LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. i^ap. - - dnp^rigft '^a.. Shelf UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. THE HEART OF THE GOLDEN ROAN / BY O. C. AURINGER u Author of "Scythe and Sword." -mn i89r •^4! BOSTON D LOTHROP COMPANY WASHINGTON STREET OPPOSITE BROMFIEI-D \- V ^ COPYRIGHT, 1891, IIT D. LOTHROP C;OMPANTo r CONTENTS I. THE LOVE CALL Page 7 II. A DREAM INTERLUDE 19 III. THE WAR-CALL 28 IV. THE CORE OF FIRE . 39 V. THE NIGHT RIDE 47 VI. PAUSE AND VISTA . 56 VII. THE PRICE 65 ^m. TO THE BRIM . 73 THE HEART OF THE GOLDEN ROAN THE HEART OF THE GOLDEN ROAN I. THE LOVE-CALL. *'Oiir ship lies in the bay, She sails at break of day, I listen with dismay to the sea's lone sighing, sighing; My heart' s pride yields to fate, Come now, my love ! my mate ! Oh fly ere 'tis too late, liJie a dove to its own nest flying V This message came to me, With another, from the sea. By a courier riding free through inland town and village, 7 8 THE LOVE-CALL. Who left them at my gate As the hour was growing late, On that royal day of fate in the time of war's hot tillage. No leap of joy, no beam Of lovely fire, no gleam Of rapture, broke the dream of my heart's dull-flowing river ; So long had sorrow fed With bitter wine and bread The life which once had shed love like a royal giver. This, which by every word Would once my heart have stirred To singing like a bird by spring's sweet sounds delighted, THE LOVE-CALL. 9 Now left me cold and pale, Encased in icy mail Of life's chill frost and hail, — a knight to sorrow knighted. I mused . " Thus love, alas ! Doth fade and fail and pass, Akin to flowers and orass, which winter's snows shall cover; So soon alike they lie, Concealed from heart and eye, And heed no bitter cry from late-repentant lover. " Thy ' heart's pride yields to fate,' Alas ! too late, too late ! What notes can love — or hate — in this waste soul set rincrino^? ;r)"*o 10 THE LOVE-CALL. A mountain cased in snow Keeps warm the fires below, — From a stream's heart frozen thro' issues no voice of singing. " The agony, the strife, The dull days cursed with life, The nights with anguish rife, and evil faces crowded, 'Mid lands in deadly ban. Where forms of beast and man Are like grim fiends to scan, in fatal gloom enshrouded ; " The thought, the ceaseless pain, The fever of the brain. The tears, the gloom, the strain of bitter, blind emotion ; THE LOVE-CALL. II The world an open grave, Wherein the good and brave Sink as beneath the wave of an all-devour- ing ocean ; " The shapes that faintly flit Round altars dimly lit, In wastes for man unfit, forms hollow and unreal, That with grim joy amain Build on — a dusky fane, O'er many a brave hope slain, and fault- less fair ideal — " All these are gone, and I Look round without a sigh Upon an earth and sky of love's warm hues denuded ; 12 THE LOVE-CALL, Serene and even flow My days; nor joy, nor woe, Disturbs me here below; so live 1 unde- luded. *' All cold ! — is this a nest Where love may soothe his breast, Warmed, fondled and caressed, charming and charmed forever ? I look, and I but see. Stretched out all barrenly. Life, like a frozen sea, with no sweet isle 'soever. " Thou speak'st of wings — what wings ? AvQ these poor faded things Fit for the ether springs and shining tides of azure ? THE LOVE-CALL. 13 Poor plumes ! Yet well I know They once were all aglow With heaven, and charmed to go like doves in search of treasure. " Ah ! couldst thou once have seen All that which should have been ! Then had our fields been green, our skies all bloom and splendor! As 'tis, I plod my way ; Thou goest — who can say Whether through March or May, by rug- ged paths or tender? " Who seeks the feast too late Finds closed the palace gate, And silence like a fate sitting beside as warder ; 14 THE LOVE-CALL. Even could one enter there Some sfuest were in his chair, And naught but crumbs for fare reward untimely ardor. " What bird sings in my ear With notes so low and clear! What says he ? ' Cheer, cheer, cheer ! ' — thy last words as we parted. So thou hast left thy voice To creatures that rejoice, And have no sweeter choice than