In the vast forest here, O, death was grateful! “Thus, seamed with many scars, Bursting these prison bars, My soul ascended! There from the flowing bowl 152 1841. Deep drinks the warrior's soul, Skoal! to the Northland! skoal!" 160 Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. "HOW THEY BROUGHT THE GOOD NEWS FROM GHENT TO AIX" I SPRANG to the stirrup, and Joris, and he; I galloped, Dirck galloped, we galloped all three; "Good speed!” cried the watch, as the gatebolts undrew; "Speed!" echoed the wall to us galloping through; Behind shut the postern, the lights sank to rest, And into the midnight we galloped abreast. 6 Not a word to each other; we kept the great pace Neck by neck, stride by stride, never changing our place; I turned in my saddle and made its girths tight, Then shortened each stirrup, and set the pique right, Rebuckled the cheek-strap, chained slacker the bit, Nor galloped less steadily Roland a whit. 12 '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!" 18 At Aershot, up leaped of a sudden the sun, And against him the cattle stood black every one, To stare through the mist at us galloping past, spray: 24 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, 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. So, we were left galloping, Joris and I, Past Looz and past Tongres, no cloud in the sky; The broad sun above laughed a pitiless laugh, 'Neath our feet broke the brittle bright stub ble like chaff; 36 Till over by Dalhem a dome-spire sprang white, And "Gallop," gasped Joris, "for Aix is in sight!" "How they'll greet us!"—and all in a moment his roan J Rolled neck and croup over, lay dead as a stone; And there was my Roland to bear the whole weight 42 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. 48 Then I cast loose my buffcoat, each holster let fall, Shook off both my jack-boots, let go belt and all, Stood up in the stirrup, leaned, patted his ear, Called my Roland his pet-name, my horse with And all I remember is-friends flocking round As I sat with his head 'twixt my knees on the ground; Close to the thorn on which Sir Walter leaned Stood his dumb partner in this glorious feat; Weak as a lamb the hour that it is yeaned; And white with foam as if with cleaving sleet. Upon his side the Hart was lying stretched: 40 The waters of the spring were trembling still. 44 And now, too happy for repose or rest, J Sir Walter walked all round, north, south, and west, And gazed and gazed upon that darling spot. 48 And climbing up the hill-(it was at least.' Four roods of sheer ascent), Sir, Walter found Three several hoof-marks which the huntedBeast Had left imprinted on the grassy ground. 52 Sir Walter wiped his face, and cried, "Till now Such sight was never seen by human eyes: Three leaps have borne him from this lofty brow, Down to the very fountain where he lies. 56 "I'll build a pleasure-house upon this spot, And a small arbour, made for rural joy; 1 |