Sounds
Sounds
Sounds
Sounds
Sounds
Yet after all, while we are confined to books though the most select & classic and study only particular written
languages which are themselves but dialects or provincialisms, we are
apt to forget the language, or rather the expression, which all things every where,
morning & evening and all events speak—which only is copious, for the tongue is only
an
accidental organ of speech even of this written language which it has
helped to establish serving equally the palate, and speech itself is partial,
uttering
and still lips were the methods which it had established necessary or sufficient for
the
silent expression of truth by instilling us. For both speech and writing are partial,
utters but a small part of the meaning with which the silence is fraught.—I mean here the language which things speak originally and without
metaphor—such as the life of a man hears rather than his ears &
his instincts speak—rather than his tongue and at length through all his actions or his life he learns to mutter. With a more copious hearing or
understanding of what is published, the views ever fresh which the breezes of heaven
waft to us, and all things exhale the present languages and all
that they express or can express will be forgotten
Yet after all, while we are confined to books though the most select & classic and study only particular written
languages which are themselves but dialects or provincialisms, we are
apt to forget the language, or rather the expression, which all things every where,
morning & evening and all events speak—which only is copious, for the tongue is only
an
accidental organ of speech even of this written language which it has
helped to establish serving equally the palate, and speech itself is partial,
uttering
and still lips were the methods which it had established necessary or sufficient for
the
silent expression of truth by instilling us. For both speech and writing are partial,
utters but a small part of the meaning with which the silence is fraught.—I mean here the language which things speak originally and without
metaphor—such as the life of a man hears rather than his ears &
his instincts speak—rather than his tongue and at length through all his actions or his life he learns to mutter. With a more copious hearing or
understanding of what is published, the views ever fresh which the breezes of heaven
waft to us, and all things exhale the present languages and all
that they express or can express will be forgotten
Yet after all, while we are confined to books though the most select & classic and study only particular written
languages which are themselves but dialects or provincialisms, we are
apt to forget the language, or rather the expression, which all things every where,
morning & evening and all events speak—which only is copious, for the tongue is only
an
accidental organ of speech even of this written language which it has
helped to establish serving equally the palate, and speech itself is partial,
uttering
and still lips were the methods which it had established necessary or sufficient for
the
silent expression of truth by instilling us. For both speech and writing are partial,
utters but a small part of the meaning with which the silence is fraught.—I mean here the language which things speak originally and without
metaphor—such as the life of a man hears rather than his ears &
his instincts speak—rather than his tongue and at length through all his actions or his life he learns to mutter. With a more copious hearing or
understanding of what is published, the views ever fresh which the breezes of heaven
waft to us, and all things exhale the present languages and all
that they express or can express will be forgotten
But while we are confined to books, though the most select and classic, and read only
particular written languages which are themselves but dialects and provincial, we
are in danger of
forgetting the language which all things and events, beast bird and flower, morning and
evening— speak originally and without metaphor, which only
alone is copious and standard, and an adequate expression of the
meaning with which the universe is fraught; the language which the soul of a man hears
rather than
his ears, or understanding and his
divine instincts speak rather than his tongue. With a more copious hearing or
understanding of what is published, the views ever fresh which the breezes waft to
us, the
present languages and all that they express or can express will be forgotten
BUT while we are confined to books, though the most select and classic, and read only
particular
written languages, which are themselves but dialects and provincial, we are in danger
of forgetting
the language which all things and events speak without metaphor, which alone is copious
and
standard. Much is published, but little printed.
BUT while we are confined to books, though the most select and classic, and read only
particular
written languages, which are themselves but dialects and provincial, we are in danger
of forgetting
the language which all things and events speak without metaphor, which alone is copious
and
standard. Much is published, but little printed.
BUT while we are confined to books, though the most select and classic, and read only
particular
written languages, which are themselves but dialects and provincial, we are in danger
of forgetting
the language which all things and events speak without metaphor, which alone is copious
and
standard. Much is published, but little printed.
BUT while we are confined to books, though the most select and classic, and read only
particular
written languages, which are themselves but dialects and provincial, we are in danger
of forgetting
the language which all things and events speak without metaphor, which alone is copious
and
standard. Much is published, but little printed.
The rays which
streamed
streamed
streamed
streamed
stream
stream
stream
stream
through the
crevices
crevices
crevices
crevices
shutter
shutter
shutter
shutter
shutter
will be no longer remembered when the
shadow
shadow
shadow
shadow
shutter
shutter
shutter
shutter
shutter
is wholly removed. No method nor discipline can supersede the necessity of being
forever on the
alert. What is a course of history, or philosophy,
or poetry,
or poetry,
or poetry,
or poetry,
or poetry,
or poetry,
or poetry,
no matter how well selected, or the best society, or the most admirable routine of
life, compared
with the discipline of
seeing always
looking always at
looking always at
looking always at
looking always at
looking always at
looking always at
looking always at
what is to be seen? Will you be a reader, a student merely, or a seer? Read your
fate, see what is
before you, and walk on into futurity.
I did not read books the first summer;
rather I hoed
rather I hoed
rather I hoed
rather I hoed
I hoed
I hoed
I hoed
I hoed
beans. Nay, I often did better than this. There were times when I could not afford
to
sacrifice
rub off
sacrifice
sacrifice
rub off
sacrifice
sacrifice
rub off
sacrifice
sacrifice
rub off
sacrifice
sacrifice
sacrifice
sacrifice
sacrifice
the bloom of the present moment
to
with
to
to
with
to
to
with
to
to
with
to
to
to
to
to
any work, whether of the head or hands. I
loved
love
loved
love
loved
love
loved
love
love
love
love
love
a broad margin to my life.
Sometimes, in a
spring morning when the season of work was past or had not yet arrived
or later in the summer when it was already past having performed my accustomed
ablutions
spring morning when the season of work had not yet arrived, or later in the summer
when it was already passed, having performed my accustomed ablutions
spring morning when the season of work had not yet arrived, or later in the summer
when it was already passed, having performed my accustomed ablutions
spring morning when the season of work had not yet arrived, or later in the summer
when it was already passed, having performed my accustomed ablutions
spring morning when the season of work had not yet arrived, or later in the summer
when it was already passed, having performed my accustomed ablutions
summer morning, having performed my accustomed ablutions
taken my accustomed bath
summer morning, having taken my accustomed bath,
summer morning, having taken my accustomed bath,
I sat in my sunny doorway from
the earliest dawn
earliest dawn
earliest dawn
earliest dawn
earliest dawn
earliest dawn
sunrise till noon
sunrise till noon,
sunrise till noon,
rapt in a revery,
amid
amid
amidst
amidst
amidst
amidst
amidst
amidst
the pines and hickories and sumachs,
in undisturbed solitude and stillness,
in undisturbed solitude and stillness,
in undisturbed solitude and stillness,
in undisturbed solitude and stillness,
in undisturbed solitude and stillness,
in undisturbed solitude and stillness,
while the birds sang around
and
and
or
or
or
or
or
or
or
flitted noiseless
through the house over my head and out at the open
window— otherwise in undisputed solitude & stillness, except
perchance when a bough fell like a fan
to the ground broken by its own weight, in my sumach grove, when
the atmosphere was filled with perfume and incense, and every
sound was the key to unheard harmonies, until by the sun’s rays
through the house, over my head and out the open window, otherwise in undisturbed
solitude and stillness, except perchance when a bough fell to the ground, broken by
its own
weight in my sumach grove,—when the atmosphere was filled with perfume and every sound
was the
key to unheard harmonies, until by the sun’s rays
through the house, until by the sun
through the house, until by the sun
through the house, until by the sun
through the house, until by the sun
through the house, until by the sun
through the house, until by the sun
falling in at my west window, or the noise of some
traveller
traveller’s wagon
traveller’s wagon
traveller’s wagon
traveller’s wagon
traveller’s wagon
traveller’s wagon
traveller’s wagon
on the distant highway, I was reminded of the lapse of time. I
am sensible that I waxed and grew in these intervals as corn grows
am sensible that I waxed and grew in these intervals as corn grows
am sensible that I waxed and grew in these intervals as corn grows
am sensible that I waxed and grew in these intervals as corn grows
am sensible that I waxed and grew in these intervals as corn grows
am sensible that I grew in those seasons like corn
grew in those seasons like corn
grew in those seasons like corn
in the night, and they were far better than any work of the hands
would have been.
would have been.
would have been.
would have been.
would have been.
would have been.
would have been.
