The sole wisdom for man or boy who is haunted with the hovering of unseen wings, with the scent of unseen roses, and the subtle enticements of "melodies unheard," is _work_.

If he follow any of those, they will vanish.

But if he work, they will come unsought, and, while they come, he will believe that there is a fairy-land, where poets find their dreams, and prophets are laid hold of by their visions.

The idle beat their heads against its walls, or mistake the entrance, and go down into the dark places of the earth.
Alec stood at the window, and peered down into the narrow street, through which, as in a channel between rocks burrowed into dwellings, ran the ceaseless torrent of traffic.

He felt at first as if life at least had opened its gates, and he had been transported into the midst of its drama.