There is no Frigate like a 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 a Human soul.
Since the previous line says that even the poorest individual can find a journey in literature, the ‘toll’ here could also refer to a fee – it doesn’t cost anything to read a poem.
There is no frigate like a book 1263