Page:Leaves of Grass (1860).djvu/357

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Calamus.
349

5.

1.States!
Were you looking to be held together by the lawyers?
By an agreement on a paper? Or by arms?

2.Away!
I arrive, bringing these, beyond all the forces of
courts and arms.
These! to hold you together as firmly as the earth
itself is held together.

3.The old breath of life, ever new,
Here! I pass it by contact to you, America.

4.O mother! have you done much for me?
Behold, there shall from me be much done for you.

5.There shall from me be a new friendship—It shall
be called after my name.
It shall circulate through The States, indifferent of
place,
It shall twist and intertwist them through and around
each other—Compact shall they be, showing new signs,
Affection shall solve every one of the problems of
freedom.
Those who love each other shall be invincible.
They shall finally make America completely
victorious, in my name.

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