Clarel - Part I (of IV)

Part I – (of IV) Jerusalem BY A SPONTANEOUS ACT, NOT VERY LONG AGO, MY KINSMAN, THE LATE PETER GANESEVOORT, OF ALBANY. N. Y., IN A PERSONAL INTERVIEW PROVIDED FOR THE PUBLICATION OF THIS POEM, KNOWN TO HIM BY REPORT, AS EXISTING IN MANUSCRIPT. JUSTLY AND AFFECTIONATELY THE PRINTED BOOK IS INSCRIBED IN HIS NAME Herman Melville was born in New York City on August 1st, 1819, the third of eight children. At the age of 7 Melville contracted scarlet fever which was to permanently diminish his eyesight