Adieu To A Solider

Walt Whitman

   ADIEU, O soldier!
   You of the rude campaigning, (which we shared,)
   The rapid march, the life of the camp,
   The hot contention of opposing fronts--the long manoeuver,
   Red battles with their slaughter,--the stimulus--the strong, terrific
         game,
   Spell of all brave and manly hearts--the trains of Time through you,
         and like of you, all fill'd,
   With war, and war's expression.
   Adieu, dear comrade!
   Your mission is fulfill'd--but I, more warlike,
   Myself, and this contentious soul of mine,                         10
   Still on our own campaigning bound,
   Through untried roads, with ambushes, opponents lined,
   Through many a sharp defeat and many a crisis--often baffled,
   Here marching, ever marching on, a war fight out--aye here,
   To fiercer, weightier battles give expression.

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