Whitman, as Printed

‹ Leaves of Grass, 1855

Concordance

The 7,190 different words in the first edition of Leaves of Grass, A to Z, with each line they appear in. Where his spelling differs from ours, today’s is beside it. Each line opens in the book.

K

Kansian 1

  1. p. 58, line 15Not only the free Utahan, Kansian, or Arkansian . . . . not only the free Cuban . . . not merely the slave . . . . not Mexican native, or Flatfoot, or negro from Africa,

kanuck 1 today: Canuck

  1. p. 16, line 17Kanuck, Tuckahoe, Congressman, Cuff, I give them the same, I receive them the same.

katydid 1

  1. p. 37, line 11Where the katydid works her chromatic reed on the walnut-tree over the well;

keelson see kelson

keep 7

  1. p. 29, line 26I keep as delicate around the bowels as around the head and heart,
  2. p. 36, line 8Where the flails keep time on the barn floor,
  3. p. 43, line 4For me the keepers of convicts shoulder their carbines and keep watch,
  4. p. 45, line 15Sleep! I and they keep guard all night;
  5. p. 50, line 2All has been gentle with me . . . . . . I keep no account with lamentation;
  6. p. 53, line 6Preferring scars and faces pitted with smallpox over all latherers and those that keep out of the sun.
  7. p. 56, line 10Failing to fetch me me at first keep encouraged,

keepers 1

  1. p. 43, line 4For me the keepers of convicts shoulder their carbines and keep watch,

keeping 1

  1. p. 31, line 13My knowledge my live parts . . . . it keeping tally with the meaning of things,

kelson 1 today: keelson

  1. p. 16, line 3And that a kelson of the creation is love;

Kentuckian 1

  1. p. 23, line 28A Kentuckian walking the vale of the Elkhorn in my deerskin leggings,

kept 1

  1. p. 50, line 17For room to me stars kept aside in their own rings,

keptwoman 1

  1. p. 25, line 7The keptwoman and sponger and thief are hereby invited . . . . the heavy-lipped slave is invited . . . . the venerealee is invited,

key 2

  1. p. iv, line 104[…] arbiter of the diverse and he is the key. He is the equalizer of his age and land . . . . he […]
  2. p. 53, line 16The nearest gnat is an explanation and a drop or the motion of waves a key,

keyed 1

  1. p. 32, line 6And hear the keyed cornet or else the echo of sunset.

kill 3

  1. p. 30, line 34Dazzling and tremendous how quick the sunrise would kill me,
  2. p. 73, line 8Will you kill the courageous giant? Will you kill him in the prime of his middle age?

killing 1

  1. p. 41, line 17On our lower-gun-deck two large pieces had burst at the first fire, killing all around and blowing up overhead.

killing-clothes 1

  1. p. 20, line 3The butcher-boy puts off his killing-clothes, or sharpens his knife at the stall in the market,

kind 2

  1. p. 17, line 17Every kind for itself and its own . . . . for me mine male and female,
  2. p. 34, line 29Not one kneels to another nor to his kind that lived thousands of years ago,

kindling 1

  1. p. 18, line 26Kindling a fire and broiling the freshkilled game,

King 1

  1. p. 90, line 1Dig out King George's coffin . . . . unwrap him quick from the graveclothes . . . . box up his bones for a journey:

king-pin 1

  1. p. 21, line 22The pilot seizes the king-pin, he heaves down with a strong arm,

kings 3

  1. p. 87, line 22Its feet upon the ashes and the rags . . . . Its hands tight to the throats of kings.
  2. p. 88, line 7The People scorned the ferocity of kings.
  3. p. 88, line 21They live in other young men, O kings,

kiss 3

  1. p. 45, line 3To a drudge of the cottonfields or emptier of privies I lean . . . . on his right cheek I put the family kiss,
  2. p. 52, line 21But as soon as you sleep and renew yourself in sweet clothes I will certainly kiss you with my goodbye kiss and open the gate for your egress hence.

kissed 1

  1. p. 30, line 16Hands I have taken, face I have kissed, mortal I have ever touched, it shall be you.

