I know I have the best of time and space
And was never measured and never will be measured
I tramp a perpetual journey come listen all
My signs are a rain-proof coat good shoes and a staff cut from the woods
No friend of mine takes his ease in my chair
I have no chair no church no philosophy
I lead no man to a dinner table library or exchange
But each man and each woman of you I lead upon a knoll
My left hand hooking you round the waist
My right hand pointing to landscapes of continents and the public road
Not I not any one else can travel that road for you
You must travel it for yourself
It is not far it is within reach
Perhaps you have been on it since you were born and did not know
Perhaps it is every where on water and on land
Shoulder your duds dear son and I will mine
And let us hasten forth wonderful cities and free nations we shall fetch as we go
If you tire give me both burdens and rest the chuff of your hand on my hip
And in due time you shall repay the same service to me
For after we start we never lie by again
This day before dawn I ascended a hill and looked at the crowded heaven
And I said to my spirit When we become the enfolders of those orbs
And the pleasure and knowledge of every thing in them
Shall we be filled and satisfied then
And my spirit said No
We but level that lift to pass and continue beyond
