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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. | |
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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. | |
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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. | |
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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. | |
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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 |
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Musing on the husk and chaff | |
Gathered where lifes 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 | |
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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. | |
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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! | |
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