kisses 7

  1. p. x, line 25[…] and spreads with such velocity before the reached kisses of the soul . . . Still the right explanation remains to be […]
  2. p. 13, line 18A few light kisses . . . . a few embraces . . . . a reaching around of arms,
  3. p. 36, line 28At apple-pealings, wanting kisses for all the red fruit I find,
  4. p. 74, line 2The chief encircles their necks with his arm and kisses them on the cheek,
  5. p. 74, line 3He kisses lightly the wet cheeks one after another . . . . he shakes hands and bids goodbye to the army.
  6. p. 76, line 19The scholar kisses the teacher and the teacher kisses the scholar . . . . the wronged is made right,

kitchen 2

  1. p. 19, line 7Through the swung half-door of the kitchen I saw him limpsey and weak,
  2. p. 36, line 11Where the cheese-cloth hangs in the kitchen, and andirons straddle the hearth-slab, and cobwebs fall in festoons from the rafters;

kneel 1

  1. p. 40, line 29None obeyed the command to kneel,

kneeling 3

  1. p. 39, line 31The kneeling crowd fades with the light of the torches.
  2. p. 48, line 18To the mass kneeling—to the puritan's prayer rising—sitting patiently in a pew,
  3. p. 94, line 5That the true adoration is likewise without words and without kneeling.

kneels 1

  1. p. 34, line 29Not one kneels to another nor to his kind that lived thousands of years ago,

knees 2

  1. p. 44, line 25You there, impotent, loose in the knees, open your scarfed chops till I blow grit within you,
  2. p. 77, line 17It is in his walk . . the carriage of his neck . . the flex of his waist and knees . . . . dress does not hide him,

kneestrap 1

  1. p. 63, line 2The awl and kneestrap . . the pint measure and quart measure . . the counter and stool . . the writingpen of quill or metal;

knew 6

  1. p. iii, line 57[…] the air they have of persons who never knew how it felt to stand in the presence of superiors […]
  2. p. v, line 6[…] parks of artillery the best that engineer ever knew. If the time becomes slothful and heavy he knows how […]
  3. p. 78, line 20I knew a man . . . . he was a common farmer . . . . he was the father of five sons . . . and in them were the fathers of sons . . . and in them were the fathers of sons.
  4. p. 84, line 4And I knew for my consolation what they knew not;
  5. p. 84, line 5I knew of the agents that emptied and broke my brother,

knife 6

  1. p. 20, line 3The butcher-boy puts off his killing-clothes, or sharpens his knife at the stall in the market,
  2. p. 37, line 29Hot toward one I hate, ready in my madness to knife him;
  3. p. 42, line 22The hiss of the surgeon's knife and the gnawing teeth of his saw,
  4. p. 48, line 16Walking the teokallis, spotted with gore from the stone and knife—beating the serpent-skin drum;
  5. p. 83, line 5A stallion that yielded at last to the thongs and knife of the gelder.
  6. p. 83, line 23And this is some murderer's knife with a halfpulled scabbard.

knit 1

  1. p. 14, line 18Always a knit of identity . . . . always distinction . . . . always a breed of life.

knob 1

  1. p. 45, line 7To any one dying . . . . thither I speed and twist the knob of the door,

knobs 1

  1. p. 86, line 16He has the passkey of hearts . . . . to him the response of the prying of hands on the knobs.

knoll 1

  1. p. 52, line 1But each man and each woman of you I lead upon a knoll,

knots 1

  1. p. 22, line 15The young sister holds out the skein, the elder sister winds it off in a ball and stops now and then for the knots,

