Where I Lived, and What I Lived For
AT
some seasons
a certain season
a certain season
a certain season
a certain season
a certain season
of our life we are accustomed to consider every spot as the possible site of a house.
I have thus
surveyed the country on every side within a dozen miles of where I live.
In imagination
In imagination
In imagination
In imagination
In imagination
I have bought all the farms in succession, for all were to be bought, and I knew
their price. I walked
round
over
over
over
over
over
each farmer’s premises,
tasted his wild apples, discoursed on husbandry
with him,
with him,
with him,
with him,
with him,
took his farm at his price, at any price, mortgaging it to him in my mind; even put
a higher price
on it,—took every thing but a deed of it,—took his word for his deed, for I dearly
love to
talk,—cultivated it, and him too
in some measure
to some extent,
to some extent,
to some extent,
to some extent,
to some extent,
I trust, and withdrew when I had enjoyed it long enough,
leaving it to
leaving
leaving
leaving
leaving
him to carry it on. This experience entitled me to be regarded as a sort of real-estate
broker
among
by
by
by
by
by
my friends. Wherever I sat, there I might live,
and the landscape radiated from me accordingly—what is a house but a sedes, a seat?—better if a country seat.—and the landscape
radiated from me accordingly
and the landscape radiated from me accordingly. What is a house but a sedes, a seat?—better if a country seat.
and the landscape radiated from me accordingly. What is a house but a sedes, a seat?—better if a country seat.
and the landscape radiated from me accordingly. What is a house but a sedes, a seat?—better if a country seat.
and the landscape radiated from me accordingly. What is a house but a sedes, a seat?—better if a country seat.
I discovered many a site for a house
not likely to be soon improved, not likely soon to be
soon improved
not likely to be soon improved,
not likely to be soon improved,
not likely to be soon improved,
not likely to be soon improved,
which some might have thought too far from the village, but to my eyes the village
seemed
appeared
was
was
was
was
was
too far from it. Well, there I might live, I said; and there I did live, for an hour,
a summer and
a winter life;
& I saw
saw
saw
saw
saw
how I could let the years run off, buffet the winter through, and see the spring
come in. The
future inhabitants of
these regions,
this region
this region,
this region,
this region,
this region,
wherever they may place their houses, may be sure that they have been anticipated.
An afternoon
sufficed to lay out the land
in
into
into
into
into
into
orchard woodlot and pasture, and to decide what fine oaks or pines should be left
to stand before
the door, and whence each
rotten
blasted
blasted
blasted
blasted
blasted
tree
could be seen to the best advantage;
and then I let it lie, fallow perchance, for a man is rich in proportion to the number
of things which he
can afford to let alone.
My imagination carried me so far that I even had the refusal of several farms,—the
refusal was all I wanted,—but I never got my fingers burned by actual possession.
The nearest that I came
to actual possession was when I bought the Hollowell
farm
Place,
Place,
Place,
Place,
Place,
and had begun to sort my seeds, and collected materials with which to make a wheelbarrow
to carry
it on or off with; but before the owner gave me a deed of it, his wife—every man has
such a wife—changed
her mind and wished to keep it, and he offered me ten dollars to release him. Now,
to
tell
speak
speak
speak
speak
speak
the truth, I had
not
but
but
but
but
but
ten cents in the world, and it surpassed my arithmetic to tell, if I was that man
who had ten
cents, or
who had a farm, or who had
who had a farm, or
who had a farm, or
who had a farm, or
who had a farm, or
ten dollars, or all together. However, I let him keep the ten dollars and the farm
too,
for I had carried it far enough;
for I had carried it far enough;
for I had carried it far enough;
for I had carried it far enough;
for I had carried it far enough;
or rather, to be generous, I sold him the farm for just what I gave for it, and,
a poor man,
not a rich man,
not a rich man,
not a rich man,
not a rich man,
made him a present of ten dollars, and still had my ten cents, and seeds, and materials
for a
wheelbarrow left. I found thus that I had been a rich man without any damage to my
poverty. But I
retained the landscape, and I have since annually
carried it off,—what it yielded,—
carried off what it yielded
carried off what it yielded
carried off what it yielded
carried off what it yielded
without a wheelbarrow. With respect to
landscapes I may say that
landscapes,
landscapes,
landscapes,
landscapes,
—
“I am monarch of all I
survey
,
My right there is none to dispute.”
I have frequently seen a
poet
withdraw, having enjoyed the
most valuable part of a farm, while the crusty farmer supposed that he had got a few
wild apples only.
Why, the owner does not know it for many years when a poet has put his farm in rhyme,
the most admirable kind of invisible fence has fairly impounded it
milked it,
the most admirable kind of invisible fence, has fairly impounded it, milked it,
the most admirable kind of invisible fence, has fairly impounded it, milked it,
the most admirable kind of invisible fence, has fairly impounded it, milked it,
the most admirable kind of invisible fence, has fairly impounded it, milked it,
skimmed it, and got all the cream, and left the farmer only the skimmed milk.
The real attractions of the Hollowell farm, to me,
were;1st
were;
its complete retirement, being about two miles from the village, half a mile from
the nearest
neighbor, and separated from the highway by a broad field;
2ndly its
its
bounding on the river,
which the owner said protected it by its fogs from frosts in the
spring,which the owner said by its fogs protected it by its fogs from
frosts in the spring
which the owner said protected it by its fogs from frosts in the spring,
but his words suggested more than was meant
other values than he suspected
though
that was nothing to me
though that was nothing to me;
3rdly the
the
gray color and
pleasing ruin
ruinous state
ruinous state
of the house and barn,
putting
& the dilapidated & picturesque fences which
put
and the dilapidated fences, which put
such an interval between me and the last occupant;
4thly the
the
hollow and lichen-covered apple trees, gnawed by rabbits,
proving that there were rabbits there to gnaw them
suggesting
showing what neighbors I should have
showing what kind of neighbors I should have;
but 5thly &
but
above all, the recollection I had of it from my earliest voyages up the river, when
the house was
concealed behind a dense grove of red maples,
which stood between it & the river
which stood between it and the water
through which I heard the house-dog
bark. Though it afforded me no western prospect
through which I heard the house-dog bark.
I was in haste to buy it, before the proprietor finished getting out
the
some
some
rocks, cutting down the hollow apple trees, and grubbing up some young birches which
had sprung up
in the pasture, or, in short, had made any more of his improvements. To enjoy these
advantages I was
ready to carry it on;
like Atlas to take the world on my shoulders (though by the
way I never heard what compensation he received for it),
like Atlas, to take the world on my shoulders,—I never heard what
compensation he received for that,
—and do all those things
which I now see
which
had no other motive or excuse but that I might pay for it and be unmolested in my
possession of it;
though
for
for
I knew all the while that it would yield the most abundant crop of the kind I wanted
if I could
only afford to let it alone. But it turned out as I have said.
All that I
can
could
could
could
could
could
say, then, with respect to farming on a large scale,
(I have always cultivated a garden,)
(I have always cultivated a garden,)
(I have always cultivated a garden,)
(I have always cultivated a garden,)
is
was
was,
was,
was,
was,
that I
have had
had had
had had
had had
had had
had had
my seeds ready. Many think that seeds improve with age. I have no doubt that time
discriminates
between the good and the bad; and when at last I shall plant, I shall be less likely
to be disappointed.
But I would say
to my fellows,
to my fellows,
to my fellows,
to my fellows,
to my fellows,
once for all, As long as possible live free and uncommitted. It makes but little
difference
whether you are committed to a farm or the county jail.
Old Cato,
whose “De Re Rusticâ” is my “Cultivator,”
whose “De Re Rusticâ” is my “Cultivator,”
whose “De Re Rusticâ” is my “Cultivator,”
whose “De Re Rusticâ” is my “Cultivator,”
says,
Praedium quom parare cogitabis, sic in animo habeto, uti ne cupide emas, neve opera
tua parcas visere, et ne satis habeas semel circumire. Quoties ibis, toties magis
placebit, quod
bonum erit. This, of which the learned Oxford translator makes sheer nonsense, I take to
mean
& by the way the only translation I have seen makes
sheer nonsense of the sentence passage,
and the only translation I have seen makes sheer nonsense of the passage,
and the only translation I have seen makes sheer nonsense of the passage,
and the only translation I have seen makes sheer nonsense of the passage,
“When you think of getting a farm, turn it thus in your mind, not to
buy it
buy
buy
buy
greedily; nor spare your pains to look at it, and do not think it enough to go round
it once. The
oftener you go there the more it will please you, if it is good.”
I think I shall
not buy greedily, but go round and round it as long as I live, and be buried in it
first, that it may
please me the more at last.
The present was my next experiment
The present was my next experiment
The present was my next experiment in this direction
of this kind,
The present was my next experiment of this kind,
The present was my next experiment of this kind,
which I propose to describe more at length to which,
however, I can only slightly refer this evening.
which I propose to describe more at length, for convenience putting the experience
of two
years into one.
which I propose to describe more at length, for convenience putting the experience
of two
years into one.
which I propose to describe more at length, for convenience putting the experience
of two
years into one.
which I propose to describe more at length, for convenience putting the experience
of two
years into one.
As I have said,
I do not propose to write an ode to dejection, but to
crow
brag
crow
brag
crow
brag
brag
brag
as lustily as chanticleer
in the morning, standing on his roost, if only to wake my neighbors up.
