By thronging mart and lonely hill,
By bridle-path and broad highway,
I, follower of the shadow, still
Follow a shadow night and day.

The planets light me on my way,
The bounteous suns arise once more,
And stars by night and sun by day
Still show the fleeting form before.

What heed - tho' men by crowded ways
Jeer at the aim they cannot know,
Tho' wayside loafers stand to gaze
And, turning, mock me as I go?

Have I not heard o'er pool and pine
The brave voice call across the wild?
Have I not held that hand in mine
And gazed into those eyes that smiled?

Tho' mine no life of fireside ease,
Tho' blind men jeer and fools revile,
Need I e'er ways more smooth than these
Or guerdon greater than that smile?