Well, if that isn't a bit of going around your elbow to get to your thumb.

From moral probity, to fishbones, to "beard of grain" (whuuzat?--those prickly things that stick out like egret's feathers), to "sharp-crested ridge in rugged mountains" (what's a sharp-crested ridge on a milksop, wimpy mountain?), which takes us back with a leap like a goat to the pinnacle footed by one possessed of arete...

When I look upon a bearded grain,
I see mountain ridges and philosophy.
Such are the travels that I take,
Bootless to all, save those in my company.

Boot regards,
WordWoof