Clarel/Dedication

by Herman Melville

By
A SPONTANEOUS ACT,
NOT VERY LONG AGO,
MY KINSMAN, THE LATE
PETER GANESEVOORT,
OF ALBANY. N. Y.,
IN A PERSONAL INTERVIEW PROVIDED FOR THE PUBLICATION
OF THIS POEM, KNOWN TO HIM BY REPORT,
AS EXISTING IN MANUSCRIPT.

JUSTLY AND AFFECTIONATELY THE PRINTED BOOK IS
INSCRIBED IN HIS NAME.