"Song of the Exposition" (p. 181). Cf. "After All, Not to Create Only". The poem was read at the opening of the annual exhibition of the American Institute in New York, September, 7, 1881. It was widely published at the time in the New York and Boston newspapers. (Camden Edition of Whitman's Complete Writings, X, p. 180.) The manuscript of this poem is said to have been sold in London in 1921 for $1500 (New York Times, February 6, 1921). For a discussion of Whitman's methods of turning the occasion to account see "Whitman as His Own Press Agent" (Emory Holloway), American Mercury, December 1929.

The poem was published in a second edition by Roberts Bros., Boston, in 1871, which contained a description of the occasion, probably written by Whitman himself for the Washington Chronicle. (See Kennedy, The Fight of a Book for the World, p. 196.)

"Song of the Redwood-Tree" (p. 191). Published in Harper's Magazine, February 1874; price paid, $100 (Kennedy, p. 16).

"Song of the Universal" (p. 209). First published in the New Republic, Camden, New Jersey, June 20, 1874. Read as a commencement poem at Tuft's College, June 17, 1874. (See Two Rivulets, "Centennial Songs", p. 15.)

"Pioneers! O Pioneers!" (p. 211). The title of this poem was borrowed by Willa Cather for one of her novels.

"France" (p. 217). Cf. "To a Foil'd European Revolutionaire" (p. 338), "O Star of France" (p. 360), "Spain, 1873-74" (p. 433), and "Resurgemus" (p. 505).

"Year of Meteors" (p. 220).

p. 220, ll. 20 ff.: "I would sing how an old man", etc. The reference is to John Brown, executed in 1859 for inciting slaves to rebellion.

p. 221, l. 6: "young prince of England", the Prince of Wales (Edward VII).

"A Broadway Pageant" (p. 224). This poem was occasioned by the reception given to the Japanese Embassy in June 1860.

p. 227, l. 6: "her eldest son", the Prince of Wales. Cf. "Year of Meteors" (p. 221).

"Out of the Cradle Endlessly Rocking" (p. 228). Originally published as "A Child's Reminiscence" in the New York Saturday Press, December 24, 1859. The poem was perhaps written about 1858 (see Bucke, p. 29). For a full discussion of its first appearance and reception see Thomas Olive Mabott and Rollo G. Silver, A Child's Reminiscence.

p. 228, l. 2: "The Mocking Bird's Throat". As to whether Whitman was at fault in placing the mocking bird on Long Island, it may be noted that J. P. Giraud, Jr., says that the gray mocking bird sometimes was seen there in the mating season at the period to which Whitman's poem refers. (The Birds of Long Island, New York, 1843, p. 82.)

p. 229, ll. 7 ff.: "Shine! shine! shine!" etc. The exalted music of this poem has been highly commended, and many passages of it, especially these lines, have been set to music by Stanley Addicks, W. W. Gilchrist, Arthur Hartmann, Marshall Kernochan, A. H. Ryder and Frank O. Warner.

"As I Ebb'd with the Ocean of Life" (p. 234). First published in the Atlantic Monthly, April 1860, as "Bardic Symbols".

"Tears" (p. 237). Set to music, 1905, by C. V. Stanford, Opus 97, No. 5.

"To the Man-of-War Bird" (p. 237). Published in the Athenaeum, April 1, 1876.