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RUBÁIYÁT OF A MOTOR CAR


[Illustration]


RUBÁIYÁT OF A MOTOR CAR

by

CAROLYN WELLS

Author of
Idle Idyls, Folly For The Wise,
A Nonsense Anthology, &c.


[Illustration]


With illustrations by
Frederick Strothmann







New York
Dodd, Mead Company
1906

Copyright, 1906, By The Curtis Publishing Company
Copyright, 1906, By Dodd, Mead and Company
Published, March, 1906




                          ¶To the crank that
                          makes the machine go


                       Rubáiyát of a Motor Car

        Wake! For the “Honk,” that scatters into flight
        The Hens before it in a Flapping Fright,
          Drives straight up to your Door, and bids you Come
        Out for a Morning Hour of Sheer Delight!

        Come, fill the Tank, adjust the Valve and Spring,
        Your Automobile Garments 'round you Fling;
          The Bird Of Time wants but to get away;
        (I think that name’s a rather Clever Thing!)

        And as the Corkscrew drawing out the Cork,
        I crank my Car and try to make it work.
          You know how little while we have to Ride;
        And once departed, may go to New York.

        Whether at Naishápúr or Babylon,
        Whether the Car shall jerk or sweetly run,
          The Wine of Life is in a Motor Trip,
        (Though all the Parts keep breaking One by One!)

[Illustration]




        Why, if the Soul can know this Glorious Game,
        All other Stunts seem dry and dull and tame;
          This is the ultimate, triumphant Joy,
        Automobile Elation is its Name!

        Would you your last remaining Thousands spend
        About the Secret? Quick about it, Friend!
          A Hair perhaps divides This Make from That—
        And on that Hair, prithee, may Life depend!

        Now the New Year reviving old Desires,
        The thoughtful Soul to Catalogues retires;
          He scorns his Last Year’s Runabout, and to
        The Newest, Biggest Touring Car aspires!

        Each Year a Hundred Models brings, you say;
        Yes, but who buys the Car of Yesterday?
          And every Mail brings in New Catalogues
        That make a Last Year’s Model fade away!

[Illustration]




        Waste not your Hour nor in the Vain pursuit
        Of Demonstrators who will loud Dispute;
          “This one is Best, because it’s painted Red!”
        “That One, because it has a Louder Toot!”

        ’Tis only a Beginner, young and green,
        Who Thinks he wants an Odorless Machine;
          What Fragrance is to Rose or Violet,
        So to the Motor-Car is Gasolene.

        Some advocate Gear-Driven Cars, and Some
        Sigh for a Jockey-pulley yet to come;
          Oh, crank your Car, and let the old thing Go!
        Nor heed the Brake upon your Sprocket Drum.

        ’Tis but a Toy on which one spends a Pile,
        And Brags about it for a Little While;
          Ambition rises—and the Foolish Man
        Sighs, and prepares to buy Another Style.

[Illustration]




        They say The Lion and The Lizard keep
        The Record for Hill-climbing, rough and steep;
          I do not know those Makes. I’ll hunt them up.
        I’d like to Buy one, if they’re not too Cheap.

        You know, my Friends, with what a Brave Carouse
        I put a Second Mortgage on my House
          So I could buy a Great Big Touring-Car,
        And run down Chickens, Dogs, and even Cows!

        For it my Future Income did I owe,
        And with mine