THE HOUSE BY THE SIDE OF THE

ROAD
Among the popular poems composed by
Sam Walter Foss, the American poet, is
the gem entitled, "The House by the
Side of the Road."
One day when walking along a country
road, Sam Walter Foss came to a seat
where he rested and then noticed a sign
directing him to a nearby spring, where
he found a basket of fruit and a glass, so
that thirsty travellers might refresh
themselves. Upon making enquiries he
found that the fruit in season was pro
vided by an old man who lived nearby
and who also kept the spring clean, the
seat in repair, and the basket filled with
the fruit in season. Touched by the
kindness of the old man Sam Walter
Foss wrote a poem which has gone round
the world.
There are hermit souls that live with
drawn
In the peace of their self content
There are souls like stars, that dwell
apart
In a fellowless firmament;
There are pioneer souls that blaze their
paths
Where highways never ran;
But let me live by the side of the road
And be a friend to man.

Let me live in a house by the side of the
road
Where the race of men go by.
The men who are good, and the men who
are bad
As good and as bad as I.
I would not sit in the scorner's seat,
Or hurl the cynic's ban;
Let me live in a house by the side of the
road
And be a friend to man.
I see from my house by the side of the
road,
By the side of the highway of life,
The men who press with the ardour of
hope,
The men who are faint with strife.
But I turn not away from their smiles
nor their tears
Both, parts of an infinite plan:
Let me live in my house by the side of
the road,
And be a friend to man.
I know there are brook - gladdened
meadows ahead
And mountains of wearisome height,
That the road passes on through the long
afternoon,
And stretches away to the night.
But still I rejoice when the travellers
rejoice,
And weep with the strangers that moan,
Nor live in my house by the side of the
road
Like a man who dwells alone.
Let me live in my house by the side of
the road
Where the race of men go by.
They are good, they are bad, they are
weak, they are strong,
Wise, foolish-so am I.
Then why should I sit in the scorner's
seat
Or hurl the cynic's ban?
Let me live in my house by the side of
the road
And be a friend to man.