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Leaves of Grass (1891-92)
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RECORDERS AGES HENCE.
| RECORDERS ages hence, |
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Come, I will take you down underneath this impassive exterior, I
will tell you what to say of me, |
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Publish my name and hang up my picture as that of the tenderest
lover, |
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The friend the lover's portrait, of whom his friend his lover was
fondest, |
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Who was not proud of his songs, but of the measureless ocean of
love within him, and freely pour'd it forth, |
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Who often walk'd lonesome walks thinking of his dear friends, his
lovers, |
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Who pensive away from one he lov'd often lay sleepless and dissat-
isfied at night, |
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Who knew too well the sick, sick dread lest the one he lov'd
might secretly be indifferent to him, |
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Whose happiest days were far away through fields, in woods, on
hills, he and another wandering hand in hand, they twain apart from other men, |
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Who oft as he saunter'd the streets curv'd with his arm the shoul-
der of his friend, while the arm of his friend rested upon him also. |