4 + 

The Lord advances, and yet advances, + 

Always the shadow in front, always the reach’d hand bringing up the laggards. + 

Out of this face emerge banners and horses⁠—O superb! I see what is coming, + 

I see the high pioneer-caps, see staves of runners clearing the way, + 

I hear victorious drums. + 

This face is a life-boat, + 

This is the face commanding and bearded, it asks no odds of the rest, + 

This face is flavor’d fruit ready for eating, + 

This face of a healthy honest boy is the programme of all good. + 

These faces bear testimony slumbering or awake, + 

They show their descent from the Master himself. + 

Off the word I have spoken I except not one⁠—red, white, black, are all deific, + 

In each house is the ovum, it comes forth after a thousand years. + 

Spots or cracks at the windows do not disturb me, + 

Tall and sufficient stand behind and make signs to me, + 

I read the promise and patiently wait. + 

This is a full-grown lily’s face, + 

She speaks to the limber-hipp’d man near the garden pickets, + 

Come here she blushingly cries, Come nigh to me limber-hipp’d man, + 

Stand at my side till I lean as high as I can upon you, + 

Fill me with albescent honey, bend down to me, + 

Rub to me with your chafing beard, rub to my breast and shoulders. + 