Межзвёздный скиталец

           AsIsithereandmuseonitall,thefootfallsofthedeath-watchgoingupanddownoutsidemycage,theman’ssuspiciouseyeseverpeeringinonme,almostIwearyofeternalrecurrence.Ihavelivedsomanylives.Iwearyoftheendlessstruggleandpainandcatastrophethatcometothosewhositinthehighplaces,treadtheshiningways,andwanderamongthestars.

           AlmostIhope,whennextIreinhabitform,thatitshallbethatofapeacefulfarmer.Thereismydream-farm.Ishouldliketoengagejustforonewholelifeinthat.Oh,mydream-farm!Myalfalfameadows,myefficientJerseycattle,myuplandpastures,mybrush-coveredslopesmeltingintotilledfields,whileeverhigheruptheslopesmyangoragoatseatawaybrushtotillage!

           Thereisabasinthere,anaturalbasinhighuptheslopes,withagenerouswatershedonthreesides.Ishouldliketothrowadamacrossthefourthside,whichissurprisinglynarrow.AtapaltrypriceoflabourIcouldimpoundtwentymilliongallonsofwater.For,see:onegreatdrawbacktofarminginCaliforniaisourlongdrysummer.Thispreventsthegrowingofcovercrops,andthesensitivesoil,naked,ameresurfacedust-mulch,hasitshumusburnedoutofitbythesun.NowwiththatdamIcouldgrowthreecropsayear,observingduerotation,andbeabletoturnunderawealthofgreenmanure....