The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1909-05-18
THE ROAD.

fTrausiation Of an a n onyfnous poem recited by
Nine. Bartet at the Gala Performance given g 2.
the Coincide Francaise october "A, 1908, II
honor of the First International-k oao Congress
Paris Reprinted from The First lnternatlona
Road Congress, Paris I99S By ~ ~ 4 s gar
Soon as knew you gathered from all lands.
And that my cause was in your sk1lliul hands,
NV pulses gave one tfrob and, with bound,
To be with you quilted all my ground,
City and village, forest, hill and plain,
And, Phryne at the Judgment once again,
NV veil Of dust hiding the fears you gave me,
Behold me at your feet my masters Save, oh
ri, save me. when I wander o er the plains
Or 'twixt the hedges of the country lanes
stretch my arms beneath some 1eafy glade,
Heavy with sleep and hecked with sun and
When like serpent undulate glide,
Trailing my white robe up the mountains side
When, drunk with light, for breezes fresh look
And wind along beside some chattering brook
When plunge into chasms, sound the deeps,
Climb to the plateaux, mount the dizzy sleeps
.Orwhen above the mountains near the skies,
spread new worlds before mems dazzled eyes
For all the gifts on you have bestowed,
Be my good doctor-save, oh save the Road
NV case is grave and needs swift remedy;
Never has greater peril threatened me
True, as in France, 50 in all other chimes,
Much have suffered from most ancient times.
In days when, sometimes subject, sometimes
free.
People met people in fierce ennity,
i bore the shock Of many battle train
Rushing to doubtful death or doubtful gain;
And, like some avalanche of myriad tons,
The murd' rcus passage of the heavy guns.
Chanting the Marselaise. thirsting for war,
A nation shod with sabots passed me DER,
And the great Emperor, to spread his fame
Over world which trembled at his name,
Compelled me to his will and, squirting fast.
Triumphant DER my PROSTATE body passed.
Glory I've borne-a heavy load to bearl
And others too as heavy and less fair;
The clumsy cart, rumbling with jolt and jar
Has crushed my bosom, leaving many scar
Coach, post-chaise, and postillions in full cry,
Flayed my back sorely, as they galloped by.
The lumber wagon laid my sinews bare
Yet stood firm, defying wes \ and tear,
Even thought to breathe with greater ease;
NV toll less burdensore, began to please
No longer coach or post-chaise DER me whirled,
/ was forgot, abandoned by the world.
Rarely some cart with tranquil pace would creep
Me by, the lazy driver half asleep
Nought else by day or night disturbed my rest,
Thus. by sweet dolce far Riente blessed
Thinking my woes forever passed away,
In a false calm lived until one day
A terrible monster burst into sight,
God knows from out of what hell twas cast.
Sheathed all inEiron, a thing of might,
Swiftly it passes-it has PASSED
Trail of smoke and sudden glare,
Like to some dazzling meteor shooting
Over the highways of the air.
Fast and furious, onward dashing
Tow'rds an horizon which e'er shriuks back;
Fiery bolts of lightning flashing
Over an echoing thunder track
And ali for me it means wound indeed.
NV face is crushed my sides their binding bleed,
Car after car make ever fresh attacks,
Till my macadam's naught but ruts and cracks
My body thus commences to decay
And Into dust dissolving, floats away!
Must then dief
No, no For you are here;
with you to aid me have nought to fear.
Science and genius are in you allied
In your great wisdom can well confide.
Quitting the beaten paths, you'll seek new ways
Towards the cure for which your suppliant
prays,
Thresn out fresh doctrines, find the golden mean
And, to preserve the route, avoid routine.
Your patients at your feet, apply your skill,
Probe, sound, investigate me as you will,
And, to prevent the toitures of the past,
Perfect work, my masters, that will last
Do this, and grateful eyermore will be
All travelers-nay all humanity
For it's the road that is the fertile way,
Where Life and Progl ess must forever stray
Where, seeking space and beauty far and wide,
The tourist filings unnumbered miles aside
And over Mills and valleys sows the seed
Which shall bring forth abundance in our need |
Ano when at length you have achieved your
aim,
Restored my health and strengthened all my
frame;
When by your work you've made me proof to
shock,
Fearless, invulnerab1e, firm rock
My youth renewed, and more than ever fair,
I'll sing your praise here, there and ever ywhere
Beneath all skies, telling the joyful stony,
At every crossroads I'll proclaim your glory
On Touring Club sign-posts for all to see
The surest road to Immortality
From g Engineering News" April rs, 1906.