,,! ,,magical ,,*ance            ,,!    
,,magical ,,*ance      ,,by    ,,dallas 
,,lore ,,%>p    ,,au?or ,,( 8,,! ,,lay  
,,( ,,! ,,l&10 8,,! ,,hills ,,(         
,,h+ham10 8,,education ,,9 ,a           
,,democracy10 ,,etc4      ,illu/ration  
,,bo/on ,,& ,,new ,,york    ,,h\ghton   
,,miffl9 ,,company    ,! ,riv]side      
,press ,cambridge    #aibc              
,,copyright1 #aibc1 ,,by ,,dallas ,,lore
 ,,%>p      ,,all ,,rights ,,res]v$     
,! ,riv]side ,press    ,,cambridge1     
,,massa*usetts    ,,pr9t$ ,,9 ,,!       
,u4,s4,a4          ,,cont5ts            
,i4 ,,! ,,magical ,,*ance               
#a        ,,ii4 ,,! ,,radium ,,(        
,,romance                #ci            
,,iii4 ,,! ,,hunt ,,= 8,,copy0          
#fi        ,,iv4 ,,! ,,duty ,,to ,,dig  
#ajc         ,v4 ,,! ,,man ,,& ,,!      
,,book                #aca        ,,vi4 
,a ,,janu>y ,,summ]                     
#aec       ,,vii4 ,,aft] ,,! ,,logg]s   
#agc      ,,viii4 ,,wood*uck ,,lodge ,,&
 ,,lit]ature      #bjc          ,,!     

,,magical ,,*ance          ,,*apt] ,i   
,,! ,,magical ,,*ance          ,,!      
,,magical ,,*ance          ,,*apt] ,i   
,,! ,,magical ,,*ance      8,:at are y  
go+ to say to ! college girls80 my      
pretty niece  ask$1 z we motor$ d[n !   
valley4 ,%e 0 be+ graduat$ ?is  spr+1 & 
! sn[y dogwoods & ! purple ,judas-trees 
aga9/ !  t5d] hillsides 7 n s fre%1 nor 
half s full ( bloom1 z %e4  ,b !y 7 gay]
 f> ?an %e4    8,don't tell !m1 uncle1  
h[ wond]ful !y are6 ,h[ ! _w waits  =   
!m6 ,don't say x1 uncle6 ,i h he>d t    
sort ( talk = ^!  f\r ye>s1 & "h ,i am )
 nobody wait+ = me2 n fitt$ =  any?+2   
no?+ to d2 & z wond]ful--z ?irty c5ts60 
,poor ?+6    ,a few days be=e1 ,i _h se5
 an int]view ) ! ,presid5t ( ,yale1  9  
:i* ! "y writ] said he _h read 9 a book 
t all !  great devices _h be5 inv5t$2   
all ! new l&s explor$2 all !  great de$s
 done--all ! adv5ture & romance =ev]    
gone f life1  & t only bread & butt]    
rema9 ) ! odds aga9/ a "y  man's gett+  
mu* ( ! butt]4    ,poor ?+6    ,h ,i be5

 liv+ fifty ye>s--9 ,am]ica8 or fifty   
cycles 9  ,ca?ay8 ,i _c /ill be "y at   
fifty6 nor c ,i be s old ei!r  z mod]n  
two-&-tw5ty6 ,y\? is a dry tree1 ^!     
days2 a sad  /ate--p>ticul>ly y\? b5t ) 
! burd5 ( an ,a4,b4 degree4 ,out  ( my  
fifty-odd ye>s ( exi/5ce ,i h taught    
college y\? =  ?ree-&-tw5ty1 & nev] 9   
all t "t h !y look$ l  pla9 bread &     
butt] to me4 ,if !y are n adv5ture &    
romance1  n bett] /ories1 sweet] songs1 
mighti] de$s ?an any yet  record$1 !n ,i
 am no judge ( /ory matt] & ! /uff (    
epic song4    ,b my pretty niece decl>es
 t %e also kn[s a %oat :5 %e sees  "o2 &
 %e kn[s x is j pork4 ,z = ! college man
 ( !  int]view3 he 0 n speak+ by ! book2
 out1 r1 ( ! dep?s  ( 8 he>t4    ,x is  
an evil ?+ to be born "y into an old _w6
    ,= ! _w seems v old4 ,its face is   
cov]$ ) d\bt1 its he>t  is only a%es (  
burn$-out fires4 ,! ,riv] ( ,life :i*   
,john saw  has dw9dl$ into ,spoon ,riv]2
 & 8 ,book ( ,life is n[ a novel1       
piddl+ & pruri5t4 ,b ,john also saw !   

,sc>let ,woman--& t  0 long ago6 ,! _w 0
 ev] mu* ! same2 ev] 9 ne$ ( an         
,apocalypse2 & nev] m 9 ne$ ?an n[4 ,my 
pretty niece1 & !  "y man ( ! int]view1 
are ! _w1 & ! college _w at  t1 ! m's ! 
pity4 ,!y are its skepticism1 its       
mat]ialism1  its conv5tionalism1 its fe>
 & failure4 ,!y seem afraid to bid on   
life1 = fe> x might be knock$ (f to !m  
at some?+ above p>6  ,!y d n d>e4 ,!y   
won't take a *ance4 ,!y w\ld1 ( c\rse1  
if  !re 7 *ances2 !y w\ld d>e1 if only  
"o giant 7 /ill  left /alk+ ?r\gh ! l&4 
,! giants are gone6    ,! orator 0      
celebrat+ ! hundr$? anniv]s>y ( ,ri*>d  
,h5ry  ,dana1 ! au?or ( 8,two ,ye>s     
,be=e ! ,ma/03      ,life (f]$ him a    
magical human *ance & he took x4 ,!re 0 
some?+ 9 him = :i* ! decor\s &          
conv5tional life (    ,bo/on all[$ no   
place 9 its s*eme4 8,two ,ye>s ,be=e !  
,ma/0    belongs to ! ,lit]ature (      
,escape4    ,life (f]$ him a magical    
*ance--z if he 7 a special case6 ,s he  
04 ,s is e boy4 ,:o 0 ?is boy8 & :at 7 !

 circum/ances  "u :i* ,life (f]$ him ?is
 magical *ance8 ,he 0 a ,bo/onian  to   
beg9 )1 & t is bad en\gh2 he 0 a ,h>v>d 
und]graduate  also1 :i* /ill fur!r      
complicates ! situation2 &1 besides1 he 
0 a ,dana6 ,"h 0 a complex :i* %\ld h   
/agg]$ ,life4 ,:o  c\ld escape f all (  
?is8 ,leave t to ,life4 ,up %e comes    
boldly1  j z if %e expect$ ! boy to take
 h] (f]4 ,& he did take x4  ,he fell ill
 ) "s affliction ( ! eyes2 &1 go+ d[n to
 !  ,bo/on :>fs1 %ipp$ z a common sailor
 be=e ! ma/ 9 ! little  brig ,pilgrim = 
a two ye>s' trip ar\nd ! ,horn4 ,& out (
 t  escape f ,bo/on & ,h>v>d & ! ,danas1
 he br\ght back "o (  ! ?ree greate/ sea
 /ories 9 lit]ature--a book t all (     
,bo/on  & ,h>v>d & ! ,danas comb9$ c\ld 
nev] h writt5 except =  ?is escape4     
,! "q is3 ,does ,life come along to-day1
 z !n1 & (f] u1 z  x (f]$ ,dana1 su* a  
magical *ance8 ,is !re any escape = u8  
,we are n all ,danas1 & s we are c]ta9ly
 n worse (f ?an  he 02 b our            
circum/ances are di/9ctly diff]5t1 & r  

disquiet+4 ,?is *ance 0 giv5 ,dana f>   
back 9 #ahcd1 ne>ly "o  hundr$ ye>s ago1
 :5 escape 0 possible1 & :5 ,dana 0 a   
boy4  ,x 0 a "y _w a hundr$ ye>s ago1 & 
full ( adv5ture4 ,"o  c\ld escape !n    
because !re 0 "s place to escape into2 b
 to  r\nd ! ,horn to-day is to l&1 n on 
wild ,po9t ,loma1 b at ,san  ,diego1 ) !
 s+le exception ( ,monte ,c>lo1 ! mo/   
decor\s &  conv5tional city on ! planet4
    ,p]haps my niece & ! college boy ( !
 int]view are "r4    ,ab\t ! "t t ,dana 
0 escap+ f ,bo/on1 a "y man by !  "n (  
,h5ry ,david ,?oreau tri$ to escape f   
,concord1 ( ! same  ,/ate4 ,he _h no    
deep-sea :>f1 no brig l ! ,pilgrim1 b1 z
  "o mu/ seize su* ?+s z are at h& 9 an 
escape1 ,?oreau took  a r[boat & !      
ne>-by riv] & />t$ (f4 ,he r[$ & r[$  = 
a week1 & came to ,concord1 ,new        
,hamp%ire4 ,"h he took to 8  di>y &     
wrote t !re 7 no fronti]s ?is way any   
long]4 8,?is  g5]ation has come into !  
_w fatally late = "s ent]prises4  ,g :]e
 we w on ! surface ( ?+s1 m5 h be5 !re  

be=e  u4 ,we _c h ! pleasure ( erect+ ! 
la/ h\se2 t 0  long ago set up 9 !      
suburbs ( ,a/oria ,city1 & our b\nd>ies 
h  lit]ally be5 run to ! ,s\? ,sea40    
,born 9 #ahag1 m ?an a hundr$ ye>s ago1 
& /ill born fatally  late6 ,h[ late1 !n1
 0 ,i born8 & y1 my son8 & y1 my pretty 
niece8      8,! ra9b[ comes & goes1     
,& lovely is ! rose1    b y & ,i h miss$
 ! e>ly glory t ha? pass$ =ev] f  !     
morn+ e>?10 %e makes reply4    ,b ,i    
w\ld say to h]3 ,x 0 t5 ye>s lat]1 t5   
:ole ye>s aft]  ,?oreau's tame adv5ture 
on ! ,m]rimac1 t gold 0 discov]$ 9      
,cali=nia4 ,"h 0 a magical *ance z late 
z ! ye> ',=ty-,n9e1  & ,life (f]$ x to a
 "y man ( ,provid5ce & ,brooklyn by !   
"n ( ,bret ,h>te4 ,he took x4 ,!re 0    
some?+ 9 him = :i*  ! decor\s &         
conv5tional r\nd ( ^! cities all[$ no   
place 9  _! s*eme4 ,he w5t into !       
gold-fields & br\ght out 8,! ,luck  (   
,ro>+ ,camp10 ano!r piece ( ! ,lit]ature
 ( ,escape4 ,!n my  /ud5ts answ]3 8,yes1
 b !re are no m outca/s 9 ,pok] ,flat1  

& :om are we to write ab\t80    ,alas1  
'tis true1 !y're 9 _! graves1 t g5tle   
race ( gambl]s4  ,) ! w9d-fl[] & !      
violet !y p]i%$ long ago1 z lit]>y      
mat]ial4 ,eighte5-,=ty-,n9e w be hav+   
its hundr$? anniv]s>y  soon4 ,b1 "s     
fifty ye>s lat]1 gold 0 /ruck aga9--?is 
"t  on ! ,yukon4 ,"h 0 ano!r magical    
*ance4 ,& !re 0 a "y  fell[ walk+ !     
/reets ( ,bo/on along ) me1 lit]ally    
begg+  bread ) me f editorial door to   
editorial door1 by ! "n (  ,jack        
,london4 ,life came up to u & (f]$ u ?is
 magical *ance1  & ,jack took x1 br++   
out ( ! ,yukon a /ory call$ 8,build+ a  
,fire0 :i* is surely a "p ( ! immortal  
,lit]ature ( ,escape4    8,well1 :at    
w\ld he write ab\t n[80 !y ask4 8,:at   
has happ5$  s9ce80    8,pe>y has f\nd ! 
,nor? ,pole10 ,i reply4    8,yes1 &     
,amunds51 or somebody1 has f\nd ! ,s\?  
,pole60 !y cry4  8,& :at's ! use ( liv+ 
9 a _w ( only two poles1 & "s  "o f9d+  
bo? ( !m be=e we come along60    ,!re is
 some?+ 9 t4 ,x is a bad sort ( _w t has

 only two  poles4 ,x %\ld be /uck full (
 poles1 "o = ea* ( u4 ,b !re  are only  
two1 & a flag flies f ea* ( !m2 z a flag
 flies ov]  e t]re/rial spot 9 betwe5   
!m3 ov] ,m\nt ,mc,kinley n[2 ov]  !     
,riv] ( ,d\bt n[1 s t we are /opp$ f    
s++1 z once we  sang1--      8,!re's "o 
m riv]1    ,!re's "o m riv] to cross40  
,!re is no m riv] to cross4 ,!odore     
,roosevelt cross$ x4 ,!re  is no?+ to   
cross2 no place to g :]e1 on ! surface (
 ?+s1  m5 h n be5 !re be=e u4 ,yes1 yes1
 !re is ,m\nt ,ev]e/4 ,no  "o has yet   
/ood on t peak2 b !re is an exp$ition   
climb+ x1  camp+ to-day at ab\t         
tw5ty-five ?\s& feet up1 ) only two or  
?ree ?\s& feet m to g4 ,& "h we are 9   
,h+ham6    ,x looks bad4 ,my "y niece is
 possibly "r1 aft] all4 ,ea/1 we/1      
nor?1 s\?1 :]e is a fronti]8 ,:]e %all  
,i g f "h & f9d  an escape8    ,n ov]l& 
any long]1 = ev5 ,?oreau c\ld f9d no    
fronti] ?is  way2 & n by sea n[1 = "h   
comes ,john ,masefield1 poet &  sailor1 
say+ ! fronti] has disappe>$ f (f ! sea2

 t !  clipp] %ip1 ! %ip ( dreams1 has   
f\nd]$ & gone d[n2 t y  c haunt ! :>ves 
^! pip+ times ( /eam1      8,yet nev]   
see ^? pr\d ones sway+ home1    ,)      
ma9y>ds back$ & b[s acream ) foam4      
99       99       99       99       99  
,z once1 long s9ce1 :5 all ! docks 7    
fill$    ,) t sea beauty man has ceas$  
to build40    ,li/51 n[1 = ?is is !     
message ( ! poem3      8,!y m>k our     
passage z a race ( m51    ,e>? w n see  
su* %ips aga91--0    :i* makes me ?ank  
,heav5 = my f>m1 :]e ! same old romantic
  hoe rema9s ab\t :at x ev] 0--! fir/   
record$ w$d+ pres5t4    ,mr4            
,masefield's obs]vations are dat$ #aiab4
 ,prior to t ye> real  clipp] %ips rode 
! deep1 & real romance4 ,x 0 prior to   
#ahci  t !re 7 real fronti]s & romance 9
 ! l&1 & a la/  h\se 7a gov]nm5t        
ligh?\se7 /ill to be set up 9 ! suburbs 
(  ,a/oria ,city4 ,go+ a little f>!r    
back1 we f9d t prior to #adia  7,b4,c471
 ab\t ! ye> #djjj accord+ to ! m>g9 ( ! 
,k+ ,james  ,v]sion1 !re 7 giants 9 !   

e>?1 & ! /ories 9 ! ,book (  ,g5esis %[ 
t !re 7 romances z well z giants 9 ^?   
days4  ,b1 l ,?oreau & ,masefield1      
,moses 0 born fatally late4 ,i feel     
sorry = ,moses & my niece4    ,let u    
pause "h = a sad brief mom5t 9 ord] to  
see j :]e  ,moses 0 :5 ,life s\ght him  
out & pr(f]$ him a magical *ance  9 !   
%ape ( a trip to ,egypt4 ,:]e 0 ,moses8 
& :at 0 he  do+8 ,to beg9 )1 he 0 keep+ 
goats1 a fairly common occupation  9 ^? 
days1 ?\gh r a r>e job n[4 ,b t 0 n all3
  ,moses 0 keep+ ^! goats = ,je?ro1 8   
fa!r-9-law4 ,n[ y  beg9 to get "s inkl+ 
z to :]e ,moses 04 ,b ?is is n !  wor/ (
 x3 = ,moses 0 keep+ ! goats = 8        
fa!r-9-law  on 8! back side ( ! des]t40 
,"o w\ld c]ta9ly say t !  front side (  
any des]t w\ld be f> en\gh away1 & /]ile
 en\gh  ( romance1 if "o _h to keep "o's
 fa!r-9-law's goats !re2 b  to keep !   
goats ( y\r fa!r-9-law on ! back side ( 
a des]t  is to be f>!r (f ?an ,h+ham1 or
 any place ,i "k4 ,& "h 0  ,moses :5    
,life came ^u him (f]+ him an escape    

into ,egypt4    ,he 0 born fatally late1
 ,moses 01 j l ,?oreau & my niece4 ,he  
might h be5 "o ( my own college m51 s l 
a college man's 0  8 answ]6    8,no1    
no60 he compla9$1 8,i don't want to g   
d[n to ,egypt4 ,!re is  no?+ do+ d[n 9  
,egypt4 ,i'm sl[ ( spee*2 )\t           
imag9ation2  & x's a h>d job1 anyway4   
,let me /ay "h & be goa!rd to  ,je?ro1  
my fa!r-9-law1 & dream ( ! good old days
 ( ! giants1  :5 m5 began to multiply ^u
 ! face ( ! e>?1 :5 ! sons  ( ,god saw !
 daught]s ( m5 t !y 7 fair4 ,ah6--!re 0 
some?+ do+ 9 ^? days60    ,f ,moses to  
,masefield ! times h be5 fatally late4  
,& s  m9e are1 ) ! clipp] %ips1 !       
fronti]s1 ! giants1 & !  daught]s ( m5 t
 are fair1 all gone6 ,b ,i seem to see  
!m fair4  ,i suppose ,i ought n1 hav+   
be5 born s fatally late4 ,& ,i wond]  if
 ,i might n f9d a giant1 too1 if ,i %\ld
 hunt8 & a clipp] %ip8  & a fronti]8 &  
ev5 an escape f ,h+ham6    ,lumb] is    
/ill br\ght 9 boats to "o ( ,h+ham's old
 :>ves1 b  ! re/ ( h] :>ves are des]t$4 

,h] citiz5s1 :o us$ to d  bus9ess 9     
great wat]s1 /op n[ 9 ,h+ham ,h>bor to  
cat* smelts4  ,*ange & "s decay "o c see
 all ab\t ,h+ham1 b little *ance  (     
escape4    ,d[n at ! foot ( ,mulle9     
,hill1 on :i* my h\se /&s1 !re runs  a  
long1 long trail aw9d+ into t l& ( my   
dreams2 b ,i ask3  ,:]e does x cross !  
fronti]8 ,i h travel$ x1 go+ s\?1 9  my 
,=d 7if y are out = fronti]s1 take a    
,=d4 ,we h a say+  "h 9 ,h+ham t a ,=d w
 take a man any:]e--except into good    
society67--,i say ,i h gone s\? ov] ?is 
road :i* runs at !  foot ( ,mulle9 ,hill
 z f> z ,philadelphia1 & no fronti]6--! 
next  /op 0 ,*e/]4 ,i h gone ea/ ov] !  
same road until ,i came to  )9 t5 miles 
( ,sk[hegan1 ,ma9e1 :]e ,i ran into a   
/eam-roll]  on ! road4 ,:5 y meet a     
/eam-roll] on a road 9 ,ma9e1 y  are v  
ne> ! fronti]4 ,if !re is any adv5ture =
 y on !  trip1 x w be on ! dt\r ar\nd t 
/eam-roll]4 ,b "u !  roll] ran ! road & 
on into ,sk[hegan1 & on out ( ,sk[hegan 
into  ,aroo/ook ,c\nty1 ! ri*e/ c\nty 9 

! ,unit$ ,/ates1 :]e !y  raise 8spuds0  
en\gh to fe$1 n only ,bo/on1 b ! re/ (  
de> old  ,irel& ) h]2 & all ! way f     
,h+ham to ,aroo/ook1 except at  !       
/eam-roll]1 !re 0 no *ance to get (f4   
,& ?is road1 tak+ a turn among ^!       
glori\s potato-fields (  ,ma9e1 />ts ov]
 ! m\nta9s ( ,new ,hamp%ire1 crosses !  
corn &  cattle belt 9 ! c5tral portion (
 ! c\ntry1 &1 runn+ on &  on1 dips into 
! ,imp]ial ,valley 9 f>-(f ,cali=nia1 ! 
hotte/  cultivat$ spot on e>?4 ,& all ! 
way f ,h+ham1 r\ndab\t by  ,ma9e1 to !  
,imp]ial ,valley1 y may n /op1 unless y 
run out  ( 8gas40 ,& ! oil companies d n
 int5d ?is magical *ance to  att5d y1 = 
!y h plant$ gasol9e tanks "u e second   
telegraph pole all ! way4    ,?is road1 
/>t+ f ,mulle9 ,hill1 ,h+ham1 & runn+ to
  ,aroo/ook1 ,ma9e1 & to ! ,imp]ial     
,valley 9 ,cali=nia1 takes a  new turn  
among ! melon-fields !re1 works its way 
back along !  ,gulf ,/ates1 b9d+ _!     
ragg$ edge l a selvage1 &1 b5d+  into   
,florida1 ?reads its way among !        

,ev]glades & out1 head+ (f  across !    
cotton-fields1 on across ! corn & cattle
 belt aga91  climbs ,pike's ,peak & d[n1
 climbs ,m\nt ,hood & d[n1 &1 f>+ on    
into ! ,/ate ( ,wa%+ton1 climbs ! fruit$
 slopes ( old ,tacoma1  8,! ,m\nta9 t 0 
,god40 ,& all ! way f ,h+ham "s "o has  
be5 !re be=e u1 & laid an oil$ road = u1
 & left u no  fronti]4    ,surely we are
 born late2 & my pretty niece fatally   
late4 ,! fronti]  is gone4 ,! buffaloes 
are gone4 ,i saw _! anci5t trails out ( 
!  c> w9d[s z my tra9 ro>$ ov] !        
,canadian prairie1 wav]+  p>allel pa?s 9
 ! virg9 sod1 a vivid] gre5 ?an ! re/ ( 
!  grass1 n>r[ me&]+ l9es vani%+ %ort ( 
! f>-(f horizon  :]e hung a cl\d n l>g] 
?an a man's h&1 l ! du/ ( !  la/        
disappe>+ h]d4    8,hank0 ,monk is gone4
 ,?is k+ ( ov]l& /age-driv]s sleeps 9   
,c>son ,city2 & beside sleeps 8 ,concord
 coa* ( split hickory4  ,concord has    
ceas$ to make su* coa*es4      ,!y m>k  
our passage z a race ( m51    ,e>? w n  
see su* coa*es aga94    ,f ,hell ,gate  

n[ to ,gold5 ,gate !re are only miles1 &
 any ma*9e  makes a m]e holiday ( !     
trip4    ,a "y acqua9tance ( m9e has j  
made ! coa/-to-coa/ run1  driv+ h] own  
c>4 ,%e said to me on arriv+ "h t 8x 0  
an awful monoton\s j\rney40 ,didn't     
any?+ happ58 ,i ask$  ) consid]able     
surprise4 ,no1 no?+ happ5$4 ,didn't %e  
see  any?+ ( int]e/8 ,wasn't !re any    
excitem5t8 ,didn't %e  h any adv5tures8 
,no1 %e didn't see any?+2 %e didn't get 
a  bit ( excitem5t out ( x2 !re wasn't  
any adv5ture2 j "o  bl9kety-blank mile  
aft] ano!r6    8,incr$ible60 ,i cri$4   
8,oh1 yes10 %e said1 h] eyes bright5+1  
some?+ l a ?rill 9  h] voice1 8,i did h 
?ree punctures60    ,all ! way f ,gold5 
,gate to ,hell ,gate ) ?ree punctures to
 break  ! cu%ion$ t5or ( h] way4 ,?is is
 :at life has come to4    ,!n %e said3  
8,!re 7 two ?+s on ! trip t did greatly 
int]e/ me4 ,b ,i don't exactly "k :y2 & 
,i am afraid to tell y  ab\t !m = fe> y 
w ?9k me su* a big fool40    8,no10 ,i  
answ]$1 8,i won't ?9k y any bigg] fool  

?an ,i d n[1 s  :at 7 ! two int]e/+     
?+s80    8,well10 %e began 7& ,i wi% !  
read] w\ld note ! /rictly  ,am]ican t\* 
9 ?is description71 8"o ( !m 0 ,lu!r    
,burbank's  sp9eless cactus40 7,notice1 
,i say1 ! sp9eless quality ( ?is        
cactus47    ,! girl read my face &      
exclaim$1 mu* hurt3 8,!re6 ,i knew y    
w\ld poke fun at me40    8,b tell :at ! 
o!r ?+ 010 ,i begg$4 8,let's get !      
sordid  /ory ov] z fa/ z we c40    8,i  
don't "k ev5 yet :at x all meant10 %e   
w5t on1 8b1 z ,i 0  cross+ ! ,arizona   
des]t1 ,i saw a long petition be+       
circulat$ by  ! native ,arizonians1     
pray+ ! ,national ,congress to pres]ve =
  !m & = po/]ity a portion ( _! orig9al 
des]t40    ,my poor niece6 ,moses saw ! 
giants pass away2 ,?oreau saw ! fronti] 
pass away2 ,masefield sees ! clipp] %ip 
pass away2 b x rema9s  = my niece & h]  
day to see ! ,great ,am]ican ,des]t wip$
 out  by ! irrigation dit*1 & ! gila    
mon/] ) ! des]t1 &  ! ne$ ( a %ovel on !
 trip across ! s&s6 ,h we eat5 !        

cassaba melon & gone mad8 ,is x all (   
life to make ! des]t  blossom z ! rose8 
,to br+ =? cassaba melons1 & alligator  
pe>s1 & sp9eless cacti = c[ fe$8        
,pl\gh+ ! des]t2 turn+ ! giant cactus   
into ensilage1 z  if to live 7 a silo--=
 fe> ( ?is ! native ,arizonians are     
ask+ ,congress t a portion ( _! orig9al 
des]t & ( ,life's  adv5ture & romance be
 sav$ to !m & to _! *ildr54    ,x is    
sad4 ,b ?is is n ! wor/ ( x3 = !y h laid
 an oil$  road across t des]t1 z if x 7 
! :ole ( life to get ?r\gh  to ,san     
,diego on "t4    ,!re is no hope = a man
 :o gets ?r\gh to ,san ,diego on "t4    
,he w /rike ,los ,angeles on "t1 come to
 ,san ,francisco on "t4  ,portl& on "t1 
,w9nipeg1 ,*icago1 ,bo/on1 & ,h+ham on  
"t2 :]e  he w die on "t1 be buri$ on "t1
 rise on "t1 & keep go+  on "t1 ) nev] a
 *ance to get (f4 ,b :]e is ! adv5ture 9
  t8 ,x is n ! :ole ( life to get ?r\gh 
to ,san ,diego on "t4  ,i _h r leave my 
bones to blea* b5ea? a bu% ?an travel on
 &  on by s*$ule1 always mak+ life's    

connections1 & s miss+ always  life's   
magical *ances4 ,don't y rememb] y\r ,"m
 ,goose1 wise old  de>8      8,a dill> a
 doll>1    ,a t5-o'clock s*ol>1    ,:y h
 y come s soon8    ,y us$ to come at t5 
o'clock1    ,b n[ y come at noon40    ,&
 he 0 ! only little duff] 9 ! :ole s*ool
 to get a poem  writt5 to him4 ,! o!r   
*ildr5 came on "t & pass$ into          
oblivion2 ?is boy 7he c]ta9ly 0 a boy7  
came late & has become  immortal4    ,! 
des]t is doom$1 no d\bt1 b we %all      
always h dt\rs2 &  if 8on ! surface (   
?+s m5 h be5 !re be=e u10 we mu/  g     
b5ea?4 ,!re are giants /ill 9 ^! days2 !
 daught]s (  m5 are /ill fair2 !re are  
fronti]s = ^? :o w f9d !m2  &1 clipp]   
%ips or no1 ,i believe 9 ! ev]la/+      
adv5ture (  r\nd+ ! ,horn4 ,i believe 9 
magical *ances ( escape1 born ?\gh  ,i 0
 aft] my p>5ts1 :i* might h be5 fatally 
late _h ,i n  happily come be=e my      
*ildr51 ea* ( :om is an adv5ture & an   
escape4 ,:]ev] ,i turn1 ,i see a *ance  
to side/ep ! decor\s1 !  conv5tional1 ! 

s*$ul$1 to dodge into ! bu%es & escape4 
,e  day is an adv5ture4    ,!re are     
magical human *ances to g r\nd2 !re is  
adv5ture &  escape = ev]ybody :o w seize
 x4 ,y\? is z "y1 ! _w  z r\nd1 ! e>? z 
wild z ev]4 ,&1 9 spite ( all ^? :o  h  
gr[n old1 x is /ill app>el$ 9 cele/ial  
light--sunlight1  />light1 moonlight--or
 else wrapp$ 9 anci5t & adv5tur\s d>k4  
,! sun /ill kn[e? 8 go+ d[n1 ?ank       
,heav56 ,!re are "s  ?+s t d n *ange nor
 pass away4      ,?\ make/ d>kness1 & x 
is night3 :]e9 all ! bea/s ( !    =e/ d 
creep =?4      ,! "y lions ro> aft] _!  
prey1 & seek _! meat f ,god4      ,! sun
 arise?1 !y ga!r !mselves toge!r1 & lay 
!m d[n    9 _! d5s4      ,man goe? =?   
unto 8 "w & to 8 lab\r until ! ev5+4    
,!n look out = y\r m5-folks4 ,= ?is is !
 end ( ! decor\s  & conv5tional4 ,?is is
 ! "t :]e9 all ! bea/s ( ! =e/  d creep 
=?4    ,we are :at we always 71 & s are 
?+s :at !y always 71  ?\gh !y look      
diff]5t4 ,we h *ang$ ! spots ( a few    
leop>ds1 ! sk9s ( a few ,e?iopians1 &   

%ift$ ! fronti]  f ! d>k wild he>t ( !  
=e/ to ! wild d>k he>t ( !  city2 b we h
 n *ang$ ! d>kness1 or ! wildness1 or ! 
,e?iopian1 or ! leop>d4    ,i h se5 !   
ev5+ come ov] ! city1 a night deep )    
d>kness  & wild ) a great /orm bl[+     
salty f ! sea4 ,i h wat*$  ! /reets gr[ 
empty till ! %ad[ feet ( ,midnight e*o$ 
z !y  pass$1 & all ! doors 7 %ut4 ,!n ,i
 h crept d[n along !  d>k wet ways1     
bleak & /eep-cut z cliffs1 :]e ,i h he>d
 !  beat+ ( great w+s above ! ro(s1 !   
call ( wild %rill voices  along ! craggy
 cov+s1 & ! wa% & spla% ( driv+ ra9s    
aslant ! walls2 ,i h ta/$ br9e1 spume1 &
 sp9drift on !  level w9ds1 fly+ ?r\gh a
 city's /reets f f> at sea--8"o-way0    
/reets by day1 & s clogg$ t traffic c\ld
 b>ely move 9 t  "o way--b "h--9 ! hu%$ 
tumult ( ! /orm & night--,i c\ld  he> ! 
/ones cry+ out ( _! walls1 & ! beams out
 ( !  timb]s answ]+ !m2 ! v cobbles ( ! 
pavem5t hav+ tongues  t w\ld speak :5 ! 
d9 ( ! p\nd+ ho(s 0 pa/4    ,"s "o      
compla9$ to ,br[n+ t ,italy is ! only l&

 ( romance  n[ left to u4 ,! poet answ]$
 promptly1 8,i %\ld l to include  de>   
old ,camb]well40 ,& ,i %\ld l to include
 de> old ,haleyville  & de> old ,h+ham4 
,& y w\ld l to include de> old ,wig     
,lane1  if y 7 born !re4    ,b ,i />t$  
out f ,h+ham1 pages back1 to f9d !      
fronti]4 ,h  ,i f\nd x yet8 ,s ,abraham 
/>t$ out f ,ur ( ! ,*aldees to f9d  a   
fronti]1 :i* he call$ a 8,city )\t      
,f\ndations10 & did he  f9d x8 ,:e!r he 
did or n1 he c]ta9ly _h a pl5ty (       
adv5ture  by ! way4 ,abraham 0 a hundr$ 
ye>s old :5 ,isaac 0 born4 ,!re  is     
some?+ ?rill+ ab\t t4 ,yet1 n>r[ z t    
*ance 01 x  is no?+ :5 comp>$ ) :at     
happ5$ to him next4 ,=1 :5  ,abraham 0  
"o hundr$ & =ty ye>s old1 he m>ri$      
,keturah4 ,"h  0 a man :o w\ld n be put 
d[n by a little circum/ance l "o  hundr$
 & =ty ye>s4 ,life comes along at "o    
hundr$ & =ty &  (f]s ,abraham ,keturah1 
& he takes h]6    ,i say he may n h f\nd
 8 city4 ,we "k t he did f9d            
,keturah--:i* is va/ly m ( an adv5ture4 

,we may n h !  pleasure ( erect+ ! la/  
h\se 9 ! suburbs ( ,a/oria ,city1 z     
,?oreau says2 b we might h ! wild]      
adv5ture ( liv+ 9 x4  ,& z x happ5s to  
be a gov]nm5t ligh?\se out on ,tongue   
,po9t1  at ! m\? ( ! ,columbia2 & z x   
happ5s to be :]e ! night  & ! ra9 & !   
fog are ?icke/ on ! face ( ! globe1 life
 9  t la/ h\se is a con/ant fronti]4    
,"o might nev] leave ,ur 7 he n seek+ a 
city4 ,& "o mu/ nev]  f9d 8 city else he
 might cease 8 seek+4 ,i d n "k h[ old  
,abraham 0 :5 he set out f ,ur ( !      
,*aldees4 ,i left ,haleyville  at ! age 
( eight4 ,i h only lately come to       
,h+ham1 hav+ got 9  on ! wrong side ( ! 
railroad track "s tw5ty ye>s ago4 7,if  
"o  is really to arrive 9 ,h+ham1 "o mu/
 come 9 ) "o's ance/ors1  & m ?an tw5ty 
ye>s be=e47 ,i say1 ,i 0 eight :5 ,i    
left  ,haleyville2 t ,i h h>dly yet     
arriv$ 9 ,h+ham2 b all ! way  f         
,haleyville to ,h+ham1 & all ! way f    
,h+ham to--,heav51  d>e ,i say8--!re has
 be51 & !re %all be1 held out1 9 bo? (  

,life's h&s to me1 ! magical *ance (    
escape4    ,did ,i />t out f ,h+ham to  
f9d ! fronti]8 ,t 0 wrong4  ,i w />t    
back = ,h+ham4 ,h+ham is ! fronti]4 ,s 0
  ,haleyville4 ,s w ,heav5 be4 ,life ) !
 e>? goes r\nd1 n  =w>d1 except to      
complete a circuit e/abli%$ :5 ! />s 7  
fix$1 an orbit t all ! =ces ( ,heav5 &  
human intellig5ce  h be5 unable to w>p4 
,! only v>iation or %ad[ ( new turn+    
,e>? h]self c look =w>d to is f         
collision ) "s mad  comet1 :i*1 if %e   
la/s long en\gh1 may happ5 possibly )9  
fifte5 million ye>s--a squ>e head-on    
sma% x may be1 or only a  side-swipe ) a
 sev]e %ak+ up--& !n fifte5 million ye>s
  m ( /eady turn+4 ,?+s outside are r   
h>d & fa/ despite  appe>ances1 & we :o  
are p>ts ( ?is ev5 s*eme1 we f9d t our  
upris+s & d[nsitt+s h nev] v>i$ mu* f   
rule1 nor are  liable to4    ,we are1 ,i
 repeat1 :at we always 71 & s are ?+s   
:at !y  always 71 ?\gh !y look diff]5t4 
,s is life :at x always 0  = adv5tures &
 fronti]s4    ,! wild fronti]1 l ! hunt$

 fox1 has d\bl$ on its trail1 t  is all4
 ,romance has slipp$ out ( ! woods into 
! deep] places  ( ! city2 ,adv5ture has 
turn$ commut]2 & "h are ! ?ree to       
companion life1 z !y ev] h--! ,a?os1    
,por?os1 & ,aramis to a  bebundl$       
,d',artagnan4 ,& already x is m ?an     
8,tw5ty ,ye>s ,s9ce40    ,tw5ty ye>s1 or
 a hundr$ ye>s--      8,! ye>'s at !    
spr+40    ,if y d n f9d y\r fill (      
adv5ture ) ,davy ,balf\r 9 ,app91  come 
d[n ) him to ,dean--to ,ed9burgh1 & y   
%all see ! face (  su* dang] 89 ! mid/ (
 :at !y call ! safety ( a t[n0 z  may   
%ake y1 too1 8beyond exp]i5ce40    ,if y
 don't f9d ! fronti] 9 ! daylight1 wait 
= ! d>k4  ,e night is a fre% fronti]4   
,!re are no l&m>ks ( ! day b  are blott$
 out by ! d>k z ! l9es are spong$ 9 !   
wake ( a  /eam]'s keel4 ,on ! %orte/    
night ( ?is ye> wild rabbits 7  9 my    
g>d51 fox-h\nds 7 bay+ beyond ! qu>ries1
 & ?r\gh  ! ?9 e>ly mi/ ( ! dawn we 7   
all at ! w9d[ wat*+ a  wild doe beh9d ! 
b>n4 ,%e nipp$ ! clov] n]v\sly1 twit*$  

h]  tail1 prick$ h] e>s 7= ! day 0      
approa*+71 & took ! high  wire f5ce at a
 b\nd4 ,%e 0 z wild & free z ! w9d4     
,a few ,sunday nights ago ,i 0 at *ur*  
:5 ! m9i/] ann\nc$  a s]ies ( ev5+      
s]mons = "y p1 &1 to my utt]  a/oni%m5t1
 8 fir/ talk 0 to be 8,aga9/ ,s[+ ,wild 
,oats40 ,i  0 greatly tempt$ to ask him 
if he int5d$ to prev5t 8 "y  p f do+ any
 m f>m+4 ,if !y c\ldn't s[ wild oats1   
:at k9d ( oats c\ld !y s[8 ,did he ev]  
see any tame oats8 ,^?  prea*]s imag9e a
 va9 ?+ :o ?9k we ev] cease to s[ wild  
oats  7at lea/1 !re is _m a late crop1 z
 ,?ack]ay says74 ,! tru? is  !re are no 
oats b wild ones4    ,i d n "k :at se$  
catalogue y ord] y\r g>d5 se$s out (2   
,i get m9e out ( "o m>k$ 8,hone/ ,se$s02
 x is assur+ to h an  ord]-book ( ?is   
sort pla9ly /amp$ 8hone/0 on ! cov]4 ,9 
?is  hone/-se$ catalogue = ! curr5t ye> 
! se$sman1 on page #ef1 is  describ+ 8  
oats4 ,let ! prea*] on wild oats note ) 
critical  c>e ! t]ms ( ?is description4 
,!re is some?+ !ological1  at lea/1     

revivali/ic1 ab\t !m4 ,x is ! only oat  
describ$ 9  ! catalogue2 & x w\ld be !  
only oat to plant 9 all ! _w1  if x 71 z
 x is describ$1 a 8,reg5]at$ ,select    
,sw$i% ,oat40 ,a  8reg5]at$0 7t is      
,me?odi/7 8select0 7t is ,presbyt]ian7  
oat6  ,b read on ?r\gh ?is catalogue1 & 
y w f9d t e se$  & tub] f arti*oke to   
z9nia has be5 to a revival s9ce la/     
summ] & hit ! 8sawdu/ trail40 ,great    
revivali/s are ! se$sm56  ,_! "w1 h[ev]1
 is n p]man5t4 ,= !y "k1 & we all "k1  t
 e reg5]at$ select ,sw$i% oat 9 _! b9s  
is a backslid]  at he>t1 z wild z ! wild
 ass ( ! wild]ness t scorne? !  cry+ ( !
 driv]4    ,x is true ( ! se$ & true ( !
 soil 9 :i* x gr[s4 ,?is  spr+ ,i br\ght
 9 f ! g>d5 a froz5 lump ( e>? :i* ,i   
_h be5 subdu+1 aft] ! fa%ion (          
,scripture1 ) my hoe1 ^!  tw5ty ye>s4   
,nay1 t lump ( e>? _h be5 9 process (   
be+  subdu$ = nigh two hundr$ ye>s1 "h  
on ?is anci5t ,h+ham f>m4  ,x 0 a bit ( 
reg5]at$1 select soil1 :i* ,i _h sweet5$
 )  lime1 _h n\ri%$ ) nitrog5 & pota%1 &