echo it glad-hearted. " I see on every side Thy image multiplied ; My w^ld brook wandering wide has kept thy murmured laughter; THE LOVE-CALL. 15 The silent woods that crown The hills with autumn brown Keep yet the mystic trown that fell thy light moods after. " Night's lustrous curtains wear The shadow of thy hair; The sun and sunlit air repeat thy smiles and blushes; The deep blue heavens be Type of thy purity, Clear, calm, and endlessly stretched through mysterious hushes. " Thy spirit with high-born mien Walks through the night, its queen, Moving with pride serene through high and holy places ; i6 THE LOVE-CALL. Ah, love ! how may it be All things do keep for me These wonders that I see — thy glories and thy graces ? " Oh that I might abide Forever at thy side, And feel love's royal tide through my breast in strong floods flowing ! Love wonderful ! a fire Of boundless bliss, desire, A harp, a lute, a lyre — yea, all things deep and glowing ! " Ah love ! my love ! — say, why! — What hinders me that I Take not to wing and fly to thy breast like a swift dove flying ? THE LOVE-CALL. 17 Who mocketh at me now ? Oh, fairy ! it is thou ! Love stolen again I trow to his nest long empty lying ! " Ay, he is there once more. Fair-eyed as e'er before, Delightful as of yore, to mock at death and sorrow; Now I believe it true Love dies not, but anew. Comes like the sun and dew with each triumphant morrow. " Sweet welcome ! be it so ! And ye, despair and woe. Sad twins, farewell ! we go where our heart's desire shall lead us — l8 THE LOVE-CALL. All gaily love and I Together forth will fly, Nor ask a hope more high, or a swifter wing to speed us ! " II. A DREAM INTERLUDE. I laughed, and idly laid My length within the shade An ancient poplar made beside my cot- tage gable, And let my vision run O'er webs by fancy spun, In isles beneath the sun, and lands em- balmed in fable. Methought beneath strange trees, In a paradise of seas, A bower of rest and ease beyond the world's disquiet, 19 20 A DREAM INTERLUDE. Where musky breezes haunt, And singing seas enchant, Whose warmth no winters daunt, or threat with boisterous riot, Ensconced with her I lay, Months, years — and all like May, Unvexed by waif or stray from life's vain fret and fever ; With ministrations sweet, And toil of happy feet. Serving as Love deems meet, when naught doth vex or grieve her. A lodge built wondrously Of marble, faced the sea, Flushed with divinity of Grecian light and glory A DREAM INTERLUDE. 21 And looked with sunny smile On many a golden isle, And brooding mountain pile, enwreathed with song and story — Here dwelt we ; on calm days We pierced the forest's maze, To find by o'ergrown ways enchanted grove and grotto ; With yearnings half divine We heard the winds repine Round many a ruined shrine once 'graved with glorious motto. 'Mid wilds of rugged hills, And solitude that fills The woody intervals 'twixt sea and silent mountains, 22 A DREAM INTERLUDE. In awe and sacred truth We nursed our glorious youth With food of visioned sooth, and drink from charmed fountains. On many a peerless eve We heard the sea-wind weave Its harmonies that grieve round ruined wall and column ; And saw like clots of gold The marvelous stars unfold In glorious groups untold, from spaces hushed and solemn. Amid night's mystery, Arisen from the sea, Hero and deity walked through our silent dwelling; A DREAM INTERLUDE. 23 At morn we knew from whence That atmosphere intense, That genial influence from all its cham- bers welling. This genial vision fled, Like cloud-forms lightly spread. And lo ! my thought was led to virgin wildernesses. Where, in an emerald zone Of ancient forests, shone A mystic lake, o'erstrewn with gems and •sunbeam kisses. By velvet bower and bank, - Made green with showers they drank, 'Mid stately trees in rank, rose life's en- chanted palace, 24 A DREAM INTERLUDE. Calm as a marble dream, Warmed by the yellow gleam Of orient light supreme poured from the sun's red chalice. Behind, a mountain proud, Beneath its crowning cloud. Shot down a torrent loud that fell with foam and thundered ; Then like an arrow shot Through haunted grove and grot, And many a flowery spot its cavern cleft and sundered. Some sunlit domes did lift Their forms amid the drift Of woods which winds did shift and roll in murmurous surges ; A DREAM INTERLUDE. 