Here is the efflux of the soul,
The efflux of the soul comes from within through embower'd
     gates, ever provoking questions,
These yearnings why are they? these thoughts in the darkness
     why are they?
Why are there men and women that while they are nigh me
     the sunlight expands my blood?
Why when they leave me do my pennants of joy sink flat and
     lank?
Why are there trees I never walk under but large and
     melodious thoughts descend upon me?

(I think they hang there winter and summer on those trees
     and always drop fruit as I pass;)
What is it I interchange so suddenly with strangers?
What with some driver as I ride on the seat by his side?
What with some fisherman drawing his seine by the shore as
     I walk by and pause?
What gives me to be free to a woman's and man's good-will?
     what gives them to be free to mine?

The efflux of the soul is happiness, here is happiness,
I think it pervades the open air, waiting at all times,
Now it flows unto us, we are rightly charged.

Here rises the fluid and attaching character,
The fluid and attaching character is the freshness and
     sweetness of man and woman,
(The herbs of the morning sprout no fresher and sweeter
     every day out of the roots of themselves, than it sprouts
     fresh and sweet continually out of itself.)
Toward the fluid and attaching character exudes the sweat of
     the love of young and old,
From it falls distill'd the charm that mocks beauty and
     attainments,
Toward it heaves the shuddering longing ache of contact.

Allons! whoever you are come travel with me!
Travelling with me you find what never tires.

The earth never tires,
The earth is rude, silent, incomprehensible at first, Nature is
     rude and incomprehensible at first,
Be not discouraged, keep on, there are divine things well
     envelop'd,
I swear to you there are divine things more beautiful than
    words can tell.

Allons! we must not stop here,
However sweet these laid-up stores, however convenient this
     dwelling we cannot remain here,
However shelter'd this port and however calm these waters
     we must not anchor here,
However welcome the hospitality that surrounds us we are
     permitted to receive it but a little while.

Allons! the inducements shall be greater,
We will sail pathless and wild seas,
We will go where winds blow, waves dash, and the Yankee
     clipper speeds by under full sail.

Allons! with power, liberty, the earth, the elements,
Health, defiance, gayety, self-esteem, curiosity;
Allons! from all formules!
From your formules, O bat-eyed and materialistic priests.

The stale cadaver blocks up the passage — the burial waits no
     longer.

Allons! yet take warning!
He traveling with me needs the best blood, thews, endurance,
None may come to the trial till he or she bring courage and
     health,
Come not here if you have already spent the best of yourself,
Only those may come who come in sweet and determin'd bodies,
No diseas'd person, no rum- drinker or venereal taint is
     permitted here.

(I and mine do not convince by arguments, similes, rhymes,
We convince by our presence.)