THE MADMAN'S PATH.

Mataura Ensign, Volume 11, Issue 825, 16 November 1888, Page 7

THE MADMAN'S PATH.

I know a tree, fair-foliaged, that has reared Its stately head for many a rolling year ; Tho* otherß surely once this broad apace shared, But this one now (stands tall and lonely here. Around ite baße a Beat is pieced — I trow A pleasant seat on which to eit end musa In the rod sunset ; but a seat none use. Aimlessly pacing three steps to and fro — Just three steps— day by day a prinoner walks — • A prisoner of the mind— above, around, The air is free, tho earth is free, naught balks His inclination ; o'er the fair, wide ground He's free to ramble at his will, but no ! His will constrains him on that spot to stay — Beneath that tree to linger day by day Constantly pacing three steps to and fro. His feet have worn a hollow in the sod, Barren and brown, while all around is green And gay— where wild-flowers in the sunshine nod Fair heads above the grasses, all unseen— Or, if seen, unobserved. With head bent low, He Steps and turns and Bteps and turns for j aye In that same narrow groove, day after day Aimlessly pacing three *teps to and fro. And we—what are we better ? Surely most Pass thro' the world unnoticed, for their feet . Plod onward, marching in the groove a host Their predecessors, hollowed. Nay, more meet It were to give the madman credit, lo ! He makes hiß mark, which we may never do. We follow tracka^-he makes his own track thro', Constantly pacing three steps to and fro. . And when he passes— as all mnst some day— And those three paces feel his feet no more Treading to deeper depth the hollow way, That thro' their dull persistency they wore. Still he will be remembered, even though Fresh grasß Bhould spring and clothe the spot with green ; The curre will stay, the' he no more be seen Aimlessly pacing three steps to and fro Bufc when we pass, what will be left behind To keep us in remembrance leaß or more ? What have we done posterity may find Noteworthy, if our past they should explore ? We do not follow in old grooves. They'll show The madman's path, years "hence, , though he be gone, And tell how it was worn, through him alone, Constantly pacing three steps to and fro. Mes 0. Jobling.