 _h plant$ )  no?+ b reg5]at$1 select   
se$s out ( ?is hone/ catalogue4 ,i  put 
?is lump ( soil 9 a pot by a s\? w9d[ & 
t5d]ly plant$  m reg5]at$1 select se$s  
)9 its brea/--tomato se$s1 ,jewel1      
,e>liana1 & ,bonny ,be/4 ,!n ,i look$ t 
x %\ld br+ =?  tomato plants1 & x br\ght
 =? )9 ! pot1 at ! end (  two weeks1    
pig-we$1 horse-we$1 *ick-we$1 sm>t-we$1 
:ite-we$1  rag-we$1 knot-we$1           
tumble-we$1 milk-we$1 silk-we$1         
sneeze-we$1  poke-we$2 goose-grass1     
crab-grass1 wit*-grass1 wire-grass1     
spe>-grass2 burdock1 s\rdock1 & pusley2 
to say no?+ ( !  sw>m ( ?+s f ,europe1  
^: infant cotyl$ons look$ innoc5t       
en\gh1 b ^: roots 7 altoge!r evil4      
,life (f]$ t lump ( "m e>? its magical  
*ance & !  lump took x4 ,! innate       
badness ( x1 ?is c>$-=1 *emically  pure1
 subdu$ piece ( g>d5 soil6 ,its froz5   
he>t a v furnace  ( sm\ld]+ fires2 its  
brea/1 t suckl$ ! nurs+ salsify 9  !    
summ]1 a b$ ( su* wild spores z w\ld s[ 
a _w to we$s6  ,giv5 tomato se$s1       

reg5]at$1 select tomato se$s1 ,jewel1   
,e>liana1  & ,bonny ,be/1 ! lump ( e>?  
br+s =? its own orig9al  pig-we$1       
horse-we$1 *ick-we$1 sm>t-we$1 :ite-we$1
 rag-we$1  knot-we$1 tumble-we$1        
milk-we$1 silk-we$1 sneeze-we$1         
poke-we$2  goose-grass1 crab-grass1     
wit*-grass1 wire-grass1 spe>-grass2     
burdock1  s\rdock1 & pusley4 ,t is :at x
 br\ght =? a million ye>s  ago4 ,a      
million ye>s f n[1 subdu$ & sweet5$ &   
n\ri%$1  & plant$ ) reg5]at$1 select    
tomato se$1 ,jewel1 ,e>liana1  & ,bonny 
,be/1 & put 9 a pot 9 ! sun%9e ( ! s\?  
w9d[1 t lump ( e>? w br+ =? pig-we$1    
horse-we$1  *ick-we$1 sm>t-we$1         
:ite-we$1 rag-we$1 knot-we$1 tumble-we$1
  milk-we$1 silk-we$1 sneeze-we$1       
poke-we$1 goose-grass1 crab-grass1      
wit*-grass1 wire-grass1 spe>-grass2     
burdock1 s\rdock1 & pusley4      8,! ,=m
 rema9s1 ! ,function nev] dies2    ,:ile
 we1 ! brave1 ! mighty1 & ! wise1    ,we
 ,m51 :o 9 our morn ( y\? defi$    ,!   
elem5ts1 mu/ vani%20    --vani%1 b n    

*ange4 ,! he>t ( man is n less con/ant  
?an a  clod ( e>?4      8,"l1 we are    
vile1 conceiv$ 9 s91    ,& born unholy &
 unclean2    ,sprung f ! man1 ^: guilty 
fall    ,corrupts 8 race & ta9ts u all10
    --s+s ,watts ) ,augu/9e1 ) gu/o & ) 
m unction &  consolation to me ?an 9 any
 o!r ( 8 hymns4 ,to "k t we /ill  inh]it
 a portion ( ! orig9al ,adam1 if only ! 
naughty ( him1 is  trem5d\sly he>t5+4   
,any?+ orig9al1 if only orig9al s91 9   
?is day ( ! decor\s & ! conv5tional1 is 
/imulat+4 ,=1  if we d /ill come by all 
( ,adam's orig9al badness1 d we n1 by  !
 same tok51 come by all ( 8 orig9al     
goodness1 & are we n  !n :olly orig9al1 
z ! orig9al ,adam8 ,we mu/ be2 z surely 
z  ! clod is2 full1 l ! clod ( wild     
we$-se$1 & capable1 l  ! clod1 "u !     
prop] c>e1 ( produc+ tomato plants3     
,jewel1  ,e>liana1 & ,bonny ,be/1       
reg5]ate & select4    ,i say ! he>t ( a 
man is ( ! same /eady /uff z ! o!r clay4
  ,:at x 01 x is1 & w be--wild1 & ev]   
seek+ an escape f  ! decor\s1 !         

conv5tional1 ! r\t9e ( 8 subdu$ & ord]$ 
r\nd4    ,h[ con/ant ! he>t ( nature is 
to itself ,i saw aga9 ! o!r day  at     
,wald5 ,pond4 ,almo/ half a c5tury be=e 
,i came to ?is planet1  ,?oreau wrote ( 
,wald5 ,pond3 8,b s9ce ,i left ^? %ores 
!  wood*opp]s h /ill fur!r laid !m wa/e1
 & n[ = _m a  ye> !re w be no m rambl+  
?r\gh ! aisles ( ! wood1  ) occasional  
vi/as ?r\gh :i* y see ! wat]40 ,^? _m   
ye>s h long s9ce come & gone4 ,?oreau is
 gone2 8 cab9 is  gone2 & a cairn (     
/ones m>ks ! spot :]e x /ood4 ,ov] !    
/umps he saw1 tall /rang] trees n[ /&2 &
 once m !re is  rambl+ ?r\gh _! %ad[y   
aisles1 & vi/as ?r\gh :i* y  cat*       
glimpses ( ! belov$ face ( ,wald51 calm 
& pure z :5 he  la/ look$ ^u x4    8,:y1
 "h is ,wald560 ,i he> him exclaim1 8!  
same woodl& lake  t ,i discov]$ s _m    
ye>s ago2 :]e a =e/ 0 cut d[n la/  w9t] 
ano!r is spr++ up by its %ore z lu/y z  
ev]2 ! same  ?\ght is well+ up to its   
surface z 0 !n2 x is ! same liquid  joy 
& happ9ess to itself & its mak]1 aye0--&

 x has n[ be5  set aside z a res]vation 
t its liquid joy & happ9ess may be  ours
 =ev]4    ,*ange is con/ant1 b x is !   
*ange ( ! ev]-return+ :eel4  ,?oreau's  
cab9 is gone1 & no o!r cab9 c n[ be     
built on !  %ores ( ,wald5 ,pond4 ,b !  
trees h come back to /ay1 & if1  8on !  
surface ( ?+s0 ,?oreau 8has be5 !re be=e
 u10 we mu/  g bel[ or above ! surface &
 f9d our fronti]4    8,magical *ances80 
a "y aviator on ! ,pacific ,coa/ wrote  
lately4  8,i ?\ght ( !m to-day z ,i     
flirt$ ) a little bun* (  cotton-wool   
cl\ds eight ?\s& five hundr$ feet above 
,po9t ,loma4  ,& ,i wond]$ :at ,dana    
w\ld h ?\ght _h "o ( 8 %ipmates  saunt]$
 across ! deck ( ! ,pilgrim1 &1 clapp+  
him on !  back1 said3 #8,i'll meet y1   
old man1 9 fifte5 m9utes up !re 9  t    
fleet ( little cl\ds2 if !y :ift & drift
 into space1 wait  = me at !            
five-?\s&-foot altitude'80    ,s !      
fronti] comes back4 ,pu%$ pa/ ! suburbs 
( ,a/oria ,city  into ! ,pacific1 x is  
se5 crawl+ out on ! s&y %ores ( ,cape   

,cod ) ! next great /orm4 ,! s+le l9e ( 
human foot/eps  across ! pol> sn[s has n
 left too pack$ & pla9 a trail4 ,new    
sn[s h cov]$ x1 z new trees h %ad[$ !   
%ores ( ,wald54    ,pe>y's footpr9ts1 & 
,dr4 ,cook's1 too1 w\ld be v h>d to     
foll[4    ,x 0 m ?an tw5ty-five ye>s ago
 t ,i />t$ f ,savannah  ov] ! old       
/age-road to ,augu/a1 f9d+ my way by    
fa9t unc]ta9  blaz+s on ! tree-trunks   
?r\gh a hundr$ & ?irty-odd miles (      
swamp4 ,!y 7 solemn miles4 ,trees ?ick] 
?an my body grew 9 !  ruts :]e :eels _h 
run2 m ?an once ! great diamond         
rattlesnake  coil$ 9 my pa?1 *ill+ !    
sil5ce ( ! riv] bottoms ) 8  %iv]+ :irr4
 ,once ,i he>d ! gobble ( ! wild turkey 
& !  scream ( ! bobcat2 & at night1 :ile
 sleep+ 9 an old ab&on$  *ur* on ! riv] 
bluff1 ,i 0 awak5$ by ! snuffl+ ( a be> 
:i* _h ?ru/ its muzzle und]nea? ! *ur*  
door 9 ! foot-worn  holl[ ( ! sill4     
,x 0 a lonesome place4 ,a fa9t road l$  
away f x (f ?r\gh  ! swamp2 b1 aside f !
 grave/ones ne> by1 !re 7 no  o!r human 

signs ar\nd4 ,h[ long s9ce human feet _h
 cross$ !  ?re%old1 ,i d n "k4    ,!    
*9tz alt>-clo? t ,i tri$ to draw ov] me 
7! night 0  *ill7 crumbl$ at my t\* &   
drift$ (f into a million du/y  fragm5ts4
 ,i _h meant no desecration4 ,i 0 v we>y
 & _h crept  9 ?r\gh a w9d[ f ! night & 
cold4 ,a sl[ ra9 _h settl$  d[n ) !     
dusk1 att5d$ by d>kness indescribably   
pr(\nd4 ,&  b5ea? ! long-drap$ p9es     
outside slept ^? ^: feet _h worn  !     
?re%old--slept undi/urb$ by ! s\gh+ ( ! 
w9d1 wrapp$  9 ! unutt]able lonel9ess ( 
! coil+ riv] & ! sil5t1  somb] swamp4   
,yet "h _h pass$ a highway betwe5 two   
great cities j a few ye>s  e>li]1 be=e !
 railroad 0 built f>!r out ?r\gh !      
,/ate4  ,already ! swamp & ! riv] _h    
tak5 ! highway = _! own1  & f human feet
 giv5 x aga9 to adv5ture1 to ! glid+ =m1
  ! swift w+1 & ! s(t padd$ foot4    ,! 
giants ( old1 ! fronti]s & clipp] %ips (
 old1 are gone4  ,!y w5t out ) ! ebb    
tide1 & "h already comes back ! flood6  
,& ) x ! same old human *ance1 ! magical

 *ance ( escape4  ,lay aside ! rifle & y
 pick up ! cam]a--to creep ) x into  !  
lion's d52 or to climb ) x into ! top ( 
a t[]+ oak1 on  "s %e] m\nta9 wall2 &1  
pu%+ x be=e y along a horizontal  limb1 
feet dangl+ 9 space1 a /iff w9d bl[+1   
eagles scream+  ov]head1 canyon wall    
bel[ y1 & f>1 f> d[n ! n>r[ canyon      
bottom1 y hold on1 body balanc+ cam]a1 b
 no?+ ov] aga9/  ! sway+ bra91 & gr9d   
out a hundr$ feet ( movie film4 ,?is is 
to %oot a good _m lions4    ,life (f]s u
 all ! *ance ( escape4 ,g :]e we w on ! 
surface ( ?+s1 m5 h be5 !re be=e u2 b   
b5ea? !  surface we ne$ g no deep] ?an  
our own he>ts to f9d a fronti]1  & t    
adv5tur\s some?+ = :i* ! decor\s &      
conv5tional  all[s no place 9 its s*eme4
          ,,*apt] ,,ii    ,,! ,,radium  
,,( ,,romance          ,,*apt] ,,ii     
,,! ,,radium ,,( ,,romance      8,:y ?us
 long+1 ?us =ev] sigh+80      ,because1 
,i suppose1 !re 7 once two sides to h]  
bread-bo>d1  bo? ( :i* %e us$ = sket*+4 
,%e br\ght ! bo>d f !  ,f9e ,arts room  

at college to h] new home1 c>ry+ x "o   
day to !  kit*5 to try h] h& at         
model+--9 d\gh4 ,!re are sev]al (  h]   
e>ly sket*es ab\t ! h\se1 ( t p]iod     
prior to ! d\gh1  :i* %[ real tal5t4 ,h]
 bread1 h[ev]1 _h ab\t x ! t\* (  g5ius4
 ,! loaves grew l>g] all ! "t1 ! bak+s m
 frequ5t4  ,! walls ( any h\se are r    
quickly cov]$ ) pictures1 b  !re is no  
bottom to ! bread-box4 ,!re are /ill two
 sides to h]  bread-bo>d1 & %e uses bo? 
sides = d\gh4      8,:y ?us long+1 ?us  
=ev] sigh+8    ,= ! f>-(f1 unatta9$ &   
dim80    ,because1 ,i suppose1 "t 0 :5  
,i ?\ght ( o!r ?+s ?an !  price ( fl\r2 
n because ( mu* money 9 ^? times1 b     
because  %e made angel-cake mo/ ( ! "t  
!n1 & :at bread we did eat  0 _h ( !    
bak]2 & because ! price ( fl\r 0 !n a   
matt]  ( c\rse4 ,! price ( fl\r n[ is a 
good deal m ?an a matt] (  c\rse1 & !   
price ( corn-meal ev5 m ?an ! price (   
fl\r2  s t we mu/ c\nt ! slices n[1 &   
cut !m ?94    ,we %all h angel-cake     
aga91 ,i promise ! *ildr51 ) !  bigge/  

k9d ( a hole 9 ! middle1 giv+ !m a bran 
muff9 to  mun* mean:ile1 & wond]+ 9 my  
he>t if ?is fight = bread w  ev] end 9  
angel-cake4    ,"o c live on potatoes & 
bran muff9s1 al?\gh !re 0 nev] any      
romance ab\t !m1 n ev5 dur+ ! ,great ,w>
 :5 ,wall ,/reet took  !m z collat]al4  
,we ne$ cake4 ,i don't rememb] t ,i ev] 
lack$  potatoes z a *ild1 b1 z a *ild1  
,i d rememb] danc+ :ile !  pickan9nies  
sang1      8,mammy gw9e make "s         
%ort'n9'1 %ort'n9'1    ,mammy gw9e make 
"s %ort'n9' cake4    ,ay lak %ort'n9'1  
%ort'n9'1 %ort'n9'1    ,ay lak %ort'n9'1
 %ort'n9' cake10    9 an ec/asy ( pure  
delight1 :i* 0 n remotely induc$ by     
common  hung]4    ,%ort'n9' cake1       
angel-cake1 float+ isl&1 c(fee          
jelly--are !y  n victuals spirituels1   
drift$ deep ) fro/+1 honey$ ov]  ) an   
amb]-bead$ sweat1 ) melt+ sweetness1    
insub/antial1  impalpable1 e!real1 t    
vani% into ! bra91 t ?rill along !      
n]ves1 fe$+ n ! body1 n ! m9d1 nor yet !
 _s1 =  ^! are b ?ree ( our f\r         

elem5ts--we are also ! /uff t  dreams   
are made (1 & we _c :olly subsi/ on m   
mat]ial f>e4    ,:at makes pie pie is   
its f\r-&-tw5ty-blackbirds4             
,s++-blackbird  pie is ! only pie1 :e!r 
y make x ( apples or rhub>b or  cu/>d or
 squa%1 ) "o cru/ or two4 ,he dream$ a  
dream :o made  ! orig9al pie4 ,& ev5 n[ 
,i _c pass a bak] 9 apron & pap]  cap   
)\t a s5se ( fro/+s & mr+ues--( ! :ite (
 life  sep>at$ f ! yolk ( life & /irr$  
into a dream4 ,i f9d !  same t\* (      
romance on _m faces1 bo? "y & old1 z ,i 
f9d x  ov] ! l&scape at dusk & dawn1 &  
on c]ta9 days ev5 at high  noon4    ,x 0
 s ?is morn+ :5 a flock ( migrat+       
bluebirds w5t ov]1  call+ d[n to me4 ,!y
 came out ( ! dawn1 hov]$ idly ov] !    
b>n & ! tops ( ! c$>s 9 ! pa/ure1 !n    
fad$ into !  blue ab\t !m & beyond !m1  
:]e a fleet ( great :ite cl\ds  0 drift+
 sl[ly f> (f to ! s\?4 ,b _! pla9tive   
voices  float+ d[n to me ,i /ill he>    
call+1 ) m ye>n+ ?an a  man1 p]haps1    
%\ld all[ himself to "k4 ,= at ! fir/   

sip (  su* sweet mis]y "s poet *ides1   
8,:y ?us long+1 ?us =ev] sigh+    ,= !  
f>-(f1 unatta9$ & dim1    ,:ile !       
beautiful1 all ab\t u ly+1    ,(f]s up  
its l[ p]petual hymn80    ,z if long+ 7 
a weakness & n ! he>t's hope2 & our     
sigh+-- ,%all ,i sigh = :at ,i h8 ,or   
/op sigh+8 ,"s ( my  possessions ,i may 
well sigh ov]1 b !re are v few to sigh  
=1  see+ none ( !m are f>!r (f ?an ! b>n
 or ! l9e f5ce1  except a few books t ,i
 h l5t my fri5ds1 & n[ & !n a few       
doll>s4    ,& su* is ! magic 9 ! morn+  
light t ,i see ! beautiful  all ab\t me 
ly+--9 ! b5d ( ! road1 on ! sweep ( !   
mead[1 across ! commonplace doory>d     
asleep 9 ! sun2 & su*  is ! sweet sil5ce
 ( ! autumn day t ,i he> ! l[ p]petual  
hymn--9 ! l+]+ notes ( ! bluebirds1 9 ! 
/rumm+ ( !  crickets1 9 ! curv+ /ems ( !
 gold5rods1 ! l\d humm+ (  ! a/]-du/$   
bees1 ev5 9 ! wav]+ r$ leaves ( ! maples
  s++ 9 _! fall4    ,x lacks an h\r (   
mail-"t1 & ! newspap]1 & ! _w4 ,!       
bluebirds are leav+ be=e ! mail-man     

comes1 & ev]y?+ )  w+s is fly+ ) !m1 or 
is pois$ = flight z if !re 7 no  _w1    
except a _w = w+s4    ,! day is w>m1 )  
little breezes on ! w+1 h>dly l>g] ?an  
swall[s4 ,!y /ir ! grasses ( ! knoll1 & 
race ) !m up  ! slope1 to fly on ov] !  
wavy cre/1 foll[+ ! bluebirds (f  t[>d !
 deep-sea spaces among ! drift+ cl\ds4  
,& ! curv+  knoll itself is 9 motion1 a 
yell[-br[n bill[ heav+ aga9/ !  mov+    
cl\ds :]e !y ride along ! sky4 ,& ov] ! 
knoll sweep  ! hawk+ swall[s1 :ite      
bellies & br[n & gl9t+ /eel-blue  backs 
afla% 9 ! sun4 ,w++ swall[s1 w++ se$s1  
w++  w9ds1 w++ cl\ds & sph]es1 & my own 
s\l w++ away into  ! beckon+ blue :]e ! 
bluebirds h gone6    ,b ,i %all         
return--to ! mail-box on ?is rural free 
deliv]y r\te1  to ! newspap]1 to !      
t>iff1 to ! ,turk4 ,! ,democratic ,/ate 
,committee is assembl$ ?is day 9        
,spr+field4 ,i am n !re4 ,i  also ran4  
,i /ump$ ! ,/ate = nom9ation to !       
,national ,s5ate1  & l&$ "h on ,mulle9  
,hill1 ,h+ham4 ,"h ,i set out4 ,?r\gh   

_m ye>s ,i h develop$ ! safe habit (    
return+ "h4 ,x 0  a magical *ance ,life 
(f]$ me2 a dream ( beat+ ! protective   
t>iff devils4 ,b ,mulle9 ,hill is clo!d 
) dreams2 & magical  *ances make ?is _! 
/opp+-place4    ,x is c]ta9ly true      
to-day4 ,to beg9 )1 ,i h ?is day b\ght !
  field by ! side ( my h\se4 ,= all !   
tw5ty ye>s ( my liv+  "h ,i h dream$ (  
?is roll+ field ) its p9es & po9t$      
c$>s1 & r\nd$ knoll aga9/ ! sky4 ,n e   
day 9 ! autumn  is l ?is = dreams2 n _m 
( !m 9 all ! ye>4 ,i %all be  build+    
f5ces ab\t ! field n[ = _m days2 & pay+ 
taxes  on ! field e day f ?is "t on4    
,!re are n _m autumn  days l ?is =      
dreams4 ,yet to "k "o su* day1 "o t\*$ )
  ?is gold5 melan*oly1 ?is sweet unre/ &
 ye>n+1 %\ld x n  outla/ ! noon1 is to  
"k1      8,& "o ?+ m t may n be1    ,old
 e>? 7 fair en\gh = me40    ,y say t ,i 
am /ill ?9k+ ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates ,s5ate4  
,possibly4  8,"o ?+ m t may n be0 ,i mu/
 be ?9k+ on1 = we all are4  ,aft] !     
nom9ation comes ! election2 & :at *ance 

has ! sworn  enemy ( a high protective  
t>iff ( election 9 ,massa*usetts8       
,old ,e>? is fair en\gh = me ord9>ily1 &
 %e is pass+ fair  to-day4 ,b ev5 ! dog1
 = all 8 appetite & gr[+ ye>s1 is  n    
always satisfi$ ) bread & play4 ,he cl+s
 clos] ?an ev] to  me1 z if sometimes   
fright5$ at inn] voices call+ him1 :i*1 
l  deep wat]s1 seem to wid5 betwe5 u1 & 
:i* no love1 ?\gh pure  & immeasurable1 
may be able to cross4 ,he is no?+       
uncommon z a  dog1 except 9 ! size ( 8  
_s & ! quality ( 8 love4 ,he  w tackle  
any?+1 f a railroad tra9 to a buzz+     
bumble-bee1  t he imag9es has int5tions 
inimical to me2 & !re is no?+ on  !     
move1 ei!r com+ or go+1 q innoc5t ( su* 
int5tions4  ,)\t fe>1 or awe1 or law1 he
 we>s 8 coll>1 & 8 lic5se  numb]1 #ff1 b
 n z a sign ( bondage1 = t sign he we>s 
all  ov] 8 al]t & fe>less front4 ,he    
gr[ls 9 8 sleep be=e !  fire at gho/s ( 
?+s t h designs aga9/ ! h\se2 he risks  
8 life all day long4    ,b he res]ves a 
portion ( 8 s\l4 ,he w delib]ately *ew  

(f  8 lea% at night1 &1 mak+ sure t no?+
 /irs ab\t !  helpless h\se1 w /eal away
 to ! woods1 :]e he he>s ! bay+  ( "s   
spectral pack d[n ! =e/'s high-ar*$     
halls4 ,i d n  "k :at ! little cross-br$
 t]ri] is hunt+ along ! fro/$  pa?s--fox
 or rabbit or wild mice2 ,i _c run !    
cold trails t  are s w>m to 8 nose2 b f>
 ahead ( 8 nose lope two pant+  he>ts1 8
 & m9e1 foll[+ ! ,gleam4    ,all dogs   
are dream]s1 travel]s by twilight1 :o   
w&] t[>d a sl[  def]r+ dawn4 ,!y _c see 
9 ! :ite fire ( noon4 ,a loveli]  light1
 diffus$ & dim ) dusk1 is 9 ! eyes (    
dogs & all dumb  creatures1 ?r\gh :i* !y
 wat* a _w ( %ad[s mov+ ) !m  l         
lant]n-light$ %apes at night ^u a wall4 
8,n ( ! sunlight1    ,n ( ! moonlight1  
,n ( ! />light10    is ! t5d]1 tr\bl$   
light 9 ! eyes ( dogs4    ,!re is a     
deposit1 an inf9itesimal deposit1 x may 
be1 ( ! radium  ( romance 9 ! slag ( all
 s\ls4 ,call x by o!r names--optimism1  
idealism1 religion--y /ill leave x      
undef9$2 an inh]5t1  ess5tial elem5t1   

h>d] to sep>ate f ! spiritual dross ( u 
?an radium f its c>notite2 a k9d (      
atomic prop]ty ( ! _s  :i* breaks up its
 sub/ance2 :i* ionizes1 en]gizes1 &     
illum9es  x4    ,!re may be s\ls t nev] 
knew its p[]1 b ,i c h>dly ?9k  !re ev] 
0 a s\l %ut 9 a cave s d>ksome1 t       
romance nev]  ent]$ ) its t\* (         
radiance1 if only z      8,a little     
gloom+ light1 mu* l a %ade40    ,?is is 
! light 9 ! eyes ( dogs1 ! light t birds
 &  bees foll[1 & ! jellyfi% /e]+ r\nd &
 r\nd 8 c\rse4  ,some?+ l its quiv]+    
flame burns d[n 9 ! gre51 dismal  dep?s 
( ! sea2 d[n 9 ! black sublim9al dep?s2 
& on d[n 9  ! he>t ( ! _w4 ,= :at o!r   
light is x1 t guides !  h]r+ e spr+1 9 f
 ! ocean up ,weym\? ,back ,riv]8 or !   
salmon 9 f ! ,pacific1 up1 high up !    
,columbia to ! ,snake1 &  high] up !    
,snake into ! deep1 d>k gorges ( !      
,imnaha8    ,x is n[ long pa/ ,octob]1 &
 :]e is ! bluebird's mate (  ,june8 ,%e 
has =gott5 him1 & is =gott5 by him1 b he
 has  n =gott5 8 dream-(-h]2 = ,i saw   

him 9 ! or*>d1 :ile  s\?w>d b\nd1 go+ 9 
& out ( ! apple-tree holes1 ! lov]      
/ill1 ! dream-(-h] 9 8 he>t1 hold+ ov] f
 ! summ] &  com+ to meet him ahead ( h]1
 d[n ! w9t]1 out ( ! com+  spr+4    ,!  
dog & y & ,i & ev5 ! humble toad are    
dream]s at he>t1  all ( u1 only we are  
deep] adream ?an !y4      8,if no?+     
once1 y no?+ lose1    ,= :5 y die y are 
! same10    says ,fr5eau to a fl[]4 ,yet
 ! fl[]s are ( ! du/ t ,i am  made (1 & 
!y too are ! /uff ( dreams4 ,& ! toad "u
 !  kit*5-/eps1 :at he kn[s ( my he>t6  
,z if ! unrequit$ pa9  ( lov]s1 !       
sweete/1 sadde/ ?+s ( poets1 _h always  
be5 8  portion1 & _! vague melan*oly !  
only measure ( 8 tremul\s  twilight     
song4 ,:5 ! s(t spr+ dusk has /ol5 into 
! "y eyes  ( ! day1 z ! fir/ %ad[ ( "s  
sweet fe> into ! />tl$  eyes ( a girl1  
!n out ( ! hu%1 quav]+ ?r\gh ! t5d]     
gloom1      8,a voice1 a my/]y60    ,f 8
 e>?-hole "u ! kit*5-/eps ,i h kn[n !   
toad1 by  d9t ( /ret*+ & hit*+ up on    
*ance /ones1 to get n9e in*es  up1 n9e  

in*es f ! surface ( ! globe1 up on !    
l[e/ ( !  /eps6 ,yet x is giv5 him to   
pipe a s]5ade 9 ! gloam+ t no  o!r lov]1
 bird or poet1 ev] q equal$1 ev5 :5 he  
sang1      8,i arise f dreams ( !e    ,9
 ! fir/ sweet sleep ( night40    ,life  
is always a romance4 ,!re is fire 9 its 
he>t1 ev5 9 ! ?ree  cold *amb]s ( !     
toad's he>t2 & ! light ( ! fire flick]s 
fa9t] ?an ! gutt]$ c&le be=e x w g out4 
,?is may n  be 8! true light02 yet x    
lighte? e man t come? into !  _w1 e man 
) a p51 & 8 bro!r ) a hoe1 ?\gh !y      
compreh5d x n4 ,"o ( our poets has      
writt5 ( 8,! ,man ,) ,!  ,hoe0 & left ! 
man out & put only ! hoe 9 ! poem4 ,?is 
poet  has writt5 m ?an he has ho$1 ,i am
 sure2 z ! pa9t] ( 8,!  ,man ) ! ,hoe0  
_h pa9t$ m ?an he _h ho$1 ,i am sure4   
,"h is  a poet :o sees no light at all 9
 8,! ,man ) ! ,hoe10 because t  poet has
 writt5 m ?an he has ho$1 :i* is to ga!r
 :]e he  has n /raw$4 ,:5 a hoe looks z 
black z ?is to a p51 y w  se>* !        
premises ( ! p5 9 va9 = hoes4 ,i hoe2 ,i

 "k m5 :o  hoe2 & none ( u kn[s ,mr4    
,m>kham's sc>ecr[ = ourself4 ,"h a      
reali/ sees :at ano!r reali/ ?\ght he   
saw2 z if y c\ld ev]  see life6    ,life
 is n :at ! reali/ sees1 b :at ! reali/ 
is & kn[s1  plus :at ! man ) ! hoe is & 
kn[s2 & he kn[s t1 if  *a9$ to a pick   
in/ead ( a hoe1 d[n 9 ! black pit ( "s  
,sib]ian m9e1 he c\ld n "w life out 9 ! 
utt] d>k4    ,realism1 if n a di/ortion 
& a disease1 is at be/ only a           
half-tru?2 & ! reali/1 if m ?an a m$ical
 exam9] = 8  di/rict1 is b ! und]tak]   
besides4    ,:oev] s+s a true song1 or  
p5s ! humble/ plodd+ prose1 :e!r  (     
,a*illes1 son ( ,peleus1 or ( ,john     
,gilley1 a milkman d[n 9 ,ma9e1  or ( ! 
toad1 or ( ! bee1 has ess5tially "o /ory
 to tell1 &  mu/ be a ,hom]1 truly to   
tell x4    ,"h on my desk lies ! /ory ( 
,john ,gilley1 & ov] 9 ! next  f>mh\se  
l+]s ! unwritt5 /ory ( ano!r milkman1 my
 neighbor1  ,joel ,moore2 & 9 ! o!r     
neighbor-h\ses live l p--humble1        
humdrum c\ntry p1 ) _! /ories1 :i*1 if  

light$ )  no?+ b _! own hov]+ gleam1    
w\ld gl[ =ev]4    ,! next man ,i meet   
w\ld make a book2 = ei!r he is1 or he   
kn[s1 a  good-en\gh /ory1 c\ld ,i b come
 by ! tale4    ,o4 ,h5ry1 pac+ ! /reets 
9 an agony ( fe> at hav+ run out (      
/ory-matt]1 is only a case ( n]ves4 ,!  
"o inexhau/ible supply  ( matt] 9 !     
,univ]se t is ( use to man is           
/ory-matt]2 =1  z ! fir/ human pair h   
be5 a p]petual song & /ory1 s !  la/    
pair %all be ! !me = "s record+ angel1  
or else !y  w leave a di>y4    ,! real  
ill ) lit]ature is writ]'s cramp1 an    
inability to seize  ! /ory1 all ( x1 its
 tru? z well z its facts--an ill1 n (   
too mu* obs]vation1 b ( too little      
imag9ation4 ,art does n wat*  life &    
record x4 ,art loves life & creates x4  
8,no "o kn[s ! />s10 says ,/ev5son1 8:o 
has n slept1 z !  ,fr5* happily put x1  
la belle toile4 ,he may "k all _!       
names1 & di/ances1 & magnitudes1 & yet  
be ignorant ( :at alone  conc]ns mank9d1
 _! s]5e & gladsome influ5ce on ! m9d40 

,art & lit]ature h turn$ sci5ti/ ( late1
 z if our  magnitudes1 names1 &         
di/ances1 z if ! conc]n ( psy*ologi/s1  
physiologi/s1 e?nologi/s1 crim9ologi/s1 
& pa?ologi/s1 7 !  conc]n ( mank9d6 ,^! 
?+s all belong to ! speciali/s4    ,:at 
does mank9d reck ( ! revolution ( ! node
 & apsides8 t  ,neptune's l9e ( apsides 
completes its revolution 9 #edj1jjj     
ye>s8  ,in/ead ( an a/ronom]1 mank9d is 
/ill ! simple %eph]d1 keep+  wat* by    
night1 & all he kn[s ( ! />s is t !y    
brood above  ! sleep+ hills1 & n[ & !n1 
9 "s holy hu%1 !y s+  toge!r4    ,sci5ce
 is conc]n$ ) ! names1 di/ances1 &      
magnitudes ( !  />s2 & ) problems t\*+ !
 8inte/9al p>asites ( !  flea40 ,art1   
lit]ature1 & religion are conc]n$ only )
 mank9d2  ) ! elem5tal1 ! univ]sal1 !   
et]nal2 ) ! dream1 !  defeat1 ! romance 
( life4    ,i h mu* to d ) writ]s--)    
great writ]s1 c\ld !y only  ?9k ( some?+
 to write ab\t4 8,!re is no?+ left10 !y 
cry1  8to write ab\t40 8,b "h am ,i4    
,take me10 ,i answ]4 ,out come pads  &  

p5cils fly+4 ,!re is h>d look+ at me = a
 mom5t4 ,!n a  cynical smile4 ,i won't  
d4 ,becky might h done1 b ,?ack]ay got  
h]2 j z "s "o has got ev]ybody6 ,my     
tribe c nev] furni% h]  l aga94 ,yet my 
tribe is n inf]tile2 x is ,?ack]ay's1 r1
  t has run out4    ,a sweet "y ?+ 9 "o 
( my ext5sion c\rses1 voic+ !  lit]>y   
despair ( ! class 9 a poem call$ 8,!    
,fairy ,door10 made  ?is end ( ! :ole   
matt]3      8,! _w seems black & ugly   
,:5 ,i %ut ! ,fairy ,door2    ,i want to
 g to ,fairyl&    ,& live =ev] m40    ,i
 0 read+ ?is effusion on my way 9 to    
college4 ,:5 ,i rea*$ !  climax 9 !     
/anza1      8,! _w seems black & ugly0  
,i ?ru/ ! manuscript back into my bag 9 
disgu/ & turn$ =  relief to ! morn+     
pap]4 ,"h--= ! "y writ] 0 !  daught] ( a
 prom95t ,bo/onian--,i saw ! ann\ncem5t 
( h]  engagem5t to a ,*icago man1 & ,i  
knew1 ( c\rse1 :at ail$ !  poetry2 & ,i 
knew ! m$ic9e t ,i %\ld adm9i/]4    ,h[ 
f> ap>t lit]ature & life sometimes get6 
,& h[ mu* m real  & romantic is ord9>y  

life ?an ord9>y lit]ature6    ,! girl 0 
to meet me t aft]noon 9 ! univ]sity     
ext5sion  lecture4 ,! amphi!at] 0 full (
 city folk1 & !re 9 !  middle ( ! hall  
sat ! "y poet4 ,%e 0 v pretty1 "o ( !   
daught]s ( m5 /ill fair4 ,tak+ h] poem1 
,i read x al\d to t  la/ /anza1 :51     
turn+ %>ply1 & po9t+ ! manuscript h>d at
  h]1 ,i dem&$1    8,is ?is s8 ,d y want
 to leave ,bo/on = ,fairyl&1 in/ead (   
,*icago8 ,d y80    ,%e 0 /agg]$ by !    
sudd5ness & savag5ess ( x all & rose  to
 h] feet1 adorably p9k 9 h] confusion1  
/amm]+1 8,no1 no1 ,i  beg--( c\rse      
,i--no1 ,i don't0--by ?is "t s recov]$ t
 h]  eyes fla%$ wra? z %e dropp$ to h]  
seat amid ! gap+ & !  twitt]+ ( ! class4
    8,if y don't mean x10 ,i dem&$1 8:y 
9 ! sacr$ "n (  lit]ature did y write x8
 ,:y don't y ev] write :at y mean8  ,& y
 mean t ,bo/on has sudd5ly become a back
 numb] =  lit]ature2 t ! lit]>y c5t] has
 %ift$ to ,*icago--t's  :at y mean4     
,*icago6 ! "o romantic1 fairy-l spot on 
e>?6  ,isn't t :at y mean8 ,!n don't y  

see h[ fre%1 h[ ?rill+  a !me y h 9 y\r 
,*icago8 ,no "o else1 p]haps1 ev] saw   
,*icago 9 q ?is rosy1 romantic light    
be=e40    ,h]s is ! endur+ tru? ab\t    
,*icago2 z aga9/ t set =? by  ,mr4      
,arm\r 9 8,! ,pack]s1 ! ,private ,c>    
,l9es1 & ! ,p40  ,"h %e 01 h]self ! v   
/uff ( ! et]nal 9 lit]ature1  & =c$ to  
,fairyl& = some?+ to write ab\t6 ,%e]   
nons5se4  ,"o ne$ n take ! w+s ( ! morn+
 to ! utt]mo/ sea1 or  make "o's b$ 9   
,hell = 8copy40 ,*icago w d--or         
,bo/on--or ev5  ,h+ham4    ,to be1 if to
 be only a /ock or a /one1 bea/ or bird 
or man1 is to be  a /ory1 :ile to be any
 "o ( my neighbors is to be an epic4    
,! day we mov$ out "h1 be=e our goods   
arriv$1 a /rangely  y\?ful pair1 f> on 9
 ! eighties1 /ruggl$ up ! hill f !  old 
f>m bel[ to greet u4 ,he 0 clad 9       
ov]alls & topcoat1 &  %e 9 fl[]s1       
ov]fl[+ f bo? h] arms1 & 9 wild         
confusion  on ! gaye/ ,ea/] bonnet t ev]
 bloom$4    8,h[ d y d1 neighbors60 %e  
began1 ext5d+ h] armfuls (  glori\s     

m\nta9 laurel2 8,mr4 ,:ite & ,i br+ y ! 
welcome (  ! ,h+ham ,hills0--,mr4       
,:ite's r\gh old h& grasp+ m9e amid !   
blossoms4    8,:y10 ,i cri$1 8,i didn't 
"k ! ,h+ham ,hills c\ld hold su* a      
welcome4 ,i h tramp$ ! woods ab\t "h1 b 
,i nev] f\nd a bun*  ( laurel40    8,ah1
 y didn't get into ,valley ,swamp6 ,mr4 
,:ite & ,i w %[ y1  won't we1 ,georgie8 
,we "k :]e odes hang on haw?orns1 don't 
we8  ,we are busy f>m]s1 & y "k :at f>m+
 is2 b we h nev]  pl\gh$ up our         
poetry-pat*1 h we1 ,georgie80    ,!y    
nev] _h2 nor mu* ( _! o!r n9ety-six     
acres ei!r--!  :ole f>m a joy\s riot (  
free v]se3 f5ces )\t l9e or met]3       
cattle runn+ :]e !y lik$2 ! f>m kit--a  
m[+ ma*9e1 a  sulky pl\gh1 & a /olid old
 gr9d/one--/ray+ romantically ab\t  ! %y
 sweet fields4    ,x 0 an ode ( a       
c>riage t ! spoony old c\ple w5t to t[n 
91  ) :eels dactylic on "o side & iambic
 on ! o!r1 & s brok5  a l9e = a back    
spr+ t ,mrs4 ,:ite w\ld slide into ,mr4 
,:ite's  lap )\t csura or ev5 a         

punctuation m>k to h9d]4    ,i 0 at !   
village m>ket "o muddy ,m>* day1 :5     
,cupid & !  old m>e1 nei!r we>+ bl9d]s1 
br\ght ?is *>iot to ! curb4  ,mr4 ,:ite1
 desc5d+ to ! /reet1 rea*$ up = ,mrs4   
,:ite1 :o1  giv+ him bo? h] h&s1 put out
 a da9ty foot to ! c>riage-/ep  & !re   
pois$1 dismay$ at ! ,m>* mud4 ,in/antly 
,mr4 ,:ite1  dis5gag+ "o h&1 lift$ a    
fold$ blanket f ! seat1 %ot x  gr&ly out
 across ! mud1 & ) a b[ z gallant z ,sir
 ,walt]'s  own1 h&$ ! de> old %oes      
unblemi%$ to ! %op4    ,eighte5 or      
eighty1 x is j ! same4 ,bo/on or ,*icago
 or ,h+ham1  x is j ! same4 ,:ite or r$ 
or yell[ or black1 x is j !  same4 ,!   
radium ( romance is mix$ ) ! slag ( all 
our s\ls4  ,"h is my color$ neighbor d[n
 t[>d ! village4    8,hello60 ,i call$  
to him ov] ! telephone1 8ar5't y go+ to 
d  t job = me80    ,?is neighbor is a   
mo/ useful color$ citiz51 ) a complete  
l9e (  avocations1 clean+ cesspools     
nocturnally & on ,saturday aft]noons    
be+ "o ( ^! sporadic & subsidi>y call+s4

