Page:Leaves of Grass (1860).djvu/437

15.Double yourself and receive me, darkness!
Receive me and my lover too—he will not let me go
without him.

16.I roll myself upon you, as upon a bed—I resign
myself to the dusk.

17.He whom I call answers me and takes the place of
my lover,
He rises with me silently from the bed.

18.Darkness! you are gentler than my lover—his flesh
was sweaty and panting,
I feel the hot moisture yet that he left me.

19.My hands are spread forth, I pass them in all
directions,
I would sound up the shadowy shore to which you
are journeying.

20.Be careful, darkness! already, what was it touched
me?
I thought my lover had gone, else darkness and he
are one,
I hear the heart-beat—I follow, I fade away.

21.O hot-cheeked and blushing! O foolish hectic!
O for pity's sake, no one must see me now! my
clothes were stolen while I was abed,
Now I am thrust forth, where shall I run?

22.Pier that I saw dimly last night, when I looked from
the windows!