The Last Leap

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,     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,     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,     Flanks and haunches quivering,     Sinews stiffning, void and null,     Dumb eyes sorrowful.     Satin coat that seems to shine     Duller now, black braided tress,     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,     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.     Musing on the husk and chaff     Gatherd where lifes tares are sown,     Thus I speak, and force a laugh     That is half a sneer and half     An involuntary groan,     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 mask of life,     In the pantomime of noon     Clown and pantaloon.     With the flash that ends thy pain     Respite and oblivion blest     Come to greet thee. I in vain     Fall: I rise to fall again:     Thou hast fallen to thy rest,     And thy fall is best!