They were not so much time subtracted from my life, but so much over
& above the
my usual allowance —little intervals during which I journeyed
and anticipated other states of existence
They were not time subtracted from my life, but so much over and above my usual
allowance.
They were not time subtracted from my life, but so much over and above my usual
allowance.
I realized what the
Oriental philosophers
Orientals meant
Oriental philosophers
Orientals meant
Oriental philosophers
Orientals meant
Oriental philosophers
Orientals meant
Oriental philosophers
Orientals meant
Orientals meant
Orientals mean
Orientals mean
by contemplation and the forsaking of works. For the most part,
indeed I knew
indeed I knew
indeed I knew
indeed I knew
indeed I knew
indeed
in short I minded
I minded
I minded
not how the hours
went. I was accustomed to say to myself—certainly I am not living that heroic life
I had dreamed of, and yet all my veins are full of life, and nature whispers no reproach
went.
went.
went.
went.
went.
went.
went.
The day advanced as if to light some work of
mine—and I defer to other men
others in my thought, as if there were somewhere busier men
mine—and I defer to others in my thought, as if there were somewhere busier
men
mine;
mine;
mine;
mine;
mine;
mine;
it was morning, and lo, now it is evening, and nothing memorable is
accomplished. Yet my nature is
was almost content with this. What are these pines & these
birds about? What is this pond a-doing? I must know a little more and be forever ready
accomplished. Yet my nature was almost content with this. What are these
pines & these birds about? What is this pond a-doing? I must know a little more and
be
forever ready
accomplished.
accomplished.
accomplished.
accomplished.
accomplished.
accomplished.
Instead of singing like the birds, I
sometimes silently smile
sometimes silently smile
silently smiled
silently smiled
silently smiled
silently smiled
silently smiled
silently smiled
silently smiled
at my incessant good fortune. As the
field sparrow has
tree sparrow has
sparrow had
sparrow had
sparrow had
sparrow had
sparrow had
sparrow had
its trill, sitting on the hickory before my door, so
has
has
had
had
had
had
had
had
I my chuckle or suppressed warble which he
may
may
might
might
might
might
might
might
might
hear out of my nest.
I lived in more primitive and absolute time than before. My
I lived in more primitive and absolute time than before. My
I lived in more primitive and absolute time than before. My
I lived in more primitive and absolute time than before. My
I lived in more primitive and absolute time than before. My
I lived in more primitive and absolute time than before. My
My
My
days were not days of the week,
bearing the stamp of any heathen deity,
bearing the stamp of any heathen deity,
nor were they minced into hours and fretted by the ticking of a clock;
My life in this respect was like that of
for I lived like
My life in this respect was like that of
for I lived like
My life in this respect was like that of
for I lived like
My life in this respect was like that of
for I lived like
My life in this respect was like that of
for I lived like
My life in this respect was like that of
for I lived like
for I lived like
for I lived like
the Puri Indians, of whom it is said that “for yesterday, to-day, and to-morrow they
have only
one word, and they express the variety of meaning by pointing backward for yesterday,
forward for
to-morrow, and overhead for the passing day.”
I don’t know that I bear any flowers or fruits. Methinks if the birds &
flowers try me by their standard I shall not be found wanting, but men try one another
not so.
Man is still like a plant, and his satisfactions are like those of a vegetable. His
rarest life is least his own.
At such an hour I am not the worker but the work. The elements are
working their will with me
I don’t know that I bear any flowers or fruits. Yet methinks if the birds and
flowers try me by their standard I shall not be found wanting, but men try one another
not so.
At such an hour, I am not the worker but the work. The elements are working their
will with
me
This was sheer idleness to my fellow-townsmen, no doubt; but if the birds and flowers
had
tried me by their standard, I should not have been found wanting.
This was sheer idleness to my fellow-townsmen, no doubt; but if the birds and flowers
had
tried me by their standard, I should not have been found wanting.
This was sheer idleness to my fellow-townsmen, no doubt; but if the birds and flowers
had
tried me by their standard, I should not have been found wanting.
This was sheer idleness to my fellow-townsmen, no doubt; but if the birds and flowers
had
tried me by their standard, I should not have been found wanting.
This was sheer idleness to my fellow-townsmen, no doubt; but if the birds and flowers
had
tried me by their standard, I should not have been found wanting.
This was sheer idleness to my fellow-townsmen, no doubt; but if the birds and flowers
had
tried me by their standard, I should not have been found wanting.
A man must find his own occasions in himself.
A man must find his own occasions in himself.
A man must find his own occasions in himself.
A man must find his own occasions in himself.
A man must find his own occasions in himself.
It is true, a
A man must find his occasions in himself, it is true.
A man must find his occasions in himself, it is true.
A man must find his occasions in himself, it is true.
The natural day is very calm, and will hardly reprove his
indolence. If there was
When there is no elevation in our spirits
my spirit the pond would
does not seem elevated like a mountain tarn, but a low pool, a silent muddy water
& place for fishermen.n
Note: In A, paragraphs 18-22 of "Where I Lived" follow here. (R. Clapper)
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 sculptured 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 Reed Pipe-stone Quarry?
indolence. When there is
was no elevation of my spirit the pond does
did not seem elevated like a mountain tarn, but a low pool, a silent muddy water and
place for fishermen. I am glad to remember as I sit by my door that I too am a remote
descendant
at least 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 symbol or glyphic I have seen 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. Where
are the new
Americans whose forms shall be sculpted on the Reed Pipe-stone Quarry? n
Note: In B, paragraphs 18-22 of "Where I Lived" follow here. (R. Clapper)
indolence.
indolence.
indolence.
indolence.
indolence.
indolence.
I
seemed to have
seemed to have
had
had
had
had
had
had
had
this advantage, at least, in my mode of life, over those who were obliged to look
abroad for
amusement, to
theaters and society
theaters and to society
society and to the theatre
society and the theatre,
society and the theatre,
society and the theatre,
society and the theatre,
society and the theatre,
society and the theatre,
that my life itself was
become
become
become
become
become
become
become
become
my amusement and never ceased to be novel. It was a drama of many scenes
which would never
and without an
and without an
and without an
and without an
and without an
and without an
and without an
and without an
end. If we were always indeed getting our living, and regulating our lives according
to the last and
divinest
divinest
best
best
best
best
best
best
best
mode we had learned, we should never be
weary of living
troubled with ennui
troubled with ennui.
troubled with ennui.
troubled with ennui.
troubled with ennui.
troubled with ennui.
troubled with ennui.
troubled with ennui.
Follow your genius closely enough, and it will not fail to show you a fresh prospect
every hour.
Housework was a pleasant pastime. When my floor was dirty, I rose early, and, setting
all my furniture
out of doors on the grass,
bed and bedstead making but one budget,
bed and bedstead making but one budget,
bed and bedstead making but one budget,
bed and bedstead making but one budget,
bed and bedstead making but one budget,
bed and bedstead making but one budget,
bed and bedstead making but one budget,
bed and bedstead making but one budget,
dashed water
upon
on
on
on
on
on
on
on
the floor, and sprinkled white sand from the pond
upon
on
on
on
on
on
on
on
on
it, and then with a broom scrubbed it clean and white; and by the time the villagers
had broken
their fast the morning sun had dried my house sufficiently to allow me to move in
again, and my
meditations were almost
uninterrupted—If any should choose to see my
manuscripts I trust that none of my hearers
they will not be so charitable as to
look into my house now—after hearing
reading this, at the end of an unusually dirty winter, with critical
housewife’s eyes, for I intend to celebrate the first bright and unquestionable spring
morning by
scrubbing my house with sand until it is as white as a lily—or, at any rate, as the
washer-woman said of her clothes, as white as a “wiolet”
uninterrupted.
uninterrupted.
uninterrupted.
uninterrupted.
uninterrupted.
uninterrupted.
uninterrupted.
