Whitman, as Printed

‹ Leaves of Grass, 1891–92

The lines with “was”

was 203 Back to W

  1. p. 11, line 16(I think all war through time was really fought, and ever will be really fought, for thee,)
  2. p. 16, line 2I was reserving it for some hero, speaker, or general,
  3. p. 16, line 5But I see that what I was reserving belongs to you just as much as to any.
  4. p. 17, line 20For that which was lacking on all your well-fill'd shelves, yet needed most, I bring,
  5. p. 18, line 14STARTING from fish-shape Paumanok where I was born,
  6. p. 24, line 5And while I paus'd it came to me that what he really sang for was not there only,
  7. p. 25, line 8Was somebody asking to see the soul?
  8. p. 30, line 20There was never any more inception than there is now,
  9. p. 34, line 6And if ever there was it led forward life, and does not wait at the end to arrest it,
  10. p. 36, line 11I saw the marriage of the trapper in the open air in the far west, the bride was a red girl,
  11. p. 36, line 13On a bank lounged the trapper, he was drest mostly in skins, his luxuriant beard and curls protected his neck, he held his bride by the hand,
  12. p. 36, line 14She had long eyelashes, her head was bare, her coarse straight locks descended upon her voluptuous limbs and reach'd to her feet.
  13. p. 36, line 23He staid with me a week before he was recuperated and pass'd north,
  14. p. 43, line 9Have you heard that it was good to gain the day?
  15. p. 59, line 18How he knuckled tight and gave not back an inch, and was faith ful of days and faithful of nights,
  16. p. 59, line 25I am the man, I suffer'd, I was there.
  17. p. 61, line 14Nine hundred lives out of the surrounding enemy's, nine times their number, was the price they took in advance,
  18. p. 61, line 15Their colonel was wounded and their ammunition gone,
  19. p. 61, line 22The second First-day morning they were brought out in squads and massacred, it was beautiful early summer,
  20. p. 61, line 23The work commenced about five o'clock and was over by eight.
  21. p. 62, line 10Our foe was no skulk in his ship I tell you, (said he,)
  22. p. 62, line 11His was the surly English pluck, and there is no tougher or truer, and never was, and never will be;
  23. p. 67, line 1I heard what was said of the universe,
  24. p. 67, line 25What was strewn in the amplest strewing the square rod about me, and not filling the square rod then,
  25. p. 67, line 27Dung and dirt more admirable than was dream'd,
  26. p. 69, line 28Accepting the Gospels, accepting him that was crucified, knowing assuredly that he is divine,
  27. p. 70, line 18It cannot fail the young man who died and was buried,
  28. p. 70, line 19Nor the young woman who died and was put by his side,
  29. p. 70, line 20Nor the little child that peep'd in at the door, and then drew back and was never seen again,
  30. p. 71, line 22Afar down I see the huge first Nothing, I know I was even there,
  31. p. 71, line 25Long I was hugg'd close—long and long.
  32. p. 72, line 3They sent influences to look after what was to hold me.
  33. p. 72, line 4Before I was born out of my mother generations guided me,
  34. p. 73, line 15I know I have the best of time and space, and was never measured and never will be measured.
  35. p. 81, line 20Was it doubted that those who corrupt their own bodies conceal themselves?
  36. p. 83, line 1This man was of wonderful vigor, calmness, beauty of person,
  37. p. 83, line 3These I used to go and visit him to see, he was wise also,
  38. p. 83, line 4He was six feet tall, he was over eighty years old, his sons were massive, clean, bearded, tan-faced, handsome,
  39. p. 83, line 8He was a frequent gunner and fisher, he sail'd his boat himself, he had a fine one presented to him by a ship-joiner, he had fowling-pieces presented to him by men that loved him,
  40. p. 83, line 22Books, art, religion, time, the visible and solid earth, and what was expected of heaven or fear'd of hell, are now consumed,
  41. p. 90, line 12The boy's longings, the glow and pressure as he confides to me what he was dreaming,
  42. p. 94, line 24Heard the pulse of you when all was still ringing little bells last night under my ear.
