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Rh A word then, (for I will conquer it,) The word final, superior to all, Subtle, sent up—what is it?—I listen; Are you whispering it, and have been all the time,
 * you sea-waves?

Is that it from your liquid rims and wet sands?

Answering, the sea, Delaying not, hurrying not, Whispered me through the night, and very plainly
 * before daybreak,

Lisped to me constantly the low and delicious word

And again Death—ever Death, Death, Death, Hissing melodious, neither like the bird, nor like my
 * aroused child's heart,

But edging near, as privately for me, rustling at
 * my feet,

And creeping thence steadily up to my ears, Death, Death, Death, Death, Death.

Which I do not forget, But fuse the song of two together, That was sung to me in the moonlight on Paumanok's
 * gray beach,

With the thousand responsive songs, at random, My own songs, awaked from that hour, And with them the key, the word up from the waves, The word of the sweetest song, and all songs, That strong and delicious word which, creeping to
 * my feet,

The sea whispered me. Rh