When I heard the learn'd astronomer,
When the proofs, the figures, were ranged in columns before me,
When I was shown the charts and diagrams, to add, divide,

and measure them,

When I sitting heard the astronomer where he lectured

with much applause in the lecture-room,

How soon unaccountable I became tired and sick,
Till rising and gliding out I wander'd off by myself,
In the mystical moist night-air, and from time to time,
Look'd up in perfect silence at the stars.

When I Heard the Learn'd Poet by Scott Aaronson When I heard the learn'd poet, When the Freudian symbolism, the Biblical allusions, were ranged in columns before me, When I was shown the themes and styles, to analyze, categorize, and criticize them, When I sitting heard the poet where she lectured with much applause in the lecture-room, How soon unaccountable I became tired and sick, Till rising and gliding out I wander'd off by myself, In the rational dry night-air, and dropped my copy of Leaves of Grass off a cliff, And correctly predicted that it would hit the ground in 3.82 seconds. Note: I wrote this parody in 11th-grade English, in response to a teacher who was boundlessly infatuated with "Learn'd Astronomer" and its anti-rational implications. I don't dislike Whitman in general.

Found at http://www.scottaaronson.com/writings/whitman.html. The Note was commented out, but I thought it was a good comment, so I exposed it. [jc]