242 
WALDEN* 
Hermit alone . Let me see; where was I? Me- 
thinks I was nearly in this frame of mind; the world 
lay about at this angle. Shall I go to heaven or a-fish- 
ing ? If I should soon bring this meditation to an end, 
would another so sweet occasion be likely to offer ? I 
was as near being resolved into the essence of things as 
ever I was in my life. I fear my thoughts will not 
come back to me. If it would do any good, I would 
whistle for them. When they make us an offer, is it 
wise to say, We will think of it? My thoughts have 
left no track, and I cannot find the path again. What 
was it that I was thinking of? It was a very hazy day. 
I will just try these three sentences of Con-fut-see; 
they may fetch that state about again. I know not 
whether it was the dumps or a budding ecstasy. Mem. 
There never is but one opportunity of a kind. 
Poet . How now, Hermit, is it too soon ? I have got 
just thirteen whole ones, beside several which are im¬ 
perfect or undersized; but they will do for the smaller 
fry; they do not cover up the hook so much. Those 
village worms are quite too large; a shiner may make a 
meal off one without finding the skewer. 
Hermit . Well, then, let’s be off. Shall we to the 
Concord ? There’s good sport there if the water be not 
too high. 
Why do precisely these objects which we behold 
make a world? Why has man just these species of an¬ 
imals for his neighbors; as if nothing but a mouse could 
have filled this crevice ? I suspect that Pilpay & Co. 
have put animals to their best use, for they are all 
beasts of burden, in a sense, made to carry some por¬ 
tion of our thoughts. 
