And there, myself and two beloved Friends,

One calm September morning, ere the mist

Had altogether yielded to the sun,

Sauntered on this retired and difficult way.

—"Ill suits the road with one in haste; but we

Played with our time; and, as we strolled along,

It was our occupation to observe

Such objects as the waves had tossed ashore—

Feather, or leaf, or weed, or withered bough,

Each on the other heaped, along the line