AH, whither go the roads that lead away? The little roads that bend and beckon so— They tempt us from the trodden paths to stray! We travel on the same road every day, And it is dusty, and our steps are slow; Ah, whither go the roads that lead away? This one may lead to where the fairies play; And this the rainbow's golden end may know— They tempt us from the trodden paths to stray! And this dusk, winding one—ah, who can say To what adventures sweet its turnings go? Ah, whither go the roads that lead away? Alas, our homeward steps we may not stay! The strange, sweet ways are not for us, although They tempt us from the trodden paths to stray. Ah, luring little byways, green and gay! They beckon—must we always answer "No"? They tempt us from the trodden paths to stray. Ah, whither go the roads that lead away? |