Page:Leaves of Grass (1860).djvu/184

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176
Leaves of Grass.

And that they could no-how have been better than
they were,
And that to-day is what it should be—and that
America is,
And that to-day and America could no-how be better
than they are.

6. In the name of These States, and in your and my
name, the Past,
And in the name of These States, and in your and my
name, the Present time.

7. I know that the past was great, and the future will
be great,
And I know that both curiously conjoint in the present
time,
(For the sake of him I typify—for the common
average man's sake—your sake, if you are he;)
And that where I am, or you are, this present day,
there is the centre of all days, all races,
And there is the meaning, to us, of all that has ever
come of races and days, or ever will come.

8.

1. Splendor of falling day, floating and filling me,
Hour prophetic—hour resuming the past,
Inflating my throat—you, divine average!
You, Earth and Life, till the last ray gleams, I sing.