It was pleasant to see my whole household effects out on the grass, making a little
pile like a
gypsy’s pack, and my three-legged table, from which I did not remove the books and
pen and ink, standing
amid the pines and hickories. They seemed glad to get out themselves, and as if unwilling
to be brought
in. I was sometimes tempted to stretch an awning over them and take my seat there.
It was worth the while
to see the sun shine on these things, and
hear
hear
hear
hear
hear
hear
hear
hear
the free wind blow
upon
on
on
on
on
on
on
on
on
them; so much more
beautiful any beautiful thing looks
beautiful any beautiful thing looks
interesting most familiar objects look
interesting most familiar objects look
interesting most familiar objects look
interesting most familiar objects look
interesting most familiar objects look
interesting most familiar objects look
interesting most familiar objects look
out of doors than in the house. A bird sits on the next bough, life-everlasting grows
under the
table, and blackberry vines run round its legs; pine cones, chestnut burs, and strawberry
leaves are
strewn about. It looked as if this was the way these forms came to be transferred
to our furniture, to
tables, chairs, and bedsteads,—because they once stood in their midst.
My house was on the side of a
hill, immediately on the edge of the larger wood, in the midst of a young forest of
pitch pines and
hickories, and half a dozen rods from the pond, to which a narrow footpath led down
the hill. In my
front yard
grow
grew the black-berry and strawberry &
the
grew the blackberry strawberry
strawberry blackberry and
grew the strawberry, blackberry, and
grew the strawberry, blackberry, and
grew the strawberry, blackberry, and
grew the strawberry, blackberry, and
grew the strawberry, blackberry, and
grew the strawberry, blackberry, and
life-everlasting, johnswort and golden-rod,
& shruboak
shrub-oaks
shrub-oaks
shrub-oaks
shrub-oaks
shrub-oaks
shrub-oaks
shrub-oaks
and sand-cherry,
& blueberry
blueberry
blueberry
blueberry
blueberry
blueberry
blueberry
blueberry
and ground-nut.
Near the end of May, the sand-cherry,
prunus depruna
Cerasus pumila
Cerasus pumila,
Cerasus pumila,
Cerasus pumila,
Cerasus pumila,
adorned the sides of the path
adorned the sides of the path
adorned the sides of the path
adorned the sides of the path
with its delicate flowers arranged in umbels cylindrically about its short stems,
which last,
in the fall, weighed down with good sized and handsome cherries, fell over in wreaths
like rays on
every side. I tasted them out of compliment to Nature, though they were scarcely palatable.
The
sumachs
sumachs
Rhus glabra
sumach,Rhus glabra,
sumach,Rhus glabra,
sumach,Rhus glabra,
sumach,Rhus glabra,
sumach,Rhus glabra,
sumach,Rhus glabra,
grew luxuriantly about
my
my
the
the
the
the
the
the
house, pushing up through the embankment
which
which
which
which
which
which
which
I had made, and growing five or six feet the first season. Its broad pinnate tropical
leaf was pleasant
though strange
though strange
though strange
though strange
though strange
though strange
though strange
though strange
to look
upon.
upon
on.
on.
on.
on.
on.
on.
on.
The large buds, suddenly pushing out
late in the spring
late in the spring
late in the spring
late in the spring
late in the spring
late in the spring
late in the spring
late in the spring
from
dry and brittle
dry and brittle
dry
dry
dry
dry
dry
dry
sticks which had seemed
to be
to be
to be
to be
to be
to be
to be
to be
dead, developed themselves
as it were
as it were
as
as
as
as
as
as
by magic into graceful green and tender boughs, an inch in diameter; and sometimes,
as I sat at
my window, so heedlessly did they grow and tax their
brittle stems,
brittle stems,
weak joints,
weak joints,
weak joints,
weak joints,
weak joints,
weak joints,
I heard a fresh and
green
tender
tender
tender
tender
tender
tender
tender
tender
bough suddenly fall
like a fan
like a fan
like a fan
like a fan
like a fan
like a fan
like a fan
like a fan
to the ground, when there was not a breath of
air, broken off at its foot
air stirring, broken off at its foot
air stirring, broken off
air stirring, broken off
air stirring, broken off
air stirring, broken off
air stirring, broken off
air stirring, broken off
by its own weight. In
the fall
the fall
August
August,
August,
August,
August,
August,
August,
the large masses of
red berries,
berries,
berries,
berries,
berries,
berries,
berries,
berries,
which, when in flower, had attracted many wild
bees,to my house
bees,
bees,
bees,
bees,
bees,
bees,
bees,
gradually assumed their bright
scarlet and velvety
crimson and velvety
velvety crimson
velvety crimson
velvety crimson
velvety crimson
velvety crimson
velvety crimson
hue, and by their weight again bent down and broke the tender limbs.
As I sit at my window this summer
afternoon, like a priest of Isis and observe the phenomena of 3000 years ago still
unimpaired. The sacred
afternoon,
afternoon,
afternoon,
afternoon,
afternoon,
afternoon,
afternoon,
hawks are circling about
this temple
my clearing;
my clearing;
my clearing;
my clearing;
my clearing;
my clearing;
my clearing;
the tantivy of wild
pigeons an ancient race of birds
pigeons an ancient race of birds
pigeons an ancient race of birds
pigeons an ancient race of birds
pigeons, an ancient race of birds
pigeons,
pigeons,
pigeons,
flying by two and threes athwart my view, or perching restless on the white-pine
boughs behind my
house, gives a voice to the air; a fishhawk dimples the glassy surface of the pond
and brings up a fish; a
muskrat
mink
mink
mink
mink
mink
mink
mink
steals out of the marsh before my door and seizes a frog
in the pond
by the shore;
by the shore;
by the shore;
by the shore;
by the shore;
by the shore;
by the shore;
the sedge is bending under the weight of the reed-birds flitting
here and there
hither and thither;
hither and thither;
hither and thither;
hither and thither;
hither and thither;
hither and thither;
hither and thither;
and for the last half hour I have heard the rattle of railroad cars, now dying away
and then
reviving like the beat of a partridge, conveying travellers from Boston to the
country—or the faint rattle and tinkle which mark the passage of a carriage or
team along the distant highway—
country.
country.
country.
country.
country.
country.
country.
For I did not live
in such an outlandish and out of the way place
so out of the world
so out of the world
so out of the world
so out of the world
so out of the world
so out of the world
so out of the world
as that boy, who, as I hear, was put out to a farmer in the east part of the town,
but ere long
ran away and came home again, quite down at the heel and homesick. He had never seen
such a dull and
out-of-the-world
out-of-the-way
out-of-the-way
out-of-the-way
out-of-the-way
out-of-the-way
out-of-the-way
out-of-the-way
place; the folks were all gone
away
off;
off;
off;
off;
off;
off;
off;
why, you couldn’t even hear the whistle! I doubt if there is such a place in Massachusetts
now:—
“In truth, our village has become a butt
For one of those fleet railroad shafts, and o’er
Our peaceful plain its soothing sound is—Concord.”
The Fitchburg
Railroad then newly constructed
Railroad then newly constructed
Railroad then newly constructed
Railroad then newly constructed
Railroad then newly constructed
Railroad
Railroad
Railroad
touches the pond
within about a hundred rods of my house
about a hundred rods south of where I dwell.
about a hundred rods south of where I dwell.
about a hundred rods south of where I dwell.
about a hundred rods south of where I dwell.
about a hundred rods south of where I dwell.
about a hundred rods south of where I dwell.
about a hundred rods south of where I dwell.
I usually
went
go
go
go
go
to the village along its causeway, and
was
am
am,
am,
am,
as it were, related to society by this link. The men on the freight trains, who go
over the
whole length of the road, bow to me as to an old acquaintance, they pass me so often,
and apparently
they take me for an employee; and so I am. I too would fain be a track-repairer somewhere
in the orbit
of the earth.
