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Rh Friendship, self-esteem, justice, health, clear the way
 * with irresistible power;

How dare you place anything before a man?

Fall behind me, States! A man, before all—myself, typical, before all.

Give me the pay I have served for! Give me to speak beautiful words! take all the
 * rest;

I have loved the earth, sun, animals—I have despised
 * riches,

I have given alms to every one that asked, stood up
 * for the stupid and crazy, devoted my income
 * and labor to others,

I have hated tyrants, argued not concerning God,
 * had patience and indulgence toward the people,
 * taken off my hat to nothing known or unknown,

I have gone freely with powerful uneducated persons,
 * and with the young, and with the mothers of
 * families,

I have read these leaves to myself in the open air—
 * I have tried them by trees, stars, rivers,

I have dismissed whatever insulted my own Soul or
 * defiled my body,

I have claimed nothing to myself which I have not
 * carefully claimed for others on the same terms,

I have studied my land, its idioms and men, I am willing to wait to be understood by the growth
 * of the taste of myself,

I reject none, I permit all, Whom I have staid with once I have found longing
 * for me ever afterward.

Rh