ACCEPTING THE UNIVERSE 



He would fain try himself by the self-balanced orbs. 

 His imagination was fired by the undemonstrative 

 earth; he would be as regardless of observation as it 

 was. He was moved by the unsophisticated fresh- 

 ness of Nature. He saw that the elemental laws 

 never apologized; he would emulate the level he 

 planted his house by : 



" these shows of the day and night, 

 I will know if I am to be less than they are." 



He will not be outfaced by irrational things: 



"I will see if I have no meanings, while the houses and ships have 



meanings, 

 I will see if the fishes and birds are to be enough for themselves, 



and I not to be enough for myself. 

 I match my spirit against yours, you orbs, growths, mountains, 



brutes, 

 Copious as you are, I absorb you all in myself, and become the 



master myself." 



It is these cosmic and natural-universal standards 

 to which Whitman appeals, that mark him off from 

 all other poets or bards who have yet appeared, and 

 which, I hope, justify me in singling him out and 

 giving him a place in this volume. 



THE END 



