Page:Hand in hand; (IA handinhand00kipl).pdf/48



UPPOSE that once, and only once, my feet, Straying from beaten pathways of the plain, Had scaled forbidden mountain heights, and fleet To escape pursuit, had scorned fatigue and pain, And climbing ever higher, reached at length Some topmost pinnacle, whence, looking down, I saw no glimmer of the household fire, And caught no echo of familiar tone, Light, warmth, and music, all for ever gone! Should I not swift descend the mountain slope With eager eyes, and straining ears, in hope To find again the welcome light and sound, Thinking no path so smooth as that I left?

I know it. Yet I pace this beaten track Reluctantly, and with uplifted gaze Turned ever to some unknown point o'er head, Dim in the distance, and all veiled and vague.