I journeyed on an unknown road, Begirt with mountains towering high, And one stood out with granite load, Its bastions seemed to pierce the sky. "Oh, could I climb to yonder height O'erlooking land and sea," I sighed, "The wonders of the world I'd sight Spread out upon the other side."
I climbed that steep and dizzy height; The path was rough for tired feet. Buoyed up with thoughts of ancient might, I saw no stones, I felt no heat. "Who would not suffer toil untold To reach the goal," I panting cried, "And see the glories of the world Revealed upon the other side!"
I reached the top and on my eyes No sight there burst of foreign seas, Or castles old of giant size; My roof-tree glimmered through the trees! 'Twas my own hill on which I stood, Whose prospect promised strange and wide Because, in absent, wandering mood, I'd viewed it from the other side.
The fields well-known and traversed oft, How dear and sweet they seemed and fair, Each leafy twig waved welcomes soft, And one Beloved Form was there, A shelter sure in time of need! "I have not climbed in vain," I cried, "The glories of the world indeed Lie here, upon the other side."
