What does the quote like one on a lonesome road who doth walk in fear and dread and having once turned round walks on because he knows a frightful friend doth close behind him tread mean?

The quote suggests a feeling of anxiety and unease, likening the experience to a person walking alone on a desolate path, haunted by a sense of impending danger. The "frightful friend" symbolizes an inescapable fear or anxiety that follows closely, compelling the individual to continue moving forward despite their dread. It highlights the struggle of facing one's fears while acknowledging that they often remain a constant presence in our lives. Ultimately, it reflects the tension between the desire to escape fear and the reality of having to confront it.