25 Along the mimic sea Bright sails glanced sunnily, Then fled like clouds that flee when windy current urges. Within the palace door, Along each chamber floor, Walked Love, that evermore made blest the habitation ; And ever round her feet Rose incense pure and sweet. Like holy scents secrete in some divine oblation. Within its garden close Grew buds beside the rose, Shielded from wandering foes by fairy powers enchanted, 26 A DREAM INTERLUDE. That let no blast or blight Steal one away by night, Or let on them alight one shade from regions haunted. Here life divine and good Flowed on, all storms withstood, In mutual holihood and strength of faith and feeling; — The thread so lightly spun Snapped as I saw the sun, His journey almost done, in clouds his face concealing. Then from my lips the cry Broke forth reproachfully, — " O wretched spendthrift ! why dream on in idle vision A DREAM INTERLUDE. 27 While time with jealous feet Speeds on — ah, ne'er so fleet ! Up ! forth ! love's face to greet, thou stock for love's derision ! " Is there yet time ? — The place Lies leagues hence. — 'Twere a race For very life ! A pace like the wild wind's must speed me! Ho now, my golden roan ! Thou prince in blood and bone. Matched in the world by none, — come ! now indeed I need thee ! " III. THE WAR-CALL. "Our ship waits in the bay, At L.'awn we sail away lo the aid of a cause at hay, a land in peril lying; Speed hither while you may! Up ! — up ! nor stop nor stay ! — Oh haste to the holy fray with wings like an eagle' s flying ! " Keen shoots of feelino; came An instant through my frame, Like darts of ice and flame alternately succeeding, THE WAR-CALL. 29 So alien was the thought This other message brought, So swift the cross it wrought to a heart on love-dreams feeding. Dropped idly to the sand The missive from my hand ; My spirit all unmanned broke forth in bitter railing — "Sweet comforter indeed, — In this my hour of need. Arrived with such hot speed, and prompti- tude unfailing ! " O mortal misery ! What have I done to thee, Dumb power ! to draw on me this deed of spite and malice? 30 THE WAR-CALL. Wretch ! would no other hour Of all within thy power Suffice on me to shower the poison of thy chalice ? " No, but it must be this — Here on the eve of bliss To greet with icy hiss love's message long belated ! Oh, it was kind to wait Till my hand was on the gate, And the heart in my breast elate with rapture new created ! " I stilled with strong control The tumult of my soul, i Subdued the threatening roll of the pas- sions' stormy riot; THE WAR-CALL. 31 A conquering impulse proud Stilled all their mouthings loud, Till they sank like lions cowed and quelled to sullen quiet. I gathered in my hand The message from the sand, And read with calm command again the warlike greeting : What Q-ulfs do oft divide Two missives side by side Borne on o'er distance wide, in the self- same haven meeting ! And slowly as I read Through all my frame was shed A warlike heat, that spread and waxed to ardent burning; 32 THE WAR-CALL. And from the heart's profound Arose an ominous sound, As of a drowsing hound within his kennel turning. Some seed of warlike fire, Long sown in blood and ire By some forgotten sire in fields of arms redoubted, Warmed by a breath intense Of kindred influence. There stirred with wakening sense, and in the darkness sprouted. Then through my being rang War ! war ! with angry clang, Till imagination sprang on the bold theme elated ; THE WAR-CALL. 33 And I saw before my eyes Heroic visions rise, Inflamed with ardent dyes, with tragic pomp inflated. A ship with ragged sail Drives on before the gale. By mists of spray and hail, and gathering night, beclouded. Within whose hollow frame Burns valor's conquering flam.e, — Courage no storms can tame, in its dim chambers crowded. In ribbed cabins sit Grim forms by lanterns lit, Whose shadows toss and flit o'er heaving rib and rafter; 34 THE WAR-CALL. And