III. 'T was moonset at starting; but while we drew near Lokeren, the cocks crew and twilight dawned clear; At Boom, a great yellow star came out to see ; At Düffeld, 't was morning as plain as could be ; And from Mecheln church-steeple we heard the half chime, So, Joris broke silence with, "Yet there is time!" IV. At Aershot, up leaped of a sudden the sun, And I saw my stout galloper Roland at last, The haze, as some bluff river headland its spray : V. And his low head and crest, just one sharp ear bent back For my voice, and the other pricked out on his track; And one eye's black intelligence,—ever that glance O'er its white edge at me, his own master, askance ! And the thick heavy spume-flakes which aye and anon His fierce lips shook upwards in galloping on. VI. By Hasselt, Dirck groaned; and cried Joris "Stay spur! "Your Roos galloped bravely, the fault 's not in her, "We'll remember at Aix❞—for one heard the quick wheeze Of her chest, saw the stretched neck and staggering knees, And sunk tail, and horrible heave of the flank, As down on her haunches she shuddered and sank. VII. So, we were left galloping, Joris and I, Past Looz and past Tongres, no cloud in the sky; 'Neath our feet broke the brittle bright stubble like chaff; Till over by Dalhem a dome-spire sprang white, And "Gallop," gasped Joris, "for Aix is in sight! VIII. "How they'll greet us !"—and all in a moment his roan Rolled neck and croup over, lay dead as a stone; And there was my Roland to bear the whole weight Of the news which alone could save Aix from her fate, With his nostrils like pits full of blood to the brim, And with circles of red for his eye-sockets' rim. IX. Then I cast loose my buffcoat, each holster let fall, Called my Roland his pet-name, my horse without peer; good, Till at length into Aix Roland galloped and stood. X. And all I remember is, friends flocking round As I sat with his head 'twixt my knees on the ground; SONG FROM "PARACELSUS." I. HEAP cassia, sandal-buds and stripes From tree-tops where tired winds are fain, II. And strew faint sweetness from some old THROUGH THE METIDJA TO ABD-EL-KADR. 1842. I. As I ride, as I ride, With a full heart for my guide, So its tide rocks my side, As I ride, as I ride, That, as I were double-eyed, He, in whom our Tribes confide, As I ride, as I ride. II. As I ride, as I ride To our Chief and his Allied, Who dares chide my heart's pride As I ride, as I ride? Or are witnesses denied Through the desert waste and wide Do I glide unespied As I ride, as I ride? III. As I ride, as I ride, When an inner voice has cried, The sands slide, nor abide (As I ride, as I ride) O'er each visioned homicide That came vaunting (has he lied?) To reside-where he died, As I ride, as I ride. IV. As I ride, as I ride, Ne'er has spur my swift horse plied, Yet his hide, streaked and pied, As I ride, as I ride, Shows where sweat has sprung and dried, -Zebra-footed, ostrich-thighed How has vied stride with stride As I ride, as I ride! As I ride, as I ride, V. Could I loose what Fate has tied, (As I ride, as I ride) All that 's meant me-satisfied When the Prophet and the Bride Stop veins I'd have subside |