When I first
When I first
When I first
It was on the morning of the 4 of July 1845
that I put a few articles of furniture some of which I had made myself into a hayrigging
which I
had hired, drove down to the woods, put my things in their places, & commenced house
keeping. When I first
It was on the morning of the 4 of July 1845
that I put a few articles of furniture some of which I had made myself into a hayrigging
which I
had hired, drove down to the woods, put my things in their places, & commenced house
keeping. When I first
When I first
When first I
When first I
went to the pond to live,
took up my abode in the woods,
took up my abode in the woods,
took up my abode in the woods,
took up my abode in the woods,
took up my abode in the woods,
took up my abode in the woods,
took up my abode in the woods,
or
that is
that is,
that is,
which was by chance the 4 of July 1845, the
anniversary of the declaration of our national independence
began to spend my nights as well as days there, which, by accident, was on Independence
Day,
or the fourth of July, 1845,
began to spend my nights as well as days there, which, by accident, was on Independence
Day,
or the fourth of July, 1845,
began to spend my nights as well as days there, which, by accident, was on Independence
Day,
or the fourth of July, 1845,
began to spend my nights as well as days there, which, by accident, was on Independence
Day,
or the fourth of July, 1845,
my house
being unfinished
not being finished for winter and
but
was not finished for the winter, but was
was not finished for the winter, but was
was not finished for the winter, but was
was not finished for the winter, but was
was not finished for the winter, but was
was not finished for the winter, but was
was not finished for the winter, but was
merely a defence against the rain, without plastering or chimney,
uncluttered
not cluttered with furniture, and
or much furniture, with walls of rough weather stained boards, and wide chinks which
made it cool at night, was itself an inspiring object, and reacted on me the builder.
uncluttered
not cluttered with furniture, and
or much furniture, with walls of rough weather stained boards, and wide chinks which
made it cool at night, was itself an inspiring object, and reacted on me the builder.
uncluttered
not cluttered with furniture, and
or much furniture, with walls of rough weather stained boards, and wide chinks which
made it cool at night, was itself an inspiring object, and reacted on me the builder.
uncluttered
not cluttered with furniture, and
or much furniture, with walls of rough weather stained boards, and wide chinks which
made it cool at night, was itself an inspiring object, and reacted on me the builder.
uncluttered
not cluttered with furniture, and
or much furniture, with walls of rough weather stained boards, and wide chinks which
made it cool at night, was itself an inspiring object, and reacted on me the builder.
with walls
the walls being of rough weather-stained boards and
with wide chinks which made it cool at night.
the walls being of rough, weather-stained boards, with wide chinks, which made it
cool at
night.
the walls being of rough, weather-stained boards, with wide chinks, which made it
cool at
night.
The upright white hewn studs and freshly planed door and window
frames
casings
casings
casings
casings
casings
casings
casings
gave
the house
it
it
it
it
it
it
it
it
a clean and airy look, especially in the morning, when its timbers
seemed saturated with the morning air, and as if
so that I imagined
seemed saturated with the morning air, and as if
so that I imagined
seemed saturated with the morning air, and as if
so that I imagined
seemed saturated with the morning air, and as if
so that I imagined
seemed saturated with the morning air, and as if
so that I imagined
were saturated with the dewy air, and I even
dew, so that I fancied that
were saturated with dew, so that I fancied that
were saturated with dew, so that I fancied that
by noon some sweet gum would exude from
them, and incense go up from the roof
them.
them.
them.
them.
them.
them.
them.
To my imagination
To my imagination
To my imagination
To my imagination
To my imagination
To my imagination
To my imagination
To my imagination
it retained throughout the day more or less of this
auroral and ambrosial
auroral and ambrosial
auroral and ambrosial
auroral and ambrosial
auroral and ambrosial
auroral and ambrosial
auroral
auroral
character,
to my eyes, and effected me as something purer as it was simpler than an
ordinary house
reminding me of a certain house on a mountain which I had visited a year
before
to my eyes, and effected me as something purer as it was simpler than an
ordinary house
reminding me of a certain house on a mountain which I had visited a year
before
to my eyes, and effected me as something purer as it was simpler than an
ordinary house
reminding me of a certain house on a mountain which I had visited a year
before
to my eyes, and effected me as something purer as it was simpler than an
ordinary house
reminding me of a certain house on a mountain which I had visited a year
before
to my eyes, and effected me as something purer as it was simpler than an
ordinary house
reminding me of a certain house on a mountain which I had visited a year
before
to my eyes, and effected me as something purer as it was simpler than an
ordinary house
reminding me of a certain house on a mountain which I had visited a year
before
reminding me of a certain house on a mountain
which I had visited a year before. This was an airy and unplastered cabin,
reminding me of a certain house on a mountain
which I had visited a year before. This was an airy and unplastered cabin,
fit to entertain a travelling god, and where a goddess might trail her garments.
The winds
that
that
that
that
that
that
which
which
passed over my dwelling were such as sweep over the ridges of mountains, bearing
the broken
strains, or celestial parts only, of terrestrial music. The morning wind forever blows,
the poem of
creation is uninterrupted; but few are the ears that hear it. Olympus
is
but the outside of the earth every where.
The only house I had been the owner of
before, if I except a boat,
was a tent, which I used occasionally
when making excursions in the summer, and this is still rolled up in my garret; but
the boat, after
passing from hand to hand, has gone down the stream of time. With this more substantial
shelter about me,
I had made some progress toward settling in the world.
With its frame so slightly clad it was suggestive as a picture
in outlines, the rudiments of something at least other than a carpenter’s hill— a sort
of crystallization around me. From my village house to this was
a transition as from a close prison to an open cage swung in a grove. Nay, I imbibed
the
influences of nature with as little alloy as a bird in its nest amid the foliage.
With its frame so slightly clad it was suggestive as a picture
in outlines, the rudiments of something at least other than a carpenter’s hill— a sort
of crystallization around me. From my village house to this was
a transition as from a close prison to an open cage swung in a grove. Nay, I imbibed
the
influences of nature with as little alloy as a bird in its nest amid the foliage.
With its frame so slightly clad it was suggestive as a picture
in outlines, the rudiments of something at least other than a carpenter’s hill— a sort
of crystallization around me. From my village house to this was
a transition as from a close prison to an open cage swung in a grove. Nay, I imbibed
the
influences of nature with as little alloy as a bird in its nest amid the foliage.
With its frame so slightly clad it was suggestive as a picture
in outlines, the rudiments of something at least other than a carpenter’s hill— a sort
of crystallization around me. From my village house to this was
a transition as from a close prison to an open cage swung in a grove. Nay, I imbibed
the
influences of nature with as little alloy as a bird in its nest amid the foliage.
With its frame so slightly clad it was suggestive as a picture
in outlines, the rudiments of something at least other than a carpenter’s hill— a sort
of crystallization around me. From my village house to this was
a transition as from a close prison to an open cage swung in a grove. Nay, I imbibed
the
influences of nature with as little alloy as a bird in its nest amid the foliage.
With its frame so slightly clad it was suggestive as a picture
in outlines, the rudiments of something at least other than a carpenter’s hill— a sort
of crystallization around me. From my village house to this was
a transition as from a close prison to an open cage swung in a grove. Nay, I imbibed
the
influences of nature with as little alloy as a bird in its nest amid the foliage.
This frame, so slightly clad, was a sort of crystallization around me, and reacted
on the
builder. It was suggestive somewhat as a picture in outlines.
This frame, so slightly clad, was a sort of crystallization around me, and reacted
on the
builder. It was suggestive somewhat as a picture in outlines.
I did not need to go outdoors to take the
air, for the benefit of my spirits,
air, for the benefit of my spirits,
air, for the benefit of my spirits,
air, for the benefit of my spirits,
air, for the benefit of my spirits,
air, for the benefit of my spirits,
air,
air,
for the atmosphere within had lost none of its
life-giving principle
freshness.
life-giving principle
freshness.
life-giving principle
freshness.
life-giving principle
freshness.
life-giving principle
freshness.
life-giving principle
freshness.
freshness.
freshness.
It was not so much within doors as behind a door where I sat, even in the rainiest
weather. The
Harivansa says, “An abode without birds is like a meat without seasoning.”
Such was not my abode, for I found myself
suddenly
neighbors
neighbors
neighbors
neighbors
neighbors
neighbors
neighbor
neighbor
to the birds; not by having imprisoned
one in my house,
one in my house,
one in my house,
one in my house,
one in my house,
one in my house,
one,
one,
but having caged myself near them. I was not only nearer to
the few
some
the few
some
the few
some
the few
some
the few
some
the few
some
some
some
of those which commonly frequent the garden and the orchard, but to those wilder
and more
thrilling songsters of the forest which never,
or rarely,
or rarely,
or rarely,
or rarely,
or rarely,
or rarely,
or rarely,
or rarely,
serenade a villager,—
the wood-thrush, the veery, the scarlet tanager, the
field-sparrow, the whippoorwill, and many others.
the wood-thrush, the veery, the scarlet tanager, the
field-sparrow, the whippoorwill, and many others.
the wood-thrush, the veery, the scarlet tanager, the
field-sparrow, the whippoorwill, and many others.
the wood-thrush, the veery, the scarlet tanager, the
field-sparrow, the whippoorwill, and many others.
the wood-thrush, the veery, the scarlet tanager, the
field-sparrow, the whippoorwill, and many others.
the wood-thrush, the veery, the scarlet tanager, the
field-sparrow, the whippoorwill, and many others.
the wood-thrush, the veery, the scarlet tanager, the field-sparrow, the whippoorwill, and many
others.
the wood-thrush, the veery, the scarlet tanager, the field-sparrow, the whippoorwill, and many
others.
I was seated by the shore of a
beautiful pond somewhat higher than the village of Concord
beautiful pond somewhat higher than the village of Concord
beautiful pond somewhat higher than the village of Concord
beautiful pond somewhat higher than the village of Concord
beautiful pond somewhat higher than the village of Concord
beautiful pond somewhat higher than the village of Concord
small pond, about a mile and a half south of the village of Concord and somewhat higher than it,
small pond, about a mile and a half south of the village of Concord and somewhat higher than it,
in the midst of an extensive wood between that town and Lincoln, and about two miles
south of that
our only field known to fame, Concord Battle Ground;
but I was so low in
the woods that the opposite
shore of the pond, half a mile distant, which like the rest was
shore of the pond, half a mile distant, which like the rest was
shore of the pond, half a mile distant, which like the rest was
shore of the pond, half a mile distant, which like the rest was
shore of the pond, half a mile distant, which like the rest was
shore of the pond, half a mile distant, which like the rest was
shore, half a mile off, like the rest
shore, half a mile off, like the rest
covered with wood, was my most distant horizon.