round them heaped and hung, Arms ! arms ! whose metal tongue Rings sharp the echoes flung from warlike song and laughter. Swords, pistols, pikes, lie mixed With bayonets unfixed, Rifles in sheaves betwixt black cannon chained and muzzled ; Warlike accouterment In dusky spaces pent, With tangled cordage blent — confusion vexed and puzzled. I Then land we on the shore With white tents dotted o'er. Amid the smothered roar of hosts in cease- less motion ; THE WAR-CALL. 35 Weapons that gleam and glance, War-steeds that neigh and prance, The pomp and circumstance — a never- resting ocean ; Midst banners blown on high, And pride in many an eye, The dream of victory and fame in song and story ; The sense of power that flows F'rom banded strength, and glows, Unseen but felt, and shows at length in deeds of glory. This fled. Before me passed War and the battle's blast ; I saw, like dead leaves cast, dead men around me lying; 36 THE WAR-CALL. I heard the deadly peal Of sulphurous guns, saw reel Dim columns piked with steel, and hosts dismayed and flying. I felt the bitter ire Burn like infernal fire. The impulse, the desire to slay, within me glowing; I felt the maddened leap, The strong resistless sweep, O'er furrowed fields sown deep with seed of war's red sowing. And then I heard the cry Ring out, of victory — Wild peal on peal on high, yet solemn, of rejoicing; THE WAR-CALL. 37 Sad, mournful as a dirge, I heard the sound emerge From scenes of earth, and surge to heaven, strange judgments voicing. Years seemed to pass : the bruit Of struggle now was mute, Briorht tracts of Q-rain and fruit o'erran the sunny region ; Men planted, plucked, and sat By vineyard-side and vat. In fields by blood made fat, and dust of moldered legion. The cause was won, and fame Now crowned the patriot's name. The soldier's wreath became the crown of love and honor; 38 THE WAR-CALL. Who saw through years ahead A mighty nation spread To power august and dread through strength his deed had won her. IV. THE CORE OF FIRE. The sun had gone, but I Stayed on, as if some tie Forbidding me to fly constrained to idle vision ; But a step on the footway stone. And a quick neigh proudly blown, Dispersed like mists wind-strown my dreams with swift derision. You should have seen him there. My steed without compare ! That grace of mien, that air, no art could catch and render — 39 40 THE CORE OF FIRE. My famous golden roan ! As dear as flesh and bone Of my own body grown, through service long and tender, — Deep roan, from hoof to spine Shot o'er with Himmerins^ shine Of golden fire divine, that web-like glanced and shifted ; A golden wonder! Proud, With royal traits endowed. Fleet as a flying cloud, with strength divinely gifted! But eyes no more shall see That form so brave and free, His bones lie in the sea, and whiten 'neath the surgres, THE CORE OF FIRE. 41 Slain in that last wild chase, That memorable race, Found in its niche and place where his- tory's light emerges. " Ay, thou art there ! " I cried, " My lovely one ! my pride ! With thy proud mien to chide for weak intent thy master. Thou dost not know what fate Locks me within the gate. How soul sinks desolate beneath some keen disaster. "Yet I must ride to-night A mighty race ! ere light The sea must be in sight, or woe indeed betide me ! 42 THE CORE OF FIRE. But whither? to love's arms, Outstretched through all alarms, Or where war's fiery charms and duty's finger guide me ? " Then came that deadly strife, With fear and anguish rife, Which comes but once in life, to purge the soul or sear it ; That hour which leaves its trace Long years on heart and face, Destroys the form's fair grace, and pales the vital spirit. 