NOW FINALE TO THE SHORE. Now finale to the shore, Now land and life finalè and farewell, Now Voyager depart, (much, much for thee is yet in store,) Cautiously cruising, studying the charts, Duly again to port and hawser's tie returning; SO LONG! To conclude, I announce what comes after me. I remember I said before my leaves sprang at all, I would raise my voice jocund and strong with reference to coCsummations. When America does what was promis'd, When through these States walk a hundred millions of super persons, When the rest part away for superb persons and contribute to them. I have press'd through in my own right, I have sung the body and the soul, war and peace have I surg, and the songs of life and death, And the songs of birth, and shown that there are many births. I have offer'd my style to every one, I have journey'd with cons dent step; While my pleasure is yet at the full I whisper So long! And take the young woman's hand and the young man's hand for the last time. I announce natural persons to arise, I announce justice triumphant, I announce uncompromising liberty and equality, I announce the justification of candor and the justification of pride. I announce that the identity of these States is a single identity only, I announce the Union more and more compact, indissoluble, I announce splendors and majesties to make all the previous politics of the earth insignificant. I announce adhesiveness, I say it shall be limitless, unloosen'd, I say you shall yet find the friend you were looking for. I announce a man or woman coming, perhaps you are the one, (So long!) I announce the great individual, fluid as Nature, chaste, affectionate, compassionate, fully arm'd. I announce a life that shall be copious, vehement, spiritual, bold, I announce an end that shall lightly and joyfully meet its translation. I announce myriads of youths, beautiful, gigantic, sweet-blooded, I announce a race of splendid and savage old men. (So long!) O crowding too close upon me, I foresee too much, it means more than I thought, Hasten throat and sound your last, Salute me- salute the days once more. more. Screaming electric, the atmosphere using, Peal the old cry once At random glancing, each as I notice absorbing, Curious envelop'd messages delivering, Sparkles hot, seed ethereal down in the dirt dropping, Myself unknowing, my commission obeying, to question it never daring, To ages and ages yet the growth of the seed leaving, To troops out of the war arising, they the tasks I have set promulging, To women certain whispers of myself bequeathing, their affection me more clearly explaining, To young men my problems offering—no dallier I—I the muscle of their brains trying, So I pass, a little time vocal, visible, contrary, Afterward a melodious echo, passionately bent for, (death mak....: me really undying,) The best of me then when no longer visible, for toward that I hav been incessantly preparing. What is there more, that I lag and pause and crouch extende. with unshut mouth? Is there a single final farewell? My songs cease, I abandon them, From behind the screen where I hid I advance personally sok. to you. Camerado, this is no book, Who touches this touches a man, (Is it night? are we here together alone?) It is I you hold and who holds you, I spring from the pages into your arms-decease calls me forti O how your fingers drowse me, Your breath falls around me like dew, your pulse lulls the tympan of my ears, I feel immerged from head to foot, Delicious, enough. Enough O deed impromptu and secret, Enough O gliding present-enough O summ'd-up past. Dear friend whoever you are take this kiss, I give it especially to you, do not forget me, I feel like one who has done work for the day to retire awhile, I receive now again of my many translations, from my avataras ascending, while others doubtless await me, An unknown sphere more real than I dream'd, more direct, darts awakening rays about me, So long! Remember my words, I may again return, I love you, I depart from materials, I am as one disembodied, triumphant, dead. |