When
When
When
When
When
During the first week my thoughts were so leavened with expectation that the
whole region where I lived seemed more elevated than it actually was, and
For the first week whenever
For the first week, whenever
For the first week, whenever
I looked out on
the face of the pond
the pond
the pond
the pond
the pond
the pond
the pond
the pond
it
reminded me of a tarn which I had seen
reminded me of a tarn which I had seen
reminded me of a tarn which I had seen
reminded me of a tarn which I had seen
reminded me of a tarn which I had seen
impressed me as if it were
like a tarn
impressed me like a tarn
impressed me like a tarn
high up on the side of a mountain,
and the whole region where I lived seemed more elevated than it actually was.
The pond was like a mountain lake I had seen in the grey of the morning draped with mist
which was suspended in low weather from the dead willows and bare firs that stood
here and there in the water
its bottom far above the surface of other lakes, and,
its bottom far above the surface of other lakes, and,
its bottom far above the surface of other lakes, and,
its bottom far above the surface of other lakes, and,
its bottom far above the surface of other lakes, and,
its bottom far above the surface of other lakes, and,
its bottom far above the surface of other lakes, and,
as the sun arose, I saw it throwing off its nightly clothing of mist, and here and
there, by
degrees, its soft ripples or its smooth reflecting surface was revealed,
while
while
while
while
while
while
while
while
the mists, like ghosts, were stealthily withdrawing in every direction into the woods,
as
if from
if it were
at
at
at
at
at
at
at
at
the breaking up of some nocturnal conventicle.
In fact the whole region where I lived seemed more elevated than it actually
was
In fact the whole region where I lived seemed more elevated than it actually
was
In fact the whole region where I lived seemed more elevated than it actually
was
In fact the whole region where I lived seemed more elevated than it actually
was
In fact the whole region where I lived seemed more elevated than it actually
was
Also the very dew seemed to hang upon the
trees later into the day than usual, as on the sides of mountains.
The very dew seemed to hang upon the trees later into the day than usual, as on the
sides of
mountains.
The very dew seemed to hang upon the trees later into the day than usual, as on the
sides of
mountains.
This small
lake in the woods was perhaps most appreciated
of most value
lake was of most
value
lake was of most
value
as a neighbor in the intervals of a gentle rain storm
such as occurs in
in
in
August, when, both air and water being perfectly still, but the sky overcast, mid-afternoon
had
all the serenity of evening, and the wood-thrush sang
around the pond,
around,
around,
and was heard from
over the water
shore to shore
shore to shore.
shore to shore.
A lake
like this
like this
like this
is never smoother than at such a time; and the clear portion of the air above it
being
so shallow
shallow
shallow
and darkened by clouds, the water,
which is full
full
full
of light and reflections, becomes a lower heaven itself so much the more important.
From a hill
top
near by,
on my side where
where
where
the wood had been recently cut off, there was a pleasing vista southward across the
pond,
through and over
through
through
a wide indentation in the hills which form the shore there, where their opposite
sides sloping
toward each other suggested a stream flowing out in that direction through a wooded
valley, but stream
there was
nonebut in imagination
except in my imagination.
none.
none.
That way I looked between and over the near green hills to some distant and
larger
higher hills
higher ones
higher ones
in the horizon, tinged with
blue. that was the kind of coin seen through this crack in my
treasure-box
which I saw over the rim of my world
blue.
blue.
Indeed, by standing on tiptoe I could catch a glimpse of some of the peaks of the
still bluer and
more distant mountain ranges
in the north-west,
those true-blue coins from heaven’s own mint,
those true-blue coins from heaven’s own mint,
and also of some portion of the village. But in
the other
other
other
directions,
even from this point,
even from this point,
even from this point,
I could not see over or beyond the woods which surrounded me. It is
important
well
well
well
to have some water in your neighborhood, to give buoyancy to and float
the
your
the
the
earth. One value even of the smallest well is, that
looking
when you look into it you are reminded
see that
when you look into it you see that
when you look into it you see that
earth is not continent but insular. This is as important as that it keeps butter
cool.
When I looked across the pond from
this peak toward the Sudbury meadows, which in time of flood
I
distinguish
distinguished
distinguished
distinguished
elevated perhaps by a mirage in
their
a seething hazy
their seething
their seething
valley, like a coin in a basin, all the earth beyond the pond appeared like a thin
crust insulated
and floated even by this small sheet of intervening water, and I was reminded that
this on which I dwelt
was but
dry land
.
But though
Though
Though
the view from my door was
still more
still more
still more
contracted,
nevertheless I imagined that
I did not feel crowded or confined in the least. There was pasture enough
for my fancy & imagination.
I did not feel crowded or confined in the least. There was pasture enough for my
imagination.
I did not feel crowded or confined in the least. There was pasture enough for my
imagination.
The low shrub-oak
plateau to which the opposite shore arose, stretched away
boundless as the prairies, pampas, and plains
toward the prairies of the west & the steppes
toward the prairies of the West and the steppes
toward the prairies of the West and the steppes
of Tartary,
affording ample room for all the roving families of men. “There are none happy in
the world but beings
who enjoy freely a vast horizon,”
—
So said
said
said
Damodara, when his herds required new and larger pastures.
Both place and time
had undergone a revolution and I dwelt
seemed to dwell nearer to those parts of the globe & to those eras in
history which had attracted me, and as I had no clock nor watch, but the sun & moon,
I also
lived in a more primitive and absolute time. Over the south shore of the
pond, which was a low hill covered
fringed with shrub oaks and scattered pines which seemed to rise to an illimitable
tableland—I seemed to look toward the country of the
some new race of
some ideal race of Tartars, where tribes of men dwelt in tents
were changed, and I dwelt nearer to those parts of the universe and to those eras
in history
which had most attracted me.
were changed, and I dwelt nearer to those parts of the universe and to those eras
in history
which had most attracted me.
were changed, and I dwelt nearer to those parts of the universe and to those eras
in history
which had most attracted me.
were changed, and I dwelt nearer to those parts of the universe and to those eras
in history
which had most attracted me.
were changed, and I dwelt nearer to those parts of the universe and to those eras
in history
which had most attracted me.
were changed, and I dwelt nearer to those parts of the universe and to those eras
in history
which had most attracted me.
were changed, and I dwelt nearer to those parts of the universe and to those eras
in history
which had most attracted me.
Where I lived was as far off as many a region viewed nightly by astronomers. We are
apt
wont
wont
wont
wont
wont
wont
wont
to imagine rare and delectable
places afar off whither astronomers look
places
places
places
places
places
places
places
in some remote and more celestial corner of the system, behind the constellation
of Cassiopeia’s
Chair, far from noise and disturbance. I
imagined that my house actually had its site actually
discovered that my house actually had its site
discovered that my house actually had its site
discovered that my house actually had its site
discovered that my house actually had its site
discovered that my house actually had its site
discovered that my house actually had its site
discovered that my house actually had its site
in such a withdrawn, but forever new and unprofaned, part of the universe. If it
were worth the
while to settle in those
parts of the system
parts
parts
parts
parts
parts
parts
parts
near to the Pleiades or the Hyades,
to
or Orion or Aldebaran or Altair,
to Aldebaran or Altair,
to Aldebaran or Altair,
to Aldebaran or Altair,
to Aldebaran or Altair,
to Aldebaran or Altair,
to Aldebaran or Altair,
to Aldebaran or Altair,
then I was really there, or at an equal remoteness from the life which I had left
behind—as near to the immortal city
behind,
behind,
behind,
behind,
behind,
behind,
behind,
dwindled and twinkling with as fine a ray to my nearest neighbor, and
only to be seen
only to be seen
only to be seen
only to be seen
only to be seen
only to be seen
to be seen only
to be seen only
in moonless nights by him. Such was that part of creation where I had squatted;
“There was a shepherd that did live,
And held his thoughts as high
As were the mounts whereon his flocks
What should we think of the shepherd’s life if his
flocks always wandered to higher pastures than his thoughts?
“There was a shepherd that did live,
And held his thoughts as high
As were the mounts whereon his flocks
What should we think of the shepherd’s life if his
flocks always wandered to higher pastures than his thoughts?
“There was a shepherd that did live,
And held his thoughts as high
As were the mounts whereon his flocks
What should we think of the shepherd’s life if his
flocks always wandered to higher pastures than his thoughts?
“There was a shepherd that did live,
And held his thoughts as high
As were the mounts whereon his flocks
What should we think of the shepherd’s life if his
flocks always wandered to higher pastures than his thoughts?
“There was a shepherd that did live,
And held his thoughts as high
As were the mounts whereon his flocks
What should we think of the shepherd’s life if his
flocks always wandered to higher pastures than his thoughts?
“There was a shepherd that did live,
And held his thoughts as high
As were the mounts whereon his flocks
What should we think of the shepherd’s life if his
flocks always wandered to higher pastures than his thoughts?
“There was a shepherd that did live,
And held his thoughts as high
As were the mounts whereon his flocks
What should we think of the shepherd’s life if his
flocks always wandered to higher pastures than his thoughts?
Every morning was a cheerful
invitation to make my life of equal simplicity, and
purity with itself
Nature herself.
I may say innocence, with Nature herself.
I may say innocence, with Nature herself.
I may say innocence, with Nature herself.
I may say innocence, with Nature herself.
I may say innocence, with Nature herself.
I may say innocence, with Nature herself.
I may say innocence, with Nature herself.
The morning is to every one the season of his ideal life. Then, if ever, we
can realize the life of the Greeks—and we are all at some time good heathens enough
to
acknowledge and worship their Aurora.
The morning brinks back the heroic ages.