'Twas like a bath of fire Infernal, dismal, dire, — Wherein all hope, desire, all passion, doubt, denial, THE CORE OF FIRE. 43 With youth's immortal dream, Faith, virtue, truth supreme — All that we are and seem, lay plunged in fiery trial. O torment past belief ! So terrible, though brief! Of mortal ills the chief, of pangs the crown and flower ; Oh, 'twas with feet blood-shod That interval I trod, That moment great with God, sublime with gloom and power. There Love plead like a queen With Duty stern of mien. With lingering Time between, impatient for decision ; 44 THE CORE OF FIRE. And gathered fast by these All life's fierce energies, Wild for the soul's decrees, or passion's reign elysian. Fair days and length of life, With peace, and home, and wife. On one hand beckoned ; strife and war- pangs on the other. — " O dread necessity ! Swift, sure the choice must be ! " I cried in agony, " O wisdom, mighty mother ! " Say, whither shall I go ? — Oh for an hour to know What guidance thought can show, what counsel reason utter! THE CORE OF FIRE. 45 No light ! — Then let the voice Most deep within have choice, So shall no fate rejoice, though many mow and mutter ! " From the soul's depths of flame Instant the answer came, With power that naught could maim, and purpose naught could humble. 'Twas sealed — one sob replied From a proud hope denied, And the way lay clear and wide for feet no more to stumble. " Thanks ! End love's mission so ! War hath me ! — mount and go ! " I cried 'twixt joy and woe, with an impulse all-defying, 46 THE CORE OF FIRE. An energy that bent All powers to Its intent, — That goal with distance blent beside the far sea lying. V. THE NIGHT RIDE. 'Twas dark, when like a cloud On fire, with thunder loud Of tramping hoofs that plowed the valley sod beneath us, We launched into the night, Whose arms to left and rio^ht Spread to receive our flight, then closed, in gloom to sheathe us. The night had fallen fair. No cloud was in the air. But o'er my cheek and hair a breeze swept unabated ; 47 48 THE NIGHT RIDE. I scarcely thought or knew, So rapidly we flew, That 'twas no wind that blew save what our speed created. Soon through the eastern blue The moon sailed into view With face that frightened grew to see such fearless riding ; And at the sign of cheer I felt my spirit clear, And the waves of doubt and fear beneath her feet subsiding. So steadily, yet fleet ! The miles from under feet Reeled backward in retreat, and massed themselves in distance ; THE NIGHT RIDE. . 49 The pine-plumes black in air Streamed past like witches' hair, The dark boles, lean and bare, seemed writhed in fierce resistance. Trees, dwellings, lights spun past, As if a frolic blast Had caught them up and cast them head- long in confusion ; I saw the fence-links start, With awkward arms apart, Right forth, then backward dart, as in some strange illusion. The steepled towns swam by. All still beneath the sky; I saw their spires gleam high, their win- dows wink and flicker ; 50 THE NIGHT RIDE. I saw them charmed and bound By spectral shadows round, All overflowed and drowned in night's ethereal liquor. As one in dreams of night, In fancied plumes bedight, In ecstasy of flight swims the ethereal river. So I flew on my way, With spirit waxing gay As some glad bird in May thrilled with ecstatic quiver, Till I scarcely heard the beat Of my stallion's nimble feet, Or felt the touch of seat, or bridle-rein, or stirrup ; THE NIGHT RIDE. 5 I Saw not how onward bore, Swift — swifter evermore, My roan — blood to the core ! without a cheer or chirrup. Made drunk with joy I quaffed, Pricked by the airy shaft Of mirth, I sang and laughed till loud the shades resounded ; And then I laughed again To hear o'er hill and plain Some dull owl hoot amain, sore startled and confounded. So on our course we swept. Startling the things that slept, Or nightly waking kept in wood or road- side meadow. 52 THE NIGHT RIDE. With a high heart of glee And buoyant energy Of spirit, fresh and free, miles, miles through light and shadow. But joy and mirth, alas ! Tread on a floor of glass Spun o'er a gulf where mass the rocks of toil and sorrow ; So with a start of pain I felt return again The thought, the care, the strain — the burden of the morrow, — The urgent care, the dread, The thought that yearned ahead Hot for the end, — all bred of that stern question pressing — THE NIGHT RIDE. 53 Would there be time ? could feet Of horse, though ne'er so fleet, Make hour and distance meet? — all wild and hopeless guessing. The purpose strong at heart Still held itself apart Invincible, no art of soft