Page:Leaves of Grass (1860).djvu/147

Rh The roof over the supper joyously cooked by the
 * chaste wife, and joyously eaten by the chaste
 * husband, content after his day's work.

The shapes arise! The shape of the prisoner's place in the court-room,
 * and of him or her seated in the place,

The shape of the pill-box, the disgraceful ointment-box,
 * the nauseous application, and him or her
 * applying it,

The shape of the liquor-bar leaned against by the
 * young rum-drinker and the old rum-drinker,

The shape of the shamed and angry stairs, trod by
 * sneaking footsteps,

The shape of the sly settee, and the adulterous
 * unwholesome couple,

The shape of the gambling-board with its devilish
 * winnings and losings,

The shape of the slats of the bed of a corrupted body,
 * the bed of the corruption of gluttony or alcoholic
 * drinks,

The shape of the step-ladder for the convicted and
 * sentenced murderer, the murderer with haggard
 * face and pinioned arms,

The sheriff at hand with his deputies, the silent and
 * white-lipped crowd, the sickening dangling of
 * the rope.

The shapes arise! Shapes of doors giving so many exits and entrances, The door passing the dissevered friend, flushed, and
 * in haste,