For I have been as sincere a worshipper of Aurora as the Greeks.
For
Indeed I have been as sincere a worshipper of Aurora as the Greeks.
I have been as sincere a worshipper of Aurora as the Greeks.
I have been as sincere a worshipper of Aurora as the Greeks.
I have been as sincere a worshipper of Aurora as the Greeks.
I have been as sincere a worshipper of Aurora as the Greeks.
I have been as sincere a worshipper of Aurora as the Greeks.
I have been as sincere a worshipper of Aurora as the Greeks.
I got up early and bathed in the pond; that was a religious exercise, and one of
the best things
which
which
which
which
which
which
which
I did.
I have since read
They say
They say
They say
They say
They say
They say
that
characters were engraven on the bathing tub
that characters were engraven on the bathing tub
that characters were engraven on the bathing tub
that characters were engraven on the bathing tub
that characters were engraven on the bathing tub
that characters were engraven on the bathing tub
that characters were engraven on the bathing tub
of the
of
of
of
of
of
of
king Tching-thang to this effect: “Renew thyself completely each day; do it anew,
and anew, and forever anew." I can understand that.
king Tching-thang to this effect: “Renew thyself completely each day; do it anew,
and anew, and forever anew." I can understand that.
king Tching-thang to this effect: “Renew thyself completely each day; do it anew,
and anew, and forever anew." I can understand that.
king Tching-thang to this effect: “Renew thyself completely each day; do it anew,
and anew, and forever anew." I can understand that.
king Tching-thang to this effect: “Renew thyself completely each day; do it anew,
and anew, and forever anew." I can understand that.
king Tching-thang to this effect: “Renew thyself completely each day; do it again,
and again, and forever again." I can understand that.
king Tching-thang to this effect: “Renew thyself completely each day; do it again,
and again, and forever again." I can understand that.
So far the day was well spent—
The Morning brings back the heroic ages. In some unrecorded hours of solitude,
sitting with door and windows open at very early dawn when the stillness was audible,
and the
atmosphere contained the auroral perfume which I have mentioned, the faint hum of a
mosquito making its invisible and unimaginable tour through the loaded and drowsy air
toward elysian realms,
my apartment was a trumpet that recalled what I had read of most ancient history and
heroic ages. There was somewhat of that which I fancy the Greeks meant by ambrosial
about
in it—more than Sybilline or Delphic. It expressed the infinite and everlasting
fertility of the қόбмоѕ
or world. It was Θεοῖν
or divine. Only Homer could have named it
So far the day was well spent. Morning brings back or brings about the heroic ages. In some unrecorded hours of solitude, sitting with door and windows
open, at very
early dawn, when the stillness was audible, and the atmosphere contained the auroral
perfume
which I have mentioned, the faint hum of a mosquito making its invisible and unimaginable
tour
through my apartment was a trumpet that recalled what
all that I had ever read of
most ancient history and heroic ages
or dreamed of heroism and the worthies of antiquity. There was
somewhat of that
to my ears something of what which I fancy the Greeks meant by
ambrosial in it, more than Sybilline or Delphic. It was the
song of the spheres that anthem the overflowing joy of the universe It expressed the
infinite and everlasting fertility of the қόбмоѕ or world. It was Өετον or divine.
Only Homer could have named it
So far the day was well spent. Morning brings back or brings about the heroic ages. In some unrecorded hours of solitude, sitting with door and windows
open, at very
early dawn, when the stillness was audible, and the atmosphere contained the auroral
perfume
which I have mentioned, the faint hum of a mosquito making its invisible and unimaginable
tour
through my apartment was a trumpet that recalled what
all that I had ever read of
most ancient history and heroic ages
or dreamed of heroism and the worthies of antiquity. There was
somewhat of that
to my ears something of what which I fancy the Greeks meant by
ambrosial in it, more than Sybilline or Delphic. It was the
song of the spheres that anthem the overflowing joy of the universe It expressed the
infinite and everlasting fertility of the қόбмоѕ or world. It was Өετον or divine.
Only Homer could have named it
So far the day was well spent. Morning brings back or brings about the heroic ages. In some unrecorded hours of solitude, sitting with door and windows
open, at very
early dawn, when the stillness was audible, and the atmosphere contained the auroral
perfume
which I have mentioned, the faint hum of a mosquito making its invisible and unimaginable
tour
through my apartment was a trumpet that recalled what
all that I had ever read of
most ancient history and heroic ages
or dreamed of heroism and the worthies of antiquity. There was
somewhat of that
to my ears something of what which I fancy the Greeks meant by
ambrosial in it, more than Sybilline or Delphic. It was the
song of the spheres that anthem the overflowing joy of the universe It expressed the
infinite and everlasting fertility of the қόбмоѕ or world. It was Өετον or divine.
Only Homer could have named it
So far the day was well spent. Morning brings back or brings about the heroic ages. In some unrecorded hours of solitude, sitting with door and windows
open, at very
early dawn, when the stillness was audible, and the atmosphere contained the auroral
perfume
which I have mentioned, the faint hum of a mosquito making its invisible and unimaginable
tour
through my apartment was a trumpet that recalled what
all that I had ever read of
most ancient history and heroic ages
or dreamed of heroism and the worthies of antiquity. There was
somewhat of that
to my ears something of what which I fancy the Greeks meant by
ambrosial in it, more than Sybilline or Delphic. It was the
song of the spheres that anthem the overflowing joy of the universe It expressed the
infinite and everlasting fertility of the қόбмоѕ or world. It was Өετον or divine.
Only Homer could have named it
Morning brings back the heroic ages. I was as much affected sometimes by the faint hum of a mosquito making
its invisible and unimaginable tour through my apartment at very early
earliest dawn an Iliad & Odyssey
in the air—singing its own wrath & wanderings, when I was sitting with door and
windows open as usual, as I could be by any trumpet that ever sang of fame. There was
something infinite & cosmical about it. It was a standing advertisement, till
forbidden, of the everlasting vigor &
fertility of the universe—& deserved to have Homer to sing of it
world
Morning brings back the heroic ages. I was as much affected by the faint hum of a
mosquito making its invisible and unimaginable
tour through my apartment at earliest dawn, when I was sitting with door and windows
open, as I
could be by any trumpet that ever sang of fame. It was
Homer’s requiem; itself an Iliad and Odyssey in
the air, singing its own wrath and wanderings. There was something cosmical about it; a standing advertisement, till
forbidden, of the everlasting vigor and fertility of the world.
Morning brings back the heroic ages. I was as much affected by the faint hum of a
mosquito making its invisible and unimaginable
tour through my apartment at earliest dawn, when I was sitting with door and windows
open, as I
could be by any trumpet that ever sang of fame. It was
Homer’s requiem; itself an Iliad and Odyssey in
the air, singing its own wrath and wanderings. There was something cosmical about it; a standing advertisement, till
forbidden, of the everlasting vigor and fertility of the world.
The morning, which is the most memorable season of the day, is the awakening hour.
Then there
is least somnolence in us; and for an hour, at least, some part of us
seems to awake
seems
appears to awake
awakes
awakes
awakes
awakes
awakes
awakes
which slumbers all the rest of the day and night.
Little is to be expected of that day, if it can be called a day, to which we are
not awakened by our Genius, but by the mechanical nudgings of some
servitor,or the peal of alarm bells
servitor,
servitor,
are not awakened by our own
newly-acquired force and
newly-acquired force and
newly-acquired force and
aspirations from within, accompanied by the undulations of celestial music,
instead of factory bells,
instead of factory bells,
instead of factory bells,
and a fragrance filling the air—to a higher life than we fell asleep from; and thus
the
darkness bear its fruit, and prove itself to be good, no less than the light. That
man who does not
believe that each day contains an earlier, more sacred, and auroral hour than he has
yet profaned, has
despaired of life, and is pursuing a descending and darkening way.
After a partial
sensation
cessation
cessation
cessation
cessation
cessation
cessation
cessation
cessation
of his
sensual
sensuous
sensuous
sensuous
sensuous
sensuous
sensuous
sensuous
sensuous
life, the soul of man, or its organs
rather,
rather,
rather,
rather,
rather,
rather,
rather,
rather,
are reinvigorated each day, and
the
his
his
his
his
his
his
his
his
Genius tries again what noble life it can make. All memorable events,
I should say,
I should say,
I should say,
I should say,
I should say,
I should say,
I should say,
I should say,
transpire in morning time and in a morning atmosphere.
The Vedas say, “All intelligences awake with the morning.”
The Vedas say, “All intelligences awake with the morning.”
The Vedas say, “All intelligences awake with the morning.”
The Vedas say, “All intelligences awake with the morning.”
The Vedas say, “All intelligences awake with the morning.”
The Vedas say, “All intelligences awake with the morning.”
The Vedas say, “All intelligences awake with the morning.”
Greek poetry
Poetry
Poetry
Poetry
Poetry
Poetry
Poetry
Poetry
and art, and the fairest and most memorable of the actions of men, date from
that
such an hour—for all
such an hour. All
such an hour. All
such an hour. All
such an hour. All
such an hour. All
such an hour. All
such an hour. All
poets and heroes, like Memnon, are the children of Aurora, and emit their music
in the morning. If we are wakeful enough the evening and the morning are but
one. The birds sing at morning and at evening, and their notes do not suggest on which
side
the sun is rising. There is no vaunt and no weariness in them. And
in the morning
at sunrise.
at sunrise.
at sunrise.
at sunrise.
at sunrise.
at sunrise.
at sunrise.
To him
who has kept
whose elastic & vigorous thought keeps
whose elastic and vigorous thought keeps
whose elastic and vigorous thought keeps
whose elastic and vigorous thought keeps
whose elastic and vigorous thought keeps
whose elastic and vigorous thought keeps
whose elastic and vigorous thought keeps
whose elastic and vigorous thought keeps
pace with the sun,
it
the day
the day
the day
the day
the day
the day
the day
the day
is a perpetual morning. It matters not what the clocks say or the attitudes and labors
of men.
