30 JUNE 1906, Page 35

POETRY.

THE CHOICE OF ROADS.

(To IRENE.)

THERE'S a road in Devon

With a hedge each side, And some would count it heaven On that road to ride.

There's a road upon the Mendips Dances down and down

And winds and winds, and then dips Into Cheddar Town.

There's a road in Surrey

Where the dust lies white ; And motors shriek and hurry All the day and night.

There's a road in London

Stretches miles and miles ; And the stones make your bones Long for country mud and stiles. In Scilly and the islands Roads shiver to the sea ;

There's a road in the High- lands

Where the stag steps free.

There are many roads in Britain, Roman roads and new ; But the best my heels have smitten Leads to Cornwall and to you. There's a road on the Marches That guard gallant Wales ; There's a' road beneath the larches In the Wessex vales.

R. ELLIS ROBERT/3.