    8,hello60 he answ]$2 8,i mo/        
assur$ly am6 ,& exce$+ly sorry ,i am1   
too1 = ?is delay40 7,he _h be5 com+ = "o
 ye> & six mon?s  n[47 8,b my bus9ess   
gr[s enorm\sly4 ,x is really m ?an ,i c 
adm9i/]4 ,! fact is1 pr(essor1 ,i mu/   
increase my equipm5t4 ,i  c't dip any   
long]4 ,i am rapidly approa*+ !         
proportions ( a  pump40    8,i am       
rapidly approa*+ ! proportions ( a      
pump40 ,div9e6 ,i l  ! s\nd4 ,= x is !  
true measure ( life z set ov] aga9/ t   
:i* life may m]ely appe> to be4 ,to     
trudge along ?r\gh life beside  y\r     
humble c>t ( ! long-h&l$ dipp]1 & to "k 
t y\r  dipp] is approa*+ ! proportions (
 a pump is to "k t y are  great] ?an y  
"k4    ,i saw ye/]day 9 ! ,sunday       
newspap] ! lovely face ( a girl1 :o1    
8rumor has x10 ran ! leg5d1 8w be ! next
 ,que5 ( ,engl&40  ,%e1 too1 l my color$
 neighbor1 l u all1 is approa*+ !       
proportions ( a pump4 ,we are all ! /uff
 t pumps & dreams are  made (1 & great  
art1 & great lit]ature4    ,i spoke (   

,joel ,moore "h 9 ! next h\se to me4 ,= 
tw5ty-six  ye>s he 0 *a9$ to a          
milk-r\te1 cov]+ ,lovell's ,corn]1 ,ea/ 
,weym\?1 & our back wood-road2 b he     
always drove x 9 a trott+  sulky4    ,f 
beh9d ! bu%es ,i h se5 him calm+ !      
leg-we>y team z x  labor$ up ! humps 9 !
 road1 8 feet brac$1 8 arms ext5d$ to  !
 slack l9es1 8 eyes fix$ on ! ,judge's  
,/& ahead1 :ile he  maneuv]$ aga9/ ,ed  
,ge]s & ,b5 ,hur & all ! ,weym\?s = !   
pole4    ,he came home 9 t lumb]+1      
rattl+ milk-c>t z if x wore  w+$ :eels1 
& 7 be+ drawn by ! /e$s ( ,aurora ar\nd 
!  half-mile track at ! great ,brockton 
,fair4    ,x 0 sixte5 ye>s ago t ,joel  
drove home ) ,flora ,,iv1 a black  m>e  
)\t a leg to /& on1 b ) a record (      
#b4ab-c_/d ,!re  0 l>ge fix+ ( ! little 
b>n = h]1 & mu* rubb+-d[n (  )]s4    ,"o
 day ,joel 0 se5 w&]+ ov] ! knoll "h ne>
 ! h\se1  kick+ /ones ar\nd4 ,some?+ 0 !
 matt]4 ,i saunt]$ out t[>d  my b>n     
casually & call$ to him4 ,pick+ up a    
piece ( rock 9 !  pa/ure1 he /agg]$ ) x 

to ! f5ce1 & fix+ x into !  wall1 said )
 labor$ brea?1 8,flora ,,iv has a foal60
 ,&1 lift+  ano!r /one (f ! wall1 =     
balla/1 he /rode up ! hill &  ov]1 & d[n
 to 8 b>n1 n kn[+ ! 8,magnificat10 x may
 be1  b s++ x 9 8 he>t all ! way d[n4   
,& ?is happ5$ on ! v hill :i* ?is day ,i
 b\ght ) !  field by ! side ( ! h\se4   
,joel own$ ! field !n4 ,b he  long$ = a 
fa/ horse4 ,i nev] set my he>t on a fa/ 
horse2 b ,i  _c resi/ a field4 ,i did n 
covet ?is field ( ,joel's4 ,i m]ely     
dream$ ( x z "p ( my doory>d1 &         
wait$--long] ?an ,jacob  wait$ = ,ra*el4
 ,:at a dream %e mu/ h be56    ,b let me
 come back to ,joel & ,flora & ! foal4  
,my y\nge/ boy 0 born t same            
summ]--sixte5 ye>s ago--!  d\ble ev5t 9 
,joel's m9d we>+ ! mix$ complexion (    
tw9s4 ,he  _h _h no *ildr5 till ! colt  
came1 & naturally he spoil$ h]4  ,%e 0 a
 willful little ?+ by inh]itance1       
?\gh--ar*1 skitti%1  & v pretty2 & long 
be=e %e wore %oes _h got ! petulant     
habit ( kick+ ! sid+ (f ! b>n at any    

delay ( d9n]4    ,%e %\ld h be5 brok5 by
 h] second bir?day1 b ,joel w\ld take   
no risks2 & 9 ! ?ird summ]1 ?\gh he 8_h 
h] us$ to lea!r10  he ne$$ a /eady old  
horse to hit* h] )1 & %e came up to h]  
f\r? bir?day untra9$4 ,!n1 ! fir/ "t he 
took h] out1 %e  behav$ s badly1 & cut  
h]self s1 =w>d1 t x 0 necess>y  to turn 
h] loose = mon?s4 ,!n %e 0 s5t away to  
be brok51 b  came back a little m       
willful ?an ev]1 & pretti] ?an ev]1 if  
possible4    ,t w9t] ,joel _h to give up
 8 milk-r\te on acc\nt ( sickness1  & ) 
! op5+ ( spr+ got ! blacksmi? to take ! 
colt 9  h&4 ,he took h]1 & ?rew h]1     
dislocat+ h] %\ld]4 ,!n he  pull$ (f h] 
new %oes1 & %e 0 put into ! box/all to  
get well4    ,aft] t1 ,i don't "k j :y1 
b we talk$ ( o!r ?+s ?an  ! colt4 ,%e   
kick$ a bo>d (f ! back ( ! b>n "o day1  
s5d+  a spl9t] :izz+ pa/ my head1 b     
nei!r ( u notic$ x4 ,%e 0  sev5 ye>s old
 n[1 a creature %ap$ = spe$1 b ,joel 0 n
  /rong en\gh to manage h]1 & a horse l 
?is c\ld s easily be  h>m$4 ,9 fact1 he 

nev] h>ness$ h] aga94    ,i urg$ him f  
"t to "t1 ) :at directness ,i d>$1 to   
let me  take him into ! hospital4 ,b he 
_h nev] left ! f>m & 8 wife  alone      
ov]night 9 all ^! ye>s4 ,!n "o day he   
s5t = me4 ,he  w\ld g1 he said1 if ,i   
c\ld arrange = him4    ,a ,m>* sn[ lay  
on ! fields ! day be=e he 0 to g1 &  all
 t day1 at odd times1 ,i w\ld see him   
creep+ l a %ad[  ab\t 8 place3 to !     
h5-coops1 up to ! l9e f5ce1 out to !    
apple tree 9 ! mead[1 tak+ a la/ look at
 ?+s4 ,x 0 q  impossible = me to "w t   
day4    ,! next morn+ ! f\r boys1 on _! 
way to s*ool1 w5t d[n ahead  ( me to say
 good-bye4 ,!y fil$ 91 %ook h&s bravely1
 fight+  back _! te>s1 & play+ f9e !    
game ( bluff ) him1 ?\gh  ! little      
fell[1 born ! summ] ! colt 0 born1 ne>ly
 spoil$ x  all4 ,he is a de> impulsive  
*ild & _h frankly be5 ,joel's favorite4 
8,i've tak5 ! ev5]s (f ! disk h>r[10 he 
0 say+ z he came  out to ! sleigh4 8,i  
gave ! kitt5s a b$ ( fre% r[an4 ,i drove
  a nail "u ! %utt] ( ! c-h\se1 :]e y c 

hang !  key4 ,y _h bett] lock up a      
little till ,i get back0--8 words half  
muffl$ "u ! big robes ( ! sleigh4    8,i
 hate to leave home10 he said1 z we w5t 
along2 8b %e c\ldn't  /& x4 ,%e's n     
well4 ,x isn't s bad = me ) y along40   
,two or ?ree times he 0 ab\t to say     
some?+ else1 b felt too  tir$4 ,i _h him
 duly ent]$2 introduc$ him to 8 surgeon2
 help$  him to 8 cot1 :]e a *e]y nurse  
made him easy2 !n gave him my  h&4      
8,good-day10 he said2 8,i'm go+ to pay y
 back "s "t4 ,only ,i  c't40 ,he clung a
 mom5t long] to me4 8,i've nev] _h _m ( 
!  luxuries4 ,i've work$ h>d = all ,i've
 got--except = ! little  colt4 ,%e 0    
?r[n 94 ,i nev] f$ h] a qu>t ( gra9--!  
cleane/  little eat]--z fat z butt]--&  
on no?+ b r\ghage all !  "t60    ,!n1   
look+ me /raight 9 ! eye1 he said       
calmly1 8,y & ,i "k  & ! doctors "k4 ,b 
,i c\ldn't tell h]4 ,y tell h]4 ,y c4   
,& tell h] ,i guess %e _h bett] sell !  
little colt40    ,he paus$ a mom5t4     
,some?+ yet he wi%$ to say--! ?+ he _h  

tri$ be=e to say4 ,i hope ! ,record+    
,angel took x d[n1 & !  way he said x1  
d[n4 ,n q d>+ to look into my eyes1 he  
ask$1 wi/fully1 8,y don't ne$ a fa/     
horse y\rself1 ( c\rse1  hav+ y\r auto80
    8,yes1 ,i d1 ,joel10 ,i answ]$      
firmly2 8,i d ne$ a fa/ horse4 ,we all  
d1 or some?+ l t40 ,& ,i b5t ov] & kiss$
 him1 = 8  wife1 & = my little boy at   
home4    ,!re is balm 9 ,gilead2 b are  
!re racetracks 9 ,heav58--& fa/  horses 
!re8 ,p]haps n4 ,b ,i (t5 wi% t ,i _h   
told ,joel ,i  believ$ !re 74 ,( c\rse  
!re are4 ,!re is romance 9 ,heav51  & ! 
magical *ance ( escape !re4             
,,*apt] ,,iii    ,,! ,,hunt ,,= 8,,copy0
          ,,*apt] ,,iii    ,,! ,,hunt   
,,= 8,,copy0      ,!re nev] 0 a bigg]1  
fatt]1 flabbi] wood*uck ?an old         
,tubby--among wild animals t ,i alone h 
kn[n4 ,tubby is a fixture  ( ! f>m4 ,he 
0 "h :5 we came1 or else x 0 8 fa!r or  
8 gr&fa!r4 ,he is fat & flabby & z broad
 z he is long1 &  broad] :5 full (      
beans4 ,he is v mu* ( a tub4 ,:5 he sits

 9  ! g>d51 he sits l a tub4 ,:5 he     
runs1 he runs l a tub4 ,&  he holds     
beans l a tub4    ,x is wor? a few beans
 to see him run--a m$ley 9 motions3 up &
  d[n & r\nd & r\nd1 ! sp9n+ ( a top & !
 hop ( a  saucepan on a hot /ove ) amaz+
 progress =w>d4 ,he kn[s :i*  end ( him 
is head & :i* tail2 b f a di/ance ,i c  
see  nei!r head nor tail1 only sides1   
bulg+1 tubby sides spill+ d[n  ! g>d54  
,"o seldom does see ! ends ( a ?+ f a   
di/ance4  ,tubby has a head-end2 & he   
has wits 9 t end4 ,he also has a        
tail-end2 & ! di/urb+ conclusion "o     
rea*es ) close /udy  is t ,tubby has    
wits also 9 ?is end4 ,he is a           
beautifully capable  ?+ 9 8 way4 ,a     
cutworm is n m capable--if !re is any?+ 
s capable z a cutworm6 ,bo? are poems2  
old ,tubby an epic poem--7 ,i  z capable
 z ,tubby1 & a ,hom]--    ,a full-siz$  
wood*uck is tw5ty-two in*es long2 & ,i  
presume t  ,tubby is n m ?an tw5ty-two  
in*es wide1 ?\gh ,i h se5 him  wobbl+   
out ( ! g>d5 & c>ry+ (f z m]e balla/ a  

cabbage  or two1 & a wat]melon1 & a peck
 or two ( beans1 & all ( !  ,swiss *>d 9
 ! ?ree r[s4 ,!re are sev]al bu%els (   
*>d 9  ?ree su* r[s4    ,! way he c run 
) 8 load6 ,8 little black heels tw9kl+  
?r\gh ! v9es1 8 %apeless c>cass flopp+  
into 8 hole ) me  on top ( him6 ,!n ,i w
 he> a *uckl+ deep d[n among ! hickory  
roots1 a peculi> veget>ian *uckle q     
unlike a c>nivor\s gr[l4  ,& !n ,i w sit
 d[n on ! hole & *uckle1 hav+ lo/ = !   
mom5t my c>nivor\s gr[l4 ,he is s bold1 
s impud5t1 s canny4 ,!  old scamp r     
likes me4 ,& ,i am a fairly good g>d5]1 
if ,i d say  x myself4    ,:5 ,i place a
 trap 9 "o entrance to 8 burr[1 he uses 
! o!r  op5+2 if ,i put ano!r trap "h1 he
 promptly digs a passage ar\nd  x2 if ,i
 block ?is ) *unks ( rock1 he und]m9es !
 /ones &  pati5tly moves to a new h\se  
f>!r along ! ridge2 &1 if ,i set  traps 
= him "h1 he *anges h\se aga94 ,x is a  
wide wood$ ridge  ar\nd ! g>d51 &       
honeycomb$ ) wood*uck holes4 ,by & by he
  is back 9 8 favorite h\se "u !        

hickory--:5 ! spid]s h  hung ! doors )  
signs t ! traps are gone4    ,b x happ5$
 once t ,i =got ! traps4 ,wood-e>? &    
bits (  b>k & dead leaves wa%$ d[n till 
! wick$ g9s 7 cov]$1  & ,tubby1 com+    
back aft] weeks (f on ! ridge1 tumbl$   
into "o  ( ! traps & got 8 ?ick fat fi/ 
fa/4 ,i he>d him mak+ a  dreadful       
racket1 & ru%$ up ) a club 9 my ?ick fat
 fi/4    ,old ,tubby /opp$ kick+ &      
grunt+1 & look$ at me4 ,i don't  believe
 t ,i 0 ev] look$ at by a wood*uck be=e4
 ,/olid1  sull51 defiant1 !re 0 mu* m ( 
! puzzl$1 ( ! _w-old  wond] 9 ! eyes    
gaz+ /eadily into m9e1 z to :at ?is     
situation  & ?is mom5t meant4 ,! sn>l$  
body 0 all fight & fe>1 b !  bl9k+ eyes 
s\ght m9e = an answ] to ! riddle t ,i h 
ask$  ( ,god4 ,& all t ,i c\ld answ] 01 
8,y fat-head60 ,& he said1  8,fat-head  
y\rself60 if ev] a wood*uck spoke1 &    
spoke ! tru?4  8,fat-head1 to set ?is   
rott5 ?+ "h & =get x60    ,x 0 a rott5  
?+ to d4 ,someh[ he made me feel z if ,i
 _h  trapp$ "o ( my neighbors4 ,he saw  

h[ ,i 0 feel+1 & took  advantage ( me4  
8,^: woods are ^!1 anyway80 he ask$4    
8,^: ance/ors 7 "h  fir/1 y\rs or m9e8  
,y didn't ev5 come ov] 9 ! ,mayfl[]4 ,b 
,i  came "h 9 ,noah's ,ark40    8,i "k  
x4 ,b keep quiet10 ,i begg$ him1 8& /op 
look+ at me t  way40    8,:at way80 he  
ask$4    8,:y1 s mu* l my bro!r60 ,i    
exclaim$4    8,b ,i am y\r bro!r10 he   
retort$1 8?\gh ,i am a%am$ to say x40   
8,don't say x1 !n10 ,i begg$4    ,b he 0
 w\nd up4    8,any man :o is brute en\gh
 to set ?is sort ( ?+ = 8 bro!r  has no 
s\l4 ,& any man :o c't %>e 8 beans ) 8  
bro!r  doesn't des]ve a s\l4 ,if ,i 7 z 
l[-d[n & z lazy z y1 ,i  w\ld g ov] to !
 nor? side ( ?is hill & dig a deep hole1
 &  crawl into x1 & pull x 9 on top (   
me1 ,i w\ld40 ,& all ! "t  ,i 0 press+  
d[n on ! spr+ ) my club1 try+ to free   
him4  ,sudd5ly !re 0 a flop 9 ! hole1 & 
away 9 ! sub-cell>1  among ! hickory    
roots1 !re 0 talk ( me :i* ,i %\ld h    
he>d1 _h ,i be5 able to und]/&4    ,b ,i
 h mu* to le>n4 ,& s has ,pup1 our      

,scot*-,iri% t]ri]4  ,"t & "t aga9 ,pup 
has s5t ! old wood*uck tumbl+ ov]       
himself = 8 hole4 ,once or twice !y h   
come to bl[s at !  m\? ( ! burr[1 & ,pup
 has come (f ) a limp or a hurt e>1  b )
 only a m\?ful ( co>se r$di% hair to    
gr[l ov]4 ,he came  (f ) a deep exp]i5ce
 lately1 & a greatly enhanc$ respect =  
wood*ucks4 ,b he is ( /ubborn /ock4 ,s  
is ,tubby ( /ubborn /ock4  ,pup kn[s t  
"h is an enemy ( ! p1 & t he mu/ get    
him4 ,he kn[s t ,tubby is all hair &    
hide & b[els4 ,he n[ kn[s  t ,tubby is  
deep] ?an he is broad1 :i* makes him    
pretty deep4    ,! new light began to   
dawn on ,pup :5 ,tubby mov$ up f !      
woods to a corn] ( ! ice-h\se ne> ! b>n4
 ,! impud5ce1 !  audacity ( ! ?+ /ood   
,pup's hair on end1 & he took to !      
blackb]ry-v9es at ! o!r corn] ( !       
ice-h\se to see :at w\ld  happ54        
,tubby's raid+ h\r 0 ab\t five 9 !      
aft]noon4 ,at t h\r  ! %ad[s ( !        
ice-h\se & ! b>n lay wide across !      
m[+-field--! prop] "t & color = ?+s to  

happ54 ,& !re  9 ! close-cut field1 z if
 he _h come up out ( a burr[1 sat old   
,tubby1 look+ z big z a be>6    ,pup    
/ole s(tly out to meet him1 mov+ ov]    
till he 0 betwe5 !  *uck & ! ice-h\se   
hole4 ,x 0 a delib]ate act & "o (       
complete ab&on4 ,?+s mu/ ?is "t be      
f9i%$4 ,& :at a p]fect  bit ( /rategy x 
06 ,hugg+ ! gr\nd :5 ! *uck rose high   
on 8 haun*es to reconnoit]1 ,pup w\ld   
8freeze0 till ,tubby dropp$  d[n & w5t  
to fe$+1 !n1 glid+ l a snake =w>d1 he   
w\ld  flatt5 beh9d a /one or a tuft (   
grass1 & "w =w>d & wait4    ,! gr\nd    
rose slightly to ,pup's disadvantage1 & 
he 0 maneuv]+  to avoid ! uphill ru% :5 
,tubby he>d some?+ (f 9 ! woods  & turn$
 ) a da% = 8 hole4 ,x 0 head-on &       
t]rific6 ,&  ! utt] %ock ( x1 ! moral   
%ock1 0 m t]rific6 ,nei!r knew  = an    
in/ant j :at _h happ5$2 ! sudd5ness1 !  
precision1  ! amaz+ boldness & quality (
 ! attack putt+ ,pup almo/ out  (       
action4 ,b x 0 precisely ! j> old ,tubby
 ne$$4 ,e flabby  fib] ( him 0 fight4 ,!

 /ub feet snapp$ into action2 ! *unk (  
a body %ot =w>d1 ramm+ ,pup amid%ips1   
s5d+ him to ! bottom  ( ! slope1 ,tubby 
sla%+ l a pirate ) 8 t]rible incisors4  
,b ! t\* ( ^? long tee? br\ght ,pup %ort
 ab\t4 ,he likes  ! ta/e ( pa94 ,he is a
 son ( battle4 ,& 9 a mom5t l ?is he  is
 possess$ ( m ?an common p[]s ( body &  
s\l4 ,! fur flew2  ! grass flew2 b !re 0
 sc>cely a s\nd z ! two fight]s  tumbl$ 
& toss$ a s+le black-br[n body l a ball 
( pa94 ,!y  sprang ap>t & toge!r aga91  
:irl$ & div$ & dodg$ z !y  clos$1 ea*   
try+ = a hold :i* nei!r d>$ all[4 ,b    
,pup  got pl5ty ( hair1 *ok+1 slipp]y   
hair1 & lea!ry hide by !  m\?ful1 :ile !
 twi/+1 snapp+ wood*uck cut holes 9     
,pup's  ?9 sk9 ) tee? :i* w\ld pun*     
holes 9 %eet /eel4    ,& ,tubby 0 fight+
 ) 8 head z well z ) tee? & toes4 ,he  0
 cool] ?an ,pup4 ,he _h a s+le-track    
m9d1 & x ran /raight to  8 burr[4 ,!    
head-"w 0 p]fectly cle>2 ! :ole p[]ful  
play  go+ =w>d ) ! nice/ calculation1   
mad z x appe>$ to be 9  ! wild          

r\gh-&-tumble4 ,!re 0 me?od 9 ,tubby's  
madness4 ,he 0  fight+ true to plan4 ,b 
,pup 0 fight+ to kill1 & he lo/ 8  head4
 ,x 0 to w9 8 hole1 & life1 & ! pursuit 
( happ9ess  on ^! ance/ral acres t !    
wood*uck 0 fight+2 &1 z !  two laid ab\t
 !m & roll$ ov] & ov]1 !y kept roll+    
ne>]  & ne>] to ! ice-h\se & a burr[ "u 
! corn]4    ,ov] & ov]1 "r & left1 !y   
lung$ :5 ! wood*uck1 s5t  sp9n+ f ,pup's
 =eleg1 came up ) ! dog *opp+ at 8 /ub  
nose1 b1 giv+ him all f\r ( 8 mail$ feet
 in/ead1 he b\nd$  f ! face ( ! dog1 &1 
) a lightn+ som]sault1 l&$ plop  9 8    
burr[1 ,pup rak+ ! hair f ! vani%+      
haun*4    ,& n[ ,pup kn[s t !re is no   
bottom to a wood*uck's burr[4 ,b  d ,i  
fully realize t !re is no bottom to !   
wood*uck8 ,i h  be5 almo/ fatally sl[   
ov] ?is lesson4 ,yet ?is is ! writ]'s   
fir/ & mo/ important lesson1 no matt]   
:at 8 !me4    8,i h be5 /udy+ ! wood*uck
 all my life10 said my old fri5d        
,burr\ghs to me1 8& !re is no gett+ to !
 bottom ( him60 ,he  made t great       

discov]y e>ly2 eighty-f\r ye>s ( /udy   
confirm$  x2 & f e>ly to late ,burr\ghs 
nev] lack$ = ?+s to write  ab\t or fail$
 ( 8 urge to write4 ,!re 0 no bottom to 
8  wood*uck4    ,o!rs h made ?is        
discov]y conc]n+ o!r ?+s3 !             
philosoph]s1 ( tru?2 ! poets1 ( m5 &    
fl[]s2 ! prophets1  ( ,god4 ,b ! writ]  
mu/ f9d x true ( all ?+s1 ( all 8 own   
?+s1 f wood*ucks to ,god4 ,!re is no?+  
new 9 ?is discov]y4  ,x simply makes all
 ?+s new to ! discov]]4 ,! skeptical1 ! 
%all[1 ! fool :o says 9 8 he>t !re is   
no?+ b b[els  to a wood*uck--:at w\ld he
 at f\r-&-eighty f9d at ,wood*uck       
,lodge to write ab\t8 ,he might h all k 
& a p5 ) :i*  he c\ld remove m\nta9s1 b1
 lack+ wond]1 t p[] to inve/  ?+s ) new 
& inf9ite significance1 he w\ld see no  
use 9  remov+ ! m\nta9s & turn+ !m into 
/eppes & pampas &  peopl$ pla9s4    ,all
 creative "w1 :e!r by bru% or p5 or hoe1
 is someh[ mak+  m\nta9s into m51 out ( 
! du/ an image1 9 our own lik5ess       
creat$1 9 ! lik5ess ( ,god4 ,x may be   

wood*uck du/1 or d&elion  du/1 or ! %9+ 
du/ ( />s2 t\*$ ) a creative1  int]pret+
 p5 ! du/ takes human %ape & brea!s a   
brea?  div9e4 ,a wood*uck pelt makes an 
excell5t fur = a w9t] coat2 !  re/ ( him
 makes an excell5t roa/ = a d9n]2 b x is
 :at /ill  rema9s1 ! wond] ( him1 :i*   
makes = s]mon & = song4    ,h[ h>d a    
lesson t has be5 = me to le>n6 ,& s sl[ 
h ,i  be5 le>n+ x t little "t is left = 
me to prea* or s+4 ,if  only ,i _h kn[n 
e>ly t ,mulle9 ,hill 0 z good z         
,helicon2 t  ! p ( ,h+ham 7 z int]e/+ z 
! p ( ,cran=d2  t ,h+ham has a natural  
hi/ory z ri* & z v>i$ z ,selborne6  ,my 
v fri5ds h help$ to mislead & h9d] me3  
8,i don't see  :at y f9d to write ab\t  
up "h60 !y exclaim1 look+ out )         
commis]ation ov] ! l&scape1 z if        
,wellfleet or ,wa%+ton or  ,wausau 7    
bett] = books ?an ,h+ham6 ,hanov] may be
 bett] =  ducks ?an ,scituate2 b ,h+ham 
is z good z ,hanov] or ,heav5 =  books4 
,"o ( my fri5ds />t$ = ,hanov] once = a 
day ( hunt+--b ,i  w let him tell !     

/ory3    8,we 7 on our way to ,hanov]1  
duck hunt+10 he said1 8& at  ,ass9ippi  
took ! left =k ( ! road & kept go+4 ,b 0
 ?is  left =k ! "r road8 ,an anci5t d\bt
 :i* _h br\ght _m a  travel] be=e !m to 
confusion & a halt4 ,x 0 e>ly morn+1    
raw & d>k & damp4 ,no "o 0 /irr+ 9 !    
f>mh\ses /raggl+  along ! road1 & we 7  
turn+ to g back to ! =ks :5  ! kit*5    
door ( ! ne>-by h\se op5$ & a gray-be>d$
 man  appe>$ ) a milk-pail on 8 elb[4   
8#8,is ?is ! road to ,hanov]8' we call$4
    8,! man back$ into ! kit*5 door1 put
 d[n 8 milk-pail1 came out  aga91       
c>efully clos+ ! door beh9d him1 & />t$ 
d[n ! walk  t[>d ! front gate4 ,he op5$ 
! gate1 turn$ & lat*$ x beh9d  him z    
c>efully z he _h lat*$ ! kit*5 door1 &1 
/epp+ out  into ! road1 approa*$ our    
c>ryall4 ,look+ up1 !n d[n ! road       
int5tly1 he hit*$ 8 "r foot to ! hub (  
our front :eel1 spat  precisely into !  
du/1 &1 fix+ 8 face /eadfa/ly t[>d ,cape
  ,cod1 answ]$3    8#8,no4'    8#8,say x
 ) fl[]s6' snapp$ our driv]1 :eel+ ab\t 

= !  o!r =k4    8,at ! turn ,i look$    
back4 ,!re /ood our guide 9 ! road1 8   
"r foot /ill 9 ! air1 ,i ?9k2 &         
!re--?\gh x is sev]al  ye>s s9ce1 he may
 /ill be /&+--"o foot plant$ on ! road  
to  ,scituate1 ! o!r foot re/+ on ! hub 
( ! :eel t %\ld  h be5 on ! road to     
,hanov]40    ,! man 9 ! road knew t ?is 
road ran to ,scituate4 ,he liv$ on  x4  
,_h !y ask$ him3 8,ma/]1 :i* is ! ,great
 ,comm&m5t80 he  _h answ]$3 8,take ?is  
road = ,scituate40 ,= 7 !y n duck  hunt+
 9 ,hanov]8 ,!n :at pr(\nd] error c\ld  
!y h be5 9  ?an on ! road to ,scituate6 
,b mo/ p g t way = ,hanov]4 ,e "y writ] 
,i "k  hank]s to get 8 ,hanov] ducks out
 ( ,scituate1 z if1 fail+ to get  ducks1
 he might get ,scituate2 novelty1 ! m]e 
novelty ( gunn+ 9  ,scituate :5 ! ducks 
are 9 ,hanov]1 mak+ ! be/ sort ( 8copy40
    ,is x "s new ?+ t we %\ld se>* out1 
or "s deep]1 tru]  ?+8 ,mu/ we travel1  
or may we /ay at home8 ,locomotion is   
c]ta9ly  a curse to lit]ature4 ,no "o   
n[adays /ays long en\gh 9 8 own  place  

to "k x & himself 9 x1 :i* is ab\t all t
 he c "k  well en\gh to express4 ,let ! 
writ] /ay at home4 ,drumm]s1 actors1    
circus-m51 & ,satan are free to g up &  
d[n ! e>?4 ,& ^!  seem to be writ+ mo/ (
 our books4    ,= "s ye>s1 n[1 ,i1 also1
 h be5 go+ to & fro & up &  d[n 9 ! e>? 
?9k+ t ,i might f9d "s bett] place ?an  
,h+ham4 ,i h j return$ f ,wausau1       
,wiscons91 :]e !y h  a v h>d r$ granite1
 & a deep gre5 granite1 bo? ( !m !      
lovelie/ tomb/one /uff t1 ,i ?9k1 ,i ev]
 saw4 ,c]ta9ly !y are  sup]ior to our   
seam-face ,h+ham granite = tomb/ones4   
,up to !  "t ( my ,wausau visit1 ,i _h  
nev] giv5 mu* ?\ght to tomb/ones2  b x  
%[s h[ "o's ?\ght exp&s ) travel1 & h[  
easily  ,wausau may surpass ,h+ham1 n   
alone 9 grave/ones1 b 9 o!r1  ev5 9     
lit]>y1 mat]ials4    ,b ,h+ham has "o ?+
 9 ! l9e ( grave/ones n f\nd at all  9  
,wausau3 ,i mean ! b\ld]s1 great r\ndi% 
glacial b\ld]s1 gray  granite b\ld]s1   
old & g5tle & mossy-gr[n1 :i* lie /rewn 
ov]  our hilly pa/ures among ! roses & !

 h>dhack & ! sweetf]n1  ready to be     
roll$ to ! tomb1 & fit = any poet's     
tomb4 ,:5 t  %y _s & bird-lov]1 ,brad=d 
,torrey1 native ( my neighbor t[n  (    
,weym\?1 di$ 9 f>-(f ,cali=nia1 he left 
b a s+le simple  reque/3 t he be br\ght 
back to 8 bir?place = burial1 & t  a    
,weym\? b\ld] be f\nd & roll$ up to m>k 
8 grave4 ,7 m9e  n ,h+ham b\ld]s ,i w\ld
 take "o out ( my wall1 ! "o :i*  s]ves 
z a gatepo/1 &1 ) a yoke ( ,weym\? ox51 
w\ld draw x  to ,brad=d ,torrey's tomb1 
a tribute f ,h+ham to ,weym\?1 & a  gift
 out ( ! he>t ( "o :o kn[s & loves 8,!  
,foot-,pa? ,way10  8,a ,rambl]'s        
,lease10 & 8,a ,_w ( ,gre5 ,hills40     
,p]haps "o mu/ ne$s g to ,cali=nia 9    
ord] to come by ?is deep  desire =      
,weym\?4 ,!n let him g e>ly4 ,= if he is
 to write 8,!  ,natural ,hi/ory (       
,weym\?10 or ( ,selborne1 he mu/ return 
e>ly &  /ay a long "t4 ,?oreau has be5  
criticiz$ = writ+ ( ,nature z  if %e 7  
born & br\ght up 9 ,concord4 ,s %e 04 ,c
 "o n see  all ( ! _w out ( ! 8,w9d[ 9  

,?rums08--t is1 all ( !  _w ( ,?rums1   
:i* is all ( ! _w1 & j ! _w1 "o  goes to
 ,?rums to see8 8,i h travel$ a great   
deal 9 ,concord10 says  ,?oreau4    ,?is
 br+s me back to ,h+ham4 ,i wi% t ,i    
c\ld write 8,! ,natural  ,hi/ory (      
,h+ham06 ,a mode/ desire6 ,!re c nev] be
 ano!r  ,gilb]t ,:ite--b n = lack (     
birds & bea/s 9 ,h+ham4 ,7  ,i a noveli/
 ,i w\ld write a 8,cran=d0--& ,i c\ld6  
,i w\ld call x  8,h+ham10 n 8,ma9       
,/reet10 ?\gh t is ! "n ( p]haps !      
longe/ /reet 9 ,h+ham4 ,b !re are _m o!r
 /reets 9 ,h+ham1  & all k9ds ( int]e/+ 
p4    ,& "h ,i am on ,mulle9 ,hill1     
,h+ham1 ) all ( ^! /reets1  & all ( ^!  
p1 & wood*ucks a pl5ty to write ab\t--& 
plann+ ?is day a trip to ,cali=nia6 ,i  
might h be5 ! au?or (  a rec5t book ^:  
!me & sub-title read3 8,9 ! pla9s & !   
roll+ c\ntry !re is room = ! individual 
to skip & frolic1  b all ! peaks are    
prempt$40 ,come d[n f ,mulle9 ,hill2 get
 out  ( ,h+ham2 g ,we/1 "y writ]1 z f> z
 ,cali=nia2 y %all f9d  room to skip &  

frolic on ! pla9s out !re6    ,x may be 
true 9 ,cali=nia1 b ! opposite ( t is   
true 9  ,h+ham4 ,to be sure1 ,i h tri$  
to prempt ,mulle9 ,hill2 ,i n[ own  !   
knoll outside my /udy w9d[1 & !         
sev5-acre woodlot beyond2  b !re are _m 
o!r peaks "h among ! hills ( ,h+ham1 &  
sc>cely any ( !m occupi$4 ,! p ( ,h+ham 
all cr[d into !  pla9s4 ,s did ! p (    
,israel cr[d into ! pla9s--( ,moab1     
leav+ ,pisgah to ,moses1 :o f\nd x v    
lonesome4 ,!re is no "o on  ,pisgah n[1 
,i und]/&2 no "o on ,ar>at2 no "o on    
,popocatepetl2 no  "o on ! top (        
,vesuvius1 nor on ! peak ( ,ev]e/1 peaks
 z well  kn[n z ,:ite ,pla9s or ! ,pla9s
 ( ,abraham1 b n any?+ l  s cr[d$4      
,moses sleeps on ,nebo1 yet no man kn[s 
:]e he lies4 ,h  !m lay y 9 ,sleepy     
,holl[ if y wi% y\r fri5ds & neighbors  
to cr[d 9 close & keep y company4    ,:y
 has !re be5 no ,iliad ( ,h+ham8 ,!re   
are ,hel5s 9 ,h+ham1 z  !re 7 ,hel5s (  
,troy4 ,h+ham is %ort ( ,hom]s4 ,mute1  
+lori\s  ,miltons h we 9 ,h+ham4 ,if "o 

