Why “ironic heavens”?
6. A purpling panorama swept away.
Why “purpling”?
7. Scarce farther than a shout might carry
How far had Hugh traveled in the day?
16. Into the quiet house of no false friend.
What “quiet house”?
17–20. Alas for those who seek a journey’s end—etc.
The philosophy of these lines is that the way is the important thing, not the end. This is a part of Neihardt’s life-philosophy.
21. Now swoopingly the world of dream broke through