Morning is when I am awake and there is a dawn in me. Moral reform
and improvement are
and improvement are
is
is
is
is
is
is
the effort to throw off
sleep & somnolency. How
sleep. How
Why
sleep. Why
sleep. Why
sleep. Why
sleep. Why
sleep. Why
sleep. Why
is it that men give so poor an account of their day if they have not been slumbering?
They are
not such poor calculators. If they had not been overcome with drowsiness they would
have performed
something. The millions are awake enough for physical labor; but only one in a million
is awake enough
for effective intellectual exertion, only one in a hundred millions to a
spiritual
spiritual
poetic
poetic
poetic
poetic
poetic
poetic
poetic
or divine life. To be awake is to be alive.
I have never yet met a man who was quite awake. How could
I have looked him in the face?
I have never yet met a man who was quite awake. How could I have looked him in the
face?
I have never yet met a man who was quite awake. How could I have looked him in the
face?
I have never yet met a man who was quite awake. How could I have looked him in the
face?
I have never yet met a man who was quite awake. How could I have looked him in the
face?
I have never yet met a man who was quite awake. How could I have looked him in the
face?
I have never yet met a man who was quite awake. How could I have looked him in the
face?
I have never yet met a man who was quite awake. How could I have looked him in the
face?
My thoughts, which in one sense are either the memory
or the expectation of my actions are the causes which determine life and death
My thoughts, which in one sense, are either the memory or the expectation of my
actions are connected with the causes which determine life and death
We must learn to reawaken and hold ourselves awake not by mechanical aids
but by an infinite expectation of the dawn which does not forsake us in our soundest
sleep
We must learn to reawaken and keep ourselves awake, not by mechanical aids, but by
an infinite
expectation of the dawn, which does not forsake us in our soundest sleep.
We must learn to reawaken and keep ourselves awake, not by mechanical aids, but by
an infinite
expectation of the dawn, which does not forsake us in our soundest sleep.
We must learn to reawaken and keep ourselves awake, not by mechanical aids, but by
an infinite
expectation of the dawn, which does not forsake us in our soundest sleep.
We must learn to reawaken and keep ourselves awake, not by mechanical aids, but by
an infinite
expectation of the dawn, which does not forsake us in our soundest sleep.
We must learn to reawaken and keep ourselves awake, not by mechanical aids, but by
an infinite
expectation of the dawn, which does not forsake us in our soundest sleep.
We must learn to reawaken and keep ourselves awake, not by mechanical aids, but by
an infinite
expectation of the dawn, which does not forsake us in our soundest sleep.
I know of no more encouraging fact than the unquestionable ability of man to elevate
his life by a
conscious endeavor. It is something to be able to paint a particular picture, or to
carve a statue, and
so to make a few objects beautiful; but it is far more
sublime
sublime
glorious
glorious
glorious
glorious
glorious
glorious
to carve and paint the very atmosphere and medium through which we look, which morally
we can do.
To affect the quality of the day, that is the highest of arts. Every man is tasked
to make his life, even
in its details, worthy of the contemplation of his most elevated and critical hour.
If we refused,
or rather used up,
or rather used up,
or rather used up,
or rather used up,
or rather used up,
or rather used up,
such paltry information as we get, the oracles would distinctly inform us how this
might be done.
I went
down to the pond
down to the pond
to the woods
to the woods
to the woods
to the woods
to the woods
to the woods
to the woods
because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life,
and see if I
could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I
had not lived. I did not
want
want
wish
wish
wish
wish
wish
wish
wish
to live what was not life, living is so dear; nor did I wish to practise resignation,
unless it
was quite necessary. I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life, to
live so sturdily and
Spartan-like as to put to rout all that was not life, to cut a broad swath and shave
close, to drive life
into a corner,
and reduce it to its lowest terms,
and reduce it to its lowest terms,
and reduce it to its lowest terms,
and reduce it to its lowest terms,
and reduce it to its lowest terms,
and reduce it to its lowest terms,
and reduce it to its lowest terms,
and reduce it to its lowest terms,
and, if it proved to be mean, why then to get the whole and genuine meanness of it,
and publish
its meanness to the
world, and throw it in the teeth of the gods
and throw it in the teeth of Him that made it
world;
world;
world;
world;
world;
world;
world;
or if it were sublime, to know it by experience, and be able to give a true account
of it in my
next excursion.
For
all men it seems
all
most men it seems
appears
most men, it appears
most men, it appears
most men, it appears
most men, it appears
most men, it appears
most men, it appears
to me, are in a strange uncertainty about it, whether it is of the devil or of God,
and have
somewhat hastily
concluded however true it may be
concluded however true it may be
concluded
concluded
concluded
concluded
concluded
concluded
that it is the chief end of man here to “glorify God and
when there may be no enjoyment in it
when there may be no enjoyment in it
when if the truth were known they enjoy the devil a good deal more. I am not
satisfied with such a lumping up and glossing over the objects of life
enjoy him forever."
enjoy him forever."
enjoy him forever."
enjoy him forever."
enjoy him forever."
enjoy him forever."
Still we live meanly, like ants; though the fable
tells us that we were long ago changed into men; like pygmies we fight with
cranes;
it is error upon error, and clout upon clout,
and our best
virtue has for its occasion a superfluous and evitable wretchedness. Our life is frittered
away by
detail. Its dish consists almost entirely of fixings and very little of the chicken’s
meat
detail.
detail.
detail.
detail.
detail.
detail.
detail.
An honest man has hardly need to count more than his ten fingers, or in extreme cases
he may add
his ten toes, and lump the rest. Simplicity, simplicity, simplicity!
I say,
let your affairs be as two or three, and not a hundred or a
thousand instead of a million count half a dozen, and keep your accounts on your
thumbnail. Let our affairs be as 2 or 3, and not a hundred or a thousand
let your affairs be as two or three, and not a hundred or a thousand; instead of a
million count
half a dozen, and keep your accounts on your thumb nail.
let your affairs be as two or three, and not a hundred or a thousand; instead of a
million count
half a dozen, and keep your accounts on your thumb nail.
let your affairs be as two or three, and not a hundred or a thousand; instead of a
million count
half a dozen, and keep your accounts on your thumb nail.
let your affairs be as two or three, and not a hundred or a thousand; instead of a
million count
half a dozen, and keep your accounts on your thumb nail.
let your affairs be as two or three, and not a hundred or a thousand; instead of a
million count
half a dozen, and keep your accounts on your thumb nail.
let your affairs be as two or three, and not a hundred or a thousand; instead of a
million count
half a dozen, and keep your accounts on your thumb nail.
let your affairs be as two or three, and not a hundred or a thousand; instead of a
million count
half a dozen, and keep your accounts on your thumb nail.
In the midst of this
chopping sea which we call civilization
chopping sea of civilized life,
chopping sea of civilized life,
chopping sea of civilized life,
chopping sea of civilized life,
chopping sea of civilized life,
chopping sea of civilized life,
chopping sea of civilized life,
such are the clouds and storms and quicksands and thousand-and-one items to be allowed
for,
that
that
that
that
that
that
that
that
a man has to live, if he would not founder and go to the bottom and not make his
port at all, by
dead reckoning,
and he must be a great calculator indeed who succeeds.
Simplify, simplify. Instead of three meals a day, if it be necessary eat but one;
instead of a hundred
dishes, five; and reduce other things in proportion. Our life is like a German Confederacy,
made up of petty states,
whose government is forever fluctuating and
with its boundary forever fluctuating, so that
with its boundary forever fluctuating, so that
with its boundary forever fluctuating, so that
with its boundary forever fluctuating, so that
with its boundary forever fluctuating, so that
with its boundary forever fluctuating, so that
with its boundary forever fluctuating, so that
even a German cannot tell you how it is bounded at any moment. The nation itself,
with all its so
called internal improvements, which, by the way, are all external and superficial,
is just such an
unwieldy and overgrown establishment,
cluttered
encumbered
cluttered
cluttered
cluttered
cluttered
cluttered
cluttered
cluttered
with furniture and tripped up by its own traps, ruined by luxury and heedless expense,
by want of calculation
and a worthy aim,
and a worthy aim,
and a worthy aim,
and a worthy aim,
and a worthy aim,
and a worthy aim,
and a worthy aim,
and a worthy aim,
as the million households in the land; and the only cure for it as for them is in
a rigid economy,
a stern and more than Spartan simplicity of life and
grandeur
elevation
elevation
elevation
elevation
elevation
elevation
elevation
elevation
of purpose. It lives too fast. Men think that it is essential that the
Nation
make lard oil
have commerce
have commerce,
have commerce,
have commerce,
have commerce,
have commerce,
have commerce,
have commerce,
and export ice,
and talk through a telegraph,
and ride thirty miles an hour,
without a doubt,
they do or not
whether they do or not;
whether they do or not;
whether they do or not;
whether they do or not;
whether they do or not;
whether they do or not;
whether they do or not;
whether they do or not;
but whether we should live like
chimpanzees or baboons
baboons
baboons
baboons
baboons
baboons
baboons
baboons
or like men, is a little uncertain. If we do not get out sleepers,
and forge rails, and devote days and nights to the work, but go to tinkering upon
our
lives
to improve
them
, who will build
railroads? And if railroads are not built, how shall we get to heaven
in season? But if we stay at home and mind our
business, who will want railroads?
We do not ride on the railroad; it rides upon us.
We do not ride on the railroad; it rides upon us.
We do not ride on the railroad; it rides upon us.
We do not ride on the railroad; it rides upon us.
We do not ride on the railroad; it rides upon us.
We do not ride on the railroad; it rides upon us.
We do not ride on the railroad; it rides upon us.
We do not ride on the railroad; it rides upon us.