The whistle of the
steam engine
steam engine
steam engine
steam engine
steam engine
locomotive
locomotive
locomotive
penetrates my woods summer and winter, sounding like the scream of a hawk sailing
over some
farmer’s yard, informing me that many restless city merchants
were
were
are
are
are
are
are
are
are
arriving within the circle of the town, or adventurous country traders from the other
side. As
they come under one horizon, they shout their warning to get off the track to the
other, heard sometimes
through the circles of two towns. Here come your groceries, country; your rations,
countrymen! Nor is
there any man so independent on his farm
as
as
that he
that he
that he
that he
that he
that he
that he
can say them nay. And here’s your pay for them! screams the countryman’s whistle;
timber like long
catapults
catapults
battering-rams
battering rams
battering rams
battering rams
battering rams
battering rams
battering rams
going twenty miles an hour against the
city
city
city’s
city’s
city’s
city’s
city’s
city’s
city’s
walls, and chairs enough to seat all the weary and heavy laden that dwell within
ye
them.
them.
them.
them.
them.
them.
them.
With such huge and lumbering civility the country hands a chair to the city. All
the Indian
huckleberry hills are stripped, all the cranberry meadows are raked into the city.
Up comes the cotton,
down goes the woven cloth; up comes the silk, down goes the woollen; up come the books,
but down goes the
wit that writes them.
When I meet the engine with its train of cars moving off with planetary motion,—or,
rather, like a comet, for the beholder knows not if
that
with that
with that
with that
with that
with that
with that
with that
velocity and with that direction it will ever revisit this system,
for
for
since
since
since
since
since
since
since
its orbit does not look like a returning curve,—with its steam cloud like a banner
streaming
behind in golden and silver wreaths, like many a
fleecy cloud that
fleecy
downy cloud that
which
downy cloud which
downy cloud which
downy cloud which
downy cloud which
downy cloud which
downy cloud which
I have seen, high in the
heavens in a summer day
heavens in a summer day
heavens,
heavens,
heavens,
heavens,
heavens,
heavens,
unfolding its masses to the light,—as if this traveling demigod,
this cloud-compeller,
this cloud-compeller,
this cloud-compeller,
this cloud-compeller,
this cloud-compeller,
this cloud-compeller,
would ere long take the sunset sky for the livery of his train; when I hear the iron
horse make
the hills echo with his snort like thunder, shaking the earth with his feet, and breathing
fire and smoke
from his nostrils, (what kind of winged horse or fiery dragon they will put into the
new Mythology I
don’t know,) it seems as if the earth had got a race now worthy to inhabit it. If
all were as it seems,
and men made the elements their servants for noble ends! If the cloud that hangs over
the engine were the
perspiration of heroic deeds, or as
innocent and beneficent
innocent and beneficent
beneficent
beneficent
beneficent
beneficent
beneficent
beneficent
to men as that which
hovers
floats
floats
floats
floats
floats
floats
floats
floats
over the farmer’s fields, then the elements and Nature herself would cheerfully accompany
men on
their errands and be their escort.
I watch the passage of the morning
train
cars
train
cars
cars
cars
cars
cars
cars
cars
with the same feeling that I do the rising of the sun, which is
not
hardly
not
hardly
hardly
hardly
hardly
hardly
hardly
hardly
more regular. Their train of clouds stretching far behind and rising higher and higher,
going to
heaven while the cars are going to Boston, conceals the sun for
many minutes
many minutes
a minute
a minute
a minute
a minute
a minute
a minute
and casts my distant field into the shade, a celestial train beside which the petty
train of cars
which hugs the earth is but the barb of the spear. The stabler of the iron horse was
up early this winter
morning by the light of the stars amid the mountains, to fodder and harness his steed.
Fire, too, was
awakened thus early to put the vital beat in him and get him off. If the enterprise
were as innocent as
it is early! If the snow lies deep, they strap on his snow-shoes, and with the giant
plow, plow a furrow
from the mountains to the seaboard, in which the cars, like a following drill-barrow,
sprinkle all the
restless men and floating merchandise in the country for seed. All day the fire-steed
flies over the
country, stopping only that his master may rest, and I am awakened by his tramp and
defiant snort at
midnight, when in some remote glen in the woods he fronts the elements incased in
ice and snow; and
will only reach his stall
he will only reach his stall
only
he will reach his stall only
he will reach his stall only
he will reach his stall only
he will reach his stall only
he will reach his stall only
he will reach his stall only
with the morning star, to start once more on his travels without rest or slumber.
Or perchance, at
evening, I hear him in his stable blowing off the superfluous energy of the day, that
he may calm his
nerves and cool his liver and brain for a few hours of iron slumber. If the enterprise
were as heroic and
commanding as it is protracted and unwearied!
Far through
lonely woods which are
unfrequented woods
unfrequented woods
unfrequented woods
unfrequented woods
unfrequented woods
unfrequented woods
on the confines of towns, where once only the hunter penetrated by day, in the darkest
night
dart these bright saloons without the knowledge of their inhabitants;
stopping for a time
this moment stopping
this moment stopping
this moment stopping
this moment stopping
this moment stopping
this moment stopping
at some brilliant station-house in town or city, where a social crowd is
gathered this moment in the crowded and lighted depot,
gathered,
gathered,
gathered,
gathered,
gathered,
gathered,
the next in the Dismal Swamp, scaring the owl and
fox awaking waking the heroes & xxxxxxx
boys
fox.
fox.
fox.
fox.
fox.
fox.
The startings and arrivals of the cars are now the epochs in the village day.
They
come & go & come
go and come
go and come
go and come
go and come
with such regularity and precision, and their whistle can be heard so far, that the
farmers set
their clocks by them, and thus one well conducted institution regulates a whole country.
Have not men
improved somewhat in punctuality since the railroad was invented? Do they not talk
and think faster in
the depot than they did in the stage-office? There is something
electric
electrifying
electrifying
electrifying
electrifying
electrifying
in the atmosphere of the former place.
Who has not
I have
I have
I have
I have
I have
been astonished at the miracles it has wrought; that some of
his
my
my
my
my
my
neighbors, who,
he would
I should
I should
I should
I should
I should
have prophesied, once for all, would never get to Boston by so prompt a conveyance,
were on
hand when the bell rang. To do things “railroad fashion” is now the by-word; and it
is worth the while
to be warned so often and so sincerely by any power to get off
the
its
its
its
its
its
track. There is no stopping to read the riot act, no firing over the heads of the
mob,
with this earnest traveller. Here comes one whom it is of no use to
expostulate with. Only to meet the car on the other track is like standing to have
a tin cup
shot off your head
in this case
in this case.
in this case.
in this case.
in this case.
We have constructed a fate, an
Atropos
, that never turns aside. (Let that be the name of your engine.)
the public
Men
Men
Men
Men
are advertised that at a certain hour and
cannon balls will be fired toward almost every point
minute
minute
minute
minute
these bolts will be shot toward particular points of the compass; yet it interferes
with no
man’s business, and the
children
quietly
children
children
children
children
go to school on the other track.
r
Revision note: D1:
We live the steadier for it.
We live the steadier for it.
We live the steadier for it.
We live the steadier for it.
We live the steadier for it.
We are all educated thus to
r
Revision note: D1: stand and have tin cans shot off our heads. Man avoids the bolts of fate by
minding his own business
affairs
stand and have tin cans shot off our heads
be sons of Tell. Man avoids the bolts of fate by minding his own affairs
be sons of Tell.
be sons of Tell.
be sons of Tell.
be sons of Tell.
The air is full of invisible bolts.
The air is full of invisible bolts.
The air is full of invisible bolts.
The air is full of invisible bolts.
r
Revision note: D1:
Every path but your own is the path of fate.
Every path but your own is the path of fate.
Every path but your own is the path of fate.
Every path but your own is the path of fate.
