What is the theme? I was climbing up a mountain-path
With many things to do,
Important business of my own,
And other people's too,
[5]
When I ran against a Prejudice
That quite cut off the view.
My work was such as could not wait,
My path quite clearly showed,
My strength and time were limited,
[10]
I carried quite a load;
And there that hulking Prejudice
Sat all across the road.
So I spoke to him politely,
For he was huge and high,
[15]
And begged that he would move a bit
And let me travel by.
He smiled, but as for moving! —
He didn't even try.
And then I reasoned quietly
[20]
With that colossal mule:
My time was short — no other path —
The mountain winds were cool.
I argued like a Solomon;
He sat there like a fool.
[25]
Then I flew into a passion,
and I danced and howled and swore.
I pelted and belabored him
Till I was stiff and sore;
He got as mad as I did —
[30]
But he sat there as before.
And then I begged him on my knees;
I might be kneeling still
If so I hoped to move that mass
Of obdurate ill-will —
[35]
As well invite the monument
To vacate Bunker Hill!
So I sat before him helpless,
In an ecstasy of woe —
The mountain mists were rising fast,
[40]
The sun was sinking slow —
When a sudden inspiration came,
As sudden winds do blow.
I took my hat, I took my stick,
My load I settled fair,
[45]
I approached that awful incubus
With an absent-minded air —
And I walked directly through him,
As if he wasn't there!