WHO has gone farthest? For lo! have not I gone farther? 
And who has been just? For I would be the most just person of the earth; 
And who most cautious? For I would be more cautious; 
And who has been happiest? O I think it is I! I think no one was ever happier than I; 
And who has lavish’d all? For I lavish constantly the best I have;
And who has been firmest? For I would be firmer; 
And who proudest? For I think I have reason to be the proudest son alive—for I am the
    son
	of the brawny and tall-topt city; 
And who has been bold and true? For I would be the boldest and truest being of the
    universe; 
And who benevolent? For I would show more benevolence than all the rest; 
And who has projected beautiful words through the longest time? Have I not outvied him?
    have I
	not said the words that shall stretch through longer time?
And who has receiv’d the love of the most friends? For I know what it is to receive
    the
	passionate love of many friends; 
And who possesses a perfect and enamour’d body? For I do not believe any one
    possesses a
	more perfect or enamour’d body than mine; 
And who thinks the amplest thoughts? For I will surround those thoughts; 
And who has made hymns fit for the earth? For I am mad with devouring extasy to make
    joyous
	hymns for the whole earth!

Poet: Walt Whitman
Poem: 10. Excelsior.
Volume: Leaves of Grass
- 20. Leaves of Grass
Year: Published/Written in 1900
Poem of the Day: May 14 2012
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