with lifted feet,hands still,
i am poised, and down the hill
dart, with heedful mind;
the air goes by in a wind.
swifter and yet more swift,
till the heart with a mighty lift
makes the lungs laugh, the throat cry:
"o bird , see; see, bird , i fly ."
'is this , is this tour joy?
o bird, then i , though a boy
for a golden moment share
tour feathery life in the air!"
say, heart,is there aught like this
in a world that is full of bliss?
'tis more than skating , bound
steel-shod to the level ground.
speed slackens now , i float
awhile in my airy boat;
till, when the wheels scarcely crawl,
my feet to the treadles fall.
alas, that the longest hill
must end in a vale;but still,
who climbs with toil, wheresoe'er,
shall find wings waiting there