Every path but your own is the path of fate.
Keep on your own track, then.
After all What recommends commerce to me is
after all
After all What recommends commerce to me is
after all
After all What recommends commerce to me is
after all
After all what recommends commerce to me is
What recommends commerce to me is
What recommends commerce to me is
What recommends commerce to me is
What recommends commerce to me is
its enterprise and bravery. It does not
fold
fold
fold
fold
clasp
clasp
clasp
clasp
clasp
its hands and pray to Jupiter. I see these men every day go about their business
with more or
less courage and content, doing more
even
even
even
even
even
than they suspect, and perchance better employed than they could have consciously
devised.
Yet I confess that I
I
I
I
I
I
I
am less affected by their heroism who stood up for half an hour in the front line
at Buena
Vista, than by the steady and cheerful valor of the men who inhabit the snow-plough
for their winter
quarters; who have not merely the three-o’-clock in the morning courage, which Bonaparte
thought was
the rarest, but whose courage does not go to rest so early, who go to sleep only when
the storm sleeps
or the sinews of their iron steed are frozen. On this morning of the Great Snow,
perchance,
perchance,
perchance,
perchance,
perchance,
perchance,
which is still raging and chilling men’s blood, I hear the muffled tone of their
engine bell
from out the fog bank of their chilled breath, which announces that the cars
are coming
, without long delay, notwithstanding the veto of a New England north-east snow
storm, and
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
behold the ploughmen covered with snow and rime, their heads peering, above the mould-board
which is turning down other than daisies and the nests of field-mice, like bowlders
of the Sierra
Nevada, that occupy an outside place in the universe.
Commerce is unexpectedly
brave,
confident &
confident and
confident and
confident and
confident and
confident and
confident and
serene, alert, adventurous, and unwearied. It is very natural
in its methods
in its methods
in its methods
in its methods
in its methods
in its methods
in its methods
withal, far more so than many fantastic enterprises and sentimental experiments,
and hence its
singular success. I am refreshed and expanded when the freight train rattles past
meon the railroad
me,
me,
me,
me,
me,
me,
and I smell the stores which go dispensing their odors all the way from Long Wharf
to
the Ashuelot
Lake Champlain,
Lake Champlain,
Lake Champlain,
Lake Champlain,
Lake Champlain,
Lake Champlain,
Lake Champlain,
reminding me of foreign parts, of coral reefs, and Indian oceans, and tropical climes,
and the
extent of the globe. I feel more like a citizen of the world at the sight of the palm-leaf
which will
cover so many flaxen New England heads the next summer, the Manilla hemp and cocoa-nut
husks, the old
junk, gunny bags, scrap iron, and rusty nails. This car-load of torn sails is more
legible and
interesting now than if they should be wrought into paper and printed books. Who can
write so graphically
the history of the storms they have weathered as these rents have done? They are proof-sheets
which need
no correction. Here goes lumber from the Maine woods, which did not go out to sea
in the last freshet,
risen four dollars on the thousand because of what did go out or was split up; pine,
spruce,
cedar,—first, second, third and fourth qualities, so lately all of one quality, to
wave over the bear,
and moose, and caribou. Next rolls Thomaston lime, a prime lot, which will get far
among the hills before
it gets slacked. These rags in bales, of all hues and qualities, the lowest condition
to which cotton and
linen descend, the final result of dress,—of patterns which are now no longer cried
up, unless it be in
Milwaukie, as those splendid articles, English, French, or American prints, ginghams,
muslins, &c.,
gathered from all quarters both of fashion and poverty, going to become paper of one
color or a few
shades only, on which forsooth will be written tales of real life, high and low, and
founded on fact!
This closed car smells of salt fish, the strong New England and commercial scent,
reminding me of the
Grand Banks and the fisheries. Who has not seen a salt fish, thoroughly cured for
this world, so that
nothing can spoil it, and putting the perseverance of the saints to the blush? with
which you may sweep
or pave the streets, and split your kindlings, and the teamster shelter himself and
his lading against
sun wind and rain behind it,— and the trader, as a Concord trader once did, hang it
up by his door for a
sign when he commences business, until at last his oldest customer cannot tell surely
whether it be
animal, vegetable, or mineral, and yet it shall be as pure as a snowflake, and if
it be put into a pot
and boiled, will come out an excellent dun fish for a Saturday’s dinner. Next Spanish
hides, with the
tails still preserving their twist and the angle of elevation they had when the oxen
that wore them were
careering over the pampas of the Spanish main,—a type of all obstinacy, and evincing
how almost hopeless
and incurable are all constitutional vices. I confess, that practically speaking,
when I have learned a
man’s real disposition, I have no hopes of changing it for the better or worse in
this state of
existence. As the Orientals say, “A cur’s tail may be warmed, and pressed, and bound
round with
ligatures, and after a twelve years’ labor bestowed upon it, still it will retain
its natural form.” The
only effectual cure for such inveteracies as these tails exhibit is to make glue of
them, which I believe
is what is usually done with them, and then they will stay put and stick. Here is
a hogshead of molasses
or of brandy directed to John Smith, Cuttingsville, Vermont, some trader among the
Green Mountains, who
imports for the farmers near his clearing, and now perchance stands over his bulk-head
and thinks of the
last arrivals on the coast, how they may affect the price for him, telling his customers
this moment, as
he has told them twenty times before this morning, that he expects some by the next
train of prime
quality. It is advertised in the Cuttingsville Times.
While these things go up
other things come down. Warned by the whizzing sound, I look up from my book and see
some tall pine, hewn
on far northern hills, which has winged its way over the Green Mountains and the Connecticut,
shot like
an arrow through the township within ten minutes, and scarce another eye beholds it;
going
And hark!
here too comes the cattle-train from the other side
here comes the cattle-train
here comes the cattle-train
bearing the cattle of a thousand hills, sheepcots, stables, and cow-yards in the
air, drovers with
their sticks, and shepherd boys in the midst of their flocks, all but the mountain
pastures, whirled
along like leaves blown from the mountains by the September gales. The air is filled
with the bleating of
calves and sheep, and the hustling of oxen, as if a pastoral valley were going by.
When the old
bell-wether at the head rattles his bell, the mountains do indeed skip like rams and
the little hills
like lambs. A car-load of drovers, too, in the midst, on a level with their droves
now, their vocation
gone, but still clinging to their useless sticks as their badge of office. But their
dogs, where are
they? It is a stampede to them; they are quite thrown out; they have lost the scent.
Methinks I hear them
barking behind the Peterboro’ Hills, or panting up the western slope of the Green
Mountains. They will
not be in at the death. Their vocation, too, is gone. Their fidelity and sagacity
are below par now. They
will slink back to their kennels in disgrace, or perchance run wild and strike a league
with the wolf and
the fox. So is your pastoral life whirled past and away. But the bell rings, and I
must get off the track
and let the cars go by;—
What’s the railroad to me?
And makes banks for the swallows,
It sets the sand a-blowing,
And the blackberries a-growing,
but I cross it like a cart-path in the woods.
I will not have my eyes put out & my ears spoiled by its
smoke & steam & whistle
I will not have my eyes put out and my ears spoiled by its smoke and steam and hissing.
I will not have my eyes put out and my ears spoiled by its smoke and steam and hissing.
Now that the cars are gone by, and all the restless world
with them, and the fishes in the pond no longer feel their rumbling, I am more alone
than
ever. And now that the cars are gone by and all the restless world with them, and even
the
fishes in the pond do not
no longer feel their rumbling, I am more silent &
alone than ever
Now that the cars are gone by, and all the restless world with them, and the fishes
in the pond
no longer feel their rumbling, I am more alone than ever.
Now that the cars are gone by, and all the restless world with them, and the fishes
in the pond
no longer feel their rumbling, I am more alone than ever.
Now that the cars are gone by, and all the restless world with them, and the fishes
in the pond
no longer feel their rumbling, I am more alone than ever.
Now that the cars are gone by, and all the restless world with them, and the fishes
in the pond
no longer feel their rumbling, I am more alone than ever.
