Page:Leaves of Grass (1860).djvu/22

37.O such themes! Equalities!
O amazement of things! O divine average!
O warblings under the sun—ushered, as now, or at
noon, or setting!
O strain, musical, flowing through ages—now
reaching hither,
I take to your reckless and composite chords—I
add to them, and cheerfully pass them forward.

38.As I have walked in Alabama my morning walk,
I have seen where the she-bird, the mocking-bird, sat
on her nest in the briers, hatching her brood,

39.I have seen the he-bird also,
I have paused to hear him, near at hand, inflating his
throat, and joyfully singing.

40.And while I paused, it came to me that what he
really sang for was not there only,
Nor for his mate nor himself only, nor all sent back
by the echoes,
But subtle, clandestine, away beyond,
A charge transmitted, and gift occult, for those
being born.

41.Democracy!
Near at hand to you a throat is now inflating itself
and joyfully singing.

42.Ma femme!
For the brood beyond us and of us,
For those who belong here, and those to come,