Page:Leaves of Grass (1860).djvu/277





of the rocked cradle, Out of the mocking-bird's throat, the musical shuttle, Out of the boy's mother's womb, and from the nipples
 * of her breasts,

Out of the Ninth Month midnight, Over the sterile sands, and the fields beyond, where
 * the child, leaving his bed, wandered alone, bare-headed,
 * barefoot,

Down from the showered halo, Up from the mystic play of shadows, twining and
 * twisting as if they were alive,

Out from the patches of briers and blackberries, From the memories of the bird that chanted to me, From your memories, sad brother—from the fitful
 * risings and fallings I heard,

From under that yellow half-moon, late-risen, and
 * swollen as if with tears,

From those beginning notes of sickness and love,
 * there in the transparent mist,

From the thousand responses of my heart, never to
 * cease,

23*(269)