Page:Leaves of Grass (1860).djvu/196

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188

Chants Democratic.

Who has gone farthest? For I swear I will go farther;

And who has been just? For I would be the most just person of the earth;

And who most cautious? For I would be more cautious;

And who has been happiest? I think it is I! I think no one was ever happier than I;

And who has lavished all? For I lavish constantly the best I have;

And who has been firmest? For I would be firmer;

And who proudest? For I think I have reason to be the proudest son alive—for I am the son of the brawny and tall-topt city;

And who has been bold and true? For I would be the boldest and truest being of the universe;

And who benevolent? For I would show more benevolence than all the rest;

And who has projected beautiful words through the longest time? By God! I will outvie him! I will say such words, they shall stretch through longer time!

And who has received the love of the most friends?

For I know what it is to receive the passionate love of many friends;

And to whom has been given the sweetest from women, and paid them in kind? For I will take the like sweets and pay them in kind;

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