As soothing as the forest is, its shade
a shelter and its streams a melody,
as lovely as the meadow is, displayed
by vegetarians and poetry,
we recommend the desert emptiness
or take ourselves above the timber line
to see the planet’s shape uncovered best
and sense impression of the earth’s design.

And likewise, though the places may be found
as much in city as in countryside,
where gentle spirits congregate, the ground
is sure, the air is light, and nothing died,
we think society behaves like trees,
and masks the fundamental majesties.