Broadway

What hurrying human tides, or day or night! What passions, winnings, losses, ardors, swim thy waters! What whirls of evil, bliss and sorrow, stem thee! What curious questioning glances- glints of love! Leer, envy, scorn, contempt, hope, aspiration! Thou portal- thou arena- thou of the myriad long-drawn lines and groups! (Could but thy flagstones, curbs, facades, tell their inimitable tales; Thy windows rich, and huge hotels- thy side-walks wide;) Thou of the endless sliding, mincing, shuffling feet! Thou, like the parti-colored world itself- like infinite, teeming, mocking life! Thou visor'd, vast, unspeakable show and lesson!