![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cd/Leaves_of_Grass_%281860%29%2C_page_190.png/125px-Leaves_of_Grass_%281860%29%2C_page_190.png)
15.
Who has gone farthest? For I swear I will go
farther;
And who has been just? For I would be the most
just person of the earth;
And who most cautious? For I would be more
cautious;
And who has been happiest? I think it is I! I
think no one was ever happier than I;
And who has lavished all? For I lavish constantly
the best I have;
And who has been firmest? For I would be firmer;
And who proudest? For I think I have reason to be
the proudest son alive—for I am the son of the
brawny and tall-topt city;
And who has been bold and true? For I would be
the boldest and truest being of the universe;
And who benevolent? For I would show more benevolence
than all the rest;
And who has projected beautiful words through the
longest time? By God! I will outvie him! I
will say such words, they shall stretch through
longer time!
And who has received the love of the most friends?
For I know what it is to receive the passionate
love of many friends;
And to whom has been given the sweetest from
women, and paid them in kind? For I will
take the like sweets and pay them in kind;