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176 And that they could no-how have been better than
 * they were,

And that to-day is what it should be—and that
 * America is,

And that to-day and America could no-how be better
 * than they are.

In the name of These States, and in your and my
 * name, the Past,

And in the name of These States, and in your and my
 * name, the Present time.

I know that the past was great, and the future will
 * be great,

And I know that both curiously conjoint in the present
 * time,

(For the sake of him I typify—for the common
 * average man's sake—your sake, if you are he;)

And that where I am, or you are, this present day,
 * there is the centre of all days, all races,

And there is the meaning, to us, of all that has ever
 * come of races and days, or ever will come.



of falling day, floating and filling me, Hour prophetic—hour resuming the past, Inflating my throat—you, divine average! You, Earth and Life, till the last ray gleams, I sing.