( !m1 h[ev]1 %\ld take 8  p5 9 h&1 w\ld 
he dream1 & if he dream$1 w\ld he d>e to
 cry to  ! ,heav5ly ,muse1              
8,i !nce    ,invoke ?y aid to my        
adv5tur\s song1    ,t ) no middle flight
 int5ds to so>    ,above ! ,aonian m\nt1
 :ile x pursues    ,?+s unattempt$ yet 9
 prose or rhyme08    ,:i* ( our poets   
?9ks any m ( an adv5tur\s song8 ,(      
attempt+ any m ! unattempt$ 9 ei!r prose
 or rhyme8 ,x is  z if ev]y?+ _h be5    
attempt$2 ev]y?+ d>$2 ev]y?+            
accompli%$--! peaks all prempt$4        
,politics or religion or  lit]ature1 x  
matt]s n3 ! great days are gone1 ! great
  ?+s are done1 ! great m5 securely h\s$
 9 ! ,hall (  ,fame4 ,heav5 (f]s u a    
,league ( ,nations & we pref] ! tri$  & 
prov$ device ( w>2 a fam$ evangeli/     
comes to t[n1 we  build him a va/       
tab]nacle1 & tw5ty ?\s& ga!r = !        
quick5+ message--8,bright5 ! corn] :]e y
 are60 ,& 9 !  corn]s1 & ov] ! walls ( !
 nation1 ) po/] & plac>d  !             
8,safety-,fir/0 sign w>ns u n to hold   

our little ru%light  ov]-high1 or fl>e x
 ov]-f>1 = fe> we set our bright5$ corn]
  ( ! _w on fire4 ,b ! :ole _w is on    
fire6 ,& :]ev] an  emp]or has escap$ !  
dev\r+ flame1 he is fiddl+1 z emp]ors   
d2 & 8 poet laureate is writ+ free v]se2
 & all ( 8  fai?ful subjects are say+1  
ov] & ov]1 8,day by day1 9 e way1  ,i am
 gett+ bett] & bett]40    8,we are      
taught by great actions t ! univ]se is !
 prop]ty (  e individual 9 x10 says     
,em]son4 8,e rational creature has all  
nature = 8 d[ry & e/ate4 ,x is 81 if he 
w4 ,he may dive/  himself ( x2 he may   
creep into a corn]1 & abdicate 8 k+dom1 
z  mo/ m5 d1 b he is entitl$ to ! _w by 
8 con/itution40 ,i  h n spok5 lately ) a
 man :o seem$ to ?9k he 0 entitl$  to ! 
_w4 ,t gr& old fai? has pass$ away4 ,b  
,i talk ) no  man lately :o does n ?9k  
he is entitl$ to an automobile4 ,great  
is ,t9 ,lizzie ( ! ,am]icans6 ,great]   
?an ,diana ( ! ,ephesians4  ,b except = 
our wor%ip ( ! ,=d we are n             
ov]-religi\s4 ,!  ,=d is a useful little

 deity2 %e meets our ne$s to ! la/ mile4
  ,! individual c skip & frolic ) h]1 = 
%e is di/9ctly !  goddess ( ! pla9s &   
roll+ c\ntry4 ,admirable to h] w9k+     
tail-light1 %e is "o hundr$ p] c5t      
,am]ican1 ! "w ( "o (  ! supreme        
inv5tive g5iuses ( our "t4 ,%e is !     
greate/ ?+  9 ,am]ica1 *ugg+ ev]y:]e b  
up ,p>nassus4 ,fool-pro(1 !  univ]sal   
c>1 %e is ! v sign & symbol ( our       
antlike indu/ry1  ! motor-m9d$          
expression ( our int]nal-combu/ion age4 
,ev5 my quiet old fri5d ,burr\ghs _h 8  
,=d4 ,x 0 h] creator  himself :o gave h]
 to him4 ,! creature w\ld climb ar\nd ! 
slopes  & ov] ! walls ab\t ,wood*uck    
,lodge l a side-hill g\g]1  ,burr\ghs 9 
8 long :ite be>d driv+ h]1 z ,fa!r ,"t  
might  drive a m]ry-g-r\nd4 ,he ne>ly   
lo/ 8 life 9 h]1 too4 ,b  ev]ybody ne>ly
 loses 8 life s n[adays2 & ne>ly        
ev]ybody _h  r lose 8 life 9 a ,=d ?an  
to drag out an endless exi/5ce  9 a     
buggy or on foot or 9 a wood5 sw+ at    
home1 wat*+ ! ,=ds  g by4 ,:at is life1 

anyway8 ,! ,=d is *eap2 ! s]vice /ation 
is ev]y:]e2 s1 pile into ! little old   
8bug0--on ! hood &  runn+-bo>ds6 8,let's
 g60    ,p]haps our ma*9es are tak+     
u--we wi% to believe s--to "s new       
,ard51 "s f>-(f ,avalon1 :]e we %all    
heal u ( our motor-m9ds1  our           
movie-n]ves1 our corn]-light religion2  
:]e 8,safety ,fir/0 %all  give place to 
8,d]r+-,d0 z a national motto2 :]e we   
%all asc5d  ! empty peaks1 & out ( !    
?und] & smoke ( %ak+ ,s9ai  br+ d[n "s  
d>+ comm&m5t1 done by ! f+] ( ,god on   
new  tables ( /one4    ,we are n lack+  
c\rage4 ,x is imag9ation t we lack4 ,we 
d>e4  ,b we d n ?9k x wor? :ile4 ,we are
 %all[1 skeptical1  conv5tional1 out (  
tune ) ! ,inf9ite1 & out ( t\* )        
spiritual ?+s4 ,if we d n try !         
unattempt$1 x is because we  believe x  
has already be5 tri$4 ,x is because     
,hom] has prempt$  ,helicon t we tunnel 
x4 ,only ,milton1 among u mod]ns 7& h[  
anci5t ,milton seems671 only ,milton 9 8
 bl9dness has se5 t  !re is room & v]ge 

en\gh on ,helicon1 & deeps )9 ! abyss  (
 ,hades :]e ,dante w\ld be lo/4 ,no1    
,milton is n ! only mod]n  to leave !   
pla9s1 &1 l a />1 to dwell ap>t4 ,?oreau
 did x  at ,wald52 ,lani] did x on !    
m>%es ( ,glynn2 ,burr\ghs did x at      
,wood*uck ,lodge2 & ,hudson did x on !  
pla9s ( ,patagonia--pro(  en\gh t ponds 
& pla9s & ! l[-ly+ m>% may be z high z  
,helicon = poetry1 if only ! poet h !   
vision to see t      8,l to ! greatness 
( ,god is ! greatness )9    ,! range ( !
 m>%es1 ! lib]al m>%es ( ,glynn40    ,b 
"h we fail4 ,we no long] see ! greatness
 ( ,god 9 ?+s4 ,we  h cov]$ ,god ) an   
atom4 ,we ask = bread1 & ,sci5ce gives  
u a /one2 = ,god1 & ,sci5ce gives u an  
electron4 ,x 0 a  sup]-electron t creat$
 ! heav5s & ! e>? :5 x saw t  all ( !   
o!r electrons 7 )\t =m & void4 ,atomism 
has  tak5 ! place ( !ism 9 our religion1
 if x is religion4 ,man is  only a bun* 
( willful atoms1 or p>ts ( atoms1 n any 
long] !  cr[n+ "w ( ,creation1 its c5t] 
& circumf]5ce1 its dom9ion  & de/9y &   

glory1 its div9e expression1            
int]pretation1 &  immortal s\l4 ,are we 
to be robb$ ( ,god8 ,inhibit$ =ev] f    
fai?  by ! l5s$ eyes ( ,sci5ce8    8,:at
 is man80 ,i ask1 & ,sci5ce laughs &    
answ]s1 8,electrons40  ,t is its late/  
guess4 ,b does man look l !m8 ,does he  
feel  l !m8 ,does he behave l !m8 ,does 
he believe l !m8 ,9 !  laboratory he    
may4 ,b out "h 9 ! hills ( ,h+ham1 :]e  
,i am  return$ to ! e>? & ! sky & to my 
own s\l1 ,i "k t ,i ,,am1  & t ,i /ill  
hold to all ( ^? fir/ ?+s :i* ,sci5ce   
w\ld  %ame me out (1 (f]+ me electrons  
in/ead6    ,i accept ! electrons4 ,cap]+
 little deities1 !y are ! sons  ( ,god4 
,b s are y & ,i ! sons ( ,god--& we are 
electrons1  trillions ( electrons1 if y 
l4    ,gods & atoms1 we c dwell & ?9k & 
feel z ei!r1 ! two  realms di/9ct & f>  
ap>t1 ! roads betwe5 9 a cont9ual /ate  
( con/ruction1 dang]\s b passable4 ,!   
anatomi/1 lay+ d[n 8  scalpel1 cries1   
8,su* k is too wond]ful = me4 ,i am     
fe>fully  & wond]fully made60--8 sci5ce 

pass+ into poetry1 & f  poetry to       
religion1 b n easily 9 our pres5t frame 
& mood4    ,sci5ce cle>s ! sight & wid5s
 its range2 b ,sci5ce c nev]  cle> up ! 
%ad[s at ! bottom ( a wood*uck4 ,only   
vision c  d t1 & ,sci5ce lacks vision1  
us+ a microtome in/ead1 p>+  its        
wood*uck till he is ?9n] ?an slic$      
sunlight be=e x c  see ?r\gh s mu* z a  
s+le /a9$ cell ( him4 ,sci5ce turns     
aside f %ad[s1 walk+ by sight or else   
/&+ /ill4 ,x deals  ) ! fle%1 n ! _s2 & 
is z impot5t 9 lit]ature &  art z 9 life
 & society4 ,! pot5t ?+ among m5 &      
nations is  love4 ,love nev] faile?4    
,yet nev] 7 we s afraid ( love z we  are
 to-day2 & nev] did art & lit]ature seem
 s fe>ful ( !  imag9ation1 ( vision1 ( !
 et]nal1 ! div9e4    8,g get me a bird10
 ! old sci5ti/ said to me2 8,i w give y 
a  lesson 9 sk9n+ & m\nt+40 ,i 0 a "y   
boy4 ,hurry+ out to  ! woods1 ,i 0 soon 
back ) a cuckoo4 ,! face ( ! old sci5ti/
  d>k5$4 8,y %\ld n h kill$ ?is bird1 x 
is ! fri5d (  man4 ,see :5 ,i op5 ?is   

gizz>d40 ,& ) a dext]\s twi/ ( 8  f+]s  
turn$ inside out ! gizz>d1 & %[$ x1 l a 
piece (  plu%1 its fle%y walls p5etrat$ 
) millions ( cat]pill> hairs4    ,to ?is
 day ,i feel ! wond] ( t k1 & ,i ?rill  
at !  mean+ ( t bird's gizz>d4 ,"h 0    
sci5ce & *>ity &  poetry & religion4    
,:at untold good to man6 ,:at great]    
possible  good to man8 ,t 0 be=e ,i knew
 or und]/ood ! cuckoo's song4  ,& nei!r 
! old sci5ti/1 nor yet 8 book1 8,sixte5 
,weeks 9  ,zology10 dealt ) ! song4     
,sci5ce is sure & beautiful ) a  gizz>d4
 ,poetry is sure & beautiful ) bo?      
gizz>d & song4 ,& ,i  wond] if ! gr9d+  
gizz>d or ! s++ ?roat is ! bett] "p  ( !
 cuckoo1 ev5 9 ?is _w ( worms8          
8,?\gh babbl+ only to ! vale1    ,(     
sun%9e & ( fl[]s1    ,?\ br+e/ unto me a
 tale    ,( vision>y h\rs4      8,?rice 
welcome1 d>l+ ( ! ,spr+6    ,ev5 yet ?\ 
art to me    ,no bird1 b an invisible   
?+1    ,a voice1 a my/]y2      8,& ,i c 
li/5 to !e yet2    ,c lie ^u ! pla9     
,& li/51 till ,i d beget    ,t gold5 "t 

aga94      8,o bless$ ,bird6 ! e>? we   
pace    ,aga9 appe>s to be    ,an       
unsub/antial fary place1    ,t is fit   
home = !e60    ,i h a great book1       
publi%$ by ! ,gov]nm5t1 devot$ entirely 
to  birds' gizz>ds1 mills ( ! gods1 & _!
 gr9d+s4 ,x is n a  dull book1 ?\gh !   
mills gr9d sl[ly & gr9d exce$+ small4   
,x is a book ( bones1 ( brok5 beetles1  
se$s1 hairs1 fea!rs1 &  fragm5ts4 ,x is 
a great "w ( sci5ce4 ,"o might n l to   
lay x  d[n unf9i%$2 b1 hav+ f9i%$ x1 "o 
c\ld h>dly say3      8,& ,i c li/5 to !e
 yet2    ,c lie ^u ! pla9    ,& li/51   
till ,i d beget    ,t gold5 "t aga94    
8,o bless$ ,bird6 ! e>? we ,pace        
,aga9 appe>s to be    ,an unsub/antial  
fary place1    ,t is fit home = !e60    
,nature w n d1 nor all ! tru? ( nature1 
= /uff ( song &  /ory4 ,z life is m ?an 
meat1 s is lit]ature m ?an life4        
,nature con=ms to art2 & 9 fiction 8!   
only real p are ^?  :o nev] exi/$40     
,at ,good-,w ,f>m1 ,ma9e1 !re is a rock 
m>k$ ) a copp] plate4  ,x _h be5 m>k$ = 

drill & dynamite1 until1 "o day1 my c>  
swung up & ov] a %>p turn 9 ! road be=e 
! s*oolh\se1  skidd+ r horribly on !    
smoo? outcropp+ l$ge :i* _h be5  uncov]$
 & left z "p ( ! roadb$4    8,y ought to
 bla/ t ?+ out10 ,i said1 some:at       
te/ily1 to !  sup]visor :o came out to  
greet me1 my n]ves1 /rung a bit too     
tight  on ! long day's drive1 snapp+ ) !
 skid "h at ! v end (  ! trip4    8,i'll
 d x10 he repli$1 apologetically4 8,i _h
 int5d$ to d x f  ! fir/40    ,! next   
day we 7 climb+ ?is road on foot1 &1 /&+
 on !  l$ge to take 9 ! wide l&scape ( !
 ,k5nebec bel[ u1 ,i *anc$  to look d[n 
at my feet & saw1 cut deep 9 ! smoo?    
surface ( !  /one1 sev]al p>allel l9es4 
8,don't bla/ out ?is rock60 ,i exclaim$4
 8,te> d[n y\r s*oolh\se  r4 ,build a   
new road ?r\gh ! gr\nds1 b leave ?is    
/one4  ,?is is "p ( a great book40      
8,i don't und]/&10 said ! sup]visor4    
8,"h is writt5 a page ( ! greate/ /ory  
ev] p5n$4 ,^! l9es  7 done by ! h& ( !  
glaci] :o came ?is way 9 ! ,ice ,age4   

,don't blot x out4 ,put a f5ce ab\t x1 &
 a copp] plate ^u x1  translat+ ! /ory s
 t y\r /ud5ts c read x & und]/&40    ,he
 did4 ,!re 0 no ne$ ( ! f5ce2 b he set !
 plate into !  rock1 tell+ ( ! ,ice     
,age1 h[ ! glaci] came d[n1 pl\gh+ out  
! valley ( ! ,k5nebec1 r\nd+ & smoo?+   
?is l$ge1 &  indit+ ?is manuscript =    
,good-,w ,f>m ,s*ool ages lat]4    ,s   
mu* does ! m]e scrat* ( sci5ce enhance !
 virtue ( a /one6  ,n[ add to y\r sci5ce
 hi/ory4 ,in/ead ( ! scrat* ( a glaci]1 
let x be a *isel & a human h&1 & let !  
m>ks be--8#afbj40 ,n[  read--if y c read
 & und]/&4    ,i copy x v]batim f a     
,fre%man college !me3      ,,plym\?     
,,rock      ,plym\? ,rock is situat$ 9  
,plym\? ,mass4 ,x is ! rock ^u :i*    ! 
,mayfl[] l&$ 9 #afbj4 ,b x is n n[ :]e x
 0 !n4 ,x    0 mov$ _m ye>s ago up to ! 
/reet4 ,& :5 !y mov$ x x    broke4 ,b !y
 cem5t$ x toge!r4 ,x is f\r or five feet
 long2    & ?ree or f\r feet wide2 & x  
is inscrib$ ) ! fam\s    figures #afbj1 
to celebrate ! l&+ ( ! ,puritans at t   

"t4    ,x is enclos$ )9 a canopy ( /one 
& an iron f5ce2 b !    gate is h>dly ev]
 clos$4 ,!re are a great _m fam\s /ones 
9    ! _w b ?is is z fam\s z any4    ,my
 "m 0 visit+ me4 ,%e is a self-conta9$  
old ,quak]1 &  ?is 0 ! second "t 9 all (
 h] eighty ye>s t %e _h  ev5 se5 ,new   
,engl&6 ,:at %\ld we d fir/8 ,:at did %e
 mo/  desire to see8 8,take me to see   
,plym\? ,rock fir/10 %e said2 & we  7   
(f1 "m z excit$ & z lively z a girl4 ,z 
we ent]$  ,plym\?1 h[ev]1 ,i notic$ t "m
 _h gr[n sil5t1 & t  h] doctor-daught]1 
beside h] on ! back seat1 always        
s5sitive to  h] moods1 0 also sil5t4 ,we
 desc5d$ ! hill to ! h>bor1 came  on 9  
sight ( ! canopy ov] ! ,rock1 & sl[$ d[n
 to /op4 ,b  ! c> _h n /opp$1 :5 "m1 !  
back door op51 h] foot on  ! runn+-bo>d1
 0 /epp+ (f & ?r\gh ! op5 gate1 :]e1    
fall+ on h] knees1 ) te>s runn+ d[n h]  
face1 %e kiss$ !  bless$ /one1 h]       
daught] call+1 8,o ,"m1 ! g]ms6 ! g]ms60
    ,:5 ,sci5ce & ,religion ?us cla%1   
,sci5ce mu/ give way4 ,"m  knew z mu*   

ab\t g]ms z h] doctor-daught]4 ,%e _h   
liv$ long]  ?an h] daught]2 %e _h lo/ m1
 & _h lov$ m--"s ?+s  m ?an life itself4
    ,sci5ce has m>k$ e rock2 b only ^? t
 are wet ) su*  te>s & kiss$ ) su* lips 
are ripe = s]mon & song4 ,^! are  ! eyes
 & ^! ! lips ( ^?1 :o1 pass+ ?r\gh      
,bacca1 make  x a well4 ,k alone1 ?\gh x
 c\rse ! v heav5s1 w  come back to e>?  
)\t s mu* z "o %9+ fleck ( />du/ 9  its 
hair4    ,! o!r day a great a/ronom] 0  
deliv]+ a lecture 9 ,bo/on  on ! />s4   
,wond] & awe held ! audi5ce z x travel$ 
!  /ell> spaces ) ! help ( ! a/\nd+     
pictures on ! scre54  ,! emotion 0 deep2
 ! t5sion almo/ pa9ful z ! lectur] swept
  on & on ?r\gh ! un?9kable va/1 :51    
com+ to 8 close1 he  turn$ & ask$       
lightly1 8,n[1 :at d y ?9k (            
immortality8 ,is x  any?+ m ?an !       
neurotic hope ( a v insignificant mote 9
  ?is imm5sity80    ,! effect 0 t]rific4
 ,! sci5tific smil$4 ,! simple left !   
hall daz$ & /unn$4 ,!y lo/ all s5se ( "t
 & space1 !y  lo/ sight ( ! v />s 9 ?is 

swift1 f> fall4 ,!y _h be5  c>ri$ up    
?r\gh ! sev5 sph]es to ! v gate ( heav51
  !n hurl$ to e>?4 ,! lecture fail$--n (
 in/ruction1 n (  emotion1 b ( w1 leav+ 
! li/5]s p[]less & undone4 ,!  lectur]  
may be "r--= a/ronomy2 & yet be q wrong1
 =  poetry4 ,he may h utt]$ ! la/ ^w--= 
sci5ce2 b ?is end is  only ! beg9n+ =   
religion4    ,h[ mu* great] an a/ronom] 
?is college pr(essor ?an t  %eph]d      
psalmi/ on ! f>-(f ,syrian hills6 ,rang+
 ! same a/ral  field z our sci5ti/1     
sweep+ ! same /ell> spaces1 ) only a    
%eph]d's k1 ! psalmi/'s ?\ght takes !   
same turn z !  sci5ti/'s1 d[n to man1 b 
on diff]5t w+s1--! w+s ( poetry3        
8,:5 ,i consid] ?y heav5s1    ,! "w ( ?y
 f+]s1    ,! moon & ! />s    ,:i* ?\ ha/
 orda9$2    ,:at is man1 t ?\ art m9dful
 ( him8    ,& ! son ( man1 t ?\ visite/ 
him80    ,!n1 sw++ upw>d on ^? mighty   
w+s1 pa/ ! rea* ( sci5ce1  out ( ! range
 ( k1 up1 up to ! div9e/ height ev]     
t\*$ by human ?\ght1 ! psalmi/-a/ronom] 
cries impi\sly1  exultantly1      8,= ?\

 ha/ made him b little l[] ?an ,god1    
,& cr[ne/ him ) glory & honor60    ,?is 
/>ts :]e ! a/ronom] /opp$4 ,?is is      
religion &  lit]ature4 ,& ,i h ^! v />s 
ov] my hilltop "h 9  ,h+ham6            
,,*apt] ,,iv    ,,! ,,duty ,,to ,,dig   
,,*apt] ,,iv    ,,! ,,duty ,,to ,,dig   
,i    ,a "y man sat by ! roadside1      
milk+4 ,& z he milk$1 "o drove  up 9 h] 
lim\s9e & /opp$ & said unto him3    8,"y
 man1 :y are y n at ! front80    ,! "y  
man milk$ on1 = t 0 ! ?+ to d4 ,!n1 )   
/ill  m slack]s 9 h] voice1 ! woman said
 a second "t unto him3    8,"y man1 :y  
are y n at ! front80    8,because1      
ma'am1 ! milk is at ?is end10 he answ]$4
    ,& ! *auffeur1 ?r[+ ! clut* ( !     
lim\s9e into ?ird  spe$ ahead1 drove (f1
 ?9k+4    ,b ! "y man milk+ _h already  
?\ght4 ,to milk is to ?9k4 ,if  8d>n+ is
 prem$itat$ pov]ty10 !n !re is no san]  
occupation  = human h&s1 none m         
?\ght-induc+1 unless x be milk+4        
,anyh[1 :5 ! ,great ,w> came on1 ,i w5t 
ov] to a neighbor's &  b\ght a c[2 ,i   

made me a new milk+-/ool ) spread /urdy 
legs2  & ,i sat d[n to face ! situation 
calmly1 :]e ,i might see x  /eadily &   
:ole4 ,i _h tri$ ! pr(essorial *air2 ,i 
_h tri$ !  editorial *air2 ,i _h ev5    
tri$ t ,siege ,p]il\s1 ! high-back$1    
s(t-seat$ *air ( plu% beh9d ! pulpit4 ,i
 may nev] prea* aga92  b if ,i d1 x w be
 on condition t ,i sit on a ?ree-legg$  
milk+ /ool in/ead ( on t uphol/]$ pill[y
 ?rone ( plu%4    ,:5ce come? wisdom8 & 
:]e is ! place ( und]/&+8 ,!  flam+     
flambeaux on ! ,public ,libr>y say1 8,! 
light is 9 "h02  ! ,greek3 ,ph ,b ,k key
 9 ! middle ( ! pr(essorial wai/coat    
says1 8,x is 9 "h40 ,b ,i say1 let !    
flambeaux be replac$ by  r\nd-head$     
/ock+-d>n]s1 z ! sign ( prem$itat$      
pov]ty2 &  ! dangl+ ,key by a m9iature  
milk+-/ool1 z ! symbol ( !  wisdom t    
kn[s :i* end ( a c[ to milk4    ,n "o ( 
^? /ud5ts 9 ! ,univ]sity :o e>n$ ,greek3
 ,ph ,b  ,k la/ ye> knew h[ to milk1 &  
only a few1 ,i believe1 ( _!  pr(essors4
 ,"o ( ^!1 ) a ,ph4,d4 f ,g]many1 ^: key

 _h  *>m$ 8 /ud5ts across _! :ole       
college c\rse1 ask$ me :at  bre$ (      
cattle heif]s 74 ,might n 8 tea*+ h be5 
q  z practical1 _h !re dangl$ f 8       
wat*-*a9 ^? f\r ye>s1  n ?is key to !   
catacombs ( k1 b a little jewel$        
milk+-/ool8    ,i too might we> a key1  
especially z ,i came innoc5tly by m9e1  
hav+  _h "o ?ru/ ^u me2 /ill1 z ,i 0    
born on a f>m1 & grew up  9 ! fields1 & 
am likely to end my days z ,i h liv$ !m1
 "h  9 ! woods1 ?is ,greek3 ,ph ,b ,k   
key does n fit ! lock to !  door ( k t  
op5s wide/ to me4    ,i h read a little 
on ! aori/ t5se1 & on ! ,ygdrasyl tree2 
a little1 ,i say1 on _m ?+s1 f ! animal 
a>dv>k1 "h &  !re1 to zy?um1 a s(t dr9k 
( ! anci5t ,egyptians1 pick+ a few  ru/y
 locks ) ?is skeleton key2 b ! doors t  
op5 wide at my  approa* are ^? to my    
h\se1 my b>n1 & ! un)hold+ fields4  ,i  
"k ! road home1 cle> to ! end2 ,i "k    
pr(\ndly to come 9  :5 x ra9s2 & ,i move
 ) absolute c]ta9ty to ! "r end (  ! c[ 
:5 x is "t to milk4    ,i am aw>e ( a   

c]ta9 arrogance 9 ?is1 a %[ ( pride1 & t
  unbottom$ pomp ( ^? :o we> ! ,greek3  
,ph ,b ,k key dangl+ at  _! ve/s1--z if 
,i c\ld milk any c[6 or might h 9 my b>n
  ! _w's *ampion c[6 ,i h only a grade  
,j]sey 9 my b>n2 & z  = milk+ heif]s )  
_! fir/ calves--,i h milk$ !m4 ,b       
break+ 9 a heif] is really a "y man's   
job4    ,s ,i f9d myself at ! middle (  
my ye>s1 /ripp$ ( outw>d signs1  z ,i   
hope ,i am inw>dly purg$1 ( all va9 %[s 
( wisdom 7q too  humble1 truly671 fall+ 
9 z unnaturally z ! birds ) ! fool      
daylight-sav+ plan1 ! ways ( ! sun1 :o  
kn[e? 8 go+ d[n1  be+ q good en\gh = me4
      ,,ii    ,b h[ f> run ! ways (     
nature f ! devi\s ways ( m56 ,!  ways ( 
,mulle9 ,hill f ! ways ( a milit>y camp6
 ,! ,great ,w>  came & pass$ & left !   
e>? a va/ human grave4 ,b ?r\gh x  all  
se$time & h>ve/ came to ,mulle9 ,hill1  
leav+ only m &  m abundant life4 ,!     
,great ,w> is an illu/ration on ! gr&e/ 
scale ( :at man1 dep>t+ f ! simple ways 
( nature1 w d to  man4 ,w> is ! logic ( 

our pres5t way ( liv+4 ,i am n conc]n$  
) w> 9 ?is book1 b ) ! s\rces ( life &  
lit]ature4 ,i  h a cure = w>1 h[ev]1 "h 
on ,mulle9 ,hill2 & ?is cure is  ! v    
elixir ( life & lit]ature4    ,w> c\ld h
 de/roy$1 b x did n *ange1 my go+ or    
com+  "h 9 ! hills4 ,my g>d5 w5t on z x 
_h = ye>s gone on4 ,!re  0 a little m ( 
x1 = !re 0 m ne$ 9 ! village2 !re  0 a  
little l>g] yield ( its reasonabl5ess & 
joy & beans4 ,b  ,i did n pl\gh up my   
front lawn = potatoes4 ,ye>s be=e ,i _h 
provid$ myself ) a back y>d1 & got x    
into til? = potatoes1  keep+ ! front    
lawn gre5 = ! c[4    ,?\gh %e is only a 
grade ,j]sey1 ! c[ is a pretty creature1
  & gives a rural1 rum9ant t\* to our   
approa*1 along ) !  lilacs & ! h5s4     
,hit*$ "h on ! front lawn ! c[ sugge/s  
economy1 too4 ,%e is m ?an a wagon hit*$
 to a />4 ,%e is a  m[+-ma*9e1 & a rake 
& t$d]1 & a *urn4 ,! gods ) h]  d my    
m[+1 ga!r up & cure my hay1 & turn x    
into cream4    ,e c[ gives "s skim      
milk--:i* we ne$ = ! *ick5s1 =  cook+1 &

 cottage *eese4 ,life is n all cream4   
,if ,i speak ( gods  do+ my *ores1 ,i w 
say !y d n milk = me 9 ! morn+s1  & t x 
is "o ( ! boys :o milks at night4 ,a c[ 
clipp+ y\r  lawn is poetry & cream too1 
b c>+ = ! creature is (t5 skim  milk &  
prose4 ,milk+ ought to be done regul>ly4
 ,get a c[ & y  f9d h] cud a k9d (      
p5dulum to all creation1 ! "t to milk   
be+  syn*roniz$ twice daily to ! />s4   
,i did n plant w>-potatoes on my front  
lawn1 p>tly because !y  w\ld n gr[ !re1 
& p>tly because1 9 times ( peace1 ,i _h 
prep>$ = w>-potatoes2 & p>tly because ,i
 ?9k a front lawn  looks bett] 9 c[s ?an
 9 potatoes4 ,if ?\ %\ld/      8,s live1
 t :5 ?y summons comes to jo9    ,!     
innum]able c>avan 444    ,?\ g n1 l !   
qu>ry-slave at night1    ,sc\rg$ to 8   
dungeon10    --%\ld we n all live s t1  
:5 w> comes1 we ne$ n pl\gh up  ! b$s = 
potatoes :]e ! portulaca & poppy ought  
to bl[8    ,b :at a confession "h6 ,:5  
w> comes6 ,z if ,i expect$ w> to  come  
aga96 ,_m ( u are fight+ feebly aga9/   

bo? ! ?\ght &  ! hide\s ?+4 ,b _m m are 
prep>+ = x4 ,our g5]als (  ! late w> are
 go+ up & d[n ! l& prea*+ prep>$ness1  z
 !y always h4 ,we le>n no?+4 ,!y "k     
ev]y?+4 ,_!  pr(ession is w>4 ,c a man  
lay d[n 8 life = a pr(ession he does  n 
believe 98 ,! milit>y m5 believe 9 w>4  
,b s d we all z a p4 ,w> is ! olde/1 mo/
 honor$  pr(ession 9 ! _w4 ,9 all ( !   
fifty ye>s ( its hi/ory1 !  great       
,univ]sity1 ( :i*1 = almo/ half ( t "t1 
,i h be5 a  tea*]1 _h nev] conf]r$ an   
honor>y degree4 ,= fifty ye>s x _h      
c>ri$ a s+le laurel wrea? 9 its h& to   
cr[n "s honor$ head4  ,prophets came &  
w5t2 poets came & w5t2 sci5ti/s came &  
w5t2  s*ol>s came & w5t2 b /ill !       
,univ]sity1 d$icat$ to life  & le>n+1   
wait$ ) its s+le wrea? a yet m honorable
 br[4    ,!n came ,fo*1 ! pr(essional   
soldi]4 ,/udy = ne>ly t5 ?\s&  /ud5ts 0 
susp5d$2 a holiday 0 proclaim$2 a great 
assembly 0  call$2 & "h1 ) spee* & song 
& academic g>b1 ) national  colors m+l+ 
& wav+ palms1 ! laurel wrea? 0 plac$ ^u 

! soldi]'s br[4 ,& ?is ,univ]sity1 f\nd$
 9 ! "n ( !  ,pr9ce ( ,peace1 d$icat$ to
 ,*ri/ian life & le>n+1 cr[n$ !         
pr(ession ( arms z x c cr[n no o!r      
pr(ession1 & gave its  highe/ sanction  
to bloody w>4    ,i d n fail ( gratitude
 to ,fo*4 ,i only /& 9 horror t he is1  
& _h to be4 ,i w\ld h _h ! ,nation at ! 
pi] to meet him1  b clo!d 9 sackclo?1 & 
e citiz5 ) a%es on 8 head4 ,i1  too1    
w\ld h susp5d$ /udy & "w ev]y:]e = an   
h\r2 &1  /ret*+ crape across ! ,arctic  
,circle till ! sign ( m\rn+  hid        
,matamoras & ,cape ,sable1 ,i w\ld h    
call$ an assembly ( !  cont95t1 & begg$ 
?is half ( ! hemisph]e to cry1 8,o ,god1
 !  fooli%ness & futility ( w>60    ,!  
,duty to ,dig is old] ?an ! practice (  
w>4 ,x 0 design$ to  prev5t w>2 & to-day
 x is ! only biological rem$y c]ta9 to  
cure w>4 ,i mu/ n /op "h to expla9 its  
!rapeutics z appli$  to w>1 = ,i am     
deal+ ) ano!r !me4 ,b j be=e ! w>  broke
 ^u ! _w1 ,i wrote an editorial = a pap]
 ,i 0 s]v+1  advocat+ t a hive ( my bees

 be s5t to ! ,g]man ,emp]or &  "o also  
to ! w> "l ( ,au/ria4 ,i _h extra hives 
= ! ,briti%  ,prime ,m9i/]1 ! ,tig] (   
,france1 ,mr4 ,william ,r&olph ,he>/1 & 
,mr4 ,!odore ,roosevelt4 ,if ,i c\ld h  
int]e/$ ^! g5tlem51 &  a few o!rs1 9    
bee-keep+1 ,i c\ld save ! _w f w>4    ,!
 editorial & ! (f] ( bees 7 bo? reject$ 
by ! c>eful  editor4 8,i mu/ /ay /rictly
 neutral10 0 8 timid excuse4 ,at !  v "t
 ,i 0 writ+1 ! ,rev]5d ,price ,colli]1 a
 =m] ,h+ham  prea*]1 0 publi%+ a book   
call$ 8,g]many & ! ,g]mans10  9 :i* he  
set =? ! old !ory ( milit>y prep>$ness z
 a  prev5tive ( w>4 ,speak+ ( ! ,g]man  
army 7?is 0 9 #aiac71 he  says3      ,x 
is ! be/ all-r\nd democratic univ]sity 9
 ! _w2 x is    a necess>y antidote = !  
physical le?>gy ( ! ,g]man race2    x is
 ess5tial to discipl9e2 x is a cem5t =  
hold+ ,g]many    toge!r2 x gives a      
mu*-worri$ & _m-times-beat5 p           
confid5ce2 ! pov]ty ( ! great bulk ( its
 (fic]s keeps    ! level ( social       
exp5diture on a s5sible scale2 x (f]s a 

brilliant example1 9 a mat]ial age1 ( m5
 scorn+ ease = !    s]vice ( _! c\ntry2 
x keeps ! peace 9 ,europe2 & until      
!re is a second com+ ( a ,*ri/ ( pity & 
pati5ce & peace1    x is z good a       
sub/itute = t f>-(f div9e ev5t z puzzl$ 
man has to (f]4    ,x is a m9i/] ( !    
,gospel :o makes ?is pr(\nd obs]vation4 
,b x s\nds l our pres5t ,secret>y ( ,w>1
 a bank]1 & l  our pres5t ,comm&+       
,g5]al1 a pr(essional soldi]4 ,"h is    
sure  pro( t ! human race _c le>n !     
ess5tial ?+s1 & s1 is  doom$4    ,b ,i  
wi% ,i might try my bees4 ,?is old hoax 
( prev5t+ w> by  prep>+ m5 to fight has 
be5 s (t5 tri$6 ,& we are at x aga94  ,b
 no nation has tri$ my simple &         
inexp5sive sub/itute ( bees  &          
pl\gh-%>es1 & prun+ hooks4 ,!y h tri$1 f
 "t out  ( memory1 to beat _! swords &  
spe>s into g>d5 tools1 b a  sword makes 
a mighty poor pl\gh%>e4 ,x has nev] be5 
successfully  done4 ,! manufactur+      
process is wrong4 ,x takes ! temp] out (
  good g>d5 /eel fir/ to heat x 9 !     

