| |
| ALL is over! fleet career, | |
| Dash of greyhound slipping thongs, | |
| Flight of falcon, bound of deer, | |
| Mad hoof-thunder in our rear, | |
| Cold air rushing up our lungs, | 5 |
| Din of many tongues. | |
| |
| Once again, one struggle good, | |
| One vain effort;—he must dwell | |
| Near the shifted post, that stood | |
| Where the splinters of the wood, | 10 |
| Lying in the torn tracks, tell | |
| How he struck and fell. | |
| |
| Crest where cold drops beaded cling, | |
| Small ear drooping, nostril full, | |
| Glazing to a scarlet ring, | 15 |
| Flanks and haunches quivering, | |
| Sinews stiffening, void and null, | |
| Dumb eyes sorrowful. | |
| |
| Satin coat that seems to shine | |
| Duller now, black braided tress | 20 |
| That a softer hand than mine | |
| Far away was wont to twine, | |
| That in meadows far from this | |
| Softer lips might kiss. | |
| |
| All is over! this is death, | 25 |
| And I stand to watch thee die, | |
| Brave old horse! with bated breath | |
| Hardly drawn through tight-clenched teeth, | |
| Lip indented deep, but eye | |
| Only dull and dry. | 30 |
| |
| Musing on the husk and chaff | |
| Gathered where life’s tares are sown, | |
| Thus I speak, and force a laugh, | |
| That is half a sneer and half | |
| An involuntary groan, | 35 |
| In a stifled tone— | |
| |
| ‘Rest, old friend! thy day, though rife | |
| With its toil, hath ended soon; | |
| We have had our share of strife, | |
| Tumblers in the masque of life, | 40 |
| In the pantomime of noon | |
| Clown and pantaloon. | |
| |
| ‘With a flash that ends thy pain, | |
| Respite and oblivion blest | |
| Come to greet thee. I in vain | 45 |
| Fall: I rise to fall again: | |
| Thou hast fallen to thy rest— | |
| And thy fall is best!’ | |
| |
