The original holograph of this text was destroyed by Frances and/or Louise
Norcross. This text reproduces the transcript of the poem made by Frances (Fanny)
Norcross for Mabel Loomis Todd. For a rough-copy draft of this poem, see A 462 (about 1873 [THJ, RWF]); for a related
fragment, see A 463 (about 1873 [THJ, RWF]).
The transcript of this poem appears in Letters (1894), incorporated
in a letter to the Norcrosses. In Poems (1998), however, R. W.
Franklin notes that the poem and the letter to the Norcrosses were probably
discrete documents, combined by Todd during her editing of Letters
(1894). The editorial notations penciled on the document are Mabel Loomis
Todd's.
< tra43a.txt.1; poem >
There is no frigate likea book
To take us lands away
Nor any coursers - like a page
Of prancing poetry -
This traverse may the poorest take
Without oppress of toll,
How frugal is the chariot
That bears the human soul.