L. of G.' s Purport

Not to exclude or demarcate, or pick out evils from their formidable masses ( even to expose them,)

But add, fuse, complete, extend — and celebrate the immortal and the good.

Haughty this song, its words and scope,

To span vast realms of space and time,

Evolution — the cumulative — growths and generations.

Begun in ripen'd youth and steadily pursued,

Wandering, peering, dallying with all — war, peace, day and night absorbing,

Never even for one brief hour abandoning my task,

I end it here in sickness, poverty, and old age.

I sing of life, yet mind me well of death:

To-day shadowy Death dogs my steps, my seated shape, and has for years —

Draws sometimes close to me, as face to face.