In Paths Untrodden

IN paths untrodden,
In the growth by margins of pond-waters,
Escaped from the life that exhibits itself,
From all the standards hitherto publish’d--from the pleasures, profits,
　　eruditions, conformities,
Which too long I was offering to feed my soul; 5
Clear to me, now, standards not yet publish’d--clear to me that my Soul,
That the Soul of the man I speak for, feeds, rejoices most in comrades;
Here, by myself, away from the clank of the world,
Tallying and talk’d to here by tongues aromatic,
No longer abash’d--for in this secluded spot I can respond as I would not
　　dare elsewhere, 10
Strong upon me the life that does not exhibit itself, yet contains all the
　　rest,
Resolv’d to sing no songs to-day but those of manly attachment,
Projecting them along that substantial life,
Bequeathing, hence, types of athletic love,
Afternoon, this delicious Ninth-month, in my forty-first year, 15
I proceed, for all who are, or have been, young men,
To tell the secret of my nights and days,
To celebrate the need of comrades.