Did you ever think what
these
those
those
those
those
those
those
those
sleepers are that underlie the railroad? Each one is a man, an Irish-man, or a Yankee
man. The
rails are laid on them, and they are covered with sand, and the cars run smoothly
over them. They are
sound sleepers,
I assure you. And every few years a new lot is laid down and run
over; so that, if
a few
some
some
some
some
some
some
some
some
have the pleasure of riding on a rail,
the rest
others
others
others
others
others
others
others
others
have the misfortune to be ridden upon. And when they run over a man that is walking
in his sleep,
a supernumerary sleeper in the wrong position,
and wake him up,
and wake him up,
and wake him up,
and wake him up,
and wake him up,
and wake him up,
and wake him up,
and wake him up,
they suddenly stop the cars, and make a hue and cry about it, as if this were an
exception. I am
glad to know that it takes a gang of men for every five miles to keep the sleepers
down and level in
their beds as it is, for this is a sign that they may sometime get up again.
Why should we live with such hurry and waste of life? We are determined to
starve
be starved
be starved
be starved
be starved
be starved
be starved
be starved
be starved
before we are hungry. Men say that a stitch in time saves nine,
and so they take a thousand stitches today to save nine tomorrow.
As for
work
, we haven’t any of any consequence.
Men
Men
We
We
We
We
We
We
We
have the Saint Vitus’ dance,
and cannot possibly keep
their heads or limbs still. Why, if
their
our heads still. Why, if
our heads still. If
our heads still. If
our heads still. If
our heads still. If
our heads still. If
our heads still. If
I should only give a few pulls at the
parish
parish
parish
parish
parish
parish
parish
bell-rope,
yonder, fiery-like
yonder. fiery-like
as for fire
as for a fire,
as for a fire,
as for a fire,
as for a fire,
as for a fire,
as for a fire,
that is, without setting the bell,
there is
not
hardly
hardly
hardly
hardly
hardly
hardly
hardly
hardly
a man on his farm in the outskirts of
this town
this town
Concord
Concord,
Concord,
Concord,
Concord,
Concord,
Concord,
notwithstanding that press of engagements which was his excuse so many times this
morning, nor
a boy, nor a woman, I might almost say, but
will
would
would
would
would
would
would
would
forsake all and follow that sound,
and not as we must all confess, if we are honest—to do a deed of charity or
neighborliness, & save property from the flames—but
and not, as we must all confess if we are honest, to do a deed of charity
or
not for the sake of
not mainly from neighborliness and
or to save property from the flames, but
much more if we are honest and confess the truth
not mainly to save property from the flames. but, if we will confess the truth, much
more
not mainly to save property from the flames. but, if we will confess the truth, much
more
not mainly to save property from the flames. but, if we will confess the truth, much
more
not mainly to save property from the flames. but, if we will confess the truth, much
more
not mainly to save property from the flames. but, if we will confess the truth, much
more
not mainly to save property from the flames. but, if we will confess the truth, much
more
to see it burn, since burn it must, and we, be it known, did not set it on fire,
—or to see it put out, and have a hand in it, if
that is done as handsomely; yes, even if it were the
very meeting house over our heads
very meeting house over our heads
itself
very meeting house over our heads
itself
very meeting house over our heads
itself
meeting house
parish church itself
parish church itself
parish church itself
parish church itself
. Hardly a man takes a half hour’s nap after dinner, but when he wakes he holds up
his head and
asks, “What’s the news?”
as if the rest of mankind had stood his sentinels.
as if the rest of mankind had been
stood his sentinels
as if the rest of mankind had stood his sentinels.
as if the rest of mankind had stood his sentinels.
as if the rest of mankind had stood his sentinels.
Some give directions to be waked every half hour, doubtless for no other purpose;
and then, to
pay for it, they tell what they have dreamed.
After a night’s sleep the news is as indispensable as the
breakfast.
After a night’s sleep the news is as indispensable as the breakfast.
After a night’s sleep the news is as indispensable as the breakfast.
After a night’s sleep the news is as indispensable as the breakfast.
Pray tell us anything new that has happened to any man in
this world & he reads it over hot coffee & rolls, the latest news by
telegraph that a man has had his eyes gouged out this morning on the Wachito
river
Pray tell me anything new that has happened to any man in this world
a man anywhere on this globe—And he reads it over hot
his coffee and rolls, the latest intelligence by telegraph, that a man has had his
eyes gouged out this morning on the Wachito river
“Pray tell me any thing new that has happened to a man any where on this globe”,—and
he reads
it over his coffee and rolls, that a man has had his eyes gouged out this morning
on the Wachito
River
“Pray tell me any thing new that has happened to a man any where on this globe”,—and
he reads
it over his coffee and rolls, that a man has had his eyes gouged out this morning
on the Wachito
River
“Pray tell me any thing new that has happened to a man any where on this globe”,—and
he reads
it over his coffee and rolls, that a man has had his eyes gouged out this morning
on the Wachito
River
“Pray tell me any thing new that has happened to a man any where on this globe”,—and
he reads
it over his coffee and rolls, that a man has had his eyes gouged out this morning
on the Wachito
River
“Pray tell me any thing new that has happened to a man any where on this globe”,—and
he reads
it over his coffee and rolls, that a man has had his eyes gouged out this morning
on the Wachito
River
“Pray tell me any thing new that has happened to a man any where on this globe”,—and
he reads
it over his coffee and rolls, that a man has had his eyes gouged out this morning
on the Wachito
River
;
never dreaming the while that he lives in the dark unfathomed mammoth cave of
this world, and has but the rudiment of an eye himself.
never dreaming the while that he lives in the dark unfathomed mammoth cave of this world, and has but the rudiment of an eye himself.
never dreaming the while that he lives in the dark unfathomed mammoth cave of this world, and has but the rudiment of an eye himself.
never dreaming the while that he lives in the dark unfathomed mammoth cave of this world, and has but the rudiment of an eye himself.
never dreaming the while that he lives in the dark unfathomed mammoth cave of this world, and has but the rudiment of an eye himself.
never dreaming the while that he lives in the dark unfathomed mammoth cave of this world, and has but the rudiment of an eye himself.
never dreaming the while that he lives in the dark unfathomed mammoth cave of this world, and has but the rudiment of an eye himself.
I think that there are very few communications made through the Post Office
r
Revision note: B1:
For my part I could even dispense with the Post Office if
it were necessary. I think that there are very few important communications made through
it.
To speak deliberately & critically I never received but one of two letters
in my life that were worth the postage—much less the reading
For my part, I could dispense with the Post Office, if it were necessary. I think
that there are very few important communications made through it. To speak deliberately
and
critically, I never received but one or two letters in my life that were worth the
postage, much
less the reading
r
Revision note: B1:
For my part I could even dispense with the Post Office if
it were necessary. I think that there are very few important communications made through
it.
To speak deliberately & critically I never received but one of two letters
in my life that were worth the postage—much less the reading
For my part, I could dispense with the Post Office, if it were necessary. I think
that there are very few important communications made through it. To speak deliberately
and
critically, I never received but one or two letters in my life that were worth the
postage, much
less the reading
r
Revision note: B1:
For my part I could even dispense with the Post Office if
it were necessary. I think that there are very few important communications made through
it.
To speak deliberately & critically I never received but one of two letters
in my life that were worth the postage—much less the reading
For my part, I could dispense with the Post Office, if it were necessary. I think
that there are very few important communications made through it. To speak deliberately
and
critically, I never received but one or two letters in my life that were worth the
postage, much
less the reading
For my part, I could easily do without the Post Office. I think that there are
very few important communications made through it. To speak critically I never received
but one
or two letters in my life I wrote this some years ago that were
worth much more than the postage. The penny post is an
institution through which you seriously offer a man that penny for his thoughts which
is
often safely offered in jest
For my part, I could easily do without the post-office. I think that there are very
few
important communications made through it. To speak critically, I never received more
than one or
two letters in my life—I wrote this some years ago—that were worth the postage. The penny-post is, commonly, an institution through
which you seriously offer a man that penny for his thoughts which is so often safely offered in jest.
For my part, I could easily do without the post-office. I think that there are very
few
important communications made through it. To speak critically, I never received more
than one or
two letters in my life—I wrote this some years ago—that were worth the postage. The penny-post is, commonly, an institution through
which you seriously offer a man that penny for his thoughts which is so often safely offered in jest.
For my part, I could easily do without the post-office. I think that there are very
few
important communications made through it. To speak critically, I never received more
than one or
two letters in my life—I wrote this some years ago—that were worth the postage. The penny-post is, commonly, an institution through
which you seriously offer a man that penny for his thoughts which is so often safely offered in jest.
And
& I may say without being extravagant that
I am sure that
I am sure that
I am sure that
I am sure that
I am sure that
I am sure that
I never read any memorable news in a
newspaper in my life.
r
Revision note: B1: newspaper though I confess that in spirit in both of these cases like the
rest of mankind I am but too ready to say that the smallest favors will be gratefully
received.
newspaper—Though I confess that in spirit I am but too often ready to admit,
like the rest of mankind that the smallest favors, in either of these forms, will
be
gratefully received.
newspaper.
newspaper.
newspaper.
newspaper.
newspaper.
newspaper.
