Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900.

By GouverneurMorris

1713 D’Artagnan’s Ride

FIFTY leagues, fifty leagues—and I ride, and I ride—

Fifty leagues as the black crow flies.

None of the three are by my side…

The bay horse reels, and the bay horse dies—

But I ride, and I ride

To Callice.

We were four, we were four—and I ride, and I ride—

We were four, but Porthos lies

God knows where by the highway side…

The roan horse reels, and the roan horse dies—

But I ride, and I ride

To Callice.

We were three, we were three—and I ride, and I ride—

We were three, but Aramis lies

Bludgeoned and bound and thrown aside…

The dun horse reels, and the dun horse dies—

But I ride, and I ride

To Callice.

We were two, we were two—and I ride, and I ride—

We were two, but Athos lies

With a lead-crushed rib and a steel-torn side…

The black horse reels, and the black horse dies—

But I ride, and I ride

To Callice.

All alone, all alone—and I ride, and I ride—

All alone, and an ambush lies

God knows where by the highway side…

The gray horse reels, and the gray horse dies—

But I ride, and I ride

To Callice,

Yes—I ride and I ride and I ride and I ride

And I ride and I ride

To Callice.