I have dream'd that we are not to be changed so much, nor the law

   of us changed,   

I have dream'd that heroes and good-doers shall be under the present

   and past law,   

And that murderers, drunkards, liars, shall be under the present

   and past law,   

For I have dream'd that the law they are under now is enough.   

  

If otherwise, all came but to ashes of dung,

If maggots and rats ended us, then Alarum! for we are betray'd!   

Then indeed suspicion of death.   

  

Do you suspect death? If I were to suspect death, I should die

   now,   

Do you think I could walk pleasantly and well-suited toward

   annihilation?   

  

Pleasantly and well-suited I walk,

Whither I walk I cannot define, but I know it is good,   

The whole universe indicates that it is good,   

The past and the present indicate that it is good.   

  

How beautiful and perfect are the animals!   

How perfect the earth, and the minutest thing upon it!

  

What is called good is perfect, and what is called bad is just

   as perfect,   

The vegetables and minerals are all perfect, and the imponderable

   fluids are perfect;   

Slowly and surely they have pass'd on to this, and slowly and surely

   they yet pass on.   

  

I swear I think now that everything without exception has an

   eternal Soul!   

The trees have, rooted in the ground! the weeds of the sea have!

   the animals!

  

I swear I think there is nothing but immortality!   

That the exquisite scheme is for it, and the nebulous float is

   for it, and the cohering is for it;   

And all preparation is for it! and identity is for it! and life

   and materials are altogether for it!