name of These States, and in your and my name, the Present time.
7. I know that the past was great, and the future will be great,
- And I know that both curiously conjoint in the present time,
- (For the sake of him I typify—for the common average man's sake—your sake, if you are he;)
- And that where I am, or you are, this present day, there is the centre of all days, all races,
- And there is the meaning, to us, of all that has ever come of races and days, or ever will come.
1. Splendor of falling day, floating and filling me,
- Hour prophetic—hour resuming the past,
- Inflating my throat—you, divine average!
- You, Earth and Life, till the last ray gleams, I sing.
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