Leaves of Grass. 35. Good-Bye My Fancy. 4. On, on the Same, Ye Jocund Twain!
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!
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. 35. Good-Bye My Fancy. 16. Old Chants