The Happy Traveller
WHO is the monarch of the Road?
I, the happy rover!
Lord of the way which lies before
Up to the hill and over—
Owner of all beneath the blue,
On till the end, and after, too!
I am the monarch of the Road!
Mine are the keys of morning,
I know where evening keeps her store
Of stars for night’s adorning,
I know the wind’s wild will, and why
The lone thrush hurries down the sky!
I am the monarch of the Road!
My court I hold with singing,
Each bird a gay ambassador,
Each flower a censer, swinging;
And every little roadside thing
A wonder to confound a king.
I am the monarch of the Road!
I ask no leave for living;
I take no less, I seek no more
Than nature’s fullest giving—
And ever, westward with the day,
I travel to the far away!