I know a country laced with roads, br They join the hills and they span the brooks, br They weave like a shuttle between broad fields, br And slide discreetly through hidden nooks. br They are canopied like a Persian dome br And carpeted with orient dyes. br They are myriad-voiced, and musical, br And scented with happiest memories. br O Winding roads that I know so well, br Every twist and turn, every hollow and hill! br They are set in my heart to a pulsing tune br Gay as a honey-bee humming in June. br 'T is the rhythmic beat of a horse's feet br And the pattering paws of a sheep-dog bitch; br 'T is the creaking trees, and the singing breeze, br And the rustle of leaves in the road-side ditch. br br A cow in a meadow shakes her bell br And the notes cut sharp through the autumn air, br Each chattering brook bears a fleet of leaves br Their cargo the rainbow, and just now where br The sun splashed bright on the road ahead br A startled rabbit quivered and fled. br O Uphill roads and roads that dip down! br You curl your sun-spattered length along, br And your march is beaten into a song br By the softly ringing hoofs of a horse br And the panting breath of the dogs I love. br The pageant of Autumn follows its course br And the blue sky of Autumn laughs above. br br And the song and the country become as one, br I see it as music, I hear it as light; br Prismatic and shimmering, trembling to tone, br The land of desire, my soul's delight. br And always it beats in my listening ears br With the gentle thud of a horse's stride, br With the swift-falling steps of many dogs, br Following, following at my side. br O Roads that journey to fairyland! br Radiant highways whose vistas gleam, br Leading me on, under crimson leaves, br To the opaline gates of the Castles of Dream.