The earth expanding right hand and left hand,
- The picture alive, every part in its best light,
- The music falling in where it is wanted, and stopping where it is not wanted,
- The cheerful voice of the public road, the gay fresh sentiment of the road.
O highway I travel, do you say to me Do not leave me ? Do you say Venture not—if you leave me you are lost ? Do you say I am already prepared, I am well-beaten and undenied, adhere to me ?
O public road, I say back I am not afraid to leave you, yet I love you, You express me better than I can express myself, You shall be more to me than my poem.
I think heroic deeds were all conceiv’d in the open air, and all free poems also, I think I could stop here myself and do miracles, I think whatever I shall meet on the road I shall like, and whoever beholds me shall like me, I think whoever I see must be happy.