Page:Leaves of Grass (1860).djvu/326

318 You express me better than I can express myself, You shall be more to me than my poem.

I think heroic deeds were all conceived in the open
 * air,

I think I could stop here myself, and do miracles, I think whatever I meet on the road I shall like, and
 * whoever beholds me shall like me,

I think whoever I see must be happy.

From this hour, freedom! From this hour I ordain myself loosed of limits and
 * imaginary lines,

Going where I list—my own master, total and absolute, Listening to others, and considering well what they
 * say,

Pausing, searching, receiving, contemplating, Gently, but with undeniable will, divesting myself of
 * the holds that would hold me.

I inhale great draughts of air, The east and the west are mine, and the north and
 * the south are mine.

I am larger than I thought, I did not know I held so much goodness.

All seems beautiful to me, I can repeat over to men and women, You have done
 * such good to me, I would do the same to you.

I will recruit for myself and you as I go, I will scatter myself among men and women as I go,