Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

EXCELSIOR by WALT WHITMAN

Poet Analysis

First Line: WHO HAS GONE FARTHEST? FOR I WOULD GO FARTHER
Last Line: DEVOURING ECSTASY TO MAKE JOYOUS HYMNS FOR THE WHOLE EARTH.
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.



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