know 58

  1. p. vi, line 19[…] spend his time in unneeded work. He shall know that the ground is always ready ploughed and manured . . . . others […]
  2. p. vi, line 21[…] always ready ploughed and manured . . . . others may not know it but he shall. He shall go directly to the […]
  3. p. xii, line 29[…] sea for use to me today here? I know that what answers for me an American must answer for […]
  4. p. 13, line 7I breathe the fragrance myself, and know it and like it,
  5. p. 15, line 32And I know that the hand of God is the elderhand of my own,
46 more lines
  1. p. 16, line 1And I know that the spirit of God is the eldest brother of my own,
  2. p. 16, line 8How could I answer the child? . . . . I do not know what it is any more than he.
  3. p. 17, line 10I hasten to inform him or her it is just as lucky to die, and I know it.
  4. p. 17, line 16They do not know how immortal, but I know.
  5. p. 20, line 1They do not know who puffs and declines with pendant and bending arch,
  6. p. 22, line 1The young fellow drives the express-wagon . . . . I love him though I do not know him;
  7. p. 26, line 5And I know I am solid and sound,
  8. p. 26, line 8And I know I am deathless,
  9. p. 26, line 9I know this orbit of mine cannot be swept by a carpenter's compass,
  10. p. 26, line 10I know I shall not pass like a child's carlacue cut with a burnt stick at night.
  11. p. 26, line 11I know I am august,
  12. p. 26, line 23And I know the amplitude of time.
  13. p. 31, line 9Do you not know how the buds beneath are folded?
  14. p. 34, line 33I do not know where they got those tokens,
  15. p. 35, line 12Swift wind! Space! My Soul! Now I know it is true what I guessed at;
  16. p. 41, line 21They saw so many strange faces they did not know whom to trust.
  17. p. 44, line 3And know that they who have eyes are divine, and the blind and lame are equally divine,
  18. p. 47, line 23I know perfectly well my own egotism,
  19. p. 47, line 24And know my omniverous words, and cannot say any less,
  20. p. 48, line 26I know every one of you, and know the unspoken interrogatories,
  21. p. 48, line 27By experience I know them.
  22. p. 49, line 4I do not know what is untried and afterward,
  23. p. 49, line 5But I know it is sure and alive and sufficient.
  24. p. 50, line 10I know I was even there . . . . I waited unseen and always,
  25. p. 51, line 23I know I have the best of time and space—and that I was never measured, and never will be measured.
  26. p. 52, line 7Perhaps you have been on it since you were born, and did not know,
  27. p. 54, line 15And I leave them where they are, for I know that others will punctually come forever and ever.
  28. p. 55, line 4There is that in me . . . . I do not know what it is . . . . but I know it is in me.
  29. p. 55, line 7I do not know it . . . . it is without name . . . . it is a word unsaid,
  30. p. 56, line 7You will hardly know who I am or what I mean,
  31. p. 57, line 7I do not thank you for liking me as I am, and liking the touch of me . . . . I know that it is good for you to do so.
  32. p. 59, line 19I do not know what it is except that it is grand, and that it is happiness,
  33. p. 69, line 16Whither I walk I cannot define, but I know it is good,
  34. p. 72, line 17And am curious to know where my feet stand . . . . and what is this flooding me, childhood or manhood . . . . and the hunger that crosses the bridge between.
  35. p. 73, line 2Whoever is not in his coffin and the dark grave, let him know he has enough.
  36. p. 77, line 4I know not how I came of you, and I know not where I go with you . . . . but I know I came well and shall go well.
  37. p. 80, line 21Do you know so much that you call the slave or the dullface ignorant?
  38. p. 80, line 25I help the auctioneer . . . . the sloven does not half know his business.
  39. p. 81, line 18How do you know who shall come from the offspring of his offspring through the centuries?
  40. p. 85, line 17How should the young man know the whether and when of his brother?
  41. p. 86, line 24And both understand him and know that his speech is right.
  42. p. 87, line 15They are not vile any more . . . . they hardly know themselves, they are so grown.
  43. p. 92, line 20I know it is wonderful . . . . but my eyesight is equally wonderful . . . . and how I was conceived in my mother's womb is equally wonderful,
  44. p. 92, line 25And that I can remind you, and you think them and know them to be true is just as wonderful,
  45. p. 93, line 24Do you know that old age may come after you with equal grace and force and fascination?
  46. p. 95, line 12I do not know what it is any more than I know what health is . . . . but I know it is great.

knowing 2

  1. p. 14, line 27Knowing the perfect fitness and equanimity of things, while they discuss I am silent, and go bathe and admire myself.
  2. p. 48, line 17Accepting the gospels, accepting him that was crucified, knowing assuredly that he is divine,

knowledge 6

  1. p. vii, line 111Great is the faith of the flush of knowledge and of the investigation of the depths of qualities and […]
  2. p. 15, line 31Swiftly arose and spread around me the peace and joy and knowledge that pass all the art and argument of the earth;
  3. p. 31, line 13My knowledge my live parts . . . . it keeping tally with the meaning of things,
  4. p. 52, line 15And I said to my spirit, When we become the enfolders of those orbs and the pleasure and knowledge of every thing in them, shall we be filled and satisfied then?
  5. p. 80, line 12Knowledge becomes him . . . . he likes it always . . . . he brings everything to the test of himself,
  6. p. 94, line 1But then the soul's wealth—which is candor and knowledge and pride and enfolding love:

