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267.To a drudge of the cotton-fields or cleaner of privies
I lean,
On his right cheek I put the family kiss,
And in my soul I swear, I never will deny him.

268.On women fit for conception I start bigger and
nimbler babes,
This day I am jetting the stuff of far more arrogant
republics.

269.To any one dying—thither I speed, and twist the
knob of the door,
Turn the bed-clothes toward the foot of the bed,
Let the physician and the priest go home.

270.I seize the descending man, and raise him with
resistless will.
 
271.O despairer, here is my neck,
By God! you shall not go down! Hang your whole
weight upon me.

272.I dilate you with tremendous breath—I buoy you up,
Every room of the house do I fill with an armed force,
Lovers of me, bafflers of graves.

273.Sleep! I and they keep guard all night,
Not doubt—not decease shall dare to lay finger upon
you,
I have embraced you, and henceforth possess you to
myself,
And when you rise in the morning you will find what
I tell you is so.