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Leaves of Grass (1871-72)
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WHEN I HEARD AT THE CLOSE OF THE DAY.
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WHEN I heard at the close of the day how my name
had been receiv'd with plaudits in the capitol, still it was not a happy night for me that fol- low'd; |
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And else, when I carous'd, or when my plans were
accomplish'd, still I was not happy; |
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But the day when I rose at dawn from the bed of per-
fect health, refresh'd, singing, inhaling the ripe breath of autumn, |
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When I saw the full moon in the west grow pale and
disappear in the morning light, |
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When I wander'd alone over the beach, and undress-
ing, bathed, laughing with the cool waters, and saw the sun rise, |
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And when I thought how my dear friend, my lover, was
on his way coming, O then I was happy; |
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O then each breath tasted sweeter—and all that day my
food nourish'd me more—and the beautiful day pass'd well, |
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And the next came with equal joy—and with the next,
at evening, came my friend; |
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And that night, while all was still, I heard the waters
roll slowly continually up the shores, |
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I heard the hissing rustle of the liquid and sands, as
directed to me, whispering, to congratulate me, |
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For the one I love most lay sleeping by me under the
same cover in the cool night, |
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In the stillness, in the autumn moonbeams, his face was
inclined toward me, |
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And his arm lay lightly around my breast—and that
night I was happy. |