Carolyn Wells

“ To tinker up the old Machine one day,
And with a Reckless and Unbridled Tongue,
I muttered,—Well, I Wouldn’t like to say!
Why, even Saints and Sages would have cuss’d
If, speeding through the World, their Tires had Bust!
Like Foolish People now, whose words of Scorn
Are utter’d while their Mouths are Stopt with Dust. ”

“ 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!)
Why, if the Soul can know this Glorious Game,
All other Stunts seem dry and dull and tame ”

“ 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.
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. ”