All day long on the highway The King's fleet couriers ride; You may hear the tread of their horses sped Over the country side. They ride for life and they ride for death And they override who tarrieth. With show of color and flush of pride They stir the dust on the highway. Let them ride on the highway wide. Love walks in little paths aside. All day long on the highway Is a tramp of an army's feet; You may see them go in a marshaled row With the tale of their arms complete: They march for war and they march for peace, For the lust of gold and fame's increase, For victories sadder than defeat They raise the dust on the highway. All the armies of earth defied, Love dwells in little paths aside. All day long on the highway Rushes an eager band, With straining eyes for a worthless prize That slips from the grasp like sand. And men leave blood where their feet have stood And bow them down unto brass and wood— Idols fashioned by their own hand— Blind in the dust of the highway. Power and gold and fame denied, Love laughs glad in the paths aside. Louise Driscoll [1875- |