2. Who is he that would become my follower ?

Who would sign himself a candidate for my affections ? Are you he ?

3. The way is suspicious — the result slow, uncertain, may-be destructive ;

You would have to give up all else — I alone would expect to be your God, sole and exclusive,

Your novitiate would even then be long and ex- hausting.

The whole past theory of your life, and all conformity to the lives around you, would have to be abandoned ;

Therefore release me now, before troubling yourself any further — Let go your hand from my shoulders.

Put me down, and depart on your way.

4. Or else, only by stealth, in some wood, for trial,

Or back of a rock, in the open air,

(For in any roofed room of a house I emerge not — nor in company.

And in libraries I lie as one dumb, a gawk, or unborn, or dead,)

But just possibly with you on a high hill — first watching lest any person, for miles around, approach unawares.

Or possibly with you sailing at sea, or on the beach of the sea, or some quiet island.

Here to put your lips upon mine I permit you.

With the comrade's long-dwelling kiss, or the new husband's kiss.

For I am the new husband, and I am the comrade.