None may come to the trial, till he or she bring
courage and health.
37.Come not here if you have already spent the best of
yourself;
Only those may come, who come in sweet and determined
bodies,
No diseased person—no rum-drinker or venereal
taint is permitted here.
38.I and mine do not convince by arguments, similes,
rhymes,
We convince by our presence.
39.Listen! I will be honest with you,
I do not offer the old smooth prizes, but offer rough
new prizes,
These are the days that must happen to you:
40.You shall not heap up what is called riches,
You shall scatter with lavish hand all that you earn
or achieve,
You but arrive at the city to which you were destined—
you hardly settle yourself to satisfaction,
before you are called by an irresistible call to
depart,
You shall be treated to the ironical smiles and mockings
of those who remain behind you,
What beckonings of love you receive, you shall only
answer with passionate kisses of parting,
You shall not allow the hold of those who spread
their reached hands toward you.
41.Allons! After the Great Companions! and to belong
to them!
Page:Leaves of Grass (1860).djvu/331
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
This page has been validated.
Poem of the Road.
323