E-Text

Walt Whitman: Poems

Walt Whitman: Envy


When I peruse the conquered fame of heroes, and the victories of mighty

generals, I do not envy the generals,

Nor the President in his Presidency, nor the rich in his great house.


But when I read of the brotherhood of lovers, how it was with them;

How through life, through dangers, odium, unchanging, long and long,

Through youth, and through middle and old age, how unfaltering, how

affectionate and faithful they were,

Then I am pensive--I hastily put down the book, and walk away, filled with

the bitterest envy.

Cite this page