Walt Whitman (1819-1892)
When I Heard the Learn'd Astronomer
1When I heard the learn'd astronomer,
2When the proofs, the figures, were ranged in columns before me,
3When I was shown the charts and diagrams, to add, divide, and measure them,
4When I sitting heard the astronomer where he lectured with much applause in the lecture-room,
5How soon unaccountable I became tired and sick,
6Till rising and gliding out I wander'd off by myself,
7In the mystical moist night-air, and from time to time,
8Look'd up in perfect silence at the stars.
Online text copyright © 2009, Ian Lancashire (the Department of English) and the University of Toronto.
Published by the Web Development Group, Information Technology Services, University of Toronto Libraries.
Original text: Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass (Philadelphia: David McKay, 1891-92): 214. PS 3201 1891 Robarts Library.
First publication date:
1865
RPO poem editor: Ian Lancashire
RP edition: RPO 1998.
Recent editing: 2:2002/2/20
Rhyme: unrhyming
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