I did not reach thee,tBut my feet slip nearer every day;tThree Rivers and a Hill to cross,tOne Desert and a Sea—tI shall not count the journey onet When I am telling thee.tTwo deserts—but the year is coldtSo that will help the sand—tOne desert crossed, the second onetWill feel as cool as land.t Sahara is too little pricetTo pay for thy Right hand!tThe sea comes last. Step merry, feet!tSo short have we to gotTo play together we are prone,t But we must labor now,tThe last shall be the lightest loadtThat we have had to draw.tThe Sun goes crooked—that is night—tBefore he makes the bendt We must have passed the middle sea,tAlmost we wish the endtWere further off—too great it seemstSo near the Whole to stand.tWe step like plush, we stand like snow—t The waters murmur now,tThree rivers and the hill are passed,tTwo deserts and the sea!tNow Death usurps my premiumtAnd gets the look at Thee.
I did not reach thee,tBut my feet slip nearer every day;tThree Rivers and a Hill to cross,tOne Desert and a Sea—tI shall not count the journey onet When I am telling thee.tTwo deserts—but the year is coldtSo that will help the sand—tOne desert crossed, the second onetWill feel as cool as land.t Sahara is too little pricetTo pay for thy Right hand!tThe sea comes last. Step merry, feet!tSo short have we to gotTo play together we are prone,t But we must labor now,tThe last shall be the lightest loadtThat we have had to draw.tThe Sun goes crooked—that is night—tBefore he makes the bendt We must have passed the middle sea,tAlmost we wish the endtWere further off—too great it seemstSo near the Whole to stand.tWe step like plush, we stand like snow—t The waters murmur now,tThree rivers and the hill are passed,tTwo deserts and the sea!tNow Death usurps my premiumtAnd gets the look at Thee.
