Fair was the morning, fair our tempers, and br We had seen nothing fairer than that land, br Though strange, and the untrodden snow that made br Wild of the tame, casting out all that was br Not wild and rustic and old; and we were glad. br br Fair too was afternoon, and first to pass br Were we that league of snow, next the north wind. br br There was nothing to return for, except need, br And yet we sang nor ever stopped for speed, br As we did often with the start behind. br Faster still strode we when we came in sight br Of the cold roofs where we must spend the night. br Happy we had not been there, nor could be, br Though we had tasted sleep and food and fellowship br Together long. br br 'How quick', to someone's lip br The words came, 'will the beaten horse run home!' br br The word 'home' raised a smile in us all three, br And one repeated it, smiling just so br That all knew what he meant and none would say. br Between three counties far apart that lay br We were divided and looked strangely each br At the other, and we knew we were not friends br But fellows in a union that ends br With the necessity for it, as it ought. br br Never a word was spoken, not a thought br Was thought, of what the look meant with the word br 'Home' as we walked and watched the sunset blurred. br And then to me the word, only the word, br 'Homesick', as it were playfully occurred: br No more. br br If I should ever more admit br Than the mere word I could not endure it br For a day longer: this captivity br Must somehow come to an end, else I should be br Another man, as often now I seem, br Or this life be only an evil dream.