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206 He is the answerer, What can be answered he answers—and what cannot
 * be answered, he shows how it cannot be answered.

A man is a summons and challenge; (It is vain to skulk—Do you hear that mocking and
 * laughter? Do you hear the ironical echoes?)

Books, friendships, philosophers, priests, action, pleasure,
 * pride, beat up and down, seeking to give
 * satisfaction,

He indicates the satisfaction, and indicates them that
 * beat up and down also.

Whichever the sex, whatever the season or place, he
 * may go freshly and gently and safely, by day or
 * by night,

He has the pass-key of hearts—to him the response
 * of the prying of hands on the knobs.

His welcome is universal—the flow of beauty is not
 * more welcome or universal than he is,

The person he favors by day or sleeps with at night is
 * blessed.

Every existence has its idiom—everything has an
 * idiom and tongue,

He resolves all tongues into his own, and bestows it
 * upon men, and any man translates, and any man
 * translates himself also,

One part does not counteract another part—he is the
 * joiner—he sees how they join.

He says indifferently and alike, How are you, friend?
 * to the President at his levee,