Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900.

By TheronBrown

1468 His Majesty

I ’M king of the road! I gather

My toll on the world’s highways.

They pave the street for my royal feet,

And the man in the wagon pays.

With my sturdy heels I laugh at wheels;

I hurry at no man’s will,

For the rich who ride my meat provide;

They must feed the king to his fill.

I ’m kin of the road! Before me

My way lies over the land,

With a wild rose train from meadow and lane

And the hail of a song-bird band.

They ar slaves who team by wagon or steam:

The footman carries to crown.

What cares the tramp whose supper and camp

Are waiting in every town?

I ’m king of the road all summer;

In winter I still go free.

Let the snow-blast come, in a nook I ’ll chum

With a gipsy crew like me.

I ’ll ask no shares with home-proud heirs;

They ’re the scorn of my soul while I

Can tread the floors of the great Out-doors,

And nobody ask me why.