Towards democracy

Towards Democracy. 43

catches the rising wind, and sways like the sea on a calm day; the voices of children are heard—but who is this? [Who anyhow is he that is simple and free and without | afterthought? who passes among his fellows without constraint and without encroachment, without embarrassment and without grimaces, and does not act from motives? Who is ignorant or careless of what is termed politeness, who makes life wherever he goes desirable, and removes stumbling-blocks instead of creating them ?]

Grave and strong and untamed,

This is the clear-browed unconstrained tender face, with full lips and bearded chin, this is the regardless defiant face I love and trust ;

Which I came out to see, and having seen do not forget.

And not I alone.

See! on the little public round the fountain scattered—on the seats lounging, or walking to and fro—the strange effect !

The dressed-up man of the world eyes him curiouslyand does not forget ;

The pale student eyes him: he envies his healthy face / and unembarrassed manner ;

The delicate lady sees him well, though she does not seem to; secretly now she loathes her bejeweled lord and desires piteously the touch of this man’s muscular lithe sun-embrowned body ;

The common people salute him as their equal and call him by his name; the children know him: they run after

him and catch him by the hand.