I am not
journeying
the same way!
Byron
_ Long?
_Stral. _ I sought
An answer, not an echo.
_Wer. _ You may seek
Both from the walls. I am not used to answer
Those whom I know not.
_Stral. _ Indeed! Ne'er the less, 530
You might reply with courtesy to what
Is asked in kindness.
_Wer. _ When I know it such
I will requite--that is, _reply_--in unison.
_Stral. _ The intendant said, you had been detained by sickness--
If I could aid you--journeying the same way?
_Wer. _ (_quickly_).
I am not journeying the same way!
_Stral. _ How know ye
That, ere you know my route?
_Wer. _ Because there is
But one way that the rich and poor must tread
Together. You diverged from that dread path
Some hours ago, and I some days: henceforth 540
Our roads must lie asunder, though they tend
All to one home.
_Stral. _ Your language is above
Your station.
_Wer. _ (_bitterly_). Is it?
_Stral. _ Or, at least, beyond
Your garb.
_Wer. _ 'Tis well that it is not beneath it,
As sometimes happens to the better clad.
But, in a word, what would you with me?
_Stral. _ I sought
An answer, not an echo.
_Wer. _ You may seek
Both from the walls. I am not used to answer
Those whom I know not.
_Stral. _ Indeed! Ne'er the less, 530
You might reply with courtesy to what
Is asked in kindness.
_Wer. _ When I know it such
I will requite--that is, _reply_--in unison.
_Stral. _ The intendant said, you had been detained by sickness--
If I could aid you--journeying the same way?
_Wer. _ (_quickly_).
I am not journeying the same way!
_Stral. _ How know ye
That, ere you know my route?
_Wer. _ Because there is
But one way that the rich and poor must tread
Together. You diverged from that dread path
Some hours ago, and I some days: henceforth 540
Our roads must lie asunder, though they tend
All to one home.
_Stral. _ Your language is above
Your station.
_Wer. _ (_bitterly_). Is it?
_Stral. _ Or, at least, beyond
Your garb.
_Wer. _ 'Tis well that it is not beneath it,
As sometimes happens to the better clad.
But, in a word, what would you with me?
