From this high portal, where upsprings br The rose to touch our hands in play, br We at a glance behold three things-- br The Sea, the Town, and the Highway. br br And the Sea says: My shipwrecks fear; br I drown my best friends in the deep; br And those who braved icy tempests, here br Among my sea-weeds lie asleep! br br The Town says: I am filled and fraught br With tumult and with smoke and care; br My days with toil are overwrought, br And in my nights I gasp for air. br br The Highway says: My wheel-tracks guide br To the pale climates of the North; br Where my last milestone stands abide br The people to their death gone forth.