Now that the cars are gone by, and all the restless world with them, and the fishes
in the pond
no longer feel their rumbling, I am more alone than ever.
Now that the cars are gone by, and all the restless world with them, and the fishes
in the pond
no longer feel their rumbling, I am more alone than ever.
For the rest of the long
summer afternoonperchance, for it was
summer when I first heard the whistle
afternoon, perhaps,
afternoon, perhaps,
afternoon, perhaps,
afternoon, perhaps,
afternoon, perhaps,
afternoon, perhaps,
my meditations are interrupted only by the
occasional faint rattle and tinkle which mark the passage
faint rattle
faint rattle
faint rattle
faint rattle
faint rattle
faint rattle
of a carriage or team along the distant highway.
Sometimes, on Sundays, I heard the bells, the Lincoln, Acton, Bedford, or Concord
bell, when the wind was favorable, a faint, sweet, and, as it were, natural melody,
worth importing
into the wilderness.
At a
great
sufficient
sufficient
sufficient
distance over the woods
the sound of a bell
this sound
this sound
this sound
acquires a certain vibratory hum, as if the pine needles in the horizon were the
strings of a
harp which it
sweptand is far more universal and memorable than its ringing
near
swept.
swept.
Just as the intervening atmosphere makes a distant ridge of earth itself
interesting to our eyes by the azure tint it imparts to it. All sound heard at the
greatest possible distance produces one & the same effect, a vibration of the strings
of the universal lyre. Just as the intervening atmosphere makes
a distant ridge of earth interesting to our eyes by the azure tint it imparts to
it
All sound heard at the greatest possible distance produces one and the same effect,
a
vibration of the universal lyre, just as the intervening atmosphere makes a distant
ridge of
earth interesting to our eyes by the azure tint it imparts to it.
All sound heard at the greatest possible distance produces one and the same effect,
a
vibration of the universal lyre, just as the intervening atmosphere makes a distant
ridge of
earth interesting to our eyes by the azure tint it imparts to it.
There came to me in this case a melody which the air had strained, and which had
conversed with
every leaf and needle of the wood, that portion of the sound which the elements had
taken up and
modulated and echoed from vale to vale. The echo is, to some extent, an original sound,
and therein is
the magic and charm of it. It is not merely a repetition of
what was worth repeating in
what was worth repeating in
what was worth repeating in
the bell, but partly the voice of the wood; the same trivial words and notes sung
by a
wood-nymph.
At evening, the distant lowing of some cow in the horizon beyond the woods sounded
sweet and melodious, and at first I would mistake it for the voices of
a minstrel
some minstrels
certain minstrels
certain minstrels
certain minstrels
by whom I was sometimes serenaded, who might be straying over hill and dale; but
soon I was not
unpleasantly disappointed when it was prolonged into the cheap and natural music of
the cow. I do not
mean to be satirical, but to express my appreciation of
that youth’s
those youths’
those youths’
those youths’
those youths’
singing, when I state that I perceived clearly that it was akin to the music of the
cow, and they
were at length one articulation of Nature.
Regularly at half-past seven, in
one part of the summer, after the evening train had gone by, the whippoorwills chanted
their vespers for
half an hour, sitting on a stump by my door, or
on
upon
upon
upon
upon
upon
upon
upon
the ridge pole
of the house.
of the house.
of the house.
of the house.
of the house.
of the house.
of the house.
or sometimes one circled round and round me, a few feet distant, in the woods, as
if
tethered by a string. I had a rare opportunity to become acquainted with their habits,
for they
were very familiar and were my never-failing visitors in summer evenings. Sometimes
I
have heard three or four singing at once in different parts of the wood, one a bar
behind the other, as in a catch &
they were so near that I not only heard the cluck after each note distinctly,
but occasionally
sometimes
often
a
that
loud and singular buzzing sound which I have not seen described, to be compared
with nothing that I can think of, but that made by
like a fly in a spider’s web, only proportionally louder
or sometimes one circled round and round me, a few feet distant, in the woods, as
if
tethered by a string. I had a rare opportunity to become acquainted with their habits,
for they
were very familiar and were my never-failing visitors in summer evenings. Sometimes
I
have heard three or four singing at once in different parts of the wood, one a bar
behind the other, as in a catch &
they were so near that I not only heard the cluck after each note distinctly,
but occasionally
sometimes
often
a
that
loud and singular buzzing sound which I have not seen described, to be compared
with nothing that I can think of, but that made by
like a fly in a spider’s web, only proportionally louder
or sometimes one circled round and round me, a few feet distant, in the woods, as
if
tethered by a string. I had a rare opportunity to become acquainted with their habits,
for they
were very familiar and were my never-failing visitors in summer evenings. Sometimes
I
have heard three or four singing at once in different parts of the wood, one a bar
behind the other, as in a catch &
they were so near that I not only heard the cluck after each note distinctly,
but occasionally
sometimes
often
a
that
loud and singular buzzing sound which I have not seen described, to be compared
with nothing that I can think of, but that made by
like a fly in a spider’s web, only proportionally louder
or sometimes one circled around & round me in the woods a few
feet distant as if tethered by a string
They would begin to sing almost with as much regularity and precision as a clock,
within five minutes of a particular hour referred to the setting of the sun every
evening.
I had a rare opportunity to become acquainted with their habits, for they were very familiar
and were my never failing visitors in summer evenings. Sometimes I heard three or four
singing at once in different parts of the wood,
close by
one a bar behind
the other
another and so near me that I not only heard not only
the cluck after each note distinctly, but often that singular buzzing sound like a
fly in a
spider’s web, only proportionally louder. Sometimes one circled round and round me a few feet
distant in the woods as if tethered by a string
They would begin to sing almost with as much precision as a clock, within five minutes
of a
particular time, referred to the setting of the sun, every evening. I had a rare opportunity
to
become acquainted with their habits. Sometimes I heard four or five at once in different
parts of
the wood, by accident one a bar behind another, and so near me that I distinguished
not only the
cluck after each note, but often that singular buzzing sound like a fly in a spider’s
web, only
proportionally louder. Sometimes one would circle round and round me in the woods
a few feet
distant as if tethered by a string, when probably I was near its eggs.
They would begin to sing almost with as much precision as a clock, within five minutes
of a
particular time, referred to the setting of the sun, every evening. I had a rare opportunity
to
become acquainted with their habits. Sometimes I heard four or five at once in different
parts of
the wood, by accident one a bar behind another, and so near me that I distinguished
not only the
cluck after each note, but often that singular buzzing sound like a fly in a spider’s
web, only
proportionally louder. Sometimes one would circle round and round me in the woods
a few feet
distant as if tethered by a string, when probably I was near its eggs.
They would begin to sing almost with as much precision as a clock, within five minutes
of a
particular time, referred to the setting of the sun, every evening. I had a rare opportunity
to
become acquainted with their habits. Sometimes I heard four or five at once in different
parts of
the wood, by accident one a bar behind another, and so near me that I distinguished
not only the
cluck after each note, but often that singular buzzing sound like a fly in a spider’s
web, only
proportionally louder. Sometimes one would circle round and round me in the woods
a few feet
distant as if tethered by a string, when probably I was near its eggs.
They
also sang
sang
sang
sang
sang
sang
sang
at intervals throughout the night, and were again as musical as ever just before
and about
and about
and about
and about
and about
and about
and about
dawn.
When other
birds are still the
screech
screech
screech
screech
screech
screech
screech
screech
owls take up the strain, like mourning women their ancient u-lu-lu. Their dismal
scream is truly
Ben Jonsonian. Wise midnight hags! It is no honest and blunt tu-whit tu-who of the
poets, but, without
jesting, a most solemn graveyard ditty, the mutual consolations of suicide lovers
remembering the pangs
and the delights of supernal love in the infernal groves. Yet I love to hear their
wailing, their doleful
responses, trilled along the wood-side, reminding me sometimes of music and singing
birds; as if it were
the dark and tearful side of music, the regrets and sighs that would fain be sung.
