about 1878

[fair copy - first two pages only extant]

My lovely Salem smiles at me. I seek his Face so often - but I have done with guises.

I confess that I love him - rejoice that I love him - I thank the maker of Heaven and Earth - that gave him to me - the exultation floods me. I cannot find my channel - the Creek turns Sea - at thought of thee -

Will you punish me? "Involuntary Bankruptcy," how could that be Crime?

Incarcerate me in yourself - rosy penalty - threading with you this lovely maze, which is not Life or Death - though it has the intangibleness of one, and the flesh of the other - waking for your sake on Day made magical with you before I went

[rough draft of fair copy above]

My lovely Salem smiles at me I seek his Face so often - but I am past disguises (have dropped -) (have done with guises -)

I confess that I love him - I rejoice that I love him - I thank the maker of Heaven and Earth that gave him me to love - the exultation floods me - I can not find my channel - The Creek turned Sea at thoughts of thee - will you punish it - [turn I] involuntary Bankruptcy as the Debtors say. Could that be a Crime - How could that be crime - Incarcerate me in yourself - that will punish me - Threading with you this lovely maze which is not Life or Death tho it has the intangibleness of one and the flush of the other waking for your sake on Day made magical with [before] you before I went to sleep - What pretty phrase - we went to sleep as if it were a country - let us make it one - we could (will) make it one, my native Land - my Darling come oh be a patriot now - Love is a patriot now Gave her life for its (its) country Has it meaning now - Oh nation of the soul thou hast thy freedom now