Page:Leaves of Grass (1860).djvu/394

386 We understand, then, do we not? What I promised without mentioning it, have you not
 * accepted?

What the study could not teach—what the preaching
 * could not accomplish is accomplished, is it not?

What the push of reading could not start is started by
 * me personally, is it not?

Flow on, river! flow with the flood-tide, and ebb with
 * the ebb-tide!

Frolic on, crested and scallop-edged waves! Gorgeous clouds of the sunset! drench with your
 * splendor me, or the men and women generations
 * after me;

Cross from shore to shore, countless crowds of passengers! Stand up, tall masts of Mannahatta!—stand up,
 * beautiful hills of Brooklyn!

Bully for you! you proud, friendly, free Manhattanese! Throb, baffled and curious brain! throw out questions
 * and answers!

Suspend here and everywhere, eternal float of solution! Blab, blush, lie, steal, you or I or any one after us! Gaze, loving and thirsting eyes, in the house, or street,
 * or public assembly!

Sound out, voices of young men! loudly and musically
 * call me by my nighest name!

Live, old life! play the part that looks back on the
 * actor or actress!

Play the old rôle, the rôle that is great or small,
 * according as one makes it!