THE OLD ROAD

How short the road with you, my friend, How short the road with you— The hills and vales, the heights and dales And each unfolding view; For side by side and foot by foot, Though long that summer noon, The twilight fell too soon, my friend, The twilight fell too soon. How far the road alone, my friend, How far the road alone; The hills how steep, the dales how deep, Their ancient magic flown; For now the way, together trod, You cannot tread again, Is twenty miles of pain, my friend, Is twenty miles of pain. Still winds the patient road, my friend; Still winds the patient road, Whereon I go, now high, now low, With my appointed load; And glories shared I felt were gone For ever when you past, Have brought you back at last, my friend, Have brought you back at last.