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...SURFACE AND STRUCTURE: BONAVENTURE HOTEL, LOS ANGELES by KAREN SWENSON THE LOVE SONNETS OF PROTEUS: 60. FAREWELL TO JULIET (9) by WILFRID SCAWEN BLUNT SECOND BOOK OF AIRS: SONG 18 by THOMAS CAMPION EPILOGUE TO THE SATIRES: DIALOGUE 1 by ALEXANDER POPE THE OLD MAN'S WISH by WALTER POPE HALSTED STREET CAR by CARL SANDBURG THE WOMAN AND THE ANGEL by ROBERT WILLIAM SERVICE |