On, On The Same, Ye Jocund Twain!

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Title:     On, On The Same, Ye Jocund Twain!
Author: Walt Whitman [More Titles by Whitman]

On, on the same, ye jocund twain!

My life and recitative, containing birth, youth, mid-age years,

Fitful as motley-tongues of flame, inseparably twined and merged in one--combining all,

My single soul--aims, confirmations, failures, joys--Nor single soul alone,

I chant my nation's crucial stage, (America's, haply humanity's)--the trial great, the victory great,

A strange eclaircissement of all the masses past, the eastern world, the ancient, medieval,

Here, here from wanderings, strayings, lessons, wars, defeats--here at the west a voice triumphant--justifying all,

A gladsome pealing cry--a song for once of utmost pride and satisfaction;

I chant from it the common bulk, the general average horde, (the best sooner than the worst)--And now I chant old age,

(My verses, written first for forenoon life, and for the summer's, autumn's spread,

I pass to snow-white hairs the same, and give to pulses winter-cool'd the same;)

As here in careless trill, I and my recitatives, with faith and love, wafting to other work, to unknown songs, conditions,

On, on ye jocund twain! continue on the same!

[The end]
Walt Whitman's poem: On, On The Same, Ye Jocund Twain!

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