There Is No Frigate like a Book

Emily Dickinson · 1890

Catalog grade guidance: 5–12 — Short lyric; Todd/Higginson text of the three early series.

10 content lines · 44 words · Est. recitation about 28 sec (approx.)

Public-domain text for reading and recitation practice. Source: Project Gutenberg eBook #12242, Poems by Emily Dickinson, Three Series, Complete.Estimated time uses ~120 words/minute plus short pauses—not a contest rule.

XVI.

A BOOK.

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!