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Leaves of Grass.

BEGINNERS.

How they are provided for upon the earth, (appearing at intervals,)

How dear and dreadful they are to the earth,

How they inure to themselves as much as to any —

What a paradox appears, their age.

How people respond to them, yet know them not.

How there is something relentless in their fate, all times,

How all times mischoose the objects of their adulation and reward.

And how the same inexorable price must still be paid for the same great purchase.

TESTS.

All submit to them, where they sit, inner, secure, unapproachable to analysis, in the Soul;

Not traditions — not the outer authorities are the judges — they are the judges of outer authorities, and of all traditions.

They corroborate as they go, only whatever corroborates themselves, and touches themselves.

For all that, they have it forever in themselves to corroborate far and near, without one exception.

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