Leaves of Grass. 32. From Noon to Starry Night. 9. Excelsior
Who has gone farthest? for I would go farther,
And who has been just? for I would be the most just person of the earth,
And who most cautious? for I would be more cautious,
And who has been happiest? O I think it is I—I think no one was
ever happier than I,
And who has lavish'd all? for I lavish constantly the best I have,
And who proudest? for I think I have reason to be the proudest son
alive—for I am the son of the brawny and tall-topt city,
And who has been bold and true? for I would be the boldest and
truest being of the universe,
And who benevolent? for I would show more benevolence than all the rest,
And who has receiv'd the love of the most friends? for I know what
it is to receive the passionate love of many friends,
And who possesses a perfect and enamour'd body? for I do not believe
any one possesses a more perfect or enamour'd body than mine,
And who thinks the amplest thoughts? for I would surround those thoughts,
And who has made hymns fit for the earth? for I am mad with
devouring ecstasy to make joyous hymns for the whole earth.
Walt Whitman’s other poems:
- Leaves of Grass. 35. Good-Bye My Fancy. 10. To the Pending Year
- Leaves of Grass. 35. Good-Bye My Fancy. 11. Shakspere-Bacon’s Cipher
- Leaves of Grass. 35. Good-Bye My Fancy. 13. Bravo, Paris Exposition!
- Leaves of Grass. 35. Good-Bye My Fancy. 24. The Commonplace
- Leaves of Grass. 34. Sands at Seventy. 14. Memories