known 15

  1. p. vi, line 7[…] the people, take off your hat to nothing known or unknown or to any man or number of men […]
  2. p. vi, line 25The known universe has one complete lover and that is the greatest […]
  3. p. viii, line 12[…] to admit that there is anything in the known universe more divine than men and women […]
  4. p. ix, line 64The great poets are also to be known by the absence in them of tricks and by the […]
  5. p. 16, line 21It may be if I had known them I would have loved them;
10 more lines
  1. p. 25, line 3And to all generals that lost engagements, and all overcome heroes, and the numberless unknown heroes equal to the greatest heroes known.
  2. p. 49, line 16Nor the present, nor the least wisp that is known.
  3. p. 49, line 18What is known I strip away . . . . I launch all men and women forward with me into the unknown.
  4. p. 60, line 19The sum of all known value and respect I add up in you whoever you are;
  5. p. 63, line 26In things best known to you finding the best or as good as the best,
  6. p. 64, line 4And all else thus far known giving place to men and women.
  7. p. 66, line 25Had known what it was to be flush . . grew lowspirited toward the last . . sickened . . was helped by a contribution,
  8. p. 68, line 19The known leaders and inventors and the rich owners and pious and distinguished may be well,
  9. p. 75, line 16The great already known, and the great anytime after to day,
  10. p. 80, line 8He too is all qualities . . . . he is action and power . . . . the flush of the known universe is in him,

knows 11

  1. p. v, line 7[…] If the time becomes slothful and heavy he knows how to arouse it . . . he can make every word he […]
  2. p. v, line 51The greatest poet hardly knows pettiness or triviality. If he breathes into any thing that […]
  3. p. v, line 61[…] the rest he does to the rest. Who knows the curious mystery of the eyesight? The other senses corroborate […]
  4. p. vi, line 101[…] not moralize or make applications of morals . . . he knows the soul. The soul has that measureless pride which consists […]
  5. p. viii, line 41[…] that is to correspond with it. The master knows that he is unspeakably great and that all are unspeakably […]
6 more lines
  1. p. viii, line 68[…] calmness and light, is positive and composed, and knows no discouragement. The battle rages with many a loud alarm […]
  2. p. xi, line 15[…] matches every thought or act by its correlative, knows no possible forgiveness or deputed atonement . . knows that the young […]
  3. p. xi, line 16[…] correlative, knows no possible forgiveness or deputed atonement . . knows that the young man who composedly periled his life and […]
  4. p. 53, line 20The young mechanic is closest to me . . . . he knows me pretty well,
  5. p. 81, line 23Her daughters or their daughters' daughters . . who knows who shall mate with them?
  6. p. 81, line 24Who knows through the centuries what heroes may come from them?

knuckled 1

  1. p. 39, line 2How he knuckled tight and gave not back one inch, and was faithful of days and faithful of nights,

koboo 1

  1. p. 49, line 12Nor the numberless slaughtered and wrecked . . . . nor the brutish koboo, called the ordure of humanity,

koran 1

  1. p. 48, line 15Drinking mead from the skull-cup . . . . to shasta and vedas admirant . . . . minding the koran,

kosmos 7 today: cosmos

  1. p. vii, line 72[…] affection and for encouraging competitors . . They shall be kosmos . . without monopoly or secresy . . glad to pass any thing to […]
  2. p. ix, line 8As the attributes of the poets of the kosmos concentre in the real body and soul and in the […]
  3. p. ix, line 24[…] and actions with theirs. The poets of the kosmos advance through all interpositions and coverings and turmoils and stratagems […]
  4. p. xi, line 95[…] breed shall take their place . . . . the gangs of kosmos and prophets en masse shall take their place. A new […]
  5. p. xi, line 101[…] women. Through the divinity of themselves shall the kosmos and the new breed of poets be interpreters of men […]
  6. p. 29, line 3Walt Whitman, an American, one of the roughs, a kosmos,
  7. p. 68, line 18The great masters and kosmos are well as they go . . . . the heroes and good-doers are well,

Kronos 1

  1. p. 45, line 28Lithographing Kronos and Zeus his son, and Hercules his grandson,