fires ( w>4 ,we mu/ rev]se  ! process3  
turn ! virg9 metal into g>d5 /eel fir/1 
& give  e man a hoe1 & a pl\gh%>e1 & a  
prun+ hook2 !n he w  nev] h ne$ = sword 
& spe>4      ,,iii    ,in/ead ( univ]sal
 milit>y tra9+1 ,i w\ld advocate a hive 
(  bees = ev]ybody1 or a backy>d g>d54  
,a h\se %\ld h bo?  lawn & g>d51 ev5    
?\gh ! gooseb]ries cr[d ! h\se out to  !
 roadside1 :]e ! human h\se in/9ctively 
edges to see !  neighbors 9 _! new      
pony-coats g by4 ,let my front door /&  
op52  :ile ov] ! back /oop ! old-fa%ion$
 roses & ! grape-v9es  draw a scre54    
,b give me a h\se ) a y>d r ?an a hole 9
 ! wall1 a city  t5em5t1 or a flat4 ,!  
:ole tr5d ( society is t[>d ! city1 or  
camp1 milit>y1 r ?an agricultural4 ,!   
mod]n city is a social  camp4 ,life is  
becom+ a s]ies ( mass movem5ts1 milit>y 
maneuv]s1  at ! comm& ( social lead]s4  
,indu/ry has long be5 milit>iz$  bo? 9  
=m & _s1 & is rapidly p]fect+ its       
organization4  ,today1 #aibc1 !re are m 
?an a hundr$ diff]5t automobile         

manufactur+ conc]ns 9 ?is c\ntry4 ,only 
^? capable ( 8quantity  production0 w   
survive4 ,already ! manufactur]s see !  
entire  indu/ry r$uc$ to five diff]5t   
conc]ns4 ,?is is /rictly milit>y1  !    
mak+ ( society into a va/1 & va/] ma*9e1
 :i*1 too great  at la/ = control1 w    
turn ^u & cru% its mak]s4    ,we are all
 conscript$4 ,! ,draft ,bo>d (          
indu/rialism all[s no  exemptions4 ,!   
only way ,i see is to des]t1 to take to 
! woods1 z  ,i h done1 to return        
individually to a simple1 elem5tal mann]
 (  life out ( ! soil4 ,b :o c pay !    
social co/8 ,our social or  camp        
psy*ology is bett] und]/ood & m easily  
h&l$ ?an !  m9d ( ! lone sc\t )9 u4 ,we 
are greg>i\s by nature2 we hunt  9      
packs1 we collect into cr[ds4 ,yet we   
are selves1 sep>ate1 s+le1  ea* ( u a   
cave-man z well z cliff-dwell]1 a ,remus
 z well z a  ,romulus4 ,! city-build+   
bro!r kill$ 8 c\ntry bro!r4 ,& !  murd] 
/ill goes on4    ,out ( a comm5t>y on ! 
,bible ,i take ! foll[+ obs]vation1     

p>tly = its *>m1 b also because x holds 
a pr(\nd tru?3      ,god's p f ! e>lie/ 
"t _h nev] be5 build]s (    cities4 ,!  
e>lie/ acc\nt ( city-build+ is t ( !    
city (    ,eno* by ,ca91 & all !        
subsequ5t m5tion ( city-build+ is 9     
connection ) ! apo/ate families ( ! e>?1
 su* z ,nimrod    & 8 desc5dants1 !     
,canaanites & ! ,egyptians4 ,sodom is "o
    ( ! e>lie/ m5tion$ cities prop]ly s 
call$1 & ! /ory (    x is n enc\rag+ = !
 p ( ,god4    ,b :i* is ! city ^: /ory  
is enc\rag+ to ! p (  ,god8 ,n ,bo/on's1
 nor ,new ,york's1 nor ,london's1 nor   
,vi5na's4 ,vi5na  is />v+2 ! c\ntry is  
bankrupt ,au/ria's gov]nm5tal ma*9e  is 
a total wreck2 b ! peasant goes 8 way1  
suff]+ little  inconv5i5ce1 ?\gh ! cr[n 
is n to-day wor? ! pap] x is  pr9t$ on4 
,! peasant lives on ! l&1 n on ! bank2  
he gets  8 simple life directly out ( ! 
soil in/ead ( a pay envelope2 he  has no
 ,new ,york1 ,new ,hav5 & ,h>t=d /ock1  
wor? "o hundr$ &  eighty-six doll>s     
ye/]day1 & t5 doll>s to-day1 to-morr[1 &

  until he />ves4 ,he has a piece ( l&  
&1 impossible z x s\nds  on pap]1 lives 
on x1 & out ( x1 & 9 x1 an almo/        
indep5d5t  life1 z ! wage-slave & !     
c\pon-victim _c live4    ,we %all face a
 fam9e1 s long z our door-y>ds are all  
lawn 9  front & all g>bage-c beh9d4 ,we 
h f>m]s en\gh--"o to e  eight ( our     
population1 ,i believe--:o might produce
 suffici5t raw  potatoes2 b ,aroo/ook   
,c\nty is b>ely contigu\s to ! ,unit$   
,/ates1 & su* a b>rage ( fro/ 0 laid d[n
 across its bord]s  ?is la/ w9t] t1 if  
"o br\ght potatoes out ( ,aroo/ook      
betwe5  ,decemb] & ,m>*1 he _h to be> !m
 9 8 bosom4    ,aroo/ook ,c\nty is !    
greate/ potato-pat* 9 ! _w2 !  ,am]ican 
imag9ation loves to hov] ov] ! tub]$    
tracts (  ,aroo/ook1 ! ri*e/ c\nty 9 !  
_w2 loves to feel t !  _w c\ld be f$ f  
,aroo/ook1 7 x n = ! triple alliance  ( 
! cold & ! contiguity & a railroad t    
runs1 if n l  a brok5 too?1 !n l a foot 
out ( jo9t1 into ^! remote  dreaml&s (  
,ma9e4    ,woe to !m t g d[n to !       

railroads = help2 & /ay on eng9es  &    
tru/ 9 empties1 because !y are _m2 & 9  
(ficials1 because  !y are v /rong4 ,n[ !
 (ficials are m5 & n ,god1 & _!  eng9es 
/eel & n _s4 ,:y %\ld a rational1       
spiritual human  society tru/ its       
well-be+ to su* paltry p[]s1 :5 all !   
=ces  ( nature are at its comm&8    ,i w
 put m tru/ 9 an acre ( l& ?an 9 a      
,cont95tal  ,congress4 ,i _h r h a hoe  
at my "r h& ?an an army (  bank         
presid5ts4 ,give me ! ris+ & ! sett+    
sun1 ! f\r  seasons1 & ! peasant's      
portion2 & y may h ! portion ( !        
presid5t4    ,i said we h f>m]s en\gh to
 raise all we ne$4 ,we h m  ?an en\gh4  
,we h m ?an en\gh bank]s2 m ?an en\gh   
automobile-mak]s2 m ?an en\gh           
/ore-keep]s2 m ?an en\gh  coal-m9]s2 m  
?an en\gh cooks & janitors4 ,b we h     
n[h]e  ne> en\gh l&[n]s & peasants4     
,no?+ 9 ! _w w\ld s  /raight5 out       
society z to decl>e next ye> a ,ye> (   
,jubilee1 &  give e man1 n a job1 b 8   
bir?right1 a piece ( l&4    ,we are     

ov]-organiz$ & almo/ de-individualiz$4  
,b ! "t mu/  aga9 come :5 e man %all dig
 & e woman sp91 & e  family build its   
own automobile1 di/ill its own petrol1 &
 "w out  its taxes on ! road4 ,we %all  
always hold to ! social pr9ciple (  !   
division ( labor--,i pl\gh = y2 & y %oe 
my horse = me4  ,b we h c>ri$ !         
pr9ciple1 9 our ov]-organization1 to !  
po9t :]e a man's :ole "p 9 ! _w's "w    
consi/s 9 putt+  on ! left h9d :eel (   
endless automobiles4    ,an eight-h\r   
day w n save t man4 ,& he is typical (  
all m5  to-day4 ,only by 8 acceptance ( 
! duty to dig c he be sav$1  & society )
 him4 ,! pr9ciple ( ! division ( labor  
has be5  misappli$3 in/ead (            
specialization & ! n>r[+ ( ea* man's    
portion1 x %\ld be appli$ broadly1      
multiply+ 8 labors4 ,"w is  creative2 x 
is self-expression2 & ,i %\ld let no man
 d = me  :at ,i c d4 ,he robs me ( liv+ 
:o robs me ( do+4    ,! !ory (          
pres5t-day society--specialization1     
organization1  comb9ation1 quantity     

production--is a fatal application ( a  
p]fectly  s\nd pr9ciple4 ,six automobile
 comb9ations :i* 9 a ye> c  de/roy a    
hundr$ less] comb9ations1 c 9 ano!r ye> 
de/roy all  b "o ( ea* o!r2 & t rema9+  
"o1 hav+ no?+ n[ to  de/roy1 mu/ turn & 
de/roy itself4      ,,iv    ,b ,i am    
conc]n$ ) life & lit]ature4 ,h[ does !  
organization  ( society affect books1   
admitt+ t x affects life8 ,:at is a book
  b a life8--& a m abundant life8       
,ev]ybody :o has liv$ has a  book to    
write4 ,b only ^? :o h liv$ abundantly  
%\ld write  _! books4 ,/>ve a nation    
spiritually1 z ours is be+ />v$2  r$uce 
its life to a me*anical r\t9e2 rob its  
labor ( all creative  quality1 & h[ %all
 x write8    ,! duty to dig applies fir/
 to ! _s4 ,!re is s\nd economy 9  x if  
"o's political economy is s\nd4 ,i d n  
say money4 ,economy  & money are n      
equival5t t]ms4 ,i digg$ z a duty la/   
ye>2 &  z a result ,i did n buy a potato
 f ! 8comb9e0 9 ,ma9e2 ,i  ne>ly got on 
)\t a p\nd ( beef f ,*icago2 & c\ld h   

made  my honey s]ve = ,cuban sug>4 ,!   
same am\nt ( "t sp5t putt+  left h9d    
:eels on automobiles might h br\ght me m
 money1 &  s1 m beef & potatoes & sug>1 
& s1 m g\t & rheumatism4  ,! duty to dig
 compreh5ds a great deal m ?an ord9>y   
economy4    ,i w\ld n imply t ,i c h&le 
! ,beef ,tru/ & ! potato  pirates & !   
sug> b>ons ) my humble hoe2 or snap my  
f+]s  9 ! face ( ,/&>d ,oil1 & say1 8,g 
to1 ,i'll h none ( y\r  tw5ty-eight-c5t 
gas60 ,i d say t sev]al million         
bee-keep]s &  potato-pat*]s1 &          
h5-coop]s1 keep+ busy 9 _! back y>ds1 z 
,i keep busy 9 m9e1 c\ld mightily       
relieve ! railroad conge/ion1  & save   
gasol9e1 & cut 9 on ! dem& = ,*icago    
beef &  cold-/orage eggs1 & g5]ally l[] 
! high co/ ( liv+4    ,x is n because   
!re are 8millions 9 x0 t ,i w\ld h !    
bank] plant 8 back y>d to beans4 ,?oreau
 plant$ two acres &  a half to beans &  
potatoes 7on a weak m>ket1 h[ev]71 ) a  
8pecuni>y pr(it ( #h4ga-a_/b40 ,"h is no
 v great f9ancial  inducem5t to a busy  

bank]1 or to a w>d boss4 ,/ill1 :o bett]
 ?an  ! w>d boss or ! bank] c\ld af=d a 
private beanfield8    ,i say x is n = ! 
sake ( ?is #h4ga-a_/b pr(it ( ,?oreau's 
t  we mu/ dig2 b r = t *apt] on ! bean  
field 9 ,wald5  ,pond1 :i* proves ! real
 wor? ( digg+4    ,!re c h>dly be a =m (
 labor s elem5tal1 s all-dem&+1  s      
abundantly yield+ ( ! fruits ( life1 z  
digg+4 ,yet !re  are ^? :o d\bt ! wisdom
 ( digg+ because ?+s c be b\ght  *eap]  
at ! /ore2 & ^? :o "q _! "r to dig :5   
!y c hire a man to dig = !m2 & !re are  
^? :o hate to  dig1 :o contemn duty1 :o1
 if !y plant1 w plant a piece ( fall[   
l& ) golf-balls only1 & hoe x )         
brassies1 niblicks1 cleeks1  & spoon]s1 
say+ ) ,*auc]'s ,monk3      8444 h[ %all
 ! _w be s]vd8    ,let ,au/yn h 8 swynk 
to 8 res]vd40    ,golf is an anci5t     
game1 no d\bt1 b n s old z g>d5+1 ?\gh  
golf's primordial club & vocabul>y seem 
l ?+s long left ov]1  bits ( t          
,miss+-,l9k ,p]iod betwe5 our arboreal &
 cave-day  pa/4 ,except = call+ ! c[s f 

! mead[1 or fight+ 9  w>1 !re is no?+ we
 d t requires words & weapons1 tools1   
in/rum5ts1 implem5ts1 ut5sils1 app>atus1
 ma*9]y1 or me*anisms  s lack+ 9 "* &   
comel9ess z ! words & clubs (  golf4 ,! 
gurgl+s ( infants seem articulate1 ev5  
to unp>5tal  e>s1 comp>$ ) ! j>gon (    
golf2 & z = billi>d-cues1               
baseball-bats1 pikes1 spades1 %illalahs1
 & tee?+-r+s1 !y h  ! t\* ( poetry on   
!m2 :]eas ! golf-club 0 conceiv$ &  %ap$
 9 utt] unimag9ativ5ess4    ,golf is n  
an anci5t game3 x has ! m>k ( ! ,ma*9e  
^u x2  ! ,preadamites c\ld n h figur$ ! 
game out4 ,g>d5+1 on  ! o!r h&1 if we   
tru/ ,holy ,writ1 0 an in/itution f\nd$ 
be=e ! ,fall1 incorporat$ ) ! social    
ord] f ! />t--an  inh]5t1 ess5tial      
elem5t 9 ! con/itution ( human ?+s3     
8,great nature's primal c\rse1    ,*ief 
n\ri%] 9 life's fea/10    --:i*         
civilization do? murd] z ,macbe? murd]$ 
sleep4    ,golf belongs to civilization 
/rictly1 n to ! human race1 be+ "o  (   
life's po/-,ed5ic precautions1 l        

psy*opa?ic hospitals1 jails1  & homes = 
! feeble-m9d$4 ,a golf c\rse is a       
little-w&]]s'  home2 & if we mu/ h golf 
c\rses1 let _! haz>ds be c>efully       
con/ruct$ on wor?less l&1 & let ! ,civil
 ,s]vice ,bo>d exam9e  ! caddies1 :e!r  
!y be fit gu>ds = ! golf]s1 le/ "s      
small boy be wa/$ :o might h t5d$ real  
%eep on ,norfolk ,d[ns  or h we$$ 9 a   
g>d54    ,x is a duty to dig1 to nail ! 
,/>s & ,/ripes to a lima-bean pole1  &  
plant ! bann] squ>e 9 ! middle ( ! g>d54
 ,pr(its8  pleasures8 ,bo? sorts w gr[1 
especially ! pleasures1 :i* really  are 
"p ( ! pr(its1 till !y fairly smo!r !   
we$s2 n !  lea/ ( ^! be+ y\r s5se ( liv+
 & y\r "r to live1  :i* comes out (     
actually hoe+ y\r own r[--a lit]al r[ ( 
beans or corn or tomatoes4    ,somebody 
mu/ fe$ ! soldi]s2 b nobody mu/ ne$s fe$
 me4 ,x is  n necess>y t ,i live1 h[ev] 
necess>y ,i f9d x to eat2 eat+1  l      
sleep+ & brea?+ & keep+ w>m1 be+ /rictly
 a private  ent]prise t nobody b ,i ne$ 
see z necess>y or be responsible  =4    

,! soldi] mu/ c>ry a %ovel n[adays1 b he
 w require a  hoe1 too1 & a prun+ hook1 
& a pl\gh%>e1 be=e he w be              
self-support+4 ,) su* a kit w> c\ld     
support w> =ev]1  :i* is ! ,ra!nau plan 
( w>1 ) ev]y?+ ,g]man left out1         
consequ5tly ev]y?+ ( w> left out4 ,!    
soldi] _c fe$  himself4 ,! crew ( a     
battle%ip _c be expect$ to cat* _! own  
cod & fl\nd]s4 ,!y mu/ leave t to !     
trawl]s1 ^? human  boats1 ) human crews 
:o fi% = a liv+4 ,m5 ( ! navy mu/  die =
 a liv+4 ,! capta9 ( a ,unit$ ,/ates    
de/roy]1 writ+  to 8 wife1 says1 8,i ?9k
 t ! only real anxiety is le/ we  may n 
get into ! big game at all4 ,i d n ?9k t
 any ( u  are blood?ir/y or desir\s (   
glory or advancem5t1 b we h to  ju/ify  
our exi/5ce40    ,s does e human be+2   
yet an exi/5ce t c be ju/ifi$  only by  
fight+ & dy+ is too unproductive1 too f>
 f  self-support+1 to w>rant ! sure     
call+ & election ( _m (  u4 ,no         
,gr&-,bank] ev] wrote s to 8 wife1 ?\gh 
he might be  return+ ) all 8 salt unwet2

 no college pr(essor ev] wrote  s--n if 
he c\ld get into 8 g>d5--9 spite ( 8    
pupils1 8  college presid5t1 ! tru/ees1 
& ,mr4 ,c>negie's ,effici5cy ,bo>d4     
,tea*+ may n ju/ify a pr(essor's        
exi/5ce1 ?\gh x ought to  ju/ify 8      
sal>y2 s1 e "t ,i />t = ! ,univ]sity1 ,i
 put a  doz5 or two ( eggs into my      
book-bag1 t ,i may h a "r to !  tree (  
life1 & may ent] 9 ?r\gh ! gates into ! 
city4    ,i am n indep5d5t ( society4 ,i
 d n wi% to be indep5d5t4 ,i  wi% to be 
debtor to all & h all debtors to me4 ,b 
we buy too  mu* & sell too mu* ( life1 &
 raise too little4 ,we pay = all  we    
get4 ,sometimes we get all we pay =1 b n
 (t52 & if we nev]  did1 /ill life has s
 ?or\ghly adopt$ ! bus9ess /&>d1 t  we  
_h r keep on pay+ ?an try+ to gr[ our   
way4    ,bus9ess is a way ( liv+ by     
proxy2 money is society's proxy =  e    
sort ( implem5t & tool4 ,to produce     
some?+1 h[ev]--"s  actual weal?1 a      
p5nyweight ( gold-du/1 a p\nd ( honey1 a
 doz5  eggs1 a book1 a boy1 a bun* (    

beets2 "s real weal? out ( !  soil1 out 
( my lo9s1 out ( my bra9s1 out ( my     
muscles & ! sap  ( ! maple1 ! ra9s &    
sun%9e & ! soil1 out ( ! ri*  ve9s ( !  
e>? or ! sw>m+ wat]s ( ! sea--?is is to 
be2  & to be myself1 & n a proxy1 is to 
lose my life & save x1 &  to ju/ify my  
exi/5ce4    ,i h to buy a multitude (   
?+s--transportation1 coal1 d5ti/ry1     
news1 fl\r1 & clo!s4 ,i h paid 9 money =
 !m4 ,i h also  paid 9 real weal?1 hav+ 
giv51 to balance my *>ge on society1 an 
equival5t 9 raw cabbage1 pure honey1    
fre% eggs1 & ! l1 f  my own creat$ /ore4
 ,i am d\btless 9 debt to society1 b ,i 
h  tri$ to give weal? = weal?1 n !      
symbol ( x m]ely2 & la/  ye>1 z ,i      
balanc$ my books1 ,i ?9k ! _w 0 9 debt  
to me by  sev]al bun*es ( beets4 ,i d n 
boa/ ( ! beets1 ?\gh !y take  me out ( !
 debtor's prison :]e mo/ ( u live4 ,i c 
face !  _w1 h[ev]1 ) ^? beets2 ,i h gone
 ov] ! top1 h done  my bit1 ) beets4    
,! olde/ duty on ! human consci5ce is ! 
duty to dig4 ,i am a  college tea*]1 & t

 is an honorable1 if futile1 pr(ession4 
,!  ,scriptures say3 8,he gave "s1      
apo/les2 & "s1 prophets2 & "s1          
evangeli/s2 & "s1 pa/ors & tea*]s02 b1  
be=e !re 7  any su* multif>i\s & highly 
specializ$ ne$s1 x 0 said unto  our fir/
 fa!r3 8,repl5i% ! e>? & subdue x0--a   
univ]sal  human ne$1 a call to duty1 f  
:i* no ,draft ,bo>d ( civilization  c   
rightly exempt u4    ,weal? is n creat$1
 n ev5 increas$1 9 trade4 ,:5 0 "o      
p5nyweight ( gold on '*ange by any magic
 metallurgy ( trade made  two           
p5nyweight8 ,! magic ( ! second         
p5nyweight is ! metallurgy  ( ! pick &  
%ovel & cradle rock+ ! %9+ s&s ( !      
,yukon4 ,real weal? is only circulat$ 9 
trade4 ,x comes f primal  s\rces--f !   
gold-fields1 ! cotton-fields1 !         
corn-fields1 !  fir-clad sides (        
,katahd91 ! wide gray wat]s ( ! ,gr&    
,banks1  ! high valleys ( ! %eep$       
,si]ras1 & f back y>ds1 l  m9e1 t br+ =?
 ?irty- & sixty- & an hundr$-fold4    ,&
 ?is is z pr(\ndly true ( life &        

lit]ature z x is (  cotton & lumb] &    
gold4    ,give me a g>d5 & ! wages (    
hoe+ my r[4 ,& if n a g>d51  !n a little
 h\se ( h5s1 a coop ( pigeons1 a colony 
( bees--ev5  9 ! city ,i %\ld keep bees1
 if ,i _h to keep !m 9 ! attic or  on ! 
ro(4 ,n e "o c h a g>d51 b e "o c ei!r  
plant a tree1 or raise "o pig1 or keep a
 c[ or goat1 or fe$ a few  h5s1 or raise
 a flock ( pigeons1 or d some?+ t w br+ 
him  p]sonally into contact ) real ?+s1 
& make x possible = him  to help pay 8  
way ) real weal?1 & 9 "p1 at lea/1 to   
ju/ify  8 exi/5ce1 & 8 book4            
,,*apt] ,v    ,,! ,,man ,,& ,,! ,,book  
,,*apt] ,v    ,,! ,,man ,,& ,,! ,,book  
,"h on my desk lies a new book entitl$1 
8,= ! ,b5efit ( ,my  ,cr$itors10 !      
autobiography ( ,h9ckley ,gilb]t        
,mit*ell1 a s*ol>1  a tea*] 9 a s*ool ( 
!ology--& n[ ?is book1 a simple1  sad   
book ( human /ruggle & defeat1 (        
spiritual & sci5tific  adv5ture &       
triumph & romance4    ,! s*ol> is n !   
accept$ /uff ( lit]ature4 ,:at ( human  

int]e/ c come out ( a classroom8 ,yet ,i
 h se5 ?is s*ol>'s  classroom :5 x 0    
wild] ?an t5 nights 9 a b>room cr[d$    
into  "o4 ,i h se5 "s lively & human    
times 9 my own classroom2 &  ,i "k t !re
 is z real a *ance1 & z magical a *ance1
 !re  z ,dana f\nd on ! high seas4 ,!re 
are fronti]s = ! s*ol>1  especially 9   
!ology1 z dang]\s 9 _! cross+ z any to  
be met  ) by ! ov]l& pione]4    ,dana   
escap$ f ! decor\s & ! conv5tional life 
( social  ,bo/on by way ( ! deep sea2   
,mit*ell escap$ f ! decor\s &           
conv5tional dogma ( 8 *ur* by way (     
hone/ /udy2 & 8 ,*ur*  tri$ him = h]esy1
 & f\nd him guilty1 & w\ld h burn$ him  
at ! /ake _h t be5 ! decor\s &          
conv5tional mann] (  deal+ ) h]etics at 
! mom5t4 ,z x 01 !y only br&$ him1  &   
ca/ him out z a ?+ unclean4    ,p]haps t
 is n a life human en\gh1 & abundant    
en\gh1 = a  book4 ,x is ! simple /ory ( 
a poor boy pick+ /ones & build+  walls  
on 8 fa!r's f>m 9 ,new ,york ,/ate2 !n1 
z ,director ( !  ,am]ican ,s*ool (      

,ori5tal ,rese>* 9 ,j]usalem1 rebuild+  
8,!  ,wall ( ,nehemiah02 !n1 z s*ol> &  
pr(essor1 re-creat+ 8,!  ,_w be=e       
,abraham02 & f9ally1 z ! /orm c5t] ( "o 
(  ! bitt]e/ !ological controv]sies (   
rec5t ye>s1 dismiss$1  di%onor$1 betray$
 = less ?an ?irty pieces ( silv]1 a     
sil5t1  brok5he>t$ man4 ,x is only ano!r
 v]sion ( an old & v common  /ory4      
,prophets & pione]s are all alike2 & _! 
/ories are mu*  alike1 :e!r ! pages turn
 we/w>d1 :]e new empires take _!  way1  
or ea/w>d1 back along ! s*ol>'s cross$ &
 tangl$ trails  to a _w be=e ,abraham4  
,z ! manuscript ( ! book lay ^u my      
table1 ,i wond]$ if any  publi%] w\ld   
feel ! human pa?os ( ! /ruggle1 & !     
mighty  mean+ ( x all = tru?4 ,:o w\ld  
publi% x8 ,b "h x is1  pr9t$ & b\nd1 a  
book--8,= ! ,b5efit ( ,my ,cr$itors10 z 
if he  7 debtor to all1 8 enemies       
includ$1 & ow$ !m only love4    ,?is is 
z mode/ & self-)hold+ a /ory z a man ev]
 told (  himself4 ,!re are all too few (
 su* human /ories4 ,?is "o w\ld  nev] h 

be5 told _h ! au?or n hat$ intellectual 
c[>dice  z he hat$ moral c[>dice1 ) a   
p]fect hatr$4 ,he s\ght !  tru?--9 !    
,bible1 & 9 8 own m9d4 ,! geologi/ seeks
 "s  ( ! same tru? 9 ! rocks2 ! a/ronom]
 9 ! />s4 ,! ,old  ,te/am5t 0 ?is       
s*ol>'s field4 ,&1 lay+ aside tradition 
& !  _s ( dogma1 he s\ght z a sci5ti/   
seeks1 pati5tly1 fe>lessly1  rev]5tly1 =
 :at 8 long & ?or\gh prep>ation made him
  em95tly able to f9d4    ,?is is !     
highe/ type ( c\rage & d>+4 ,:o f9ds    
tru? f9ds  trial & adv5ture4 ,9 8       
condemnation by ! bi%ops ( 8 ,*ur*1  he 
felt t tru? _h be5 assail$ & ! sci5tific
 me?od4 ,he did  n write ?is book to    
def5d ! tru?1 nor to def5d himself2 b to
  exam9e himself1 z he w\ld exam9e a    
difficult fragm5t ( ,hebrew  manuscript1
 & make himself easy = o!r m5 to read4  
,8 trial 0 long pa/1 & mo/ ( 8 life _h  
be5 liv$1 be=e a  page ( 8 book 0       
writt54 ,he came at x reluctantly3 he   
might seem  p]sonal--petty or selfi% or 
egoti/ical2 or he might say some?+      

bitt] & v9dictive & d h>m to ! ,*ur*4 ,b
 nei!r himself  nor 8 ,*ur* mu/ /& 9 !  
way ( tru?2 & 9 8 trial1 tru?  _h be5   
tri$1 & ! only way ( kn[+ tru? _h be5   
condemn$4  ,s he sits d[n to write ?is  
/ory ( 8 life exactly z he sat d[n  to  
write a comm5t>y on ! ,book (           
,g5esis--to acc\nt = 8 be+  z a man & a 
s*ol>1 8 prep>ation1 8 me?ods ( /udy1 8 
attitude1 & approa*4    ,h[ mu* tru? has
 he discov]$8 ,he makes no claims4 ,d>w9
 may or may  n h ! tru? ab\t ,evolution2
 b we h a c]ta9 & a great  tru? 9       
,d>w9--9 8 m9d & me?od4 ,x 0 h[ ,d>w9   
tri$ to  solve ! problem ( life & its   
=ms1 r ?an ! solution1 t  has *ang$ !   
?9k+ ( ! _w4    ,= ?ree ye>s ,i 0 a     
/ud5t ( ,hebrew & ,old ,te/am5t         
,exegesis  "u ?is s*ol>4 ,i h =gott5 all
 he taught me1 & m4 ,b  ! way he taught 
me has *ang$ =ev] my outlook ^u life4 ,8
  attitude 0 tru?1 & x flood$ n only !  
:ole m9d1 b "o's  :ole be+1 ) light4 ,_m
 a "t ,i h sat 9 8 classroom dur+  !    
discussion ( "s highly difficult &      

dang]\s "q (  doctr9e1 & said to myself1
 amid ! drawn dagg]s ( ^? :o _h  come to
 trap him1 8,"r or wrong 8 f9d+s1 he is 
himself tru?1  its life & way40    ,life
 en\gh = a book8 ,he c\ld h writt5 a    
book on tea*+4 ,=  he lov$ to tea*6 ,he 
lov$ to tea* "y prea*]s4 ,he c\ld n     
prea*2 b he 0 ! tea*] born4 ,! classroom
 0 8 f !  f\ndation ( ! _w4 ,"h he 0    
prea*+ truly--f a ?\s&  future pulpits  
at ! v ends ( ! e>?4 ,he saw 8 /ud5ts   
scatt]$ ov] ! :ole _w prea*+ to !       
intellig5ces ( m5  z well z to _! he>ts2
 reveal+ ! wisdom z well z ! love  (    
,god2 & exp\nd+ a div9] ,bible because x
 0 a :olly human  ,bible4 ,9 all ( ^!   
pulpits he he>d himself speak+ ) tongues
  n 8 own1 b ! message 0 8 own1 ! simple
 s9c]e fai? (  8 classroom4    ,! ?\ght 
( x ?rill$ him4 ,x lift$ him up4 ,he    
dwelt 9 !  pres5ce ( ! opportunity z 9 !
 v pres5ce ( ! ,mo/ ,high4  ,z humble a 
man z ev] liv$1 d\bt+ 8 e p[] & gift1 & 
rely+ only on ! tru? to make him free1  
he w\ld come into !  classroom & take 8 

*air on ! six-in* plat=m1 :i* rais$  him
 by s mu* above 8 /ud5ts1 z if t plat=m 
7 ! ,m\nt  ( ,transfiguration4 ,8 face  
w\ld %9e2 8 voice1 8 ge/ures1 8         
attitude work+ ) 8 c>eful words1 made 8 
:ole be+ radiant  ) zeal = ! tru? & love
 = u1 8 /ud5ts1 s my/]i\sly  giv5 to 8  
c>e4    ,!n sudd5ly1 aft] m ?an tw5ty   
ye>s ( ?is1 he 0  expell$--driv5 f ?is  
sacr$ classroom & br&$ z uns\nd1        
unsafe1 unfit6    ,no1 n sudd5ly4 ,x 0  
only ! v]dict ( 8 judges t came         
sudd5ly4 ,no "o n[adays c\ld prep>e 8   
m9d = a judgm5t l  t4 ,= five or six ( !
 ye>s1 dur+ :i* ! tr\ble-mak]s1  "u     
pret5se ( /udy1 _h elect$ 8 c\rses at ! 
,!ological  ,s*ool1 ,i _h ei!r be5 a    
/ud5t "u him or 8 close &  sympa!tic    
fri5d4 ,i knew1 z he knew1 t 8 enemies  
w\ld /op at  no?+ 9 _! bitt] zeal2 /ill1
 ,i rememb] vividly ! utt] %ock  &      
a/oni%m5t ( ! bi%ops' decision4 ,& ,i   
rememb]--= ,i _c  =get--its /range numb+
 effect ^u him4 ,x came ov] him sl[ly1  
else ,i ?9k he might h di$4 ,x crept ^u 

him l a dreadful  palsy1 leav+ him daz$ 
& dumb4 ,he 0 too simple a man to       
realize  x quickly1 too entirely s+le 9 
m9d & he>t to realize x :olly4  ,x sl[ly
 cru%$ him to ! e>?4 ,& nev] 9 all !    
aft] ye>s  0 he :ole aga94 ,8 he>t 0    
brok54 ,he rose up & taught1 until  ! v 
h\r ( 8 dea?1 b nev] aga9 9 8 old       
classroom nor  ) 8 old _s4 ,day aft] day
 he w\ld pass by ! ,!ological  ,s*ool ) 
its hundr$s ( eag] /ud5ts2 he w\ld see  
!m ga!r+  at ! h\r ( 8 lecture2 b ano!r 
tea*] 7"o :om he _h  tra9$7 w\ld come 9 
& take 8 place1 :ile he plodd$ d[n !    
/reet & on1 a %eph]d )\t 8 %eep4        
,meantime he 0 call$ to tea* 9 ano!r    
graduate s*ool4 ,he welcom$  ?is new "w4
 ,he f\nd honor1 & love1 & fell[%ip     
among 8 new  colleagues4 ,!y gave him   
fre$om4 ,!y creat$ a place = him t  _h n
 be5 be=e4 ,he c\ld tea* :at he wi%$ & z
 he wi%$4  ,x 0 en\gh = !m to h him     
among !m1 & _m a "t he told  me ( h[    
unwor?y he felt ( all ?is love & honor 9
 8 decl9+  ye>s1 & h[ x _h /ay$ & /eadi$

 him 9 8 deep defeat4 ,b  !y did n ne$  
him "h--s he felt4 ,x 0 m = ! honor (   
s*ol>%ip ?an = ! good he w\ld d !m4 ,b  
he felt t !y  did ne$ him at 8 own      
belov$ s*ool1 ^: policies he _h help$ to
  %ape1 ^: _s he _h help$ to create1 ^: 
"n & fame he  _h s l>gely help$ to      
e/abli%1 & ^: /ud5ts1 cr[d+ 9  f ! ea/ &
 f ! great we/1 he long$ to take into 8 
he>t  & 8 home1 z = s _m happy ye>s he  
_h be5 9 ! habit (  do+4    8,o         
,j]usalem1 ,j]usalem10 he w\ld cry z he 
pass$ by on ! /reet1  a /rang]1 & saw ! 
/ud5ts go+ 9 & out1 8,o ,j]usalem1      
,j]usalem1 :i* kille? ! prophets1 444 h[
 (t5 w\ld ,i h  ga!r$ ?y *ildr5 toge!r1 
ev5 z a h5 ga!re? h] *ick5s  "u h] w+s1 
& ye w\ld n60    ,?is1 h[ev]1 0 n ! do+ 
( ! s*ool4 ,faculty & /ud5ts1  ) !      
exception ( ^? few :o came = ! express  
purpose (  accus+ him1 7 loyal4 ,!      
presid5t ( ! ,univ]sity1 8 close  fri5d1
 0 loyal1 & did all t lay 9 8 p[] to    
prev5t !  iniquity ( ! trial & !        
decision4 ,?is only add$ to ! trag$y4   

,to h be5 tri$ by 8 pe]s & co-labor]s1  
by ^? :o knew  him & ! field ( 8 labors1
 w\ld h be5 p]fectly fair1 b  to be     
accus$ by ?ree or f\r n>r[-m9d$ /ud5ts  
7"o ( :om  recant$ lat] & all ( :om     
des]ve oblivion71 :o _h come )  malice  
a=e?\ght1 ^: v pres5ce 9 ! s*ool 0 a    
lie1 to be  accus$ by su* z ^!1 ,i say1 
& !n tri$ by a bo>d ( judges1  to :om he
 0 l>gely a /rang]1 n "o ( :om probably 
0 8  equal z a s*ol> 9 ! field          
involv$--?is made ! %ame to !  s*ool1 to
 himself1 & to tru?1 d\bly deep & sore4 
,!re rema9$ "o ?+ m = him to d2 & z soon
 z he c\ld d  x k9dly1 z a ,*ri/ian1 &  
dispassionately1 z a s*ol>1 )\t  bias or
 prejudice or any p]sonal ends except ! 
ends ( gratitude  & tru?1 he set ab\t 8 
autobiography4 ,& ,i wond] if1 among    
autobiographies1 !re is ano!r t         
approa*es 8 = deta*m5t1  re/ra9t1 &     
self-negation2 = absolute adh]5ce to !  
facts =  ! sake ( ! tru? involv$1 a tru?
 n ( self at all1 b :olly  ( s*ol>%ip8  
,?is is m ( a !sis ?an an               

autobiography--z if  ! au?or 7 writ+ (  
ano!r 8,wall ( ,nehemiah10 & no m       
involv$ 9 x1 p]sonally1 ?an he 0 pres5t 
9 8,! ,_w be=e  ,abraham06    ,?is is "o
 ( ! mo/ rem>kable evid5ces ( sev]e &   
sci5tific  s*ol>%ip t ,i h ev] se52 & x 
is equal evid5ce ( !  inh]5t lit]>y     
value ( human life4 ,no accus+ ^w is "h1
  no?+ bitt] & un*ri/ian4 ,b j !        
opposite3 8,= !  ,b5efit ( ,my          
,cr$itors0 is a "w ( love4 ,8 v "* _h   
be5 assail$ by 8 enemies1 b ?is1 :ile x 
hurt1 c\ld n h>m  him4 ,he /ood ^u 8    
consci\s integrity1 calm & sil5t4 ,x 0  
n ! attack ^u himself t conc]n$ him4 ,x 
0 t ,tru? _h  be5 attack$4 ,x 0 an      
attempt to make ! ,bible a d5om9ational 
book2 to conf\nd tru? ) tradition & give
 x a doctr9al color  or a d5om9ational  
slant4 ,! ,*ur* may compel its !ologians
 to  d t if x has to1 b its s*ol>s1 ^?  
:o discov] tru?1 x  %\ld leave free4    
,god & tru? are n d5om9ational1 nor     
,prote/ant  nor ,ca?olic nor ,hebrew4   
,god is tru?1 & s+le or sep>ate1 ,god  &

