once on a time there was a road

went winding by my door.

and fain i was to travel it

in search of golden store.

and o! how oft with heavy heart

the weary miles i trod,

and many a sorry tale i learned

upon the open road.

often times i was made glad

and oft my heart was sore.

for folk who traveled on the road

that winded by my door.

adventure came, aye many a time,

and even now i sigh.

and sorry am to count the times

the false gods caught my eye.

but now i keep a little spot

just off the busy road,

and there i patient, wise-eyed wait

those of the heavy load.{64}

and kindly then i draw them in

while warm heart talks to heart.

and when night darkens i have found

we’re sorry for to part.

this happened too once on a time

when i was weak and sore.

i drew a jewel from the road

that winded by my door.

but then i very often find

two roads so different meet,

and many a friend i’ve found and kept

for whom i did not seek.