If we
have read that
of one man was
have read that
of one man was
read of one man
read of one man
read of one man
read of one man
read of one man
read of one man
being robbed
being robbed
robbed,
robbed,
robbed,
robbed,
robbed,
robbed,
or murdered, or killed by accident, or one house burned, or one vessel wrecked, or
one
steamboat blown up, or one cow run over on the Western Railroad,
or one mad dog killed, or one lot of grasshoppers in the winter,—we
r
Revision note: B1: need never
need never
r
Revision note: B1: need never
need never
never need
never need
never need
never need
never need
never need
read of another. One is enough. If you are acquainted with the principle, what do
you care for
a myriad instances and applications? To a philosopher all
news
,
as it is called,
as it is called,
as it is called,
as it is called,
as it is called,
as it is called,
is gossip, and
those
those
they
they
they
they
they
they
who edit and read it are old women over their
r
Revision note: B1: tea. Uncle Sam is a man who presumes to tell you each day how many times he has
stubbed his toes. No doubt such accidents do happen to a man, but let him wait at
least till he
stubs his nose before he disturbs
bores his neighbors with the news
tea. Uncle Sam is a man who presumes to tell you each day how many times he
has stubbed his toes. No doubt such accidents do happen to a man, but let him wait
at least
till he stubbs his nose before he troubles his neighbors with his affairs
r
Revision note: B1: tea. Uncle Sam is a man who presumes to tell you each day how many times he has
stubbed his toes. No doubt such accidents do happen to a man, but let him wait at
least till he
stubs his nose before he disturbs
bores his neighbors with the news
tea. Uncle Sam is a man who presumes to tell you each day how many times he
has stubbed his toes. No doubt such accidents do happen to a man, but let him wait
at least
till he stubbs his nose before he troubles his neighbors with his affairs
tea
tea
tea
tea
tea
tea
. Yet
many
not a few
many
not a few
not a few
not a few
not a few
not a few
not a few
not a few
are greedy
r
Revision note: B1: of such gossip as this.
of such gossip as this.
r
Revision note: B1: of such gossip as this.
of such gossip as this.
after this gossip.
after this gossip.
after this gossip.
after this gossip.
after this gossip.
after this gossip.
There was such a rush,
I
as I
as I
as I
as I
as I
as I
as I
hear, the other day at one of the offices to learn the foreign news by the last arrival,
as broke several large squares of plate glass belonging to the establishment
as broke
that several large squares of plate glass belonging to the
establishment were broken
that several large squares of plate glass belonging to the establishment were broken
by the
pressure,
that several large squares of plate glass belonging to the establishment were broken
by the
pressure,
that several large squares of plate glass belonging to the establishment were broken
by the
pressure,
that several large squares of plate glass belonging to the establishment were broken
by the
pressure,
that several large squares of plate glass belonging to the establishment were broken
by the
pressure,
that several large squares of plate glass belonging to the establishment were broken
by the
pressure,
—news which I seriously think a ready wit might write a twelvemonth or twelve years
beforehand
with sufficient accuracy.
As for Spain, for instance, if you know how to throw in Don Carlos and the
Infanta, and Don Pedro and Seville and Granada,
from time to time in the right proportions,—
they may have changed the names a little since I saw the papers,
they may have changed the names a little since I saw the papers,
they may have changed the names a little since I saw the papers,
they may have changed the names a little since I saw the papers,
they may have changed the names a little since I saw the papers,
they may have changed the names a little since I saw the papers,
—and serve up a bull-fight when other entertainments fail, it will be true to the
letter, and
give us as good an idea of the exact state or ruin of things in Spain as the most
succinct and lucid
reports under this head in the newspapers:
and as for England, almost the last significant scrap of news from that quarter was
the
revolution of 1649; and if you have learned the history of her crops for
an average year, you never need attend to that thing again, unless your speculations
are of a
merely pecuniary character.
and as for England, almost the last significant scrap of news from that quarter was
the
revolution of 1649; and if you have learned the history of her crops for
an average year, you never need attend to that thing again, unless your speculations
are of a
merely pecuniary character.
and as for England, almost the last significant scrap of news from that quarter was
the
revolution of 1649; and if you have learned the history of her crops for
an average year, you never need attend to that thing again, unless your speculations
are of a
merely pecuniary character.
and as for England, almost the last significant scrap of news from that quarter was
the
revolution of 1649; and if you have learned the history of her crops for
an average year, you never need attend to that thing again, unless your speculations
are of a
merely pecuniary character.
and as for England, almost the last significant scrap of news from that quarter was
the
revolution of 1649; and if you have learned the history of her crops for
an average year, you never need attend to that thing again, unless your speculations
are of a
merely pecuniary character.
and as for England, almost the last significant scrap of news from that quarter was
the
revolution of 1649; and if you have learned the history of her crops for
an average year, you never need attend to that thing again, unless your speculations
are of a
merely pecuniary character.
If one may judge who rarely looks into the newspapers,
I should say that nothing
I should say that nothing
nothing
nothing
nothing
nothing
nothing
nothing
new does ever happen in foreign parts,
a French revolution not excepted. This was written before the last
French Revolution broke out—but a Revolution in France might be expected any day—and
may even
almost as well be described before as after the events. & it
would be no easier to tell how where it would end at one time than
another after it was 5 years old than before it was born
This was written before the last French Revolution broke out, but a
revolution in France might be expected any day, and it would be as easy to tell where
it
would end before it was born
began as after it was five years old
a French revolution not excepted.
a French revolution not excepted.
a French revolution not excepted.
a French revolution not excepted.
a French revolution not excepted.
a French revolution not excepted.
What news! how much more important to know what that is which was never
old! “Kieou-pe-yu
(great dignitary
of the state of Wei) sent a man to Khoung-tseu to know his news. Khoung-tseu caused
the messenger to
be seated near him, and questioned him in these terms: What is your master doing?
The messenger
answered with respect: My master desires to diminish the number of his faults, but
he cannot
come to the end of them. [venir à bout]
n
Note: The brackets in this passage are Thoreau’s. (R. Clapper)
come to the end of them. [venir à bout]
n
Note: The brackets in this passage are Thoreau’s. (R. Clapper)
accomplish it.
accomplish it.
accomplish it.
accomplish it.
accomplish it.
accomplish it.
The messenger being gone, the philosopher
said
said
remarked:
remarked:
remarked:
remarked:
remarked:
remarked:
What a worthy messenger! What a worthy messenger!”
The preacher, instead of vexing the ears of
drowsy farmers on their day of rest at the end of the week,—for Sunday
always seemed to me like a
always seemed to me like a
the
is the
is the
is the
is the
is the
is the
fit conclusion of an ill-spent week, and not the fresh and brave beginning of a new
one,—with
this one other
draggle tail and postponed affair
draggle-tail and postponed affair
draggle-tail
draggle-tail
draggle-tail
draggle-tail
draggle-tail
draggle-tail
of a sermon, should
teach them with a
teach them with a
shout with
shout with
shout with
shout with
shout with
shout with
shout with
thundering voice,—“Pause! Avast!
Why so
seeming fast,
Why so
but
Why so
but
but
but
but
but
but
but
deadly slow?”
Shams and delusions are esteemed for soundest truths, while reality is
fabulous. We are not prepared for the truth
fabulous.
fabulous.
fabulous.
fabulous.
fabulous.
fabulous.
fabulous.
If men would steadily
observe realities only, and not allow themselves to be deluded, life,
to compare it with such things as we know,
to compare it with such things as we know,
to compare it with such things as we know,
to compare it with such things as we know,
to compare it with such things as we know,
to compare it with such things as we know,
to compare it with such things as we know,
would be like a fairy tale and the Arabian Nights' Entertainments. If we respected
only what
was
is
is
is
is
is
is
is
is
inevitable and
had
has
has
has
has
has
has
has
has
a right to be, music and poetry would resound along the streets. When we are
calm & wise & unhurried
calm and wise and unhurried,
unhurried and wise,
unhurried and wise,
unhurried and wise,
unhurried and wise,
unhurried and wise,
unhurried and wise,
we perceive that only great and worthy things have any permanent and absolute existence,—that
petty fears and petty pleasures are but the shadow of the reality.
This is always sublime and exhilarating
This is always exhilarating and sublime.
This is always exhilarating and sublime.
This is always exhilarating and sublime.
This is always exhilarating and sublime.
This is always exhilarating and sublime.
This is always exhilarating and sublime.
By closing the eyes and slumbering, and consenting to be deceived by shows, men establish
and
confirm their daily life of routine and habit every where, which still is built on
purely
imaginary foundations. A more intimate a truer experience, a more practical
wisdom teaches men that the trivial and commonplace are not real but apparent and
superficial
merely. The reality is sublime and exhilarating—if men would discriminate always and
never be
deluded by appearances, life would never be mean nor unworthy
imaginary foundations.
illusory foundations.
illusory foundations.
illusory foundations.
illusory foundations.
illusory foundations.
illusory foundations.
Children,
who play life, discern its true law and relations more clearly than men, who
fail to live it worthily, but who think
that
that
that
that
that
that
that
they are wiser by
experience. All the gold all the silver we want is reality—This is sublime
& inspiring. Appearance whether fair or foul is equally shallow and
dangerous
experience,
experience,
experience,
experience,
experience,
experience,
experience,
that is, by failure. I have read in,
an old book
a Hindoo book,
an old book
a Hindoo book,
a Hindoo book,
a Hindoo book,
a Hindoo book,
a Hindoo book,
a Hindoo book,
a Hindoo book,
that “there was a king’s son, who, being expelled in infancy from his native city,
was brought
up by a forester, and, growing up to maturity in that state, imagined himself to belong
to the
barbarous race with which he lived. One of his father’s ministers having discovered
him, revealed to
him what he was, and the misconception of his character was removed, and he knew himself
to be a
prince. So soul,”
continues the Hindoo philosopher,
continues the Hindoo philosopher,
continues the Hindoo philosopher,
continues the Hindoo philosopher,
continues the Hindoo philosopher,
continues the Hindoo philosopher,
“from the circumstances in which it is placed, mistakes its own character, until
the truth is
revealed to it by some holy teacher, and then it knows itself to be
Brahme
.” I perceive that we inhabitants of
Concord
Concord
New England
New England
New England
New England
New England
New England
New England
live this mean life that we do because our vision does not penetrate the surface
of things. We
think that that
is
which
appears
to be. If
a man should walk through
the village
the village
this city
this town
this town
this town
this town
this town
this town
and see only the reality, where, think you, would
the "Mill-dam"
your state street
the "Mill-dam"
your state street
the “Mill-dam”
the “Mill-dam”
the “Mill-dam”
the “Mill-dam”
the “Mill-dam”
the “Mill-dam”
go to? If he should give us an account of the realities he beheld there, we should
not
recognize the place
by
by
in
in
in
in
in
in
his description. Look at a
meeting house
church
meeting house
church
meeting-house,
meeting-house,
meeting-house,
meeting-house,
meeting-house,
meeting-house,
or a court-house, or a jail, or a shop, or a dwelling-house, and say what
this
this
that
that
that
that
that
that
that
thing really is before a true gaze, and they would all go to pieces in your account
of them.