 ,tru? belong to ! fe>less1 ! frank1 & !
 pure--9 sci5ce  n m ?an 9 religion4 ,= 
8are ye n z ! *ildr5 ( !  ,e?iopians    
unto me1 ,o *ildr5 ( ,israel8444 ,h n ,i
 br\ght up  ,israel out ( ! l& ( ,egypt1
 & ! ,phili/9es f ,caphtor1 &  !        
,syrians f ,kir80    ,i recall ! day we 
came ^u t wond]ful passage 9 ,amos 9    
our /udy ( ?is prophet2 & h[ = ! fir/ "t
 9 my life  ! univ]sality ( tru? dawn$  
^u me out ( t passage4 ,i  _h _h a      
tribal1 d5om9ational ,god1 up to t "t4  
,i _h be5  see+ diff]5t k9ds ( tru?--l !
 diff]5t tribes ( old 9  ,pale/9e--w>r+ 
tru?s1 ea* ) its own t]ritory1 its own  
grip  ^u me1 :5 sudd5ly1 z ! 8,rabbi0   
op5$ up ?is mighty say+  ( ,amos1 ,i saw
 "o ,god ( u all1 "o tru? = u all1 & all
 (  u se>*+1 "u ,god's lead+1 = ! tru?4 
,h5ce=? !  ,phili/9es & ! ,syrians & !  
*ildr5 ( ,israel 7 to be z  ! ,e?iopians
 to me1 z !y are to ,god--all ( u l$ by 
him1 & all  ( u free4 ,no tea*] ev]     
taught me a div9] lesson ?an t4    ,x 0 
n a body ( tru? t ?is great tea*] 0     

call$ to  exp\nd4 ,x 0 ! _s ( tru?--!   
desire = tru?1 ! se>*  = tru?1 ! nature 
( tru?1 t x is ,god--?is 0 8 high       
call+4 ,& 9 condemn+ him1 8 ,*ur* 0     
conf\nd+ tradition  & tru?1 block+ !    
road to tru?1 & ?reat5+1 9 ?is  example 
( him1 to puni% ! d>+ :o discov] & br+ u
 =w>d  into new realms ( tru?4 ,9 8     
trial & condemnation ! ,*ur* 0  say+3   
8,/udy1 b /udy to p]petuate ! pa/2 to   
pres]ve ! old2  to def5d doctr9e1 &     
e/abli% tradition4 ,we h ! tru?1 !  :ole
 tru?1 & no?+ b ! tru?4 ,no new light c 
possibly break  =? f ,god's ^w1 or f any
 ^w4 ,revelation is clos$4 ,& if  y ?9k 
y h new light1 hide x1 & if y discov]   
new tru?1  d n publi% x1 d n tea* x1 =  
among ! ?ree hundr$ m5 9  y\r s*ool !re 
are ?ree :o h clos$ _! m9ds to light &  
tru?1 & h sworn by all ! pa/ to keep !m 
clos$2 & x w\ld  jeop>dize ! ,*ur* if y 
%\ld pry ^? ?ree m9ds op5 to !  light & 
to ! tru? ( to-day40    ,^! are n 8     
words4 ,!re is a tang ( bitt]ness 9 !m4 
,!y  are m9e4 ,yet x 0 p>tly because he 

believ$ t ! ,*ur* meant  to make him a  
w>n+ to all s*ol>s & hone/ ?9k]s )9 its 
fold1 t he set ab\t 8 autobiography1 :i*
 he di$ writ+4    8,rabbi10 we /ud5ts   
call$ him affectionately1 & /rangely    
en\gh  he seem$ to look ! "p4 ,he 0 !   
?or\gh s*ol>4 ,c>eful1  me?odical by    
nature1 he 0 sev]ely tra9$1 & to all (  
?is he  add$ a pr(\nd rev]5ce = ! ,book 
:i* 0 8 life's /udy1  & felt a deep s5se
 ( 8 responsibility z its tea*]4 ,_h 8  
life's task be5 a hay/ack ) "o s+le     
ne$le ( div9e tru? lo/  )9 x1 he w\ld h 
tirelessly tak5 x d[n1 /raw by /raw1 =  
! ne$le ( tru?1 j z ,madame ,curie1 aw>e
 ( "s my/]i\s  p[] 9 ! crude common bulk
 ( slag1 pati5tly elim9at$ p\nd  aft]   
p\nd1 ton aft] ton ( ! gross elem5ts    
until %e held 9 h]  h& ! puls+ p>ticle (
 radium1 h>dly l>g] ?an ! head ( a  p91 
^: light illum9es & almo/ bl9ds ! grop+ 
_w4 ,_h  ,pr(essor ,mit*ell n be5 a     
/ud5t ( ! ,bible1 he might h be5  a     
/ud5t ( *emi/ry1 = 8 me?ods & 8 zeal 7  
exactly ^?  ( ! discov]] 9 any field1 & 

x might h be5 8 honor &  glory1 z x     
*anc$ to be ,madame ,curie's1 to give   
radium to ! _w4    ,in/ead ( glory1 8 0 
condemnation & defeat4 ,yet 8 v m9d  &  
me?od1 appli$ any:]e else1 w\ld h won   
him di/9ction &  honor4 ,!re is no o!r  
m9d or me?od1 except ! clos$ m9d &  !   
me?od ( appeal to au?ority1 z aga9/ !   
trial by exp]im5t  & fact4 ,tru? is tru?
 :e!r 9 ,!ology or 9 ,*emi/ry1 & only  !
 op5 m9d1 ! free1 ! bold1 ! exp]im5t+   
m9d f9ds x4  ,traditions h to be def5d$4
 ,tru? is its own def5se4 ,! m9d (  !   
great s*ol> is nev] on ! def5sive4 ,let 
8! ,=ts ( ,folly  fall10 he is f> ov] ! 
fronti] :]e !re is no ne$ = =ts4  ,s "h 
9 8 life he writes n to def5d himself1 b
 to express  himself1 8 gratitude2 & to 
expla9 himself1 8 position1 8  purpose1 
8 pr9ciples z to ! way ( tru?4    ,"h is
 a man :o 0 z simple z he 0 s9c]e4 ,b   
simplicity 9  a great _s is ! sign1 ! v 
expression ( s9c]ity4 ,he 0  int]e/$ 9  
all human ?+s4 ,he c\ld make wond]ful   
c(fee4 ,he  c\ld build a /one wall ) !  

be/ ( masons1 & h[ he us$ to  tramp !   
woods ) me = mu%rooms6    ,i 0 a /rang] 
9 ,bo/on & _h be5 9 8 classes = a week1 
p]haps1 :5 ,i met him d[nt[n4 ,x 0 a v  
real pleasure to be  /opp$ & call$ by "n
 & quizz$ by ! great ,rabbi4 ,:at 0 ,i  
look+ = 9 ,bo/on8 ,a hamm]8 8,come      
along10 he said1 turn+ %ort  ab\t1      
8!re's a good h>dw>e /ore d[n ?is /reet4
 ,i'll g )  y & see t y get a           
,maydole--a ,maydole n[--!y're ! only   
we> 9 hamm]s40 ,i got ! ,maydole2 t 0   
tw5ty-six ye>s ago2 ,i  h x yet4 ,8 0 a 
little act4 ,b ,i h drawn _m a nail )  t
 hamm]4 ,yea1 ,i h built him a mansion )
 x4    ,i speak ( t little ?+ because x 
0 a *>act]i/ic act4 ,!  details ( life  
trem5d\sly int]e/$ him4 ,he 0 entirely  
human  & z int]e/$ 9 ! human side ( 8   
/ud5ts z he 0 9  _! intellectual &      
spiritual sides4 ,f my /udy w9d[ "h 9   
,h+ham z ,i write1 eight /one faces />e 
at me out ( ! reta9+  wall 9 !          
driveway1--big granite *unks ( b\ld] !y 
7 9 my  mead[ ye>s ago4 ,x 0 ! ,rabbi :o

 rigg$ ! tackle & help$  me put ^? /ones
 "h 9 ! wall4 ,he c\ld fix a toggle1 he 
c\ld  8cut0 & 8pize0 & 8wop0 a /one )   
lev] & *a9 s z to 8move  m\nta9s40      
8,!re6 ,!re60 he w\ld say1 8let ! m>e d 
! "w2  let ! m>e d ! "w10 :5 ,i w\ld ru%
 up at a qu>t]-ton  *unk ( solid granite
 &1 b>e-h&$1 try to hu/le x on to !     
/one-boat4    ,he _h built /one walls   
be=e--back on ! hill f>m 9 ,new ,york   
,/ate1 :]e he 0 born & _h 8 boyhood4    
,lat] he 8re/or$0 !  ,wall ( ,nehemiah  
ab\t ,j]usalem1 b n ) any m ze/ ?an he  
help$ me build ) actual /ones ! reta9+  
wall = my driveway  up ,mulle9 ,hill 9  
,h+ham4 ,su* is ! man4 ,w\ld he be      
sub/ance =  a book8    ,!ological /ud5ts
 are z naturally full ( tr\ble z        
rag-we$s  are ( poll54 ,!y "k en\gh to  
d\bt2 !y are old en\gh to be  m>ri$2 !y 
are poor2 & !y prea*2 & !y w\ld l to be 
pi\s2 b ! _w & ! fle% & ! devil are     
aga9/ !m4 ,!y  are only z good z !      
av]age ( mank9d1 b !y h m ?an an  av]age
 %>e ( tribulations4 ,!y ne$            

,hebrew--all ( !m--:i*  is "o m t]rible 
tr\ble6 ,b !y sorely ne$ human sympa?y &
  wise c\nsel1 & :e!r !y got ,hebrew or 
fail$ to get x1 nev] a  man came into ! 
,rabbi's classroom :o did n also ent] at
 ! same  mom5t into 8 op5 he>t & op5    
home4 ,classroom & he>t & home  belong$ 
to e man :o w\ld ent]4 ,8 capacity =    
pati5ce 9 !  classroom 0 only equal$ by 
! b\ndless sympa?y & ! simple           
hospitality ( 8 ne>-by home4    ,is x a 
wond] t ! great body ( 8 /ud5ts 7       
conf\nd$ &  dismay$ t he c\ld be tri$ on
 "s te*nical po9t or o!r & be  eject$ f 
8 *air z unfit to tea* ^? :o 7 to prea* 
!  ,gospel8    ,aft] ! trial ! en=c$    
leisure 0 imm$iately turn$ to new       
/udies & l>g] lit]>y plans4 ,fre% fields
 7 op5$1 too1 =  lectur+--9 ! ,univ]sity
 ( ,*icago1 9 ,h>v>d ,univ]sity2 &  !n  
soon came ! invitation to jo9 ! /aff (  
,tufts ,!ological  ,s*ool z a memb] ( ! 
faculty4 ,life has its comp5sations &   
rew>ds2 & if !re 0 no cure = ! mortal   
w\nd he _h receiv$  at ! h&s ( 8 bre?r5 

9 8 own ,*ur*1 ?is invitation to        
,tufts1 & ! p]fect fell[%ip !re to ! day
 he di$1 0  a comp5sation & a           
satisfaction t gave to 8 life a sweet   
reasonabl5ess1 complet5ess1 & rew>d4    
,!re 0 no v>iabl5ess nor %ad[ caus$ by  
turn+ 9 8  unhurri$ life4 ,! loss ( 8   
*air did n mean ! end ( 8  creative     
s*ol>%ip4 ,he work$ to ! la/1 & 0 prep>+
 =  ! day's "w :5 dea? came4 ,he knew   
our he>ts1 b we ourselves  h>dly knew !m
 till he _h gone4 ,!n ! swift ^w rea*$  
u1  & we 7 told t we %\ld see him no m1 
t he 0 to be  buri$ af> ) no s]vice (   
any k9d = him "h--"h :]e he  _h labor$ s
 _m ye>s6 ,x c\ld n be4 ,on e h& 8 old  
pupils appe>$--,me?odi/1 ,univ]sali/1   
,unit>ian--9 "o m9d1 all  diff]5ces     
=gott5 9 _! s+le love = ! hone/ s*ol>1 !
  direct1 ! e>ne/1 ! s9c]e tea*]1 !     
simple man1 ^: life  _h be5 devot$ to   
le>n+ & to do+ good1--on e h& !y app    
e>$ & gave him 8,! ,gramm>ian's         
,fun]al40      8,?i!r our pa? lies2 w9d 
we up ! heights6            ,wait ye !  

w>n+8    ,our l[ life 0 ! level's & !   
night's3            ,he's = ! morn+4    
,/ep to a tune1 squ>e *e/s1 erect ea*   
head1            ',w>e ! behold]s6      
,?is is our ma/]1 fam\s1 calm1 & dead1  
,borne on our %\ld]s4      8,?is1 ?r[s  
himself on ,god1 & unp]plex$            
,seek+ %all f9d him4    ,s1 ) ! ?rottl+ 
h&s ( dea? at /rife1            ,gr\nd  
he at gramm>2    ,/ill1 ?r\gh ! rattle1 
p>ts ( spee* 7 rife3            ,:ile he
 c\ld /amm]    ,he settl$ ,hoti's       
bus9ess--let x be6--            ,prop]ly
 bas$ ,oun--    ,gave u ! doctr9e ( !   
enclitic ,de1            ,dead f ! wai/ 
d[n4      8,"h's ! top-peak2 ! multitude
 bel[            ,live1 = !y c1 !re3    
,?is man decid$ n to ,live b ,"k--      
,bury ?is man !re8    ,"h--"h's 8 place1
 :]e meteors %oot1 cl\ds =m1            
,lightn+s are loos5$1    ,/>s come & g6 
,let joy break ) ! /orm1                
,peace let ! dew s5d6    ,l(ty designs  
mu/ close 9 l effects3                  
,l(tily ly+1    ,leave him--/ill l(ti]  

?an ! _w suspects1            ,liv+ &   
dy+40          ,,*apt] ,,vi    ,a       
,,janu>y ,,summ]          ,,*apt] ,,vi  
,a ,,janu>y ,,summ]      ,:5 w9t] w9ds  
bl[ cold & *ill    ,& ?r\gh ! haw?orn   
h[ls ! gale      ,! w9t] w9ds 7 truly   
cold & *ill on ?is tw5ty-fir/ (  ,janu>y
 "h 9 ,massa*usetts4 ,& ,i *ance to "k  
!y 7 *ill  d[n along ! ,delaw>e ?is     
p>ticul> ,janu>y day4 ,i rememb] _m a   
,janu>y day l ?is on ! wide m>%es ( !   
,delaw>e & 9 !  big woods along !       
,maurice ,riv] :]e ,i 0 a boy4 ,b ,i 0 n
  ?9k+ ( ^? days at all "h 9 my ,new    
,engl& home1 = ,i 0  busy at my desk4   
,"s "o 0 at my /udy door4 ,m ?an "o1 =  
,i he>d l[ talk+4  ,!n ! door s(tly     
op5$1 & f\r bebundl$ boys /ood be=e     
me--) an axe1 a long-h&l$ %ovel1 a cov]$
 basket1 & a v  big secret1 :i* /uck out
 all ov] _! faces4    ,!y 7 n big boys  
outside4 ,b !y 7 almo/ bur/+ inside  )  
_! big secret4 ,!y 7 big ) boots & coats
 & caps &  mitt5s2 & !y look$ almo/ l   
mon/]s 9 my /udy door )  _! axe & %ovel 

& big basket4    8,come on1 fa!r10 !y   
:isp]$ 7z if ,%e hadn't he>d !m  tramp+ 
?r\gh ! hall & up/airs ) _! kit671 8come
 on6 ,x's  "m's bir?day to-morr[1 &     
we're go+ aft] ! fl[]s40    8,:at60 ,i  
exclaim$4 8,are y go+ to *op ! fl[]s d[n
 )  an axe1 & dig !m up ) a %ovel80 ,&  
,i tri$ to ?9k :at a  *opp$-d[n & dug-up
 bir?day b\quet w\ld look l4 ,b x 0  too
 mu* = me4    8,y are go+ to give h] a  
nice bun* ( fro/ fl[]s10 ,i said1  feel+
 ab\t 9 my puzzl$ m9d = j :at 0 afoot4  
8,if y are  go+ to give h] fro/ fl[]s1 y
 _h bett] get ! ice-saw1 too1  = we %all
 ne$ a big block ( ice to /ick _! /ems  
940    ,n a ^w ( comm5t6 ,no sign on !  
f\r faces t !y _h ev5  he>d my g5tle    
bant]4 ,!y knew :at !y 7 go+ to d2 & all
  !y want$ ( me 0 to come along4        
8,hurry up10 !y answ]$1 dropp+ my       
hip-boots on ! floor4 8,"h  are y\r     
scuffs40    ,i hurri$ up6 ,scuffs &     
boots & cap & reef] on 9 a jiffy1 &  !  
five ( u 7 soon 9 s+le file ^u ! mead[1 
! dry sn[  squeal+ "u our feet1 :ile !  

little imp-w9ds1 cap]+ fitfully  ab\t u1
 blew ! sn[du/ into our faces1 or cat*+ 
up ! ?9  drifts1 s5t !m :irl+ & waltz+1 
l gho/ly danc]s1 ov] !  mead['s level   
glitt]+ floor4    ,i 0 beg9n+ to w>m up 
a little2 b ,i 0 /ill guess+ ab\t !     
fl[]s1 & n yet 9 ! _s ( ! game4    ,we 7
 hav+ a h>d w9t]1 & ! novelty ( z]o     
wea!r 0  beg9n+ to we> (f--at lea/ to   
me4 ,! fact 0 ,i _h int5d$  to get !    
bir?day fl[]s d[n at ! gre5h\se 9 !     
village4  ,janu>y is an awkw>d "t to h a
 bir?day1 anyh[4 ,june is a mu*  m      
reasonable mon? = bir?days1 if y ga!r   
wild fl[]s =  ! celebration4 ,! fields  
are full ( fl[]s 9 ,june6 ,b "h 9       
,janu>y y mu/ g ) an axe & a %ovel1     
mitt5s1 rubb]-boots1  & reef]s6 ,& ,i   
confess ,i c\ldn't make head or tail (  
?is fe/ive  trip4    ,x is a lucky man  
:o has boys1 or :o kn[s & 8tra9s10 z our
 ,new  ,engl&]s say1 ) boys4 ,!y won't  
let him freeze up4    8,come1 fa!r10 !y 
say1 8get into y\r scuffs & boots1 & hit
  ! old trail = ! woods60 ,& fa!r drops 

8 p52 bundles up2  8clomps0 out 9 8     
boots1 grumbl+ at ! wea!r & ! boys &  ! 
bir?days & ! /iffness 9 8 knees & 9 8   
s\l--= a  :ole hundr$ y>ds or m into !  
mead[6 ,!n he beg9s to w>m up4  ,!n he  
takes ! axe f "o ( ! boys & looks at its
 edge1 &  8hefts0 x2 & looks ab\t = a   
big bir?day fl[]1 ab\t ! size  ( a      
hundr$-ye>-old oak1 to *op d[n4 ,some?+ 
que] is happ5+  to fa!r4 ,he is =gett+ 8
 knees2 he is cap]+ ab\t on !  sn[2 he  
is gett+ ahead ( ! boys2 he h>dly       
realizes x1 b he is  beg9n+ to feel l a 
bir?day inside ( him2 & he w soon be 9  
dang] ( gett+ ?is ,janu>y day mix$ up ) 
! days ( ,june6    ,b n "r (f4 ,i 0 w>m+
 up1 ,i d confess1 yet x 0 a numb1  /iff
 _w ab\t u1 & bleak & />k4 ,x 0 a _w t  
look$  all black & :ite1 = !re 0 n a    
pat* ( blue ov]head4 ,!  :ite und]foot  
ran (f to meet ! black ( ! woods1 & !   
woods  9 turn /ood d>k aga9/ a sky s    
heavy ) sn[ z to %ut u  app>5tly into "s
 va/ sn[ cave4 ,a cr[ flapp+ ov] drew a 
black  p5cil-l9e across ! picture--! "o 

sign ( life t we c\ld see  besides      
ourselves4 ,only small boys are likely  
to leave _! firesides  on su* a day2    
only small boys & ^? m5 :o c't gr[ up4  
,yet  nev] be=e1 p]haps1 _h boys or m5  
ev] gone afield on su* a tramp  ) an    
axe1 a %ovel1 & a basket4    ,sudd5ly "o
 ( ! boys da%$ (f call+1 8,let's g see  
if !  muskrats h gone to b$ yet60 ,&    
trail+ aft] him away we w5t1  /raight   
across ! mead[4 ,i knew :at he 0 aft]2  
,i c\ld see !  little m\nd1 h>dly m ?an 
an an?ill 9 size1 /&+ up 9 !  mead[ :]e 
! ald] bu%es & eld]b]ry m>k$ ! b5d 9 !  
brook4 ,if my f>m] neighbor _h =gott5 a 
small haycock1 :5 he cut  8 r[51 x w\ld 
h look$ ab\t z ?is muskrat lodge "h     
buri$  "u ! sn[4 ,i 0 glad ! boys _h se5
 x4 ,= only a practic$  eye c\ld h      
discov]$ x2 & only a lov] ( bleak gray  
days w\ld  h kn[n :at might be alive    
deep d[n "u its ?at* ( cat-tails  &     
calamus "h 9 ! sil5t w9t]4    ,b is !re 
any day 9 ! :ole ye> out ( doors t real 
live boys  & real live girls d n love8  

or any wild ?+ t !y d n  love--fl[] or  
bird or bea/ or /> or /orm8    ,we crept
 up s(tly1 & surr\nd$ ! lodge2 !n ) !   
axe we  /ruck ! froz51 fl9ty ro( sev]al 
r++ bl[s4 ,in/antly  "o--two--?ree      
muffl$ spla%y 8plunks0 7 he>d1 z ?ree   
little muskrats1 fright5$ out ( _! naps 
& half out ( _!  wits1 plung$ into ! op5
 wat] ( _! doorways f (f _! damp  b cozy
 c\*4    ,x 0 a mean ?+ to d1 b n v mean
 z wild animal life goes4  ,& x did w>m 
me up s1 9 spite ( ! *illy plunge !     
little  sleep]s took6 ,*illy to !m8 ,n  
at all1 & t is :y x w>m$  me4 ,to he> ! 
spla% ( wat] d[n "u ! two feet ( ice &  
sn[  t seal$ ! mead[ l a %eet ( /eel6   
,to he> ! s\nd (  /irr+ life1 & to      
picture t snug1 /eam+ b$ on ! top ( a   
t\gh old tussock1 ) its op5 wat]-doors  
lead+ into fre$om &  pl5ty bel[6 8,:y1 x
 won't be long be=e ! arbutus is 9      
bloom10  ,i began to ?9k4 ,i look$ at ! 
axe & %ovel1 & said to myself1  8,well1 
! boys may "k :at !y are do+1 aft] all1 
?\gh ?ree  muskrats don't make a spr+ or

 a b\quet40    ,b !y did make me w>m]   
inside & outside1 too4 ,w>m up y\r he>t 
& y soon feel w>m] 9 y\r f+]s & toes4   
,we turn$ back f ! muskrats' lodge &    
head$ aga9 = ! woods1  :]e ! fl[]s mu/  
be4 ,h>dly _h we rea*$ ! c>t-pa? be=e   
ano!r ( ! boys 0 (f--?is "t to ! left1  
go+ rapidly  t[>d a l[ piece ( maple    
swamp p]haps a qu>t] ( a mile away4     
8,he's go+ ov] to see if ,hairy         
,woodpeck] is 9 8 hole10 said !  boys 9 
answ] to my "q4 8,hairy has a w9t] hole 
ov] !re 9 a  big dead maple4 ,want to   
see him80    ,( c\rse ,i want$ to see   
him4 ,! only live ?+ outside ( ourselves
  t we _h se5 7we _h only he>d !        
muskrats7 _h be5 a cr[4  ,live birds on 
su* days z ^! "o w\ld g f> to see4 ,s we
 all cut  across t[>d ! swamp :]e !     
hairy woodpeck] reign$ solit>y 9  8     
bleak doma94    ,! 8hole0 0 almo/       
tw5ty-five feet up 9 a dead maple /ub t 
_h  bl[n (f & lodg$ aga9/ a live tree4  
,! mead[ _h be5 bleak  & w9d-swept1 b ! 
swamp 0 nak$ & dead1 fill$ ) ice1 &     

t\*$ ) a mo/ =bidd+ empt9ess & /illness4
 ,i 0 gett+  cold aga91 :5 ! boy ahead  
tapp$ lightly on ! old /ub4 ,at !  hole 
up/airs appe>$ a head--a fi]ce          
black-&-:ite head1 a %>p1  long bill1 a 
fla%+ eye--z ,hairy came =? to fight = 8
 ca/le4  ,he 0 too wise a fight] to     
tackle all ( u1 h[ev]2 s1 slipp+  out1  
he spread 8 w+s1 & gallop$ (f ) a l\d   
wild call t  set all ! swamp to r++4    
,x 0 a ?rill+1 defiant *all5ge t set my 
blood to leap+  aga94 ,black & :ite1 he 
0 a "p ( ! picture2 b !re 0 a  sc>let b&
 9 ! nape ( 8 neck t1 l 8 call1 _h fire 
9  x & ! w>m? ( life4    ,z 8 %\t w5t   
boom+ ?r\gh ! holl[ walls ( ! swamp1 x  
woke a blue jay1 :i* squall$ back f a   
clump ( p9es1 !n1  wav]+ out into ! op5 
on curi\s w+s--fla%+ ice-blue &         
sn[-:ite w+s--he div$ into ! cov]t (    
p9es aga92 & fa9t1  z if beyond ! swamp1
 ! *eep ( *ickadees6    ,if any?+ 0 ne$$
 up to ?is mom5t to *ange my w9t] into  
spr+1 x 0 ?is call ( ! *ickadees4 ,!    
dulle/ day 9 w9t]  smiles2 ! deepe/1    

d>ke/ woods speak *e]fully to me1 if a  
*ickadee is !re4 ,& did y ev] "k a w9t] 
day or a dank1  gloomy =e/ hall )\t its 
*ickadee8 ,give me a fl[] 9 my          
buttonhole & a *ickadee 9 my he>t & ,i  
am pro( aga9/ all gloom  & cold4        
8,:at is all ?is noise ab\t80 !         
*ickadees came =w>d ask+4 ,x  0 a little
 troop ( !m1 a family ( !m1 possibly1   
la/ ye>'s  *ildr5 & "o1 or bo?1 ( !     
p>5ts1 hunt+ ! w9t] woods  toge!r =     
mutual protection aga9/ ! lonel9ess &   
long bitt]  cold4    ,h[ active &       
int]e/$ 9 life !y 76 ,a h>d w9t]8 ,yes1 
(  c\rse1 b :at is ! blue jay squawk+   
ov]1 anyh[8 ,& ! little  troop ( !m came
 to peep into ! racket1 curi\s1 b n     
excit$1  discuss+ ! di/urbance ( !      
solemn swamp 9 t sew+-bee  fa%ion (     
!irs1 z if nipp+ (f ?reads & squ9t+     
?r\gh  ne$le-eyes betwe5 _! runn+       
comm5ts4    ,!y too 7 gray & black1 gray
 z ! swamp bee*es1 black z !  spott$ b>k
 ( ! bir*es4 ,& h[ t9y6 ,b--      8,"h 0
 ?is atom 9 full brea?    ,hurl+        

defiance at va/ dea?2    ,?is scrap (   
valor j = play    ,fronts ! nor? w9d 9  
wai/coat gray02    & ?is is :at ,em]son 
says he s+s3            8,good day1 good
 sir6    ,f9e aft]noon1 old pass5g]6    
,happy to meet y 9 ^! places    ,:]e    
,janu>y br+s few faces40    ,& z ,i     
br\ght to m9d ! poet's l9es1 ,i =got to 
%iv]1 &  q w>m$ aga9 to ! idea ( fl[]s1 
especially z "o ( !  boys j !n br\ght up
 a spray ( gre5 holly ) a burn+ r$  b]ry
 on x4    ,i laid ! spray ( gre5 holly  
on ! h>d :ite cru/ ( ! ,janu>y  sn[4 ,!n
 ,i /ood a mom5t & spread my h&s out ov]
 x to w>m  !m6 ,x 0 l a little fire 9 ! 
sn[4 ,! boys laugh$ at me4  ,!y 7 w>m   
en\gh 9 _! mitt5s4 ,b ,i _h ne$ ( m ?an 
mitt5s to w>m my f+]s4 ,i _h ne$ ( a    
fire1--a fire ( gre5  po9t$ holly leaves
 & "o gl[+1 flam+ b]ry1 a t9y r$ hot    
coal ( summ] blaz+ "h 9 ! wide :ite a%es
 ( ! w9t]4    ,we 7 tack+ aga9 n[ 9 ord]
 to get back on our c\rse1 & _h  got    
into ! edge ( ! swamp among ! p9es :5 ! 
boy ) !  %ovel began to /udy ! gr\nd & !

 trees z if try+ to f9d !  location (   
some?+4    8,"h x is10 he said1 & began 
digg+ ?r\gh ! sn[ at ! foot  ( a big    
p9e4 ,i knew :at he 0 aft]4 ,x 0        
gold?read1 & "h  0 ! only spot 9 all !  
woods ab\t :]e we _h ev] f\nd x1 a  spot
 no l>g] ?an ! top ( a d9+-room table4  
,soon we _h a fi/ful ( ! delicate plants
 ) _! ev]gre5  leaflets & long gold51   
?readlike roots t1 mix$ ) ! r$ &  gre5 (
 ! p>tridge-b]ry 9 a f+]-b[l1 make a    
*e]ful w9t]  b\quet4 ,& "h ) !          
gold?read1 ab\t ! butt ( ! p9e1 0  !    
p>tridge-b]ry1 too1 ! da9ty v9es /rung )
 ! beads :i*  seem$ to burn holes 9 !   
sn[ t cov]$ & bank$ _! t9y  fires4    ,=
 ?is is all t ! ice & sn[ _h done4 ,!   
w9t] _h come  ) en\gh w9d to bl[ out e  
flame 9 ! maple-tops1 & )  en\gh sn[ to 
smo!r e little fire 9 ! peat-bogs ( !   
swamp2  b peat fires are h>d to put out2
 & "h & ev]y:]e ! w9t]  _h only bank$ ! 
fires ( summ]4 ,dig d[n ?r\gh ! sn[ a%es
  any:]e1 & ! sm\ld]+ coals ( life bur/ 
into blaze4    ,:5 t r$-bead$           

p>tridge-v9e 0 ha/ily plac$ ) !         
gold?read 9 ! cov]$ basket1 & ! spray ( 
holly put )  !m1 a ray ( light began to 
dawn on my sn[-cl\d$ m9d4 ,did ,i  beg9 
to see ! b\quet ^! boys 7 aft]8 ,i said 
no?+4 ,!y  said no?+4 ,!y 7 wat*+ me1   
?\gh1 ,i knew1 to see h[ long ,i  %\ld  
/umble bl9dly on ?r\gh ^! glori\s       
,janu>y woods1 :i*  7 s full ( joy = !m4
    ,i say ,i said no?+4 ,i 0 ?9k+ h>d1 
h[ev]4 8,holly1 gold?read1              
p>tridge-b]ry10 ,i ?\ght to myself4 8,i 
see s mu* ( ! bir?day  b\quet4 ,b :at   
else c !y f9d80    ,! boy ) ! axe _h    
aga9 gone on ahead4 ,& we 7 (f aga9     
aft] him1 /opp+ to get a great armful ( 
black ald] bran*es t  7 lit]ally aflame 
) r$ b]ries4    ,we 7 climb+ a p9y knoll
 :5 almo/ at our feet1 jump+ u  ne>ly   
out ( our sk9s1 & w>m+ ! v roots ( our  
hair1 0  a burrrr6 burrrr6 burrrr6      
burrrr6--f\r big p>tridges--z if f\r    
sn[-m9es _h explod$ "u u1 hurl+ bun*es (
 br[n fea!rs on  graceful scal+ w+s ov] 
! dip ( ! hill6    ,?is 0 gett+ liveli] 

all ! "t4 ,f my /udy w9d[ h[ dead  &    
des]t$1 & w9dswept & b>e ! _w _h look$  
to me6  ,no?+ b a live cr[ w++ we>ily   
aga9/ ! lead5 sky6 ,b  out "h 9 ! real  
woods & mead[s--p>tridges1 *ickadees1   
hairy  woodpeck]1 blue jay1 & muskrats z
 well z cr[s6 ,& !n ,i knew  a c]ta9 old
 apple tree :]e a pair ( scree* owls 7  
w9t]+4  ,&1 z = :ite-foot$ mice1 ,i c\ld
 f9d !m 9 any /ump4 ,besides1  "h 7     
rabbit holes 9 ! sn[1 & up 9 a tall p9e 
a gray  squirrel's ne/ &--    ,b ,i 0   
los+ sight ( ! boy ) ! axe :o 0 lead+ ! 
procession4 ,on we w5t up ov] ! knoll & 
d[n into a l[ bog :]e  9 ! summ] we     
ga!r$ high-bu% blueb]ries1 ! boy ) ! axe
  lead+ ! way & go+ /raight across ! ice
 t[>d ! middle (  ! bog4    ,my eye 0   
ke5 = signs1 & ,i soon saw he 0 head+ = 
a  sweet-pepp] bu% ) a brok5 bran*4 ,my 
eye took 9 ano!r bu% a  little to ! "r  
also ) a brok5 bran*4 ,! boy ) ! axe    
walk$ up to ! sweet-pepp] bu%1 & drew a 
l9e on ! ice betwe5  x & a bu% (f on !  
"r1 pac+ (f ?is l9e till he f\nd !      

middle2 !n he />t$ at "r angles f x1 &  
pac$ (f a l9e  to a clump ( cat-tails   
/ick+ up ?r\gh ! ice on ! flood$ bog4   
,halfway back on ?is l9e he /opp$1 ?rew 
(f 8 coat1 & began to  *op a hole ab\t  
two feet squ>e 9 ! ice4 ,remov+ ! block 
( ice  :ile ,i look$ on1 he roll$ up 8  
sleeve1 & rea*$ d[n ! l5g?  ( 8 arm     
?r\gh ! ice wat]4    8,give me ! %ovel10
 he said1 8x's d[n "h40 ,& ) a few      
dext]\s cuts he soon br\ght to ! surface
 a beautiful clu/] (  pit*]-plants1 !   
/range1 almo/ uncanny1 leaves fill$ )   
muddy  wat]1 b e pit*] ( !m intact1 %ap$
 & ve9$ & t9t$  by a ma/] pott]'s h&4   
,n[ at la/ ,i fully und]/ood4 ,n[ ,i    
c\ld see :at ^? boys _h  be5 see+ ) _!  
inw>d eyes all ! "t4 ,n[ ,i _h fai?1    
too4  ,b h[ late6 ,! b\quet ( fl[]s 0 n[
 full4    ,we wrapp$ ! wond]ful         
pit*]-plant c>efully 9 newspap]s1 & put 
x into ! basket1 />t+ back ) our b\quet 
z *e]fully1 &  z full ( joy 9 ! season1 
z we c\ld possible h be5 9 ,june4       
,no1 ,i did n say t we love ,janu>y z   

mu* z we love ,june4  ,janu>y "h 9 ,new 
,engl& is a mixture ( rheumatism1       
*ilbla9s1  froz5 wat]-pipes1 mitt5s1    
ov]%oes1 block$ tra9s1 &                
automobile-tr\bles by ! hoodsful1 :]eas 
any automobile w run 9  ,june4 ,x is s 9
 ,delaw>e & ,texas & ,oregon1 too4      
,:at ,i 0 say+ is t we />t$ home all    
abloom ) our  pit*]-plants & gold?read &
 p>tridge-b]ry & holly & gl[+  black    
ald]1 & all agl[ inside ) our vigor\s   
tramp1 & )  ! gray grave beauty ( !     
l&scape1 & ) ! /]n joy (  meet+ & beat+ 
! cold1 & ) ! signs ( life--( ! cozy    
muskrats 9 _! lodge b5ea? ! ice-cap on !
 mead[2 ) !  hairy woodpeck] 9 8 deep   
w>m hole 9 ! he>t ( a tree2 ) !  r$ w>m 
b]ries 9 our basket2 ) ! *irp+1 !       
capable1 !  conqu]+ *ickadee accompany+ 
u & s++1      8,= well ! s\l1 if /\t )91
    ,c arm impregnably ! sk92    ,& pol>
 fro/ my =m defi$1    ,made ( ! air t   
bl[s outside40    ,& actually z we came 
ov] ! bleak mead[1 "o ( ! boys said  t  
he ?\ght he he>d a song-sp>r[ s++6 ,& ,i

 said ,i ?\ght  ! pussy-will[s by !     
brook _h op5$ a little s9ce we _h pass$ 
!m com+ out6 ,& we all decl>$ t ! wea!r 
_h *ang$1  & t !re 7 signs ( a break-up4
 ,b ! !rmomet] /ood at  fifte5 above z]o
 :5 we got home--"o degree cold] ?an :5 
we  />t$6    ,we _h _h a ,janu>y ?aw1   
h[ev]1 & x _h come (f inside ( u1  z !  
color on ! f\r gl[+ faces %[$4 ,!       
bir?day came (f  on ! morr[1 & ,i wond] 
if !re ev] 0 a m int]e/+ or a  m lov+   
gift ( fl[]s ?an ^? f ! ,janu>y woods8  
,,*apt] ,,vii    ,,aft] ,,! ,,logg]s    
,,*apt] ,,vii    ,,aft] ,,! ,,logg]s    
,i lay li/5+ to ! ra9 spatt]+ aga9/ !   
fly ( ! t5t &  dripp+ ?r\gh ! ro( ( bir*
 leaves ^u ! sputt]+ fire &  soak+ d[n  
into ! deep1 spongy bottom ( !          
=e/--s(tly1 z  s(t z some?+ brea?+ &    
asleep4 ,! guide & ! boy beside  me 7   
asleep1 b ,i _h be5 awak5$ by ! ra94 ,! 
ra9 always  wak5s me4 ,& 9 my grave1 ,i 
?9k1 if ,i lie sleep+ "u a ro(  ( =e/   
leaves1 ,i %all wake & li/5 :5 x ra9s4  
,be=e !  />s sang toge!r ! primordial   

wat]s made music to ! ris+  l&2 be=e !  
w9ds came murmur+ ?r\gh ! trees ! waves 
7  f+]+ ! sweet-tun$ s&s /rung d[n !    
s\nd+ %ores2 &  be=e ! birds f\nd _!    
tongues1 or ! crickets _! little        
fiddles1 or ev5 ! toad _h bl[n 8 quav]+ 
con*1 x _h ra9$6  ,& :5 x ra9$--& n     
until x ra9$--! :ole e>? woke into      
song4 ,"m ( music is ! wat]1 &1 = me1 ! 
sweete/ ( h]  daught]s is ! ra91 & nev] 
sweet]1 n ev5 on ! %+les1 nor  d[n !    
roll$1 fev]$ blades ( ! /&+ corn1 ?an 9 
! deep  woods at night ^u ! l[ slant ro(
 ( y\r t5t4    ,b sudd5ly ! s++ /opp$1 &
 ! myriad ra9-notes 7 turn$  to feet1   
t9y1 /irr+ feet1 creep+ d[n ! t5t1      
skipp+ across  ! leaves1 gallop+ ov] !  
=e/ floor1 & jump+ 9 & out (  ! fire4   
,!n a twig snapp$4 ,0 t :at _h awak5$   
me8 ,i rose  up on my elb[ sl[ly4 ,! t5t
 flap 0 op52 ! woods 7 v  d>k1 ! dim    
light f above ! ro( ( leaves & ra9 %[+  
only %ad[s1 & an a%5 spot :]e !         
camp-fire /ill splutt]$1  & beyond ! a%5
 spot a %ad[--diff]5t f ! o!r %ad[s2  a 

%ape--a doe ) big e>s =w>d t[>d ! fire6 
,a bit ( bir*  b>k fl>$ 9 ! d>kness1 & !
 %ape 0 gone4 ,i c\ld he> h]  mov+ ?r\gh
 ! f]ns2 he> h] jump a fall5 log & /ep  
out  among ! grat+ pebbles on ! %ore4   
,!n all 0 /ill1 except =  ! scamp]+ ra91
 & ! little r$-back$ wood-m\se among !  
camp t9s1 & ! tee? ( a porcup9e *ill$ & 
*att]+ 9 !  d>kness at ! big wood-m\se  
among ! t9s1 & ! ra9 runn+  ev]y:]e4    
,i dropp$ back ^u my pill[ & left (f    
li/5+4 ,h[ good !  duffle-bag felt b5ea?
 my head6 ,& ! ?ick1 spr+y b[s ( ! fir  
b5ea? ! bag1 h[ good !y felt--spr+s &   
mattress 9 "o1 laid  und]side up1 ev5ly1
 & a foot deep1 all ov] ! t5t floor6 ,& 
h[  good !y smell$6 ,a b$ ( balsam-fir  
b\ghs is m ?an a b$2 x is  an oblation  
to ,sleep1 & n a va9 oblation--aft]     
miles ( paddl+  9 live wat] or a day (  
trail+ ?r\gh ! spruce & fir4            
8,!re's a long1 long trail a-w9d+0      
runs ! song--      8,into ! l& ( my     
dreams40    ,b1 speak+ ( sleep1 !re is  
no trail1 except a =e/ trail1 t  w9ds   

away to a l& ( su* deep dreamlessness z 
t ( a woodman's  sleep2 & no sleep1 f   
:i* a man w wak51 half s fragrant  &    
refre%+ z 84 ,i d n wi% to be c>ri$ to !
 skies 8on  fl[]y b$s ( ease10 b ,i %\ld
 l ?is balsam-fir b$1 = two  or ?ree    
weeks e summ]1 9 ! woods ( ,ma9e4 ,a    
reasonable & a  :olesome wi% t1 z ,i lay
 !re wrapp$ 9 ! fragrant mantle (  my   
c\*1 ,i covet$ = city sleep]s ev]y:]e4  
,! odors 7we %\ld spell !m ) a 8u07--!  
odours ( ! big  woods are s clean & pure
 & prophylactic6 ,!y cle> ! clogg$      
s5ses1 & keep !m 9 a k9d ( antiseptic   
ba?1 wa%+ a coat$  tongue z no w9e c wa%
 x2 & t+l+ along ! mo/ sn>l$ (  n]ves1  
/raight5+1 temp]+1 tun+ !m till ! v he>t
 is  tim$ to ! s++ ( ! firs4 ,my b$ (   
b\ghs 0 a full foot  deep1 cov]+ e in* (
 ! bottom ( ! t5t1 fre% cut t  ev5+1 & s
 bruis$ ) ! tread+ z we laid !m t _!    
smell1 9 ! close1 ra9y air ( ! night1   
fill$ ! t5t l a  cl\d4 ,i lay &         
brea!d--z if tak+ a cure1 ?is t5t be+ ! 
contagi\s w>d ( ! great hospital1 !     

