Walt Whitman

Book I. Inscriptions: On Journeys Through the States

On journeys through the States we start,
  (Ay, through the world—urged by these songs,
  Sailing henceforth to every land—to every sea;)
  We, willing learners of all, teachers of all, and lovers of all.
 
  We have watch’d the seasons dispensing themselves, and passing on,
  We have said, Why should not a man or woman do as much as the
        seasons, and effuse as much?
 
  We dwell a while in every city and town;
  We pass through Kanada, the north-east, the vast valley of the Mississippi,
       and the Southern States;
  We confer on equal terms with each of The States,
  We make trial of ourselves, and invite men and women to hear;
  We say to ourselves, Remember, fear not, be candid, promulge the body
        and the Soul;
  Dwell a while and pass on—Be copious, temperate, chaste, magnetic,
  And what you effuse may then return as the seasons return,
  And may be just as much as the seasons.
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