Page:Leaves of Grass (1860).djvu/423

Rh  Who believes not only in our globe, with its sun and
 * moon, but in other globes, with their suns and
 * moons;

Who, constructing the house of himself or herself, not
 * for a day, but for all time, sees races, eras, dates,
 * generations,

The past, the future, dwelling there, like space, inseparable
 * together.





Hold it up sternly! See this it sends back! (Who is
 * it? Is it you?)

Outside fair costume—within, ashes and filth, No more a flashing eye—no more a sonorous voice
 * or springy step,

Now some slave's eye, voice, hands, step, A drunkard's breath, unwholesome eater's face,
 * venerealee's flesh,

Lungs rotting away piecemeal, stomach sour and
 * cankerous,

Joints rheumatic, bowels clogged with abomination. Blood circulating dark and poisonous streams, Words babble, hearing and touch callous, No brain, no heart left—no magnetism of sex; Such, from one look in this looking-glass ere you go
 * hence.

Such a result so soon—and from such a beginning!