  43. p. 95, line 21Which too long I was offering to feed my soul,
  44. p. 97, line 11Nor will I allow you to balk me any more with what I was calling life,
  45. p. 102, line 12The friend the lover's portrait, of whom his friend his lover was fondest,
  46. p. 102, line 13Who was not proud of his songs, but of the measureless ocean of love within him, and freely pour'd it forth,
  47. p. 102, line 19WHEN I heard at the close of the day how my name had been receiv'd with plaudits in the capitol, still it was not a happy night for me that follow'd,
  48. p. 102, line 20And else when I carous'd, or when my plans were accomplish'd, still I was not happy,
  49. p. 103, line 4And when I thought how my dear friend my lover was on his way coming, O then I was happy,
  50. p. 103, line 7And that night while all was still I heard the waters roll slowly continually up the shores,
  51. p. 103, line 10In the stillness in the autumn moonbeams his face was inclined toward me,
  52. p. 103, line 11And his arm lay lightly around my breast—and that night I was happy.
  53. p. 104, line 24From my breast, from within where I was conceal'd, press forth red drops, confession drops,
  54. p. 106, line 10You must be he I was seeking, or she I was seeking, (it comes to me as of a dream,)
  55. p. 107, line 1I HEAR it was charged against me that I sought to destroy institutions,
  56. p. 107, line 20But when I hear of the brotherhood of lovers, how it was with them,
  57. p. 109, line 20I dream'd that was the new city of Friends,
  58. p. 109, line 21Nothing was greater there than the quality of robust love, it led the rest,
  59. p. 109, line 22It was seen every hour in the actions of the men of that city,
  60. p. 110, line 16(I loved a certain person ardently and my love was not return'd,
  61. p. 112, line 3When you read these I that was visible am become invisible,
  62. p. 127, line 1Allons! to that which is endless as it was beginningless,
  63. p. 127, line 17All religion, all solid things, arts, governments—all that was or is apparent upon this globe or any globe, falls into niches and corners before the procession of souls along the grand roads of the universe.
  64. p. 128, line 19The goal that was named cannot be countermanded.
  65. p. 130, line 10Just as any of you is one of a living crowd, I was one of a crowd,
  66. p. 130, line 11Just as you are refresh'd by the gladness of the river and the bright flow, I was refresh'd,
  67. p. 130, line 12Just as you stand and lean on the rail, yet hurry with the swift current, I stood yet was hurried,
  68. p. 131, line 16I too lived, Brooklyn of ample hills was mine,
  69. p. 131, line 23That I was I knew was of my body, and what I should be I knew I should be of my body.
  70. p. 132, line 4I am he who knew what it was to be evil,
  71. p. 132, line 8Was wayward, vain, greedy, shallow, sly, cowardly, malignant,
  72. p. 132, line 12Was one with the rest, the days and haps of the rest,
  73. p. 132, line 13Was call'd by my nighest name by clear loud voices of young men as they saw me approaching or passing,
  74. p. 132, line 23Who was to know what should come home to me?
  75. p. 143, line 16O to go back to the place where I was born,
  76. p. 173, line 8(Did you think it was in the white or gray stone? or the lines of the arches and cornices?)
  77. p. 180, line 4The earth is just as positive and direct as it was before,
  78. p. 186, line 2Was the road of late so toilsome? did we stop discouraged nodding on our way?
  79. p. 188, line 12Was not so sick from the blood in the gutters running, nor from the single corpses, nor those in heaps, nor those borne away in the tumbrils,
  80. p. 188, line 13Was not so desperate at the battues of death—was not so shock'd at the repeated fusillades of the guns.
  81. p. 189, line 23I praise no eminent man, I rebuke to his face the one that was thought most worthy.
  82. p. 190, line 24(I was at hand, silent I stood with teeth shut close, I watch'd,
  83. p. 191, line 9Well-shaped and stately the Great Eastern swam up my bay, she was 600 feet long,
  84. p. 191, line 14Then departed, dropt in the night, and was gone;)
  85. p. 193, line 3I know that the past was great and the future will be great,
  86. p. 197, line 14When the lilac-scent was in the air and Fifth-month grass was growing,
  87. p. 200, line 30For I, that was a child, my tongue's use sleeping, now I have heard you,
  88. p. 201, line 5Never again leave me to be the peaceful child I was before what there in the night,
  89. p. 202, line 8Was seiz'd by the spirit that trails in the lines underfoot,
  90. p. 214, line 11Of what was once lacking on earth, and in due time has become supplied—and of what will yet be supplied,
  91. p. 214, line 15When I was shown the charts and diagrams, to add, divide, and measure them,
  92. p. 228, line 19I sail'd through the storm, I was refresh'd by the storm,
  93. p. 229, line 14What, to passions I witness around me to-day? was the sea risen?
  94. p. 229, line 15Was the wind piping the pipe of death under the black clouds?
