Page:Leaves of Grass (1860).djvu/268

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Leaves of Grass.

To hear the hiss of steam—the merry shriek—the
steam-whistle—the laughing locomotive!
To push with resistless way, and speed off in the
distance.

6.O the horseman's and horsewoman's joys!
The saddle—the gallop—the pressure upon the seat
—the cool gurgling by the ears and hair.

7.O the fireman's joys!
I hear the alarm at dead of night,
I hear bells—shouts!—I pass the crowd—I run!
The sight of the flames maddens me with pleasure.

8.O the joy of the strong-brawned fighter, towering
in the arena, in perfect condition, conscious of
power, thirsting to meet his opponent.

9.O the joy of that vast elemental sympathy which only
the human Soul is capable of generating and
emitting in steady and limitless floods.

10.O the mother's joys!
The watching—the endurance—the precious love—
the anguish—the patiently yielded life.

11.O the joy of increase, growth, recuperation,
The joy of soothing and pacifying—the joy of
concord and harmony.

12.O to go back to the place where I was born!
O to hear the birds sing once more!
To ramble about the house and barn, and over the
fields, once more,