Page:Leaves of Grass (1860).djvu/49

Rh The company returns from its excursion, the darkey
 * brings up the rear and bears the well-riddled
 * target,

The squaw, wrapt in her yellow-hemmed cloth, is
 * offering moccasons and bead-bags for sale,

The connoisseur peers along the exhibition-gallery
 * with half-shut eyes bent side-ways,

As the deck-hands make fast the steamboat, the plank
 * is thrown for the shore-going passengers,
 * The young sister holds out the skein, while the elder
 * sister winds it off in a ball, and stops now and
 * then for the knots,

The one-year wife is recovering and happy, having
 * a week ago borne her first child,

The clean-haired Yankee girl works with her sewing-
 * machine, or in the factory or mill,

The nine months' gone is in the parturition chamber,
 * her faintness and pains are advancing,

The paving-man leans on his two-handed rammer
 * —the reporter's lead flies swiftly over the note-
 * book—the sign-painter is lettering with red and
 * gold,

The canal-boy trots on the tow-path—the bookkeeper
 * counts at his desk—the shoemaker waxes his
 * thread,

The conductor beats time for the band, and all the
 * performers follow him,

The child is baptized—the convert is making his first
 * professions,

The regatta is spread on the bay—how the white
 * sails sparkle!

The drover, watching his drove, sings out to them that
 * would stray,

Rh