Page:Leaves of Grass (1860).djvu/179

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Chants Democratic.
171

Let a man seek pleasure everywhere except in himself!
Let a woman seek happiness everywhere
except in herself! (Say! what real happiness
have you had one single time through your whole
life?)
Let the limited years of life do nothing for the limitless
years of death! (Say! what do you suppose
death will do, then?)

6.

1. You just maturing youth! You male or female!
Remember the organic compact of These States,
Remember the pledge of the Old Thirteen thenceforward
to the rights, life, liberty, equality of
man,
Remember what was promulged by the founders, ratified
by The States, signed in black and white by
the Commissioners, and read by Washington at
the head of the army,
Remember the purposes of the founders,—Remember
Washington;
Remember the copious humanity streaming from every
direction toward America;
Remember the hospitality that belongs to nations and
men; (Cursed be nation, woman, man, without
hospitality!)
Remember, government is to subserve individuals,