They are the spirits,
the low spirits and melancholy forebodings, of fallen souls that once in human shape
night-walked the
earth and did the deeds of darkness, now expiating
their sins with their wailing hymns and
or threnodies their sins
their sins with their wailing hymns or threnodies
their sins with their wailing hymns or threnodies
their sins with their wailing hymns or threnodies
their sins with their wailing hymns or threnodies
their sins with their wailing hymns or threnodies
their sins with their wailing hymns or threnodies
their sins with their wailing hymns or threnodies
in the scenery of their transgressions. They give me a new sense of the
vastness and the mystery
variety and capacity
variety and capacity
variety and capacity
variety and capacity
variety and capacity
variety and capacity
variety and capacity
variety and capacity
of that nature which is our common dwelling.
Oh-o-o-o-o that I never had
been bor-r-r-r-n!
sighs one on this side of the pond, and circles with the restlessness of
despair to some new perch on the gray oaks. Then—
that I never had been
bor-r-r-r-n!
echoes
one
another
one
another
another
another
another
another
another
another
on the farther side with
a tremulous
a tremulous
tremulous
tremulous
tremulous
tremulous
tremulous
tremulous
sincerity, and—
bor-r-r-r-n!
comes faintly from far in the Lincoln
woods.
I was also serenaded by a hooting owl.
Near at hand
Near at hand
Near at hand
Near at hand
Near at hand
you could fancy it the most melancholy sound in Nature, as if
it
she
she
she
she
she
meant by this to stereotype and make permanent in her choir the dying moans of a
human being,—some
poor weak relic of mortality who has left hope behind, and howls like an animal, yet
with human sobs, on
entering the dark valley,
It reminded me of ghouls and idiots and insane howlings made more awful by
a certain gurgling melodiousness,—I find myself beginning with the letters gl when I try to imitate it,—suggesting a mind which has reached
the gelatinous and mildewy stage in the mortification of all healthy and courageous
thought It reminded me of ghouls and idiots and insane howlings
made more awful by a certain gurgling melodiousness,—I find myself beginning with
the letters gl
when I try to imitate it,—expressive of a mind which has reached the gelatinous, mildewy
stage in
the mortification of all healthy and courageous thought. It reminded me of ghouls
and idiots and
insane howlings.
made more awful by a certain gurgling melodiousness,—I find myself beginning with
the letters gl
when I try to imitate it,—expressive of a mind which has reached the gelatinous, mildewy
stage in
the mortification of all healthy and courageous thought. It reminded me of ghouls
and idiots and
insane howlings.
made more awful by a certain gurgling melodiousness,—I find myself beginning with
the letters gl
when I try to imitate it,—expressive of a mind which has reached the gelatinous, mildewy
stage in
the mortification of all healthy and courageous thought. It reminded me of ghouls
and idiots and
insane howlings.
made more awful by a certain gurgling melodiousness,—I find myself beginning with
the letters gl
when I try to imitate it,—expressive of a mind which has reached the gelatinous, mildewy
stage in
the mortification of all healthy and courageous thought. It reminded me of ghouls
and idiots and
insane howlings.
But now one answers from far woods in a strain made really
sweet
melodious
melodious
melodious
melodious
melodious
by distance,—
Hoo hoo hoo, hooer
hoo;
Hoo hoo hoo, hoorer hoo:
Hoo hoo hoo, hoorer hoo:
Hoo hoo hoo, hoorer hoo:
Hoo hoo hoo, hoorer hoo:
and indeed for the most part it suggested only pleasing associations, whether heard
by day or night,
by day or night,
by day or night,
by day or night,
summer or winter.
I rejoice that there are owls. Let them do the idiotic and maniacal hooting for men.
They suggest a vast and undeveloped nature which men have not recognized.
It is a sound admirably suited to swamps and twilight woods which no day illustrates
suggesting a vast and undeveloped nature which men have not
recognized.
It is a sound admirably suited to swamps and twilight woods which no day illustrates,
suggesting
a vast and undeveloped nature which men have not recognized.
It is a sound admirably suited to swamps and twilight woods which no day illustrates,
suggesting
a vast and undeveloped nature which men have not recognized.
It is a sound admirably suited to swamps and twilight woods which no day illustrates,
suggesting
a vast and undeveloped nature which men have not recognized.
It is a sound admirably suited to swamps and twilight woods which no day illustrates,
suggesting
a vast and undeveloped nature which men have not recognized.
They represent the stark twilight and unsatisfied thoughts which
I have.
all have.
all have.
all have.
all have.
All day the sun has shone on the surface of
this
some
some
some
some
some
savage swamp, where the double spruce stands
festooned
hung
hung
hung
hung
with usnea lichens, and
the hawk circulates
small hawks circulate above,
small hawks circulate above,
small hawks circulate above,
small hawks circulate above,
and the chickadee lisps amid the evergreens, and the partridge and rabbit
skulks
skulk
skulk
skulk
skulk
skulk
beneath; but now a more dismal arid fitting day dawns, and a different race of creatures
awakes to
express the meaning of Nature there.
Late in the evening I heard the
distant
far off
distant
distant
far off
distant
distant
distant
distant
distant
distant
distant
rumbling of wagons over bridges,—a sound heard farther than almost any other at night,—the
baying
of dogs, and sometimes
still
again the lowing of cattle in distant yards
some disconsolate cow in a distant barnyard. And then the
still
again the lowing of cattle in distant yards
some disconsolate cow in a distant barnyard. And then the
again the lowing of some disconsolate cow in a distant barn-yard. In the mean while
all the shore
rang with the trump of
again the lowing of some disconsolate cow in a distant barn-yard. In the mean while
all the shore
rang with the trump of
again the lowing of some disconsolate cow in a distant barn-yard. In the mean while
all the shore
rang with the trump of
again the lowing of some disconsolate cow in a distant barn-yard. In the mean while
all the shore
rang with the trump of
again the lowing of some disconsolate cow in a distant barn-yard. In the mean while
all the shore
rang with the trump of
again the lowing of some disconsolate cow in a distant barn-yard. In the mean while
all the shore
rang with the trump of
bullfrogs, the sturdy spirits of ancient wine-bibbers and wassailers, still unrepentant,
trying to
sing a catch in their Stygian lake,—
if the Walden nymphs will pardon the comparison for though
there were almost no weeds there were frogs in the pond,
if the Walden nymphs will pardon the comparison for though
there were almost no weeds there were frogs in the pond,
if the Walden nymphs will pardon the comparison, for though there are almost no weeds,
there are
frogs there,
if the Walden nymphs will pardon the comparison, for though there are almost no weeds,
there are
frogs there,
if the Walden nymphs will pardon the comparison, for though there are almost no weeds,
there are
frogs there,
if the Walden nymphs will pardon the comparison, for though there are almost no weeds,
there are
frogs there,
if the Walden nymphs will pardon the comparison, for though there are almost no weeds,
there are
frogs there,
if the Walden nymphs will pardon the comparison, for though there are almost no weeds,
there are
frogs there,
—who would fain keep up the hilarious rules of their old festal tables, though their
voices have
waxed hoarse and solemnly grave, mocking at mirth, and the wine has lost its flavor,
and become only
liquor to distend their paunches, and sweet intoxication never comes to drown the
memory of the past, but
mere saturation and waterloggedness and distention. The most aldermanic, with his
chin upon a
pad
heart-leaf,
heart-leaf,
heart-leaf,
heart-leaf,
heart-leaf,
heart-leaf,
heart-leaf,
which serves for a napkin to his drooling chaps, under this northern shore quaffs
a deep draught
of the once scorned water, and passes round the cup with the ejaculation
tr-r-r-oonk, tr-r-r-oonk, tr-r-r-oonk!
and straightway comes over the water from some distant
cove the same password repeated, where the next in seniority and girth has gulped
down to his mark; and
when this observance has made the circuit of the shores, then ejaculates the master
of ceremonies, with
satisfaction,
tr-r-r-oonk!
and each in his turn repeats the same down to
the least distended, leakiest, and flabbiest paunched, that there be no mistake; and
then the bowl goes
round again and again, until the sun disperses the morning mist, and only the patriarch
is not under the
pond, but vainly bellowing
troonk
from time to time, and pausing for a
reply.