  95. p. 229, line 18What was that swell I saw on the ocean? behold what comes here,
  96. p. 232, line 6When I clutch'd your hand it was not with terror,
  97. p. 232, line 21Here we lay encamp'd, it was this time in summer also.
  98. p. 232, line 23It was read here, the whole army paraded, it was read to us here,
  99. p. 233, line 5Who do you think that was marching steadily sternly confronting death?
  100. p. 233, line 6It was the brigade of the youngest men, two thousand strong,
  101. p. 233, line 11That brigade of the youngest was cut off and at the enemy's mercy.
  102. p. 233, line 22Sallying forth we fought at several points, but in each the luck was against us,
  103. p. 233, line 25That was the going out of the brigade of the youngest men, two thousand strong,
  104. p. 234, line 14And then, (it was just ere sunrise,) these eyes rested on him for the last time.
  105. p. 238, line 16Vigil final for you brave boy, (I could not save you, swift was your death,
  106. p. 241, line 10Your summer wind was warm enough, yet the air I breathed froze me,
  107. p. 242, line 1Of unsurpass'd heroes, (was one side so brave? the other was equally brave;)
  108. p. 242, line 12(Both I remember well—many the hardships, few the joys, yet I was content.)
  109. p. 247, line 24(Old as he was, his gray eyes yet shone out in battle like stars,)
  110. p. 247, line 25His small force was now completely hemm'd in, in his works,
  111. p. 248, line 1I saw them receive their orders aside, they listen'd with care, the adjutant was very grave,
  112. p. 252, line 12Why I was not singing erewhile for you to follow, to understand—nor am I now;
  113. p. 252, line 13(I have been born of the same as the war was born,
  114. p. 257, line 21As I watch'd where you pass'd and was lost in the netherward black of the night,
  115. p. 257, line 23Concluded, dropt in the night, and was gone.
  116. p. 261, line 15While my sight that was bound in my eyes unclosed,
  117. p. 261, line 26But I saw they were not as was thought,
  118. p. 263, line 27THIS dust was once the man,
  119. p. 263, line 30Was saved the Union of these States.
  120. p. 266, line 4Perceives that it waits a little while in the door, that it was fittest for its days,
  121. p. 274, line 19The war, (that war so bloody and grim, the war I will henceforth forget), was you and me,
  122. p. 276, line 3I thrill'd with the power's pulsations, and the charm of my theme was upon me,
  123. p. 276, line 22Let that which was behind advance to the front,
  124. p. 279, line 9When late I sang sad was my voice,
  125. p. 282, line 17THERE was a child went forth every day,
  126. p. 284, line 18It was an illusion, the son you love was not really dead,
  127. p. 284, line 21What you wept for was translated, pass'd from the grave,
  128. p. 285, line 15SOMETHING startles me where I thought I was safest,
  129. p. 286, line 29Though probably every spear of grass rises out of what was once a catching disease.
  130. p. 289, line 14I believe that was not the end of those nations or any person of them, any more than this shall be the end of my nation, or of me;
  131. p. 291, line 1All that was ever manfully begun, whether it succeeded or no,
  132. p. 292, line 5Pouring in floods of melody in tones so pensive sweet and strong the like whereof was never heard,
  133. p. 292, line 8The sun was low in the west one winter day,
  134. p. 292, line 25It was not I that sinn'd the sin,
  135. p. 292, line 28The body was too much for me.
  136. p. 300, line 4I WAS looking a long while for Intentions,
  137. p. 303, line 12Did you think there was nothing but two or three pronunciations in the sound of your name?
  138. p. 304, line 21I do not think it was made in six days, nor in ten thousand years, nor ten billions of years,
  139. p. 305, line 5I know it is wonderful, but my eyesight is equally wonderful, and how I was conceived in my mother's womb is equally wonderful,
  140. p. 315, line 9Haply what thou hast heard O soul was not the sound of winds,
  141. p. 326, line 14I saw that it was beautiful, and I see that what is not the earth is beautiful.
  142. p. 327, line 8Darkness, you are gentler than my lover, his flesh was sweaty and panting,
  143. p. 327, line 12Be careful darkness! already what was it touch'd me?
  144. p. 329, line 10Of when she was a nearly grown girl living home with her parents on the old homestead.
  145. p. 329, line 14Her step was free and elastic, and her voice sounded exquisitely as she spoke.
  146. p. 329, line 22O my mother was loth to have her go away,
  147. p. 329, line 25But the red squaw never came nor was heard of there again.
