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"The Ballade of the Automobile" from Leslie's Monthly

by Ellis Parker Butler
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from Leslie's Monthly
The Ballade of the Automobile
by Ellis Parker Butler

When our yacht sails seaward on steady keel
    And the wind is moist with breath of brine
And our laughter tells of our perfect weal,
    We may carol the praises of ruby wine;
But if, automobiling, my woes combine
    And fuel gives out in my road-machine
And it's sixteen miles to that home of mine--
    Then ho! for a gallon of gasoline!

When our coach rides smoothly on iron-shod wheel
    With a deft touch guiding each taut drawn line
And the inn ahead holds a royal meal,
    We may carol the praises of ruby wine;
But when, on some long and steep incline,
    In a manner entirely unforeseen
The motor stops with a last sad whine--
    Then ho! for a gallon of gasoline!

When the air is crisp and the brooks congeal
    And our sleigh glides on with a speed divine
While the gay bells echo with peal on peal,
    We may carol the praises of ruby wine;
But when, with perverseness most condign,
    In the same harsh snowstorm, cold and keen,
My auto stops at the six-mile sign--
    Then ho! for a gallon of gasoline!

        ENVOY

When yacht or Coach Club fellows dine
    We may carol the praises of ruby wine;
But when Automobile Clubmen convene
    Then ho! for a gallon of gasoline!


Ballade of the Automobile

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