,out-(-,doors4 ,all ar\nd  me p\r$ !    
heavy1 p5etrat+ vapor di/ill$ f ! gums1 
&  res9s1 & oils1 & sweet heal+ ess5ces 
( ! woods1 m+l$ "h  9 ! t5t ) ! aromatic
 balsam ( ! fir4 ,i brea!d x to !       
bottom ( my lungs2 b my lungs 7 n deep  
en\gh2 ,i mu/ brea!  x ) h&s & feet to  
get x all2 b !y 7 n en\gh4 ,!n a  breeze
 swept by ! t5t1 paus+ to lay its m\?   
ov] my m\?1 &1  cat*+ away my little    
brea?1 brea!d = me its own big brea?1   
until my v bones1 l ! bones ( ! birds1 7
 brea?+1 &  e ve9 ran r$ol5t ( ! brea? (
 ! fir4    ,t breeze blew ! %>p1 pung5t 
smell ( wood smoke pa/ !  t5t4 ,i caught
 x eag]ly--! sweet smoke ( ! c$> logs   
/ill  sm\ld]+ on ! fire4 ,!re 0 no      
sugge/ion ( hospitals 9 ?is  :iff1 b    
camps1 r1 & kit*5s1 alt>s1 caves1 !     
smoke (  ^: anci5t fires is /ill /rong 9
 our no/rils & cur$ into !  v sub/ance (
 our s\ls4    ,i wond] if our olde/     
racial memory may n be t ( fire1 & if   
any o!r =m ( fire1 a coal (f any o!r    
alt>1 c t\* !  imag9ation z ! coals ( a 

gl[+ camp-fire4 ,& ,i wond] if any  o!r 
odor takes u f>!r d[n our ance/ral pa/  
?an ! smell (  wood smoke1 & if !re is  
ano!r smoke s sweet z c$> smoke1  :5 !  
?91 fa9t wrai? f ! sm\ld]+ logs curls   
pa/ y\r  t5t on ! sl[ w9d ( ! woods &   
drifts away4    ,x does n matt] ( :at ! 
fire is built4 ,i c /ill ta/e !  spicy  
smoke ( ! sagebru% 9 my la/ des]t camp4 
,& h[ hot t  sagebru% fire6 ,& z sweet z
 ! spicy sage is ! smell 9 my  no/rils (
 ! cypress & gum 9 my camp-fires ( !    
,s\?4 ,swamp  or des]t or =e/1 ! fire is
 ! lure--! light1 ! w>m?1 !  crackle ( !
 flames1 & ! my/ic inc5se ( ! smoke ris+
 z a  sweet savor to ! deities ( ! woods
 & pla9s4    ,x is ! camp-fire t lures  
me to ! woods :5 ,i might g d[n to  !   
sea4 ,i love ! sea4 ,p]haps ,i fe> x m2 
& p]haps ,i h  n yet le>n$ to pit* my   
t5t & build my fire ^u ! waves2  c]ta9ly
 ,i h n yet got us$ to ! fo'c's'le      
smell4 ,=1 ( all  f\l odors kn[n to bea/
 or man1 ! indescribable /5* ( !        
fo'c's'le is to me ! wor/4 ,:at wild w9d

 ( ! ocean c bl[ t  smell away8 ,:5     
bilges are spray$ ) att> ( roses1 &     
fo'c's'les  %ea!d 9 s&alwood1 & sailors 
giv5 %[]-ba?s & op5 fires1  ,i %all take
 a vacation be=e ! ma/2 b until !n give 
me !  woods & my fir-b\gh b$1 & my fire 
( bir* & c$> logs1 &  ! ra9 ^u my t5t4  
,:5 ,i woke at dawn x 0 /ill ra9+2 & (f 
& on all day x  ra9$1 spoil+ our plans =
 ! climb up ,sp5c] ,m\nta9 &  keep+ u   
close to camp & ! dry+ fire4 ,! =e/ "h  
at !  foot ( ! m\nta9 0 a mix$ piece (  
old-gr[? timb]1 t _h  be5 logg$ = spruce
 & p9e "s ye>s be=e--z e mile ( !  =e/ (
 ,ma9e has be5 logg$--yet s l[ & spongy 
0 ! bottom  t ! timb] seems to h ov]gr[n
 & long s9ce ceas$ to be fit  = lumb]1 s
 t mo/ ( x 0 left /&+ :5 ! lumb]-jacks  
w5t ?r\gh4 ,we 7 camp$ by ! side (      
,sp5c] ,pond 9 ! ?ick  ( ^! giant       
trees--yell[ bir*1 canoe bir*1 maple &  
spruce1  hemlock & fir & p9e--:]e ! %ade
 0 s d5se & ! =e/  floor s /rewn ) fall5
 trees t only ! club mosses1 & !        
sphagnum1 & a few ( ! deep-woods fl[]s  

c\ld gr[4 ,! ra9 made  little diff]5ce  
to my passage "h1 s l[ 7 ^! less] =e/   
=ms "u ! p]petual umbrage ( ! mighty    
trees1 & ,i came back  f z f> 9 z ,i d>$
 to v5ture on s dull a day1 my clo!s q  
dry1 b my _s t\*$ ) a spell ( ! =e/1 :i*
 ,i %\ld  h miss$ _h ! sun be5 %9+ & !  
po9ts ( ! compass  cle>4    ,= 9 ! big  
woods "o is ev] consci\s ( direction1 a 
s5se  t is s exagg]at$ 9 ! deepe/       
bottoms1 especially :5 only  indirect1  
diffus$ light fills ! %ad[y spaces1 z to
 bord] on  fe>4 ,i am nev] free1 9 a    
/range =e/1 f its haunt+ ,pres5ce2  s   
close to x t ,i seem to he> x2 seem able
 to t\* x2 & :51  = a mom5t ( "s m9or   
int]e/ or excitem5t1 ,i h =gott5 to     
rememb] &1 look+ up1 f9d ! ,pres5ce gone
 f me1 ,i am seiz$  ) sudd5 fright4 ,:at
 o!r panic comes s s(tly1 yet ) m       
t]rible swiftness8 ,& once ! maze seizes
 y1 once y beg9 to  meet y\rself1 f9d   
y\rself runn+ ! circle ( y\r back       
tracks1  ! :ole m9d goes to pieces &    
madness is ^u y4    8,set :]e y be &    

holl] till ,i come get ye1 if ye're     
lo/10 !  guide w\ld say4 8,climb a tree 
& holl]2 don't run ar\nd l a  side-hill 
g\g]1 or y're gone40    ,i d n "k :at   
sort ( animal is ,johnny's side-hill    
g\g]2 ?\gh  ,i saw1 "o day1 f> up on !  
side ( ! m\nta9 a big b>e spot  :]e he  
_h be5 digg+--accord+ to ! guide4 ,x is 
en\gh = me  t !re is su* a bea/ 9 !     
woods1 & t he gets ^? :o  turn r\nd &   
r\nd 9 ! =e/ on ra9y days & =get to look
 up4    ,! g\g] 0 abroad 9 ! woods      
to-day4 ,! cl\ds hung at ! base  ( !    
m\nta9s1 j above ! tops ( ! trees2 ! ra9
 came  /raight d[n2 ! huge fall5 trunks 
lay ev]y:]e criss-cross2 &  once beyond 
! pa? to ! spr+ ! semi-gloom blurr$ e   
trail  & put at naught all c]ta9ty (    
direction4    ,b h[ ?is fe> %>p5$ !     
s5ses & quick5$ ev]y?+ 9 !  sc5e ab\t   
me6 ,i 0 9 ! neighborhood ( dang]1 & e  
dull &  dormant faculty became al]t4    
,no?+ w\ld come f among ! dusky  trees  
to h>m me2 no be>1 or lynx1 or moose1 = 
!y w\ld run away2  x 0 ! dusk itself1 & 

! big trees t w\ld n run away2 &  ,i    
wat*$ !m furtively z !y drew ne>] & ne>]
 & clos$ 9  deep] ab\t me4 ,i knew en\gh
 to 8set d[n & holl]0 if ,i got turn$   
hopelessly ar\nd2 b ?is v k ( weakness1 
( inability  to cope alone ) ^! sil5t1  
s9i/] =ces1 woke all my anci5t  fe>s &  
call$ back t brood ( m ?an fabl$ mon/]s 
f  _! caves & f5s & =e/ lairs4    ,?is 0
 ! real woods1 h[ev]1 deep1 d>k1 &      
primeval1 & no  m]e fantasy ( fe>4 ,x   
look$ ev5 old] ?an its ho>y ye>s1 =  !  
floor 0 /rewn ) its m\ld]+ dead1 n "o   
g5]ation1 b  ages ( !m1 =m "u =m1 till  
only long1 fa9t l9es ( gre5]  moss told 
:]e ! elde/ ( !m _h fall5 an on s9ce &  
turn$  to e>?4 ,"t leaves on no?+ its   
fail+ m>ks s deeply furr[$  z ^u m5 &   
trees1 & "h 9 ! woods ^u no o!r trees s 
deeply z ^u ! bir*es4 ,lovely beyond all
 trees 9 _! %9+1  sl5d] y\?1 !y gr[     
immeasurably ag$ ) ! ye>s1 especially  !
 yell[ bir*1 ^: grim1 grizzl$ boles     
seem$ m l wea!r$  columns ( /one ?an    
liv+ trees4    ,"o old mon/]1 ) a hole 9

 8 base t a be> might d5 91  t[]+ till 8
 %\ld]s ov]topp$ ! talle/ spruce1 /ood  
lean+ 8 gn>l$ h&s ^u ! air1 z a b5t &   
ag$ man leans  ) 8 knotty h&s ^u a cane4
 ,a hundr$ ye>s he might h be5  lean+ s2
 a hundr$ ye>s m he might cont9ue 9 8   
sl[ decl9e1  till1 ) a cra%1 he falls to
 lie = a hundr$ ye>s to come across  a  
pro/rate =m t fell unc\nt$ ye>s be=e4   
,i 0 /&+ on ! t\gh1 holl[ r9d ( su* a   
bir*1 s long1  long dead t its c>cass _h
 gone to du/1 leav+ only ?is empty  %ell
 t look$ l a brok51 half-buri$ piece (  
aqu$uct4 ,x 0  nei!r tree nor pipe1     
h[ev]1 b ! ,h\se ( ,porcup9es1 z ,i c\ld
  pla9ly he> by ! grunt+ inside4 ,a pile
 ( dropp+s at ! door  ( ! h\se told !   
/ory ( g5]ations ( porkies go+ 9 & out  
be=e ! pres5t family came into _!       
inh]itance4 ,i knock$ on !  rubb]y walls
 ) my foot1 b n h>d1 = ,i might break   
?r\gh &  hurt ,"m or ,fa!r ,porky1 or   
possibly ! baby t ,i saw along !  pond t
 night4 ,no c>eful1 "r-m9d$ p]son /eps  
on or hurts a  porcup9e 9 any mann]4    

,i w5t on out ( ! s\nd ( _! tee?1 =     
*att]+ tee? are  n consol+1 & ! woods 7 
gray en\gh4 ,gray & va/ &  magnific5tly 
ru9\s1 yet et]nally new !y 71 ! old     
walls  sl[ly crumbl+1 & ov] !m1 out ( _!
 heap$ disord]1 !  fre% walls ris+ to ! 
high-ar*$ ro( t nev] falls4 ,to-day !   
deep1 holl[ halls 7 %ut to me by ! arras
 ( ! gloom1 & s  smoky roll$ ! ra9 b5ea?
 ! ro( t ev5 ! black raft]s (  ! bir*es 
7 sc>cely visible2 b all ! clos] ab\t   
me1 9 !  wilde/ weal? & spl5dor1 lay !  
furniture ( ! =e/ floor4    ,nev] 7     
wools dy$ & wov5 ) a pile s ri* & deep z
 !  cov] ( mosses & li*5s t c>pet$ ?is  
rude1 clutt]$ floor4  ,roll$ & wr9kl$ & 
heap$ up ov] ! /umps1 x lay1 n[h]e      
/ret*$1 n[h]e swept1 a bronze & gre5 &  
gold gr\nd1 figur$  & fl[]$ endlessly2 &
 d[n ! longe/1 deepe/ wr9kle a  d>kl+   
little /ream6 ,x 0 a w>p ( sphagnum moss
 ) wo( (  li*5s1 liv]worts1 f]ns1       
mu%rooms1 club mosses1 & %i] fl[]s  ( ! 
%ad[s1 t 0 wov5 = ! c>pet--long1 vivid  
runn]s  ( lycopodium1 ! f+]$ sort1 or   

club moss1 & its fan-leav$  c\s91 !     
gr\nd p9e1 n[ 9 fruit1 its clu/]s (     
spikes l  t9y c&elabra /&+ ready to be  
light$ all ov] ! floor2 &  ev]y:]e1 on e
 tree-trunk1 /ump1 & log1 & /one ! scale
  mosses1 myriads ( !m1 9 blot*es (     
exquisite %apes & colors1  giv+ !       
gray-gre5 tone to ! walls z ! sphagnums 
gave !  vivid bronze-gre5 to ! floor4   
,d[n to ab\t ! level ( my head1  !      
dom9ant note 9 ! color s*eme ( ! walls1 
hung ! gray  re9de] moss1 tufts & %r$s &
 po9t$ bun*es ( x l old  m5's grizzl$   
be>ds4 ,"s ( ! spruces & twi/$ c$>s 7   
cov]$ ) x4 ,%ort] 9 /aple ?an ! usnea ( 
! ,s\?1 /iff]  & light] 9 color1 x is f>
 less somb] & fun]eal2 b a =e/  be>d$ ) 
x looks old] ?an "t4 ,?is moss is !     
favorite w9t]  food ( ! moose & c>ib\ & 
de]1 & s clean _h ! moose &  de] eat5 x 
f ! trees1 up z high z !y c\ld rea*1 t !
  effect on a cle> day 0 z if a ?9 gray 
fog _h settl$ 9 !  =e/ at an ev5        
six-foot level f ! gr\nd4    ,work$ 9   
among ! li*5s & mosses1 q )\t design1 7 

!  deep-woods fl[]s--pat*es ( gold?read1
 b$s ( foam-fl[] &  delicate wood-sorrel
 & ! brilliant little bun*b]ry4 ,:]ev] !
  sunlight _h a *ance to t\* ! cold1    
boggy bottom x seem$ to set  ! punk on  
fire & blaze up into ^! sc>let b]ries1  
/umps &  knolls & slopes aflame ) !m1 to
 burn on ?r\gh ! gloom until  !y %\ld be
 smo!r$ by ! sn[4 ,tw9-fl[] &           
p>tridge-b]ry  7 lac$ 9 little mats ab\t
 ! bases ( ! trees2 "h & !re  ! big r$  
fruit ( trillium & ! nodd+ blue b]ries (
 cl9tonia  7 mix$ 9 a spot ( gay color )
 b]ries ( ! twi/$ /alk1  ! wild         
lily-(-!-valley1 & ! fi]y se$-balls ( ! 
,indian  turnip4    ,^! t\*es ( color 7 
l ! effect ( fl[]s ab\t a /ately1  somb]
 room1 = ?is 0 an anci5t & a solemn h\se
 ( mighty folk4  ,if ! little p came to 
dwell 9 ! %ad[ ( ^! noble great  !y mu/ 
be cont5t ) :atev] crumbs ( sun%9e fell 
f !  heav5-spread table ov] !m to ! damp
 & m\ld]+ floor4 ,!re  7 corn]s s d>k t 
only ! coral or*id & ! ,indian pipe     
pu%$ up ?r\gh ! mat ( leaves2 & o!r     

spots1 half op5 to  ! sky1 :]e ! c9namon
 f]n & ! lady f]n wav$ _! lovely        
plumes1 & ! wood f]n1 ! bee*1 ! oak1 & !
 cre/$ %ield  f]ns grew toge!r1 =c$ ?us 
to %>e ! scanty light dropp$ to  !m f ! 
ov]fl[+ fea/ above4    ,b ,i nev] saw   
mu%rooms 9 su* m>vel\s %apes & colors & 
9 su* indescribable abundance z "h4 ,!  
deep =e/ 0 l a  natural cav]n = !m1 its 
cold1 dank twilight fe$+ _! elf9  lamps 
until ! :ole floor 0 light$ ) _! gho/ly 
gl[4  ,cle>e/ & colde/ burn$ ! pale-gre5
 amanita1 & ) x1  surpass+ly beautiful 9
 color & design1 ! egg-topp$ musc>ia1   
its baleful tap] 9 a splot*$ & t9t$ %ade
 ( bl5d$ orange  yell[s1 fad+ s(tly t[>d
 ! rim4 ,besides ^!1 & %ort]  on _!     
/ems1 7 :ite & gre5 & purple russulas1 &
 great  burn+ r$ ones1 ! size ( l>ge    
po9settia blooms2 & gr\ps (  br[n       
boletus1 scatt]$ gold5 *ant]elles1      
puff-balls1 exquisite  coral clu/]s1 &1 
/range/ ( !m all1 l h&fuls ( fro/$  fog1
 ! sn[y m$usa4 ,^! la/ ,i ga!r$ = my    
lun*1 toge!r  ) "s puff-balls & a few   

campe/ris1 ^: spores1 ,i suppose1 may  h
 be5 br\ght into ! woods ) ! horses :5  
?is tract 0  lumb]$ ye>s ago4 ,b ,i _h  
little appetite = mu%rooms4 ,x 0 !      
sight ( !m1 dimly lum9\s 9 ! ra91 t held
 me1 _! squat  lamps burn+ ) a spectral 
light :i* fill$ ! dusky spaces (  ! =e/ 
full ( gobl9 gloom4    ,z ,i sat wat*+ !
 uncanny lights !re 0 a ru% ( small feet
  d[n ! bir* at my back1 a %ort /op j   
above my head1 & a  volley ( w9dy talk t
 might h bl[n out e elf light 9  !      
neighborhood4 ,x 0 v sudd5 &1 break+    
into ! utt]  /illness1 x 0 almo/ />tl+4 
,a moose c\ld h>dly h made m  noise4 ,i 
said no?+ back nor took any notice (    
him4 ,he c\ld kick  up ! bigge/ sort ( a
 rumpus if he wi%$ to1 = ! woods ne$$   
x4 ,i only wond]$ t he _h a tongue1     
dwell+ =ev] "h 9  ?is solitude4 ,b a r$ 
squirrel's tongue is equal to any       
solitude1  & m ?an once ,i h caught him 
talk+ aga9/ x1 *all5g+  ! sil5ce ( all  
outdoors1 z ,i h se5 small boys *all5ge 
ea*  o!r to a blatt+-mat*4    ,by & by  

,i turn$1 & s />tl$ him t he dropp$ a   
clu/] (  gre5 b]ries f 8 m\? almo/ ^u my
 head4 ,x 0 a l>ge bun*  ( arbor vit    
b]ries t he 0 go+ to /ore away1 =1 ?\gh 
he sleeps mu* ( ! w9t]1 he is an        
invet]ate ho>d]1 work+  ov]time1 d[n !  
summ]1 z if ! approa*+ w9t] 7 to be     
sev5 lean ye>s long4    ,i 0 glad he _h 
n obtrud$ e>li]1 b n[ he rem9d$ me      
prop]ly  t x 0 long pa/ noon1 & high "t 
= me to get back to camp4  ,x 0 lat] ?an
 ,i ?\ght1 = ! woods _h gradually gr[n  
light]1  ! ra9 _h almo/ ceas$1 & by ! "t
 ,i rea*$ camp _h /opp$  altoge!r4 ,:ile
 we 7 at supp] ! sun broke ?r\gh on !   
edge  ( ! we/ & ran ! r\nd$ bas9 ( !    
pond ov]-full ) gold4  ,i /epp$ d[n to !
 %ore to wat* ! glori\s clos+ ( ! day4  
,! cl\ds _h lift$ ne>ly to ! tops ( !   
m\nta9s1 :]e _!  w+s 7 /ill spread1     
fea!r+ ! sky ) gray = f> ar\nd2 a  few  
fall5 plumes ly+ sn[y :ite ^u ! d>k     
slopes ( ! less]  hills2 !n p\r+ d[n !  
hills into ! pond1 spla%+ ov] !  gleam+ 
m\nta9s & up aga9/ ! sky1 bur/ ! flood (

 gold5  light ) indescribable glory4    
8,all ready10 said ! guide1 t\*+ me on !
 arm1 & ,i /epp$ into  ! b[ ( ! canoe z 
he pu%$ quietly (f4 ,an ,indian nev]    
mov$  ) s(t] paddle1 nor ev] did a      
bir*-b>k canoe glide (f ) !  ease ( ?is 
"o "u ! h& ( ,john ,ea/man1 z we mov$   
along 9  ! close %ad[s ( ! %ore4    ,!  
light 0 pass+1 b ! flu% ( color /ill lay
 on ! lovely  face ( ! wat] ) a t\* (   
w>m? & life t seem$ little  less ?an    
joy2 a s]5e1 b n a solemn joy1 = !re 0  
too mu*  girli% r\ndness & fre%ness to !
 c\nt5ance ( ! wat]1 too  mu* happ9ess 9
 ! little hills & woods t wat*$ h]1 & 9 
! jeal\s old m\nta9 t fr[n$ d>kly d[n4  
,m9e1 too1 7 !  eyes ( a lov]1 & 9 my   
he>t 0 ! lov]'s pa91 = :at _h ,i  to (f]
 ?is et]nal y\? & lovel9ess8    ,! pr[ (
 ! canoe sw]v$ ) a tell+ movem5t t s5t  
my eyes  quick to ! %ore1 to see a      
sn[-%oe rabbit rac+ d[n a little  cove  
h>d at me1 ) some?+--a /ir ( ald]       
leaves1 a s\nd (  long1 leap+ feet mak+ 
(f into ! swamp--t _h be5 pursu+  him4  

,x 0 probably a wildcat t _h leap$ &    
miss$ ! rabbit  & se5 u f )9 8 cov]t4   
,:at lightn+ eyes & lightn+  legs1 ?us  
to leap & turn toge!r6 ,! rabbit _h run 
almo/ to !  canoe1 & sat li/5+ f beh9d a
 root at ! edge ( ! wat]1  e>s /raight  
up & body s t5se ) excitem5t t we nos$  
along  close en\gh to t\* him ) a paddle
 be=e he _h eyes & e>s  = u4 ,ev5 !n x 0
 8 twit*+1 s5sitive nose t w>n$  him1 = 
8 ke5 e>s caught no s\nd2 &1 float+ d[n 
^u him  ?us1 we mu/ h look$ to 8 innoc5t
 eyes z mu* l a log or a  two-head$     
moose z l m54    ,s(tly 9 & out ) ! n>r[
 fret ( %ad[ t hemm$ ! m>g9  ( ! pond   
swam ! gray canoe1 a creature ( ! wat]1 
a v "p  ( our creature selves1 our      
amphibi\s body1 ! =m we swam )  be=e !  
hills 7 born4 ,bro!r to ! muskrat & !   
beav]1 ,i  /emm$ along1 z mu* at home z 
!y among ! pick]el-we$ & !  c[-lilies1 &
 leav+ across ! silv]y pat*es ( ! op5   
wat] z  sil5t a wake z !y4    ,no?+ c\ld
 move across su* silv]y quiet )\t a     
trail4 ,s  /irless 0 ! wat] t ! wake ( a

 fe$+ fi% 0 visible a  hundr$ y>ds away4
 ,)9 ! t>ni%$ smoo*es ( ! lily-pads a   
muskrat might move ab\t & n be se52 b n 
a tr\t c\ld swirl  close to ! burni%$   
surface ( ! op5 wat] )\t a ripple t  ran
 :isp]+ into e little inlet ar\nd !     
%ore4 ,! circle (  ! pond 0 almo/       
p]fect1 s t ,i rov$1 at a glance1 ! :ole
  curv+ %ore-l9e1 wat*+ ke5ly = :atev]  
might come d[n to  fe$ or dr9k4    ,we  
came up to a pat* ( pick]el-we$ &       
fright5$ a brood (  half-gr[n %eldrakes 
t w5t ru%+ (f across ! wat]1 kick+  up a
 /reak ( suds & mak+ a noise l ! laun*+ 
( a fleet  ( t9y %ips4 ,head+ into a    
little cove1 we met a muskrat com+      
/raight across our b[s4 ,a dip ( !      
paddle s5t u almo/ into h]4  ,a quick]  
dive %e nev] made nor a m />tl+ "o1 = ! 
smack  z %e /ruck ! wat] jump$ me half  
out ( ! canoe4 ,h] head  broke ! surface
 a doz5 y>ds beyond u1 & we foll[$ h]   
into !  m\? ( a /ream & on to a hummock 
into :i* %e swam z a boat  swims "u a   
bridge1 or m z a tra9 runs into a       

tunnel1 = an  ar*+ hole op5$ into !     
m\nd1 j above ! level ( ! /ream1  ?r\gh 
:i* %e _h glid$ out ( sight4 ,h>dly _h  
%e disappe>$  be=e %e popp$ up aga9 f   
deep "u ! m\nd1 at ! o!r  side1 & close 
to ! canoe1 />t+ back once m d[n-/ream4 
,%e  _h dodg$ u4 ,h] nose & eyes & e>s 7
 j above ! wat] &  a portion ( h] back2 
h] bladelike tail 0 ar*$1 its middle    
po9t1  only1 above ! surface1 its %e]+1 
p]p5dicul> edges do+ duty  z propell]1  
keel1 & rudd] all at once4    ,z %e made
 (f ! guide squeak$ %rilly ) 8 lips4    
,in/antly  %e turn$ & came back1 swimm+ 
r\nd & r\nd ! canoe1 try+  to int]pret !
 s\nds1 puzzl$ to "k h[ !y c\ld come f !
  canoe1 & fe>+ t some?+ might be wrong 
inside ! h\se4 ,%e  div$ to f9d out4 ,by
 ?is "t two "y ones _h float$ into !    
m\? ( ! tunnel1 ?9k+ _! "m 0 call+ !m1  
bl9k+  !re 9 ! s(t light s close t ,i   
might h rea*$ !m ) my  h&4 ,satisfi$ t !
 family 0 9 ord]1 ! old rat reappe>$1  &
 no am\nt ( false squeak+ w\ld turn h]  
back4    ,a few b5ds up ! /ream & we    

he>d ! s\nd ( fall+ wat] at  ! beav]    
dam4 ,fre% "w _h be5 done on ! dam2 b we
 wait$  9 va9 = a sight ( ! work]s4 ,!y 
w\ld n g on ) _!  build+4 ,"o ( ! colony
 7!re 7 n m ?an two families (  !m1 ,i  
?9k7 swam across ! /ream1 & came swiftly
 d[n to )9  a few feet ( u1 :51 sc5t+ u1
 p]haps1 he w>p$ %ort ab\t  & vani%$    
among ! ?ick bu%es t trail$ f ! bank ( !
  /ream4    ,a black duck came ov]1 j   
above our heads1 ) w+s :irr+ l  small   
airplane propell]s1 z %e bore /raight   
out t[>d ! middle  ( ! pond4 ,we 7 pass+
 a high place along ! %ore :5 a d>k     
object1 a m]e spot ( black1 seem$ to    
move (f at ! side ( u  aga9/ ! :ite l9e 
( ! pebbles1 & ,i f\nd t ,i 0 already   
be+ s5t sil5tly t[>d x4 ,my pulse       
quick5$1 = ! ?+ mov$  v sl[ly2 & beh9d x
 a less] blur t also mov$--v sl[ly2  s  
deep 0 ! d>kness ( ! ov]hang+ trees1    
h[ev]1 t !  nose ( ! canoe pl\gh$ s(tly 
into ! s& beside ! creatures1  & ,i _h n
 made out ! fat old porcup9e1 &1 creep+ 
a foot or  two beh9d h]1 z if he might  

cat* up by to-morr[1 p]haps1 ! baby     
porky4    ,! old "m 0 fe$+ on bits (    
lily-pads wa%$ up along !  %ore1 pick+  
!m f among ! /ones ) h] paws z if %e    
int5d$ to f9i% h] supp] by to-morr[1    
p]haps1 :5 h] baby _h  cov]$ ! foot or  
two ( space betwe5 !m & caught up ) h]4 
,%e 0 s int5t on ?is s]i\s & delib]ate  
bus9ess t %e  nev] look$ up z ,i /opp$  
beside h]2 %e only grunt$ & *att]$  h]  
tee?2 b ,i di/urb$ ! baby1 app>5tly1 =  
he spe$$ up1  & pretty soon came        
alongside 8 "m1 :o turn$ savagely ^u    
him & told him to m9d 8 mann]s1 :i* he  
did by hump+ into a  little heap1 /ick+ 
8 head d[n betwe5 two /ones1 & ray+ !   
"y quills out across 8 back 9 a fan (   
sp9es4 ,he didn't budge  = ab\t five    
m9utes4 ,!n he hurri$ aga9--"r up beside
 ! old  "o--a ?+ s highly improp] 9     
porkyp9$om1 & s delet]i\s to  porkyp9e  
heal?1 t %e turn$ &1 ) ano!r gr[l1 hump$
 h]  fat little porky aga9 into a quiet 
& becom+ bun* ( quills4 ,?is  "t %e read
 him a lecture on ! 8,:ole ,duty (      

,*ildr540 ,x 0 9  ! porcup9e-pig        
language1 & h] tee? click$ s t ,i am n  
sure  ,i got x v]batim1 b ,i ?9k %e     
said1 q di/9ctly3      8,a *ild %\ld    
always say :at's true1    ,& speak :5 he
 is spok5 to1    ,& behave mann]ly at   
table3    ,at lea/ z f> z he is able0-- 
=1 see+ him s ob$i5tly & prop]ly hump$1 
%e rep5t$ h] (  h] sev]ity &1 rea*+ out 
) h] left paw1 pick$ up a nice1  :ole   
lily-pad &1 turn+ half ar\nd1 h&$ x to  
him z mu* z  to say1 8,!re1 n[2 b *ew x 
up v ?or\ghly1 z y did !  h&le ( !      
c>v+-knife 9 ! camp la/ night40    ,x 0 
a sweet glimpse into ! family life ( !  
woods2 & z !  canoe back$ (f & turn$    
aga9 d[n-/ream ,i 0 say+ to myself3     
8,e night my pray]s ,i say1    ,& get my
 d9n] e day1    ,& e day t ,i've be5    
good    ,i get an orange aft] food0--   
or a nice1 r\nd lily-pad4    ,! preci\s 
light 0 fad+1 & we _h yet m ?an half !  
magic  circle ( ! %ore to r\nd4 ,z we   
pass$ out into ! pond aga9 a  flock (   
roo/+ blackbirds :irr$ noisily f !      

8puck]-bru%10  or sweet-gale bu%es1     
fright5$ by ! squeal ( ! bu%es aga9/  ! 
sides ( ! canoe2 & h>dly _h _! :irr+    
ceas$ :51  ahead ( me1 8 head up1 8     
spl5did antl]s tipp$ ) fire1 /ood  a    
magnific5t buck4 ,he _h he>d ! birds1 or
 _h sc5t$ u1 &1  :irl+ 9 8 tracks1      
curiosity1 defiance1 & al>m 9 e l9e (  8
 t5se1 tawny body1 /ood = "o et]nal     
in/ant 9 my eye1 :51  %ak+ (f 8         
amazem5t1 he turn$ &1 b\nd+ ov] !       
sweet-gale  & ald]s1 w5t cra%+ into !   
swamp4    ,i _h nei!r cam]a nor gun2 b1 
bett] ?an bo?1 ,i _h eyes--n  su* good  
eyes z ,john ,ea/man's1 = he c\ld see 9 
! d>k--b  m9e ) my spectacles 7 bett]   
?an a cam]a2 = m9e are a  mov+-picture  
!at]--scre51 film1 ma*9e1 & cam]a1 all  
beh9d  my spectacles1 & ?is glori\s     
creature = ! picture1 ) !  d>k hills    
beyond1 ! mead[y m>g9 ( ! pond 9 !      
=egr\nd1  & ov] ! buck1 & ! pond1 & !   
d>k gre5 hills1 & ov] me  a twilight t  
nev] 0 nor ev] c be ?r[n ^u a scre56    
,i _h come into ! wilds ( ,ma9e )\t s   

mu* z a  fi%-l9e--?\gh ,i h fi%$ mon?s (
 my life away1 & am n  unwill+ to fi%   
away a consid]able portion ( :atev] "t  
may  /ill be left me4 ,b am ,i n able1 9
 ^! lat] days1 to sp5d my  "t 89 !      
solitude ( ?is va/ wild]ness ) o!r      
employm5ts  ?an1 ^!1--employm5ts        
p]fectly sweet & innoc5t & ennobl+8  ,= 
"o t comes ) a p5cil to sket* or s+1 a  
?\s& come  ) an axe or rifle4 ,:at a    
co>se & imp]fect use ,indians &  hunt]s 
make ( ,nature6444 ,/range t s few ev]  
come to ! woods  to see h[ ! p9e lives &
 gr[s & spires1 lift+ its ev]gre5  arms 
to ! light1--to see its p]fect success2 
b mo/ are cont5t to  behold x 9 ! %ape (
 _m broad bo>ds br\ght to m>ket1 & deem 
t its true success6444 ,e creature is   
bett] alive ?an dead1  m5 & moose & p9e 
trees1 & he :o und]/&s x aright w  r    
pres]ve its life ?an de/roy x40         
,?oreau did n tea* me t tru?1 = e lov] (
 life discov]s  x himself2 b h[ long    
be=e me x 0 t he f\nd x out1  & h[ _m   
o!r ?+s besides x he f\nd out "h 9 ! big

  woods6 ,?ree-qu>t]s ( a c5tury ago he 
camp$ on ,katahd91 & on  ,*esuncook1 &  
d[n ! ,allega%2 b n[ he camps :]ev] a   
t5t is  pit*$ or a fire is light$ 9 !   
woods ( ,ma9e4 ,8 "n is on !  tongue ( e
 =e/ tree1 & on e wat]2 & ov] e c>ry  at
 twilight may be se5 8 gray canoe &     
,indian guide4    ,& ,i wond]1 a c5tury 
h5ce1 :o w camp "h :]e ,i am camp+1  &  
"h discov] aga9 ! woods ( ,ma9e8 ,= !   
native %all  return4 ,& z 8e creature is
 bett] alive ?an dead1 man &  moose &   
p9e tree02 & z 8he :o und]/&s x aright w
 r  pres]ve 8 life ?an de/roy x0 s %all 
he seek 8 heal+ "h4    ,! light _h gone 
out ( ! sky4 ,x 0 aft] n9e o'clock4 ,a  
deep  purple _h fl[$ 9 & fill$ ! bas9 ( 
! pond1 ?ick5+  ab\t its m>g9s till no?+
 b ! long *alk-m>ks ( ! bir*es  %[$     
d\ble along ! %ore4 ,! high1 inv]t$ cone
 ( ,sp5c] /ood  j 9 front ( ! canoe z we
 head$ out across ! pond t[>d !  camp1  
its %ad[ & its sub/ance only fa9t       
sugge/ions n[1 = all  ?+s _h turn$ to   
%ad[1 ! solid sub/ance ( ! day hav+ be5 

dissolv$ 9 ?is purple flood & p\r$ into 
! beak] ( ! night4  ,a moose 8b>k$0 (f  
on a m>%y po9t ne> ! dam beh9d u2 a loon
  w5t laugh+ ov]1 %ak+ ! holl[ sides (  
,sp5c] & all !  e*o+ walls ( ! woods ) 8
 weird & mir?less cry4 ,aga9/  ! black  
base ( ! m\nta9 a fa9t blui% cl\d       
appe>$--! smoke  ( our camp-fire t1     
sl[ly s9k+ ?r\gh ! heavy air1 spread out
  to meet u ov] ! hu%$ & sleep+ pond4   
,,*apt] ,,viii    ,,wood*uck ,,lodge ,,&
 ,,lit]ature          ,,*apt] ,,viii    
,,wood*uck ,,lodge ,,& ,,lit]ature      
,h ,i pro( ( my cont5tion "h8 ,?r\gh\t  
?is book1 on _m sides  ( ! "q1 ,i h     
argu$ t ! e>? is z "y z x ev]  02 t     
,nature1 ?\gh x c all b be de/roy$ 9    
spots1 z 9  ,new ,york ,city1 _c be     
tam$2 t we are /ill ! /uff ( dreams1  if
 we c\ld f9d re/ = our s\ls & ! *ance to
 dream4 ,we are  n lack+ imag9ation & ! 
p[] = high endeavor4 ,we ma/]  mat]ial  
?+s2 we c also h&le ! raw mat]ials ( !  
_s  & give !m endur+ =m4 ,b h[ c we come
 by ! raw mat]ials  ( ! _s8 ,& :]e %all 

we f9d new patt]ns on :i* to m\ld  our  
new & endur+ =ms8 ,matt] & patt]n are   
/ill to be f\nd 9  nature--sub/ance1    
ess5ce1 pres5ce1      8,^: dwell+ is !  
light ( sett+ suns1    ,& ! r\nd ocean &
 ! liv+ air1    ,& ! blue sky1 & 9 ! m9d
 ( man40    ,i h _h mu* to d ) "y p1    
especially ) ^? (  creative m9ds1       
div9ely capable m9ds1 c\ld !y be fre$ f 
!  d\bt ( _! times1 & ! fe> ( _! own    
p[]s4 ,"h let me  give !m a glimpse ( an
 old man ( _! own times1 ^! evil  times 
:5 all ( ! raw mat]ial ( books has be5  
us$ up2 an old  man ) a boy's eyes & a  
*ild's he>t & a p5 & a bluebird or  two1
 & a wood*uck--&1 ( c\rse1 a magical    
*ance4    ,x 0 an ,octob] day4 ,& h[ x  
ra9$ t day6 ,an ,octob] day 9  !        
,catskills1 & ,i 0 mak+ my way1 ) my    
fri5d ,de,loach1 out (  ! little village
 ( ,roxbury by ! road t w9ds up ! hills 
to  ,wood*uck ,lodge4 ,h>dscrabble      
,creek knew x 0 ra9+1 & met me  noisily 
at a turn ( ! road1 j be=e ,i came to ! 
squ>e /one  s*oolh\se 7n[ a dwell+7 :]e 

little ,johnny ,burr\ghs _h gone =  8   
book le>n+ "s sev5ty-five ye>s be=e4    
,leav+ ! creek1 ,i  f\nd myself on a    
roll]-coa/] road a?w>t ! hills1 mak+ up 
)  spurt & dip to a l[1 wea!r$ f>mh\se1 
?9 & gray & old1  t seem$ to be re/+ by 
! roadside ?us f> ov] ! m\nta9  on its  
way to ! valley4    ,i knew x f !       
di/ance & ?r\gh ! ra91 only x seem$ ev5 
old]1 small]1 poor] ?an ,i _h expect$ to
 f9d x4 ,b h[ close  x sat to !         
roadside1 & h[ eag]ly x gaz$ d[n into ! 
valley  :]e ! /ore & ! /ation & !       
meet+-h\se 7--to see :o  might be /irr+1
 ,i ?\ght1 d[n !re 9 ! valley6 ,or      
p]haps x  sat "h = ! l&scape4 ,i 0      
approa*+ ,wood*uck ,lodge1 & x  seem$ v 
old & lonely 9 ! ra9 t slant$ along !   
wide gray  slopes1 & too frail to /&    
long aga9/ ! pull ( ! valley &  ! pu% ( 
! heights cr[d+ h>d ^u x f beh9d4    ,a 
t9y kit*5 g>d5 at its corn]1 & across ! 
road a /one wall1  an or*>d ( untrimm$  
apple trees b5t ) fruit1 & a small b>n  
on ! edge ( a %>ply fall+ field--?is 0 !

