What is more subtle than this which ties me to the woman or
     man that looks in my face?
Which fuses me into you now, and pours my meaning into you?

We understand then do we not?
What I promis'd without mentioning it, have you not accepted?
What the study could not teach — what the preaching could
     not accomplish is accomplish'd, is it not?

Flow on, river! flow with the flood-tide, and ebb with the ebb-tide!
Frolic on, created and scallop-edg'd waves!
Gorgeous clouds of the sunset! drench with your splendor me, or
     the men and women generations after me!

Cross from shore to shore, countless crowds of passengers!
Stand up, tall masts of Mannahatta! stand up, beautiful hills
     of Brooklyn!
Throb, baffled and curious brain! throw out questions and answers!
Suspend here and everywhere, eternal float of solution!
Gaze, loving and thirsting eyes, in the house or street or public
     assembly!
Sound out, voices of young men! loudly and musically call
     me by my nighest name!
Live, old life! play the part that looks back on the actor or actress!
Play the old role, the role that is great or small according as
     one makes it!
Consider, you who peruse me, whether I may not in unknown
     ways be looking upon you;
Be firm, rail over the river, to support those who lean idly,
     yet haste with the hasting current;
Fly on, sea-birds! fly sideways, or wheel in large circles high
     in the air;
Receive the summer sky, you water, and faithfully hold it till
     all downcast eyes have time to take it from you!
Diverge, fine spokes of light, from the shape of my head, or
     any one's head, in the sunlit water!
Come on, ships from the lower bay! pass up or down,
     white-sail'd schooners, sloops, lighters!
Flaunt away, flags of all nations! be duly lower'd at sunset!
Burn high your fires, foundry chimneys! cast black shadows
     at nightfall! cast red and yellow light over the tops
     of the houses!
Appearances, now or henceforth, indicate what you are,
You necessary film, continue to envelop the soul,
About my body for me, and your body for you, be hung our
     divinest aromas,
Thrive, cities — bring your freight, bring your shows,
     ample and sufficient rivers,
Expand, being than which none else is perhaps more spiritual,
Keep your places, objects than which none else is more lasting.

You have waited, you always wait, you dumb, beautiful ministers,
We receive you with free sense at last, and are insatiate
     hence-forward,
Not you any more shall be able to foil us, or withhold
     yourselves from us,
We use you, and do not cast you aside — we plant you
     permanently within us,
We fathom you not — we love you — there is
     perfection in you also,
You furnish your parts toward eternity,
Great or small, you furnish your parts toward the soul.

1856 1881