The Ballad of Venus Nell By Nelson S. Bond [Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from Planet Stories Spring 1942. Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.] Oh, the science of Man has narrowed the span Between the near and the far, With thunderous roar the great ships soar From Earth to the dimmest star; But though in their lust for gold they thrust From planet to asteroid The Will of the Great Astronomer still Is the Will of the cosmic void. And from Earth's own Sol to the ebon hole Of the Coalsack's gaping maw Though Man may jet, he is subject yet To the Universal Law. _For whoever shall plot for another's lot,_ _Be he brother or foe or friend_ _Who seeks his gain of a fellowman's pain_ _Has a price to pay in the end._ I Now, Dougal MacNeer was a pioneer. Just one of a million such Who labor and toil in unmapped soil With shovel and pick and hutch. He was six-foot-two, and a man whom few Would care to engage in a fight, With shoulders as firm as a pachyderm; A tower of granite might. He had eyes of gray, and a quiet way Of minding his own affairs; He never came down to a commerce town Save for fueling or ship repairs. Thus it was that he roused the _whys?_ and _hows?_ In the minds of the spaceport clique When he landed at Krull[1] with his tanks half full And rented a berth for a week. The cradle-monk[2] stared, then boldly dared, "By golly, you've struck it rich! I always knew some day you'd come through, You lucky son-of-a----" "Which," Asked Doug MacNeer with a smile sincere, "Is the best joy-joint in Krull? I've lived alone till my mind's ingrown; This prospecting life is dull. "I want to go play from the dusk of day Till I waken to morning bells." The attendant said, with a nod of the head, "You amble to Venus Nell's. It's the hottest place in this end of space, Just a couple of minutes' jaunt; Nell's got music and games, and likker and dames --And anything else you want!" "Thanks, that sounds great!" said Mac. But, "Wait!" Begged the other, "Gimme a break! Help me out of this rut, MacNeer, and cut Me in on a share of the take?" "The take?" asked Doug with a little shrug, "But _I_ haven't made any find!" And he strolled away with a whistle gay While the monkey glowered behind.