appeal pre- vailing To move it from its throne. Where, desolate, alone. Committed to its own, it sat in strength unfaili mg. Whilst naught could this disarm, The brain had caught alarm From dread, foreboding harm, and doubt allied with reason, 54 THE NIGHT RIDE. Lest failure and despair Should wait to greet us there With their dread " Too late ! " weak heir of an impotent season. Too late ! Distracting thought, With conscious evil fraught, That stung the soul o'erwrought to des- perate endeavor : " No ! no ! not so, my roan ! Our life's one hope is thrown On thee ! oh speed, my own, lest we be shamed forever ! " It seemed a heartless deed To urge my faithful steed To greater pace, whose speed already mocked at distance ; j THE NIGHT RIDE. 55 And 'twere indeed my shame But for the voice that came, Stern, evermore the same, " On ! on ! " with fierce insistance. VI. PAUSE AND VISTA. At midnight, with our race Half done, we checked our pace In a secluded place, by hills and lowlands bounded ; Beside a bosky pool Outstretching dim and cool, By many a whispering school of reeds and grass surrounded. And here we stayed ; and here Unburdened of his gear, My steed found pleasant cheer 'mid spring- ing grass abundant; 56 PAUSE AND VISTA. 57 But ere the pool he drank I cooled hot breast and flank With copious baths, till sank in calm their pulse redundant. And while he gladly fed, I paced with aimless tread By a rivulet that fed the pool with tiny clamor; Its voice, its twinkling smile, So bright and fresh, a while Wrought softly to beguile my soul with peaceful glamour. I looked about to see Like what the place might be Whose hospitality constrained our brief abiding. 58 PAUSE AND VISTA. Yielding with pleasing art Fresh balm to soothe our smart, Refreshing brain and heart for still more dauntless riding. It seemed a spot designed — Made just for this. Behind Rose ruggedly defined the mountain's wild dominion, Savage and stern. Before, Stretched out like ocean's floor. Warm lands lay, brooded o'er by hope's unruffled pinion. A realm of calm between A rough and boisterous scene. And fruitful plains serene for freedom's heart made spacious, PAUSE AND VISTA. 59 It seemed — a blest retreat For mountain-weary feet To rest in ere they fleet to scenes more mild and gracious. Was it an omen blest To cheer me on my quest ? I knew not, but I guessed some such a thought did cheer it. Methought from out the calm A voice of heavenly balm Breathed a victorious psalm across my wounded spirit. And then I turned my eyes Forth on the midnight skies — Deep — deep ! immensities of blue un- fathomed spaces, 6o PAUSE AND VISTA. Planted with tribes of light, Wild, wonderful and bright, Far past thought's farthest flight, or fancy's airy chases ! " Peace, power, sublimity ! How glorious are ye To this dim sense which we in this dim world call seeing ! Hath not man's soul some sense Whereby to draw from thence Of your beneficence, to calm his fretful being? " Outcasts of fate, alone, Feeble, forlorn, unknown, We strive, and fret, and groan, scourged on by unseen master; PAUSE AND VISTA. 6i To your calm eyes how vain Must seem this toil and strain, This strife of loss and gain, submerged in dim disaster — " Worms in a pit of clay, Writhed in abhorrent fray Shot with a dull red ray of wandering fire uncertain ; Seen in their rage and slime A moment's space, till time Rolls on his course sublime, and veils them with a curtain. " False voice, be still ! Shall I That noble fire deny, That kindly light belie, which warms our common spirit ? 62 PAUSE AND VISTA. No ! no ! Yet would I glean From this untroubled scene Something of peace serene to elevate and cheer it." And from that depth divine There did indeed forth shine On that awed heart of mine a gleam of warmth caressing; I thought how blest it were Had I some brother there, Some friend beloved, to share so deep and rich a blessing. And thus 'twixt stream and sky A fruitful hour went by. Till I severed with a sigh the moonbeam chain that bound me ; PAUSE AND VISTA. 