All along the broad highway the little dreams were growing, White as hope, and red as life, and bluer than the sea— All along the broad highway I felt their petals blowing, Like a storm of fragrant snow across the lips of me! So I danced with joyous heart, and bent above them singing. So I skipped along the road and smiled into the skies; ALL ALONG THE BROAD HIGHWAY THE LITTLE DREAMS WERE SPRINGING, FRAGRANT AS THE DEW OF STARS AND GLAD AS BUTTERFLIES! All along the broad highway I danced and sang unheeding, Till One came with haughty step and traveled by my side; Traveled first beside my path then, suddenly, was leading— One who drew me after him and murmured, "I AM PRIDE!" All along the broad highway I hurried, ever faster, Faster through the purple dust that blinded like a mist, Blinded me until I felt that only Pride was master, (And I saw the little dreams through clouds of amethyst!) All along the broad highway I toiled, no longer glancing Anywhere but straight ahead... I had no heart to sing— All along the broad highway, my feet no longer dancing; Followed I the steps of Pride, and felt the thick dust sting In the tired eyes of me... the eyes too sad for weeping! Still I struggled—struggled on until quite suddenly— All the strength that kept me up seemed drowsy, almost sleeping— And I paused with drooping head and lo, Pride went from me! All along the broad highway the silent dusk was stealing, Quite alone I stood and stared about me in the gloom; And the voice of me was still, and my heart was kneeling Like a weary pilgrim soul in an attic room. And I stretched my empty hands to where the ghostly lighting, Showed a crumpled mist of blue, a heap of white and red— There along the broad highway like armies after fighting, All the gallant little dreams were lying gaunt and dead! |