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46 Admitting they bore mites as for unfledged birds who have now to rise and fly and sing for themselves, Accepting the rough deific sketches to fill out better in myself .... bestowing them freely on each man and woman I see, Discovering as much or more in a framer framing a house, Putting higher claims for him there with his rolled-up sleeves, driving the mallet and chisel; Not objecting to special revelations .... considering a curl of smoke or a hair on the back of my hand as curious as any revelation; Those ahold of fire-engines and hook-and-ladder ropes more to me than the gods of the antique wars, Minding their voices peal through the crash of destruction, Their brawny limbs passing safe over charred laths .... their white foreheads whole and unhurt out of the flames; By the mechanic’s wife with her babe at her nipple interceding for every person born; Three scythes at harvest whizzing in a row from three lusty angels with shirts bagged out at their waists; The snag-toothed hostler with red hair redeeming sins past and to come, Selling all he possesses and traveling on foot to fee lawyers for his brother and sit by him while he is tried for forgery: What was strewn in the amplest strewing the square rod about me, and not filling the square rod then; The bull and the bug never worshipped half enough, Dung and dirt more admirable than was dreamed, The supernatural of no account .... myself waiting my time to be one of the supremes, The day getting ready for me when I shall do as much good as the best, and be as prodigious, Guessing when I am it will not tickle me much to receive puffs out of pulpit or print; By my life-lumps! becoming already a creator! Putting myself here and now to the ambushed womb of the shadows!

.... A call in the midst of the crowd, My own voice, orotund sweeping and final.

Come my children, Come my boys and girls, and my women and household and intimates, Now the performer launches his nerve .... he has passed his prelude on the reeds within.

Easily written loosefingered chords! I feel the thrum of their climax and close.

My head evolves on my neck,