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122 I swear I begin to see the meaning of these things! It is not the earth, it is not America, who is so great, It is I who am great, or to be great—it is you, or
 * any one,

It is to walk rapidly through civilizations, governments,
 * theories, nature, poems, shows, to individuals.

Underneath all are individuals, I swear nothing is good to me now that ignores
 * individuals!

The American compact is altogether with individuals, The only government is that which makes minute of
 * individuals,

The whole theory of the universe is directed to one
 * single individual—namely, to You.

Underneath all is nativity, I swear I will stand by my own nativity—pious or
 * impious, so be it;

I swear I am charmed with nothing except nativity, Men, women, cities, nations, are only beautiful from
 * nativity.

Underneath all is the need of the expression of love
 * for men and women,

I swear I have had enough of mean and impotent
 * modes of expressing love for men and women,

After this day I take my own modes of expressing
 * love for men and women.

I swear I will have each quality of my race in
 * myself,