The sound of cock crowing I never heard the sound
of cock crowing
The sound of cock crowing I never heard the sound
of cock crowing
I am not sure that I ever heard the sound of cock-crowing
I am not sure that I ever heard the sound of cock-crowing
I am not sure that I ever heard the sound of cock-crowing
I am not sure that I ever heard the sound of cock-crowing
I am not sure that I ever heard the sound of cock-crowing
I am not sure that I ever heard the sound of cock-crowing
from my clearing, and I thought
that
that
that
that
that
that
that
that
it might be worth the while to keep a
rooster
cockerel
rooster
cockerel
cockerel
cockerel
cockerel
cockerel
cockerel
cockerel
for his music
merely, and
merely, and
merely,
merely,
merely,
merely,
merely,
merely,
as a singing bird. The note of this once wild Indian pheasant is certainly the most
remarkable of
any bird’s, and if they could be naturalized without being domesticated, it would
soon become the most
famous sound in our woods, surpassing the clangor of the goose and the hooting of
the owl; and then
imagine the cackling of the hens to fill the pauses when their lords’ clarions rested!
No wonder that man
added this bird to his tame stock,—to say nothing of the eggs and drumsticks. To walk
in a winter morning
in a wood where these birds abounded, their native woods, and hear the wild cockerels
crow on the trees,
clear and shrill for miles over the resounding earth, drowning the feebler notes of
other birds,—think of
it! It would put nations on the alert. Who would not be early to rise, and rise earlier
and earlier
each
every
each
every
every
every
every
every
every
every
successive day of his life, till he became unspeakably healthy, wealthy, and wise?
This foreign
bird’s note is
remembered and celebrated by the English poets of all countries along with the native sky-lark and the
nightingale
notes of their native songsters.But this faint clarion did not
penetrate my woods
remembered and celebrated by the English poets of all countries along with the native sky-lark and the
nightingale
notes of their native songsters.But this faint clarion did not
penetrate my woods
celebrated by the poets of all countries along with the notes of their native songsters.
celebrated by the poets of all countries along with the notes of their native songsters.
celebrated by the poets of all countries along with the notes of their native songsters.
celebrated by the poets of all countries along with the notes of their native songsters.
celebrated by the poets of all countries along with the notes of their native songsters.
celebrated by the poets of all countries along with the notes of their native songsters.
n
Note: The following passage begins on a
leaf in B, which apparently was a fair copy of material in the missing leaves of A;
the passage
continues on a leaf in A (R. Clapper)
When I kept hens once in the village before I went to the
woods, there was one white rooster
cockerel
rooster
I remember in one of the broods which I reared that went much by
himself, a pensive stately-paced young cockerel, that still had a good deal of the
pheasant in him.
One night he was by chance shut out of the hen-yard, and after long reconnoitering
and anxious
n
Note: end of B leaf and beginning of A leaf (R. Clapper)
going &
coming—with brave thoughts exaling him—and fancies rushing thick upon him—crowing
long memoriter
wise of his Indian origin & wild descent—he flew like a bird up into the branches
of a tree,
and went to roost there.—And I who had witnessed this passage in his private history
immediately
wrote these verses, & inscribed them to him.
Poor bird! destined to lead thy life
Far in the adventurous west,
And here to be debarred to-night
From thy accustomed nest;
Must thou fall back upon old instinct now,—
Well nigh extinct under man’s fickle care?
Did Heaven bestow its quenchless inner light
So long ago, for thy small want to-night?
Why stand’st upon thy toes to crow so late?
The moon is deaf to thy low feathered fate;
Or dost thou think so to possess the night,
And people the drear dark with thy brave sprite?
And now with anxious eye thou look’st about,
While the relentless shade draws on its veil,
For some sure shelter from approaching dews,
And the insidious steps of nightly foes.
I fear imprisonment has dulled thy wit,
Or ingrained servitude extinguished it.
But no,—dim memory of the days of yore,
By Brahmapootra & the Jumna’s shore,
Where thy proud race flew swiftly o’er the heath,
And sought its food the jungle’s shade beneath,—
Has taught thy wings to seek yon friendly trees,
As erst by Indus’ banks & far Ganges.
I am perhaps the only inhabitant of the town or of the state who does not hear the
cock crow
n
Note: The following passage begins on a
leaf in B, which apparently was a fair copy of material in the missing leaves of A;
the passage
continues on a leaf in A (R. Clapper)
I am
was perhaps the only inhabitant of the town
Concord or of the state who does
did not hear the cock crow
All climates agree with brave Chanticleer. He is more indigenous even than the natives.
His
health is ever good, his lungs are sound, his spirits never flag
All climates agree with brave Chanticleer. He is more indigenous even than the natives.
His
health is ever good, his lungs are sound, his spirits never flag
All climates agree with brave Chanticleer. He is more indigenous even than the natives.
His
health is ever good, his lungs are sound, his spirits never flag
All climates agree with brave Chanticleer. He is more indigenous even than the natives.
His
health is ever good, his lungs are sound, his spirits never flag
All climates agree with brave Chanticleer. He is more indigenous even than the natives.
His
health is ever good, his lungs are sound, his spirits never flag
All climates agree with brave Chanticleer. He is more indigenous even than the natives.
His
health is ever good, his lungs are sound, his spirits never flag
Even the sailor on the Atlantic and Pacific is awakened by
this familiar sound
this familiar sound
his voice; but its shrill sound never roused me from my slumbers.
his voice; but its shrill sound never roused me from my slumbers.
his voice; but its shrill sound never roused me from my slumbers.
his voice; but its shrill sound never roused me from my slumbers.
his voice; but its shrill sound never roused me from my slumbers.
his voice; but its shrill sound never roused me from my slumbers.
I
keep
kept
kept
kept
kept
kept
kept
kept
kept
neither dog, cat, cow, pig, nor hens,
so that you would have said
so that you would have said
so that you would have said
so that you would have said
so that you would have said
so that you would have said
so that you would have said
there
is
was
was
was
was
was
was
was
was
a deficiency of domestic sounds; neither the churn, nor the spinning wheel, nor even
the singing
of the kettle, nor the hissing of the urn, nor children crying, to comfort one. An
old-fashioned man
would have lost his senses
and
and
or
or
or
or
or
or
or
died of ennui
before this.
before this.
before this.
before this.
before this.
before this.
before this.
before this.
Not even rats in the wall, for they were starved out,
but
but
or rather were never baited in,
or rather were never baited in,
or rather were never baited in,
or rather were never baited in,
or rather were never baited in,
or rather were never baited in,
—only squirrels on the roof and under the floor, a whippoorwill on the ridge pole,
a blue-jay screaming
in the yard
beneath the window,
beneath the window,
beneath the window,
beneath the window,
beneath the window,
beneath the window,
beneath the window,
a hare or woodchuck under the house, a screech-owl or a cat-owl behind it, a flock
of wild geese
or a laughing loon
in
in
on
on
on
on
on
on
on
the pond,
and
and
and
and
and
and
and
and
a fox to bark in the night.
But not
Not
Not
Not
Not
Not
Not
Not
even a lark or an oriole, those mild plantation birds, ever
visit
visited
visited
visited
visited
visited
visited
visited
visited
my clearing. No cockerels to crow nor hens to cackle in the yard. No yard! but unfenced
Nature
reaching up to your very sills. A young forest growing up under your windows, and
wild sumachs and
blackberry vines breaking through into your cellar; sturdy pitch-pines rubbing and
creaking against the
shingles for want of room, their roots reaching quite under the house. Instead of
a scuttle or a blind
blown off in the gale,—a pine tree snapped off or torn up by the roots behind your
house for fuel.
Instead of no path to the front-yard gate in the Great Snow,—no gate,—no front-yard,—and
no path to the
civilized world!
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