 picture 9 !  ra91 ! imm$iate =egr\nd ( 
! picture1 :i* /ood out on a  field (   
hay-l&s & pa/ures roll+ out ( ! ra9y sky
 & d[n1  f> d[n :]e _! /one walls ran   
into ! mi/s at ! bottom (  ! valley4    
,^! 7 ! ance/ral fields4 ,burr\ghs 0    
born a little f>!r  along ?is road1 !   
h\se no long] /&+4 ,"h at ! ,lodge he 0 
n[ liv+1 & 9 ! old b>n across ! road he 
_h a /udy4 ,^!  7 8 fields by "r ( p51 n
 pl\gh2 ^! 7 8 build+s1  too1 & !y %[$  
x4 ,!y %elt]$ him & gave him ?is        
outlook1  b !y utt]ly lack$ ! pride ( ! 
gild$ wea!rvane1 !  /olid1 f\r-squ>e    
complac5cy1 t well-f$1 well-/ock$       
security  ( ! prosp]\s ,am]ican f>m4 ,an
 old pair ( tramps 7 h\se  & b>n1 lov]s 
( ! hills1 re/+ "h above ! valley4 ,x 0 
9 t old b>n1 on an ov]turn$ *ick5-coop1 
) a door or "s  o!r ?+ z humble = table1
 t ,burr\ghs _h writt5 mo/ (  ! *apt]s 9
 8,! ,summit ( ! ,ye>s10 9 8,"t &       
,*ange10 8,!  ,brea? ( ,life10 & 8,"u ! 
,apple-,trees40    ,s a lit]>y f>m %\ld 
look1 ,i suppose1--a f>m t produces     

books  z abundantly z a prairie f>m     
produces cattle & corn2 yet e  f>m1 ,i  
?9k1 %\ld h a pat* ( poetry1 z e        
pr(essional  poet c]ta9ly ne$s to keep a
 g>d5 & a pig4 ,= ye>s ,burr\ghs  grew  
fancy grapes & cel]y = ! ,new ,york     
m>ket1 along ) 8  lit]>y essays = !     
read+ public4    ,z we came 9 on !      
v9e-cov]$ por* ( ! ,lodge1 we 7 met by  
,dr4 ,b>rus1 ,burr\ghs's physician &    
biograph]1 :o told u )  consid]able     
anxiety t ! old man 0 n at home4    8,he
 is out visit+ 8 traps1 ,i suppose10 %e 
said4 8,he's j l a  boy4 ,i c't d any?+ 
) him4 ,he'll come home wr++ wet4 ,&    
he's n a bit well40    ,he came home    
true to =m4 ,x 0 an h\r lat]1 p]haps1 t 
,i saw1  f ! /eps1 a dim figure 9 ! blur
 ( ! ra93 an old man  plodd+ sl[ly d[n !
 hill road1 a /ick & a /eel trap 9 8    
left h&1 & 9 8 "r h& a heavy wood*uck4  
,x 0 ,john ,burr\ghs1 ! real ,burr\ghs1 
= ,i knew z ,i wat*$ him  t ,i _h nev]  
se51 nev] cle>ly se51 ?is man be=e--n   
exactly  ?is simple1 ra9-soak$ man ) !  

sn[ ( m ?an eighty w9t]s  on 8 head1 ) !
 song ( et]nal spr+time 9 8 he>t1 & a   
wood*uck1 l a lant]n1 9 8 h&4    ,?is   
figure 9 ! ra9 %\ld be se5 com+ d[n e   
page (  ,burr\ghs's books4 ,e l9e %\ld  
be read 9 ! light ( ?is  lant]n 9 8 h&1 
= its wick is 9 8 he>t1 & its flame     
%9es f 8,wake-,rob90 to 8,! ,summit ( ! 
,ye>s40 ,burr\ghs 0  ! et]nal           
boy--spla%+ ?r\gh ! puddles1 wet to !   
sk92 !  boy = :om ^! fields ( 8 fa!r's  
f>m 7 z wild z !  jungles ( ,africa2 &  
?is wood*uck 9 8 h& 7x 0 a big "o67  a v
 elephant1 except = ! tusks4 ,b to be l 
?is is to be  bo? boy & philosoph]--boy 
& writ]1 ,i %\ld say4 ,& to see him     
?us--fall+ ) ! ra91 :irl+ ) ! du/1 s++ )
 !  birds1 gr[+ ) ! grass1 8 :ole be+ "o
 ) ! elem5ts1  e>? & wild-life &        
wea!r--?us to see ! man is to "k h[ to  
read 8 books4    ,z he came up to !     
por*1 8 sl\* hat sp\t+ l an             
eaves-tr\gh1 he greet$ me cordially1 b z
 a /rang]1 n  recogniz+ me = an in/ant2 
!n da%+ ! ra9 f 8 eyes1  he dropp$ !    

wood*uck1 drew (f1 & ) a quick righ?&]  
to my  *e/1 :i* almo/ took me (f my     
feet1 he cri$1 8,%>p1 we'll h  wood*uck 
= d9n]60    ,& we did--n ! "o he _h j   
dropp$ on ! floor1 = t  "o he sk9n$ &   
salt$ & gave me to br+ home to ,bo/on4  
,we _h  cann$ wood*uck t noon at !      
,lodge4 ,x 0 ,burr\ghs's cu/om to  s]ve 
8 gue/s a real lit]>y d9n]2 & ( c\rse x 
mu/ savor (  ! locality4    ,?is call$ =
 wood*uck1 or 8,roxbury ,lamb10 z y     
pref]r$2 & =  roa/ ,roxbury ,lamb ! rule
 = rabbit-/ew prevails3 fir/ get y\r    
wood*uck2 n always readily done1 = !    
meat-m>ket d[n at !  village is         
sometimes out ( wood*uck4 ,s ! ,laird ( 
! ,lodge keeps  !m cann$ ahead4    ,!   
cl\ds cle>$ 9 ! aft]noon1 ! sun came d[n
 ^u !  m\nta9s1 & we look$ out f ! por* 
ov] a _w s l>ge &  new & lovely t ,i    
rememb] x /ill z a ke5 pa91 s unprep>$  
0 ,i = x1 ) my level backgr\nd ( mead[ &
 m>% & bay4    ,endless rea*es ( riv] & 
bay1 ( wavy m>%l& & hazy b>r5s (  p9e1 7
 my h]itage ( l&scape z a *ild4 ,& ,i h 

nev] be5  able to measure up to !       
m\nta9s1 nor to ?is sc5e1 "h f !        
por*--?is rea* )\t level2 space bo? deep
 & high z well z  wide2 ?is valley      
completely hid+ a village bel[ y2 ridges
 above  y :]e /one walls climb ov] !    
sky2 m\nta9s f> across )  =e/s flung ov]
 _! %\ld]s1 & f>ms1 l color$ pat*work1  
/it*$ into ! r5ts ( ! =e/s2 runnels s++ 
d[n !  pa/ures2 & roads1 y\r road to    
s*ool1 s close to ! v]ge t  only ! /one 
wall /ays y f /epp+ (f ! edge ( ! _w6   
,none ( ?is _h ,i kn[n z a boy4 8,:o    
c\ldn't write10 ,i mutt]$1  8born into  
?is glori\s _w60 ,i h se5 mu* gr&]      
m\nta9s4  8,n a rugg$1 mascul9e t\* 9   
all ! view10 ,burr\ghs said to  me4 8,x 
is all sweet & fem99e1 & d\btless has _h
 a fem9iz+  influ5ce ^u my "* & writ+40 
,x may be s4 ,!re is a  pl5ty ( wild]1  
/ormi] l&scape ?an ?is 9 ^! ,we/]n      
,catskills1 b c]ta9ly none t ,i ev] saw 
t is loveli] = a  human home4 ,& "h     
,burr\ghs n[ sleeps1 "u ! b\ld] :]e he  
play$ z a *ild1 & :]e all ?is beauty (  

w9d+ valley &  blue1 b5d+ sky ^u !      
m\nta9s lies =ev] ab\t him4    ,!re is  
some?+ t]ribly important & la/+ ab\t    
*ildhood4  ,almo/ any environm5t w d1 if
 only ! *ild is happy4 ,x is !  *ild :o 
c\nts4 ,9 e *ild ! _w is recreat$ & 9 8 
memory /ays recreat$4 ,m & m1 z ! ye>s  
l5g!n1 d we  f9d ourselves long+--= !   
p9e b>r5s1 = ! va/ gre5 rea*  ( ! m>%es2
 & 7 my feet free ?is summ] day1 !y w\ld
 run  ) my he>t to ! riv]--n to !       
m\nta9s2 to ! riv]1 !  ,maurice ,riv]1  
:]e ! bubbl+ wr5s build 9 ! smo!r ( re$ 
& calamus1 & :]e ?is v day ! p9k-:ite   
m>%mall[s make1  at high noon1 a gorge\s
 sunset ov] miles ( ! mead[s4 ,i love & 
und]/& ^? great1 gre5 levels ( m>%l& z  
,i %all love &  und]/& no o!r face (    
nature1 x may be4 ,i "k p]fectly :at    
,lani] means :5 he s+s1      8,oh1 :at  
is abroad 9 ! m>% & ! t]m9al sea8       
,someh[ my s\l seems sudd5ly free    ,f 
! weigh+ ( fate & ! sad discussion ( s91
    ,by ! l5g? & ! bread? & ! sweep ( ! 
m>%es ( ,glynn40    ,i said ! cl\ds     

cle>$ late t aft]noon1 b x 0 /ill ra9+  
:51 aft] d9n]1 ,i br\ght a box f !      
wood%$ to ! front  por* = ,burr\ghs to  
sk9 ! wood*uck4 ,"h we sat d[n toge!r1  
! flabby1 flaccid m>mot betwe5 u1 ! :ole
 ,octob] aft]noon our  own4    ,burr\ghs
 pull$ a rudim5t>y :et/one out ( 8 coat 
pocket &  t\*$ up ! blade ( 8 knife--( 8
 _s1 too1 runn+ 8  ?umb along ! blade ( 
e faculty z he settl$ to ! sk9n+1  8 %9+
 eyes1 8 vibrant voice1 8 eag] movem5ts1
 all %[+  h[ razor-ke5 an edge ! old man
 0 /ill capable ( tak+4 ,he got  hold ( 
a =efoot ( ! '*uck & />t$ to talk on !  
flight (  birds1 review+ ! v>i\s /ages (
 ! controv]sy on ! so>+  ( hawks t he _h
 be5 c>ry+ on 9 ! press1 :51 sudd5ly    
dropp+ 8 knife1 he disappe>$ ?r\gh !    
door & return$ 9  a m9ute ) a lett] f "s
 sci5ti/1 ^: argum5t1 z ,i  rememb] x1 0
 :olly at v>iance ) ,burr\ghs's !ory1 b 
:i*  clos$ ) a /range ^w1 a ^w ! old man
 _h nev] se5 be=e  & c\ld n f9d 9 8     
diction>y4 ,x 0 "s a]onautical t]m1 ,i  
?9k4 ,h&+ me ! lett]1 8 f+]1 z well z 8 

eyes1 fa/5$  to t /rang] f beyond !     
diction>y1 he said3    8,t *ap doesn't  
"k mu* ab\t so>+ hawks2 b !re's a new   
^w4 ,see t6 ,he kn[s a heap m ?an ,i d  
ab\t ! ,engli%  language40    ,he sat   
d[n to ! sk9n+ aga94 ,no cut _h yet be5 
made1 nor ev]  w\ld be made1 app>5tly1  
unless he us$ ! back ( 8 blade1 =  x 0  
pla9 t ,burr\ghs kept t old :et/one = 8 
wits only4  ,he saw$ away & talk$ z if  
inspir$4 ,i held ! o!r =efoot1 a  %ort1 
broad foot1 l a side-hill g\g]'s1 on !  
olde/1 t\ghe/  '*uck 9 ! ,catskills4    
8,d y "k :at ,i am go+ to d80 he ask$1  
swit*+ !  conv]sation into ! h>d-work+  
knife4 8,i'm go+ to pickle ?is  old     
rascal & s5d him by y to y\r family4 ,i 
want y all to h a  di% ( #8,roxbury     
,lamb4'0    8,b we h our own ,h+ham     
,lamb out on ,mulle9 ,hill10 ,i sugge/$ 
cauti\sly4 8,& ,i don't l to rob y ?is  
way40    8,no robb]y at all4 ,besides1  
^! are a bett] bre$ ?an y\rs 9  ,h+ham40
    8,b my folks don't seem v fond (    
'em10 ,i prote/$4 8,!y cook  ) a rank   

odor40    8,oh1 y don't "k h[ to prep>e 
!m10 he answ]$4 8,let me %[ y  a trick10
 & deftly cutt+ 9 betwe5 ! neck & !     
%\ld]1 he  took out ! ?yroid gl&s4      
8,n[ y're go+ to take ?is "o home4      
,!re'll be no /rong smell  :5 y cook ?is
 fell[40           99       99       99 
99       99    ,our talk turn$ to       
poetry--! sk9n+ /ill go+ =w>d--!        
wood*uck brimm+ full ( v]se2 =          
,burr\ghs1 at e o!r turn (  8 knife1    
w\ld seem to op5 up a ve9 ( song4 ,!    
beauty ( nature  to ,burr\ghs _h always 
be5 m ?an sk9 deep4 ,he want$ ! sk9  = a
 coat2 ! c>cass he want$ = a roa/2 b "h 
0 a *ance  = him to look into "s ( !    
hidd51 fe>ful ?+s ( nature1 &  ! sight  
inside ( t wood*uck made him /op & s+4  
,b h[ old & frail he look$6 ,& he 0 old1
 v old1 eighty-f\r  ! com+ ,april #i4 ,&
 he 0 sudd5ly sad4    ,re/+ a bit f 8   
labor1 he began to *ant to ! slack5+    
ra93      8',tis a dull sight      ,to  
see ! ye> dy+4    ,:5 w9t] w9ds         
,set yell[ woods sigh+1    ,sigh+1 ,o   

sigh+4      8,:5 su* a "t come?1      ,i
 d retire    ,into an old room          
,beside a bright fire2    ,oh1 pile a   
bright fire6      8,i nev] look out     
,nor att5d to ! bla/1    ,= all to be   
se5      ,is ! leaves fall+ fa/1        
,fall+1 fall+60    ,& he rubb$ 8 ?9 h&s 
toge!r1 spread !m to ! w>m?1 &  repeat$ 
two or ?ree times1      8,oh1 pile a    
bright fire60    8,oh1 pile a bright    
fire60    ,m ?an once1 ,i he>d him      
return+ to ^? l9es2 & saw him  sev]al   
times read+ ! la/ /anzas ( ! poem f a   
typewritt5  copy on 8 por* table1 *af+ 8
 h&s ! :ile1 & ext5d+  !m be=e ! imag9>y
 fire z if !y 7 cold1 or z if he felt   
?r\gh 8 h&s1 s s5sitive 0 he physically1
 an actual fire 9  ! writt5 l9es4 ,!    
poem is ,edw>d ,fitzg]ald's 8,old       
,song10 & ,i am  sure ,burr\ghs 0 le>n+ 
x by he>t1 & mak+ r h>d "w (  x1 ,i     
?\ght1 = "o :o _h already 9 memory s mu*
 good poetry4  ,b he 0 gett+ v old4     
,!n1 at my reque/ he said "s ( ! l9es ( 
8 own poem1  8,wait+40 8,! only ?+ ,i   

ev] did10 he rem>k$1 8) real poetry  9  
x40    8,h[ ab\t ! philosophy 9 x10 ,i  
inquir$1 8,d y f9d x s\nd  aft] all ^!  
ye>s80    ,!re 0 an audible *uckle      
inside ( him4 ,!n r solemnly he  repli$3
 8,my fa!r kill$ himself e>ly try+ to   
cle> ^! acres  ( debts & /ones4 ,i might
 h be5 9 my grave1 too1 ^! =ty  ye>s _h 
,i tri$ to hurry x 8 way4 ,i wait$4 ,by 
& by ,h5ry ,=d  came along & cle>$ up ! 
:ole f>m = me4 ,"h ,i am1 & "h          
8,s]5e1 ,i fold my h&s & wait1      ,nor
 c>e = w9d1 nor tide1 nor sea2    ,i    
rave no m 'ga9/ ,"t or ,fate1      ,=   
lo6 my own %all come to me40    ,we 7   
soon deep 9 a discussion ( free v]se1 no
 hungry tr\t  ev] ris+ to ! fly ) m snap
 ?an ,burr\ghs4 ,he call$ !  free-v]se  
writ]s ! ,r$s ( ,am]ican lit]ature1 !   
figure /ick+  to him1 until "s mon?s    
lat] 9 ,cali=nia he work$ ! idea out    
into a brief newspap] article "u t      
title1 ! la/ piece1 ,i  ?9k1 =          
publication f 8 p54    8,"n me "o good  
mod]n poem10 ,i said1 8m\ld$ on ! old   

=ms1 )  rhyme & met]40    ,he let g 8   
knife aga91 turn$ 8 face once m to !    
ra91  ?r\gh :i* ! m\nta9s 7 n[ em]g+1 & 
ask$1    8,d y "k ,loveman's #8,ra9+' & 
h[ he w&]$ up f ,georgia  to f9d himself
 9 ,new ,york ,city1 8 boat gone1 or 8  
money gone1  or some?+ gone--= he 0     
someway /r&$1 ,i believe--& x 0  ra9+80 
,& ! old man began--      8#8,x isn't   
ra9+ ra9 to me1    ,x's ra9+ daffodils2 
,9 e dimpl$ drop ,i see    ,wild fl[]s  
on ! hills4    ,! cl\ds ( gray engulf ! 
day1    ,& ov]:elm ! t[n1    ,x isn't   
ra9+ ra9 to me1    ,x's ra9+ roses      
d[n41'0    :ile ! ra9 across ! hills1   
%ot ?r\gh ) sunset light1 fell  all     
violets & clov]-bloom & roses on !      
m\nta9s & on ! ro(  ( ,wood*uck ,lodge4 
,! ?+ on ! box betwe5 u 0 utt]ly =gott51
 b only = !  mom5t4    8,damn ^? fleas60
 ! old poet explod$1 at ! end ( !       
recitation1 sw++ ) bo? h&s at 8 long    
:ite :isk]s1 8,t  '*uck's alive )       
fleas60    ,s ,i _h obs]v$2 & ,i _h be5 
speculat+1 z ,i wat*$ !m  quitt+ _! s9k+

 craft & bo>d+ ! sweep+ be>d ( !  poet1 
h[ _m ( !m x might take to halt ! fl[ ( 
song4 ,i 0  f> (f 9 my reckon+4         
,burr\ghs knock$ !m out & w5t on3       
8,t's a good poem because x goes /raight
 to ! he>t4 ,x's an  exp]i5ce4 ,he liv$ 
x4 ,& its =m is p]fect4 ,y c't *ange a  
syllable 9 x4 ,x's on ! old =ms1 yet x's
 true to itself4 ,& see  h[ simple1     
direct1 & s9c]e x is6 & h[ lovely6 ,i   
call t good  poetry40           99      
99       99       99       99    ,we _h 
be5 m ?an ?ree h\rs gett+ ! pelt (f t   
wood*uck  & all ( ! poetry out ( him4 ,z
 ,i sat by1 ,i saw :at ,i _h h>dly      
realiz$ be=e3 t ! h& ) ! knife mu/ (t5  
re/1 ?\gh  ! eag] m9d seem$ almo/       
incapable ( re/+4    ,! national        
elections 7 approa*+1 & f poetry we     
plung$  into politics1 :]e ,i fe>$ we 7 
b\nd to disagree1 b :]e1  to my         
surprise1 ,i f\nd we 7 /&+ toge!r on !  
,league (  ,nations1 ,burr\ghs hav+     
=sak5 8 p>ty on t issue4    8,x's ! only
 ?+60 he cri$4 8,t's :at we f\ght =4    

,rob u (  t1 & ! :ole t]rible sacrifice 
is futile--crim9al60    ,& lat]1 aft] my
 return home1 he wrote me3    8,well1 ! 
elections did n g z bo? ( u _h hop$4    
,de,loach 0  on ! w9n+ side1 z ,i       
suppose all ! great money$ int]e/s  74  
,b ?ank heav5 ,i am n 9 t cr[d4 ,if x   
means an utt]  repudiation ( ! ,league (
 ,nations1 !n = ! fir/ "t ,i am  a%am$ t
 ,i am an ,am]ican4 ,if ,i 7 9 ,europe  
,i c\ld n hold up  my head & say1 #8,i  
am f ! ,unit$ ,/ates6' ,if we h fail$ to
  see ourselves z a memb] ( ! great     
family ( nations1 ) solemn  duties t[>d 
! re/ ( ! _w1 to p]=m z su* a memb]1 !n 
we h slump$ morally z badly z did !     
,g]mans :5 !y set out  to enslave ! re/ 
( ! _w60    ,b to return to ,wood*uck   
,lodge1 to ! old man ) ! boy's          
jack-knife 9 8 h&1 & ! boy's he>t 9 8   
brea/--& s1 !  poet's outlook 9 8 eyes4 
,= he 0 m poet ?an sci5ti/1 m  poet ?an 
!ologian1 ?\gh e poet1 l all ,gaul1 is  
divid$ into  ?ree p>ts1 & ^!--sci5ce1   
music1 & !ology--are ! p>ts4    ,!      

!ologian is ! ultimate ?9k]4 ,8 *ief    
attribute is  consi/5cy--ev5 unto dea?4 
,no?+ w %att] a sy/em (  !ology z w a   
trifl+ inconsi/5cy4 ,burr\ghs 0 a bad   
!ologian1 ! wor/ ,i "k by ! te/ (       
consi/5cy4 ,yet :o  among ! !ologians is
 m religi\s8 ,or leaves u ) a real]     
consci\sness ( ! pres5ce ( ,god 9       
nature8    8,y & ,i approa* ?is ?+ f    
diff]5t angles10 he said to  me4 8,we   
come to ,god d[n diff]5t roads4 ,our    
t]ms diff]4 ,y say  #8,fa!r4' ,i say    
#8,nature4' ,b :atev] we call ,him1 ,he 
is ! same1 &  ! same = ea* ( u4 ,our    
div]g5t pa?s at ! />t1 come out  toge!r 
at ! end4 ,we wor%ip ! same ,god40      
,we did diff] radically 9 our approa*1 9
 our t]m9ology1 & z ,i  _h always ?\ght1
 mu/ ( necessity diff] z radically 9 our
 fai?s  & works4 ,t 0 a fooli%1         
va+lori\s conceit4 ,i wi% e  disconc]t$ 
read] ( 8,! ,light ( ,day0 & 8,accept+ !
 ,univ]se0  _h he>d ! old au?or int]pret
 himself t day4 ,t read] w\ld  h        
und]/ood1 z he sat !re wat*+ ! light ( a

 real day  break+ 9 ov] ! ra9y autumn   
l&scape1 :at ,c>ru? meant by1      8,a  
haze on ! f> horizon1    ,! inf9ite t5d]
 sky1    ,! ripe ri* t9t ( !            
corn-fields1    ,& ! wild geese sail+   
high1    ,& all ov] upl& & l[l&    ,!   
*>m ( ! gold5rod--    ,"s ( u call x    
,autumn1    ,& o!rs call x ,god60    ,! 
pelt 0 f9ally (f2 ! c>cass 9 pickle =   
me2 & ! sun  0 out1 flood+ ,montgom]y   
,valley & ! heav+ ranges beyond4 ,an    
automobile load ( call]s came1 /opp$ a  
little "t1 & w5t away2  ano!r load came 
& w5t away1 & ,burr\ghs1 n[ q re/$1     
br\ght out ! manuscripts ( two new      
books1 :i* 7 ab\t ready  = ! publi%]s4  
,i look$ at ! piles ( "w1 !n at ! frail 
old man :o _h heap$  !m up1 & ?\ght )   
%ame ( my own /r5g?--& laz9ess4 ,to  be 
approa*+ eighty-f\r ) "o book on ! press
 & two o!r  books 9 manuscript6 ,:at a  
long /eady /roke he _h pull$ across  ^! 
m ?an sixty ye>s ( writ+ to be br++ him 
9 at !  f9i%1 two full volumes ahead ( !
 race6 ,?ree volumes inde$1 =  8,accept+

 ! ,univ]se0 _h n yet come f ! press4   
,! quiet & calm ( x all deeply impress$ 
me4 ,! extreme opposite  9 temp]am5t &  
action f 8 fri5d ,roosevelt1 !re 0 no?+ 
8/r5u\s0 ab\t ?is plodd+ old man1 nor   
ev] _h be54 8,s]5e ,i  fold my h&s &    
wait0 he _h writt5 9 8 tw5ty-?ird ye>1 &
  _h practic$ all ^! f\r-&-eighty ye>s4 
,yet look at ?is am\nt  ( durable "w    
accompli%$4 ,x is well = u ,am]icans to 
rememb]  j n[ t !re is ano!r ?an !      
8/r5u\s0 type ( life1 :i*  is j z wor?y 
( emulation1 & :i* is likely to be ev5 m
  effective4    ,?is 0 an ,octob] day at
 ,wood*uck ,lodge4 ,sixty-"o ye>s be=e  
! 8,atlantic ,mon?ly0 0 actually pr9t+  
,burr\ghs's fir/ essay1  8,expression40 
,i look$ at ! old man beside me ) ! p5 9
 8  f+]s4 ,0 x ! same man8 ! same p58   
,l[ell 0 ! editor2  !n ,fields1 ,h[ells1
 ,aldri*1 ,scudd]1 ,page1 ,p]ry1 to !   
pres5t  editor1 :o has held 8 *air ^!   
doz5 ye>s2 & ,i wat*$ !  p5 9           
,burr\ghs's h& travel sl[ly across a    
correct$ l9e ( !  manuscript & ,i       

rememb]$ t 9 all ! ye>s s9ce ,l[ell 0   
editor1 n = a s+le ye> _h t p5 fail$ to 
appe> 9 !  pages ( ! 8,atlantic40 ,0 x  
/range t z ,i look$ f !  p5 away to !   
,catskills surr\nd+ me ,i wond]$ if ,i 7
 really  look+ into ,montgom]y ,valley &
 n into ,sleepy ,holl[8    ,we gue/s _h 
a pl5ty t night1 b ,burr\ghs w5t to b$  
supp]less4 ,we gue/s slept indoors1 b   
,burr\ghs made 8 b$ out on  ! front     
por*1 :]e he c\ld see ! />s come ov] !  
m\nta9s1  & ! gates ( dawn sw+ wide on !
 wood$ cre/s1 :5 ! new  sweet day %\ld  
come ?r\gh & d[n into ,montgom]y        
,valley4    ,= ,burr\ghs has liv$ & lov$
 ev]y?+ he has writt54 ,he _c  write (  
any?+ else4 ,our pres5t-day writ]s1     
especially our poets  & nature writ]s1  
take ! w+s ( ! morn+ 7or ( ! night7     
unto ! utt]mo/ p>ts ( ! e>? = copy4     
,burr\ghs visit$  di/ant places2 b he   
always wrote ab\t ! ?+s at home4 8,fre% 
,fields10 to be sure1 is out ( ,engl&2  
yet ,engl& 0 only an old]  home4        
,burr\ghs _h se5 /range1 extraord9>y1   

tropical ?+s2 se5  !m1 to write little  
ab\t !m1 h[ev]1 = x is only ! homely1  !
 ord9>y1 ! famili> ?+s t /irr$ 8        
imag9ation &  mov$ 8 p54 ,^! 7 8 ?+s1 ! 
furniture ( 8 h\se1 !  folks ( 8 t[n2 = 
x 0 ! he>? :]e he liv$1 8 home1 t  he   
lov$1 & x 0 ! creatures liv+ on x ) him 
t gave him  8 great !me4 8,! :ole gospel
 ( my books10 he wrote1 8is /ay at      
home1 see ! wond]ful & beautiful & !    
simple ?+s all ab\t  y4 ,make ! mo/ ( ! 
ne> at h&40           99       99       
99       99       99    ,x 0 a con/ant  
wond] to me h[ "o c\ld be s simple z    
,burr\ghs1  & yet "k s _m places1       
p]sons1 & books4 ,burr\ghs _h met  _m p2
 he _h read _m books1 & _h writt5 m ?an 
a  score himself2 yet he 0 ! simple/ man
 ,i ev] knew1 z simple  z a             
*ild1--simpl]1 inde$4 ,= *ildr5 may be  
suspici\s &  self-consci\s1 & ev5       
un9t]e/$2 b ,burr\ghs's int]e/ &        
curiosity grew ) ! ye>s4 ,he c>ri$ 8    
culture & 8 knife  & 8 :et/one 9 8      
pocket4 ,!y belong$ to him2 b he belong$

  /rictly to himself4 ,he rema9$ to !   
end :at ! ,"l made him--&  t is to be   
orig9al4    ,pietro1 ! sculptor1 has    
made ,burr\ghs 9 bronze1 re/+ on a rock1
  8 arm %ad+ 8 face1 8 eyes pe]+ ke5ly  
into ! future or  ! f>-away4 ,pietro has
 made him a se] or a prophet4 ,he 0 mu* 
m  ! lov] & ! poet4 ,i sat ) ,burr\ghs  
on t same rock1 !  morn+ aft] ! ra9y day
 at ! ,lodge1 & talk$ ) him ( "s  ?+s   
long pa/1 ( _m ?+s r\nd ab\t u1 b ( few 
?+s (  ! future4 ,i saw him %ield 8 face
 ) 8 arm1 & look f> (f  f ! rock--to !  
r\nd$1 gre5-cre/$ hills 9 ! di/ance1  & 
d[n into ! beautiful valley bel[4 ,b mo/
 ( ! "t he 0  wat*+ a *ipmunk ne> by1 or
 scann+ ! pa/ure = wood*ucks4  ,_h ,i   
be5 ,pietro ,i %\ld h made ! old man    
flat on t b\ld]1  8 be>d a pat* ( li*51 
8 sl\* hat h>d d[n on 8 eyes1 8  head j 
ov] ! r\nd ( ! rock--& d[n ! slope1 at !
 m\?  ( 8 burr[1 a big wood*uck on 8    
haun*es4    8,i've be5 /udy+ ! wood*uck 
all my life10 he said1 z we sat  !re on 
! rock1 8& !re is no gett+ to ! bottom (

 him40    ,i d n "k :e!r ,burr\ghs      
climb$ ov] ! walls & up ?r\gh  ! field  
aga9 to ?is favorite spot ( 8 boyhood 9 
! few  rema9+ days he _h at ! ,lodge4   
,?is may h be5 ! la/ "t he  look$ out ) 
see+ eyes ov] ?is l&scape ( valley &    
m\nta9  t _h be5 "o ( ! deepe/1 mo/     
abid+ influ5ces ( 8 life4  ,z we sat !re
 toge!r1 ! l>g5ess & glory ( ! _w3      
colors1  cont\rs1 ! valley dep?s1 !     
quiet hills1 ! weal? ( life1 !  full1   
deep flood ( autumn light--almo/ too mu*
 = common human  eyes--! old man beside 
me said1 ) a sigh3    8,i love x4 ,b x  
is h>d to live up to x4 ,sometimes1     
especially (  late1 ,i feel x a burd5   
too great to be>40 ,!n1 z if guilty ( "s
  evil ?\ght1 he bright5$ in/antly1     
po9t$ out a dam t he _h  built z a boy 9
 ! field bel[ u1 = 8 own swimm+-hole1 ! 
ridge ( sod & /one /ill %[+2 told me    
/ories ( 8 p>5ts2  describ$ 8 sug>-mak+ 
9 ! 8bu%0 beh9d u2 nor ref]r$ aga9  to !
 burd5 ( ! ye>s1 weigh+ s heavily n[ ^u 
him1 until we  7 leav+4 ,!n1 z he came  

out to ! road to see u (f1 he said  )   
te>s 9 8 eyes3    8,i hate to h y g4 ,i 
wi% y c\ld /ay4 ,y boys are life to me  
n[4 ,come aga9 soon4 ,good-bye40    ,we 
promis$ we w\ld1 & we did--9 ,april1 !  
next ,april1 :5 we  w5t up to say our   
la/ good-bye4 ,meantime he 0 (f to      
,cali=nia =  ! w9t] mon?s4 ,be=e leav+  
he wrote to me f ,we/ ,p>k1 8  home on !
 ,hudson3      ,i neglect$ to make any  
apologies = ! long lett] ,i wrote y    !
 o!r day4 ,i promise n to d s aga94 ,i  
am s5d+ y an old    notebook ( m9e1     
fill$ ) all sorts ( jott+s1 z y w see4  
,i s5d x z a keepsake4      ,we are (f =
 ,cali=nia to-morr[4 ,hope to be !re 9  
e>ly    ,decemb]4 ,we leave ,*icago on !
 #bi?4 ,my address !re w be ,la         
,jolla1 ,san ,diego4 ,good luck to y &  
y\rs4                                   
,ev] y\r fri5d                          
,,john ,,burr\ghs    ,he kept 8 promise4
 ,?is 0 8 la/ lett] to me4 ,!y 7 n  v   
happy mon?s 9 ,cali=nia4 ,visitors came 
to see him z usual2  he spoke 9 !       

s*ools2 & wrote up to ! v end2 b he 0   
weak1 (t5 sick1 & always long+ = home4  
,he knew if he 0 ev]  to see home aga9  
he mu/ n delay long2 & he c\nt$ ! days4 
,he wi%$ to celebrate 8 bir?day ) 8 old 
fri5ds1 at ! old  place2 & he 0 on !    
way1 spe$+ homew>d1 ) mo/ ( !  long     
j\rney cov]$1 :51 sudd5ly1 ! end came4  
,& is x at all  /range t 8 la/ utt]$    
words1 z he sank into unconsci\sness1   
%\ld h be5 8,h[ f> are we f home80      
,on ! front ( ! b\ld] :i* m>ks 8 grave1 
^? la/ words  might well be cut1 z      
express+ ! real !me ( all 8 books1 !    
dom9ant note 9 all 8 life4    ,8 old    
fri5ds kept 8 bir?day 9 ! old place--9 !
 8,ne/0  at ,riv]by1 = ! fun]al2 & !    
next day1 8 eighty-f\r?  bir?day1 !y    
c>ri$ him into 8 belov$ m\nta9s1 to 8   
grave  by ! rock1 :]e s lately we _h    
talk$ toge!r1 & :]e1 s9ce  *ildhood1 he 
_h f\nd an alt> = 8 s\l4    ,h[ great a 
man ,burr\ghs 0 ,i d n "k4 ,"t kn[s4 ,i 
"k t  he _h ?ree ( ! elem5ts ( greatness
 z a writ]3 simplicity1  s9c]ity1 & a   

true feel+ = =m4 ,& he _h ^! to an      
uncommon degree4 ,i "k t great m5 &     
little *ildr5 lov$ him2  & t ?ree       
g5]ations already h be5 l$ (t5] & f>!r  
into ! out-(-doors by him ?an by any o!r
 ,am]ican writ]4  ,i "k h[ ,burr\ghs    
?\ght ( himself & ( ,?oreau2 = 9 a      
lett]1 sev]al ye>s ago to me he wrote3  
,?oreau is ne>] ! />s ?an ,i am4 ,i may 
be m human1 b he is    z c]ta9ly m      
div9e4 ,8 moral & e?ical value ,i ?9k is
 mu*    great]1 & he has a h]oic quality
 t ,i _c approa*4    ,b ,i am n try+ to 
e/imate ,burr\ghs4 ,i am only sket*+1   
?r\gh  ! gray ra9 & 9 ! gold5 light at !
 f> end ( ! autumn1 "o  :om ?\s&s ( u   
read & love4      ,,! ,,end             
,,transcrib]',s ,,notes3                
,italiciz$ text is surr\nd$ by          
und]scores3 italics4      ,obvi\s       
typographical errors h be5 correct$4    
,inconsi/5cies 9 hyph5ation h be5       
/&>diz$4