63 And turned in half despair To take again and wear The crown of toil and care wherewith the night had crowned me — Broke up the glowing trance To seize again the lance, And try the battle's chance, what destiny awaited ; But with serener soul, A mind in calm control. Yet a heart set on the goal with purpose unabated. 'Twas but a thought to grace My stallion for the race, Throw riding-gear in place, seize rein, with toe in stirrup, 64 PAUSE AND VISTA. And but one more to fling Myself in seat, and spring Forward like bird on wing, with cheerful word and chirrup. VII. THE PRICE. Behind in blue profound The moon hung full and round, Our shadows on the ground sped, as we sped, before us ; A breeze that sweetly blew From meadows rich with dew, And ever fresher grew, in grateful streams went o'er us. From thence unerringly The road made for the sea, — A highway broad and free for night-bound wight to travel ; 6s 66 THE PRICE. Unlike the one we left Behind us, cloven and cleft, And twined in mazy weft for patience to unravel. Patient as thought or fate, That haste not nor abate Their course, we kept that gait invincible, unaltered ; Steady as pulse of time. Hour after hour, the chime Of hoofs rang on in rhyme that never changed or faltered. Hours, leagues — then suddenly. From a hill's long shelter free, The long roar of the sea across my ear came pealing ; THE PRICE. ^'j And then I was aware Some change was in the air, And lo ! in the far east there the bud of dawn unsealing! And then, as on we sped, I rose and strained ahead On that sudden scene outspread, my heart wild tumult keeping; Yes, there at last it lay, Town, light-house, fleet and bay. Two level leagues away, in quiet moon- light sleeping. But two leao^ues off ! So nis^h ! My hope swelled proud and high, Yet I turned a careful eye to watch my stallion's paces. 6S THE PRICE. And noted how his feet Had lost their rhythmic beat, His gait the steady heat that had won us those wide spaces. I leaned and in his ear Spoke words of praise and cheer, Called him the names most dear, with pride and courage blended ; Stroked quivering neck and hip, Besprayed with many a slip Of foam blown fierce from lip in fiery pain distended. " One more brave pull, my roan ! And the fio-ht is all our own ! Bear up, my bird ! and none from fame this deed shall sever ; K THE PRICE. 69 For this thou shalt be found Through all the world renowned, Without a rival crowned hero and prince forever!" My words seemed to impart Fresh vigor to his heart, Re-arm the matchless art he held in proud possession ; And again the faithful feet Caught up their rhythmic beat, And bore it on complete with resolute expression. My thought now was, should we Ere daylight gain the sea, Even though our pace should be thus to the end unfailing, 70 THE PRICE. For lo there ! in the east Broad hints of morn's rich feast Grew upward and increased, the stars' warm luster paling. Soon, with the race nis^h won, While eager fancy spun Triumphs that space outrun, my heart like joy-bells pealing. From my roan's proud breast a sigh Broke forth — a sobbing cry. And I felt in agony his frame beneath me reeling. Felt him a moment reel Unnerved, then spring like steel. With straining neck and heel, in that last grand endeavor ! THE PRICE. 71 " Proud heart ! thou sufferest so ! " I cried, with tears of woe. " But one more strain, and lo ! the race is ours forever ! " Dawn shone o'er town and fleet, When through the seaport street A horse with staggering feet went reeling with its master; All hollow, ghastly, lank. With heaving chest and flank, And head that swayed and sank — a ghost of grim disaster, — Reeled on, blind, broken, blown, Till on the pier-head stone He paused, — then with a groan rolled over, spent and dying ; 72 THE PRICE. Lay prone ; and like one slain, Conquered in nerve and brain By that long toil and strain, his master by him lying. Vlll. TO THE BRIM! I woke, alive with fears, And trembling nigh to tears, With the deep roar in my ears, tumultu- ous, of the ocean ; While ever under me The long heave of the sea Went on, as restlessly he rolled in billowy motion. I looked above, around — All one vast deep profound Of sky and sea! no bound to circumscribe the vision; 73 74 TO THE BRIM! And