ALL I saw and heard when travelling, All that soul and heart found pleasing, All that gave me food for cavilling, All that tedious was or teasing; Solemn jostlings, wild excitement, Both of simpletons and sages, -- All shall swell the long indictment Of my travels in these pages. Give not travels life twice over? When at home one lives once only; Wouldst thou nobler ends discover, Thou must leave thy closet lonely. On the world's wide stage, each player Is a mimic or a puppet, Rides his hobby his own way, or Bids the others clamber up it. If we're laughed at by our neighbour, Riding in this curious fashion, Let us him in turn belabour, Jeering him without compassion. Read these travels in the manner And the sense in which I'm writing; Each one has his fav'rite banner Under which he fancies fighting. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...I'M GOING BACK TO SOMETHING by DAVID IGNATOW THE BAT by CHARLES LUTWIDGE DODGSON WORD-PORTRAITS: THE DESCRIPTION OF SIR GEOFFREY CHAUCER by ROBERT GREENE SPARKLING AND BRIGHT by CHARLES FENNO HOFFMAN JOB. THE INSCRUTABLE MYSTERY by OLD TESTAMENT BIBLE A SONNET TO YOU! by HARRY RANDOLPH BLYTHE HINC LACHRIMAE; OR THE AUTHOR TO AURORA: 17 by WILLIAM BOSWORTH |