Men esteem truth remote, in the outskirts of the system, behind the farthest star,
before Adam and
after the last man. In eternity there is indeed something true and sublime. But all
these times and
places and occasions are now
and here.
and here.
and here.
and here.
and here.
and here.
and here.
and here.
God himself culminates in the present moment, and will never be
more divine in the lapse of all the ages. And we are enabled to apprehend at all what
is sublime and
noble only by the perpetual instilling and drenching of the reality which surrounds
us. The universe
constantly and obediently answers to our conceptions; whether we travel fast or slow,
the track is
laid for
us. I think that the universe really needs no patching from us—and its Maker
no condolence. Let us remember that God is well.
us.
us.
us.
us.
us.
us.
us.
Let us spend our lives in conceiving
then. The work will always answer to our conception
then. The work will always answer to our conception
then.
then.
then.
then.
then.
then.
The poet or the artist never yet had so fair and noble a design but some of his posterity
at
least could accomplish it.
Let us spend one
day at last
day
day
day
day
day
day
day
as deliberately as Nature, and not be thrown off the track
by every
nutshell and mosquito’s wing that falls on the rails. Let us rise early and fast,
or break fast,
gently and without
perturbation. What if the milkman does not come in season to whitewash our
coffee—let us murmur an inward prayer that we may be sustained under this trial, and
forget
him
perturbation. What if the milkman does not come in season to whitewash our
coffee—let us murmur an inward prayer that we may be sustained under this trial, and
forget
him
perturbation;
perturbation;
perturbation;
perturbation;
perturbation;
perturbation;
let company come and let company go, let the bells ring and the children cry,—determined
to
make a day of it. Why should we knock under and go with the stream? Let us not be
upset and
overwhelmed in that terrible rapid and whirlpool
called a dinner,
situated in the meridian
shallows.
Weather this danger and you are safe, for the rest of the way is down hill. With unrelaxed
nerves,
with morning vigor, sail by it, looking another way, tied to the mast like Ulysses.
If the engine whistles, let it whistle till it is hoarse for its
pains. If the bell rings, why should we run? We will consider what kind of music
it is
they are
they are
they are
they are
they are
they are
they are
they are
like. Let us settle ourselves, and work and wedge our feet downward through the mud
and slush
of opinion, and prejudice, and tradition, and delusion, and appearance, that alluvion
which covers the
globe, through
London and Paris,
London and Paris,
Paris and London,
Paris and London,
Paris and London,
Paris and London,
Paris and London,
Paris and London,
through New York and Boston and
Concord
Worcester
Concord
Worcester
Concord,
Concord,
Concord,
Concord,
Concord,
Concord,
through church and state, through poetry and philosophy and religion, till we come
to a hard
bottom and rocks in place, which we can call
reality
, and say, This is,
and no mistake; and then begin, having a
point d'appui
,
below freshet and frost and fire, a
place where you might found a wall or a state, or set a lamp-post safely, or perhaps
a gauge, not a
Nilometer,
but a Realometer, that future ages might know how deep a freshet of shams and
appearances had gathered from time to time.
If you stand right fronting and face to face
to a fact, you will see the sun glimmer on both its surfaces, as if it were a cimeter,
and feel its sweet
edge dividing you through the heart and marrow, and so you will happily conclude your
mortal career.
Be it life or death, we crave only reality. If we are really dying, let us hear the
rattle in our
throats and feel cold in the extremities; if we are alive, let us go about our
business. I am glad to remember as I sit by my door that I too am a remote
descendant of a heroic race of men of whom there is tradition—in one sense a fellow
wanderer and
survivor of Ulysses, for instance. My life passes amid the pines of New England. The
pitch pine
grows before my door unlike any glyph
glyphic
symbol I have seen sculpted or painted. Where are the heroes whose exploits shall
appear to posterity sculptured on monuments amid such natural forms as these—as we
see heroes and demigods amid the lotuses and palms of the east. What new marks shall
we
add to
make at the Red Pipestone Quarry?
business.
business.
business.
business.
business.
business.
business.
n
Note: B: this passage appears in Sounds 2c. (R. Clapper)
Time is but the stream I go a-fishing in. I drink at it; but while I drink I
see the sandy bottom and detect how shallow it is. Its thin current
glides
slides
slides
slides
slides
slides
slides
slides
away, but eternity remains. I would drink deeper; fish in the sky, whose bottom is
pebbly with
stars.
r
Revision note: A1: The Intellect is a cleaver; it discerns and splits & rifts its way into the
secret of things. I do not want to be more busy with my hands than is necessary—My
head is my hands
& my feet—I feel all my faculties concentrated in it. My instinct tells me obscurely
that
my head is an organ for burrowing, as some creatures use their snout & fore paws—and
with
it I would mine & burrow my way through those hills. I cannot count one—I know not the
first letter of the alphabet. I have always been regretting that I was not as wise
as the day I
was born
I cannot count one. I know not the first letter of the
alphabet. I have always been regretting that I was not as wise as the day I was born The
Intellect is a cleaver; it discerns & splits, and rifts its way into the secret of
things.
I do not wish to be any more busy with my hands than is necessary—My head is my hands
& my feet. I feel all my faculties concentrated in it. My instinct tells
I cannot count one. I know not the first letter of the alphabet. I have always been
regretting that I was not as wise as the day I was born. The intellect is a cleaver;
it discerns
and splits and rifts its way into the secret of things. I do not wish to be any more
busy with my
hands than is necessary. My head is hands and feet. I feel all my best faculties concentrated in it. My instinct tells me that my head is an organ for
burrowing, as some creatures use their snout and fore paws, and with it I would mine
and burrow my
way through these hills.
I cannot count one. I know not the first letter of the alphabet. I have always been
regretting
that I was not as wise as the day I was born. The intellect is a cleaver;
it discerns and rifts its way into the secret of things. I do not wish to be any more
busy with my
hands than is necessary. My head is hands and feet. I feel all my best faculties concentrated
in
it. My instinct tells me that my head is an organ for burrowing, as some creatures
use their snout
and fore-paws, and with it I would mine and burrow my way through these hills.
I cannot count one. I know not the first letter of the alphabet. I have always been
regretting
that I was not as wise as the day I was born. The intellect is a cleaver;
it discerns and rifts its way into the secret of things. I do not wish to be any more
busy with my
hands than is necessary. My head is hands and feet. I feel all my best faculties concentrated
in
it. My instinct tells me that my head is an organ for burrowing, as some creatures
use their snout
and fore-paws, and with it I would mine and burrow my way through these hills.
I cannot count one. I know not the first letter of the alphabet. I have always been
regretting
that I was not as wise as the day I was born. The intellect is a cleaver;
it discerns and rifts its way into the secret of things. I do not wish to be any more
busy with my
hands than is necessary. My head is hands and feet. I feel all my best faculties concentrated
in
it. My instinct tells me that my head is an organ for burrowing, as some creatures
use their snout
and fore-paws, and with it I would mine and burrow my way through these hills.
I cannot count one. I know not the first letter of the alphabet. I have always been
regretting
that I was not as wise as the day I was born. The intellect is a cleaver;
it discerns and rifts its way into the secret of things. I do not wish to be any more
busy with my
hands than is necessary. My head is hands and feet. I feel all my best faculties concentrated
in
it. My instinct tells me that my head is an organ for burrowing, as some creatures
use their snout
and fore-paws, and with it I would mine and burrow my way through these hills.
I cannot count one. I know not the first letter of the alphabet. I have always been
regretting
that I was not as wise as the day I was born. The intellect is a cleaver;
it discerns and rifts its way into the secret of things. I do not wish to be any more
busy with my
hands than is necessary. My head is hands and feet. I feel all my best faculties concentrated
in
it. My instinct tells me that my head is an organ for burrowing, as some creatures
use their snout
and fore-paws, and with it I would mine and burrow my way through these hills.
I cannot count one. I know not the first letter of the alphabet. I have always been
regretting
that I was not as wise as the day I was born. The intellect is a cleaver;
it discerns and rifts its way into the secret of things. I do not wish to be any more
busy with my
hands than is necessary. My head is hands and feet. I feel all my best faculties concentrated
in
it. My instinct tells me that my head is an organ for burrowing, as some creatures
use their snout
and fore-paws, and with it I would mine and burrow my way through these hills.
I think
I cannot count one. I know not the first letter of the alphabet. I have always been
regretting that I was not as wise as the day I was born. The intellect is a cleaver;
it discerns
and rifts its way into the secret of things. I do not wish to be any more busy with
my hands than
is necessary. My head is hands and feet. I feel all my best faculties concentrated
in it. My
instinct tells me that my head is an organ for burrowing, as some creatures use their
snout and
fore-paws, and with it I would mine and burrow my way through these hills.
that
that
that
that
that
that
that
the richest vein is somewhere hereabouts; so by the divining rod
and thin
rising vapors I judge; and here I will begin to
mine. When I was fairly established in my house I sang this song,
Or farther still from home.
Not seek the sunny South,
Of the sunny Present Hour.
Where canst thou prevail,
You’ll find nothing lovely
What is there in pictures
There’d be little travelling
The means! What are they?
Life got, and some to spare,
Plenty of time well spent,
Clothes paid for, and no rent
And, above all, no need to return;—
Say have they not failed,
Or steamed it, or sailed?
Then you might as well have stayed,
They never’ll grade that way,
There are plenty of depots
We shall not have to hear
When the engine bell rings.
mine.
mine.
mine.
mine.
mine.
mine.
mine.
Bibliographic Information