Page:Leaves of Grass (1860).djvu/214

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Leaves of Grass.

6. He is the answerer,
What can be answered he answers—and what cannot
be answered, he shows how it cannot be answered.

7. A man is a summons and challenge;
(It is vain to skulk—Do you hear that mocking and
laughter? Do you hear the ironical echoes?)

8. Books, friendships, philosophers, priests, action, pleasure,
pride, beat up and down, seeking to give
satisfaction,
He indicates the satisfaction, and indicates them that
beat up and down also.

9. Whichever the sex, whatever the season or place, he
may go freshly and gently and safely, by day or
by night,
He has the pass-key of hearts—to him the response
of the prying of hands on the knobs.

10. His welcome is universal—the flow of beauty is not
more welcome or universal than he is,
The person he favors by day or sleeps with at night is
blessed.

11. Every existence has its idiom—everything has an
idiom and tongue,
He resolves all tongues into his own, and bestows it
upon men, and any man translates, and any man
translates himself also,
One part does not counteract another part—he is the
joiner—he sees how they join.

12. He says indifferently and alike, How are you, friend?
to the President at his levee,