
A weary young man drifts through the bustling streets of early‑April New York, his rain‑coat flapping and spectacles giving him an almost owlish look. The city’s crowds move past him like a tide, while his thoughts linger on hunger, a cheap roll, or perhaps a fleeting drink to stave off the cold. Beneath his dejection there’s a flicker of stubborn resolve, a quiet voice that tells him this is “just one more throw‑down.”
His aimless stroll leads him to a quieter block, where a crowd of children has gathered around a prone figure on the pavement. While others dismiss the scene as the work of a drunk, he recognizes the signs of a serious medical fit and steps forward, urging the boys to help lift the man to safety. This spontaneous act of compassion hints at a turning point, suggesting that his fortunes may begin to shift as he confronts the city’s hidden hardships.
Language
en
Duration
~7 hours (457K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2019-05-08
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1591–1674
Known for graceful, musical verse and memorable lines like “Gather ye rosebuds while ye may,” this 17th-century English poet wrote with equal ease about love, faith, pleasure, and the passing of time.
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