we with wings unfurled, Alone in that vast world, Drove through and clove the curled clear waves in proud derision. This scene, unfolding, bred Stern questions in my head. Mixed with a fear, a dread of some unkind disaster Befallen the hope I wore Deep in my bosom's core, That a changeling fate I bore, betrayed to luckless master. Which missive of the twain Sped yester from the main Had triumphed ? whose the gain, and whose the pain of losing.? TO THE BRIM! 75 In that dim trance of mind, In that chance game, and blind, What fate had been assigned without my will or choosing? But whilst my weary brain Wrought in compulsive pain, Plagued by surmises vain and questions vague and vexing, Something that breathed of good Perfumed the neighborhood, Though dimly understood, and mixed with thoughts perplexing. Then conscious I became Some voice pronounced my name, — Oh warm with love's pure flame the sylla- bles came o'er me ! 7^ TO THE BRIM! And I saw two eyes divine Look softly into mine, O'erbrimmed with lustrous shine, like love-springs oped before me. Soft hands caressed my hair With touch divinely rare. And in the silence there I felt warm arms close round me ; And like a bird in my ear A voice piped "Cheer! cheer! cheer! My love ! my mate ! my dear ! oh now indeed I've found thee! " I put the touch aside, The loving clasp untied. The tender lips denied that yearned with greeting kisses ; TO THE BRIM! ^^ Calm, sorrowful as fate, Put by the draught elate Of heart's warm love create, with all its promised blisses. "Alas! not now!" I said; " Too late thy missive sped, Another cause has wed, another service bound me; Behold my heart the same, Of love a living flame. But duty stern of name and purpose now has crowned me. " The heart sings loud of bliss, But the soul says more than this ; Sacred the spirit's kiss, inviolate for- ever ; 78 TO THE BRIM! Oh love, believe me true ; Warm — warm, forever new. My heart holds firm that clew no time or change can sever ! "Warm, faithful! — yet must I Put love's sweet promise by, Although with bitter cry the heart bewail her treasure ; In war-stained skies above The eagle outsoars the dove. Till peace conspires with love to crown her empty measure. " Thy brave bright heart I know, What joys it would forego For this dear land's sake, so beset around by evil ; TO THE BRIM! 79 By treacherous fate betrayed, Blind from the pathway strayed, I claim thy loyal aid to work a swift retrieval. " But tell me now, I pray, What means this grim array Of weapons formed to slay heaped round, - — pike, sword and rifle? What mean these warlike notes, Rung from heroic throats ? No love-lay, this, that dotes on some melo- dious trifle ! " Ah, dost thou laugh at me ? Why this strange mockery? Oh, now I wake and see, who have been blind and dreaming; 8o TO THE BRIM! Witch ! I perceive the sign ! Fairy! some charm of thine Has wrought this work divine, disguised in artful seeming! " ' Love that can love forego Is first love crowned, I trow,' Runs not the old song so ? — Kiss — twine thy arms around me ! I chose for war; — with speed Love flies to crown the deed, And here behold my meed ; — both war and love have found me ! " Yes, now indeed I see How all sweet thinQ^s ao^ree To bless abundantly him who in right reposes ; TO THE BRIM! 8l How all kind fates conspire To yield his heart's desire, — Bathe sword in fairy fire and wreathe the shield with roses ! " Oh dull ! not to have guessed Those missives' one behest, — ' Doves from the self-same nest on the self- same errand fleeting; Ay, blind ! not to have seen What art lay couched between That call from love's fair queen, and her brother's warlike greeting. " Thanks, love, for thy bright deed, That showed my country's need, Put drooping hope to speed, and faith to fiery trial ; 82 TO THE BRIM! And thanks to that high voice, In that dark hour of choice, That won me to rejoice in passion's stern denial ! " Mysterious as of yore, Oh lovely evermore ! The spirit's sacred lore, that blooms in deathless beauty ; See! here once more 'tis shown. All things do toil and groan To build for him a throne who keeps firm faith with duty ! "