The line you quoted would work better if it was: "One by one THE towns pass by"
In that case, the last syllable, "by", would be stressed and it would imitate the rhythm of a railroad train:
CLICK clack CLICK clack CLICK clack CLICK
As it is, it does that anyway, without the "the".
Good luck with that Sydney.
XD
Thank you for your help :)
The line you quoted is from a poem or a piece of literature, which means it was intentionally crafted by the author to convey a certain message or evoke a particular feeling. In this case, the line is describing the passing of towns, possibly from the perspective of someone on a train. The rhythmic repetition of "by" in the line adds to the overall imagery and creates a sense of motion, mimicking the sound of a train on the tracks.
In poetry, the placement of words and their rhythm play a crucial role in creating the desired effect. Changing the line to "One by one THE towns pass by" can certainly alter the intended rhythm and impact of the line. By emphasizing "THE" instead of "by," the stress pattern shifts and may not match the desired rhythm or imagery of a train.
It's important to note that interpretation of poetry can be subjective, and the author's intention might not always be clear. So, while your proposed change might work for you, it's also essential to consider the original intention and style of the author before suggesting any modifications.