  148. p. 332, line 6The sweatings and fevers stop, the throat that was unsound is sound, the lungs of the consumptive are resumed, the poor distress'd head is free,
  149. p. 333, line 8To think that the sun rose in the east—that men and women were flexible, real, alive—that every thing was alive,
  150. p. 334, line 6He that was President was buried, and he that is now President shall surely be buried.
  151. p. 334, line 19He was a good fellow, free-mouth'd, quick-temper'd, not bad-looking,
  152. p. 334, line 21Had known what it was to be flush, grew low-spirited toward the last, sicken'd, was help'd by a contribution,
  153. p. 334, line 22Died, aged forty-one years—and that was his funeral.
  154. p. 336, line 7The guest that was coming, he waited long, he is now housed,
  155. p. 340, line 7(Though it was thought I was baffled and dispel'd, and my wiles done, but that will never be,)
  156. p. 340, line 21OF him I love day and night I dream'd I heard he was dead,
  157. p. 340, line 22And I dream'd I went where they had buried him I love, but he was not in that place,
  158. p. 340, line 24And I found that every place was a burial-place;
  159. p. 341, line 22I thought I was not alone walking here by the shore;
  160. p. 341, line 23But the one I thought was with me as now I walk by the shore, the one I loved that caress'd me,
  161. p. 342, line 9(Did you think Life was so well provided for, and Death, the purport of all Life, is not well provided for?)
  162. p. 344, line 4O me, what I was for years, now dead, (I lament not, I am content;)
  163. p. 345, line 5I was thinking the day most splendid till I saw what the not-day exhibited,
  164. p. 345, line 6I was thinking this globe enough till there sprang out so noiseless around me myriads of other globes.
  165. p. 356, line 13Was fill'd with aspirations high, unform'd ideals,
  166. p. 359, line 25O dear to me my birth-things—all moving things and the trees where I was born—the grains, plants, rivers,
  167. p. 360, line 18I WAS asking for something specific and perfect for my city,
  168. p. 363, line 18And who has been happiest? O I think it is I—I think no one was ever happier than I,
  169. p. 370, line 23Never was average man, his soul, more energetic, more like a God,
  170. p. 380, line 14When America does what was promis'd,
  171. p. 395, line 3(Had been a sailor all his life—was nearly 90—lived with his married grandchild, Jenny;
  172. p. 401, line 4While he the globe was circling round and round,—and now returns:
  173. p. 409, line 11We know not whence, (was the answer,)
  174. p. 411, line 30[…] went out with the tide and the sunset," was a phrase I heard from a surgeon describing an old […]
  175. p. 411, line 37[…] I thought so) the effect of the hour was palpable. The badly wounded would get some ease, and would […]
  176. p. 417, line 4Call'd for vermilion paint (his looking-glass was held before him,)
  177. p. 426, line 24[…] and all other lacks and withholdings. Essentially, that was from the first, and has remain'd throughout, the main object […]
  178. p. 426, line 39[…] defined itself, and finally dominated everything else. This was a feeling or ambition to articulate and faithfully express in […]
  179. p. 429, line 9[…] being, so "Leaves of Grass," before a line was written, presupposed something different from any other, and, as it […]
  180. p. 429, line 26[…] for the use of the democratic masses never was […]
  181. p. 432, line 24[…] seeding, and occupation of the ground, till everything was fertilized, rooted, and ready to start its own way for […]
  182. p. 433, line 11[…] each side. (I have wonder'd since why I was not overwhelm'd by those mighty masters. Likely because I read […]
  183. p. 433, line 16[…] look'd over Edgar Poe's poems—of which I was not an admirer, tho' I always saw that beyond their […]
  184. p. 433, line 22[…] for all—has so many mansions!) But I was repaid in Poe's prose by the idea that (at any […]
  185. p. 433, line 31[…] that the trunk and centre whence the answer was to radiate, and to which all should return from straying […]
  186. p. 435, line 45[…] based and with fuller ranges than those—I was to endow the democratic averages of America. I was to […]
  187. p. 436, line 1[…] to endow the democratic averages of America. I was to show that we, here and to-day, are eligible to […]
  188. p. 437, line 18[…] emanate buoyancy and gladness legitimately enough, for it was grown out of those elements, and has been the comfort […]
  189. p. 437, line 19[…] been the comfort of my life since it was originally commenced […]
  190. p. 437, line 20One main genesis-motive of the " Leaves" was my conviction (just as strong to-day as ever) that the […]