That, as I were double-eyed, II. As I ride, as I ride To our Chief and his Allied, Or are witnesses denied Through the desert waste and wide 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, 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! V. As I ride, as I ride, Could I loose what Fate has tied, Ere I pride, she should hide (As I ride, as I ride) All that's meant me--satisfied When the Prophet and the Bride Stop veins I'd have subside INCIDENT OF THE FRENCH CAMP. I. You know, we French stormed Ratisbon: A mile or so away On a little mound, Napoleon Stood on our storming-day; Legs wide, arms locked behind, II. Just as perhaps he mused, "My plans Let once my army-leader Lannes Out 'twixt the battery smokes there flew Full-galloping; nor bridle drew Until he reached the mound. III. Then off there flung in smiling joy, By just his horse's mane, a boy; You looked twice ere you saw his breast Was all but shot in two. IV. "Well," cried he, "Emperor, by God's grace We've got you Ratisbon ! The Marshal's in the market-place, To see your flag-bird flap his vans Where I, to heart's desire, Perched him!" The chief's eye flashed: his plans Soared up again like fire. V. The chief's eye flashed; but presently Softened itself, as sheathes A film the mother-eagle's eye When her bruised eaglet breathes Touched to the quick, he said, "I'm killed, Sire!" And his chief beside, Smiling, the boy fell dead. THE LOST LEADER. I. JUST for a handful of silver he left us, They, with the gold to give, doled him out silver, Rags-were they purple, his heart had been proud! Learned his great language, caught his clear accents, Shakspere was of us, Milton was for us, Burns, Shelley, were with us,-they watch from their graves! He alone breaks from the van and the freemen, He alone sinks to the rear and the slaves! II. We shall march prospering,-not through his presence; One wrong more to man, one more insult to God! Best fight on well, for we taught him-strike gallantly, Then let him receive the new knowledge and wait us, I SEND my heart up to thee, all my heart For the stars help me, and the sea bears part; The very night is clinging Closer to Venice' streets to leave one space Above me, whence thy face May light my joyous heart to thee its dwelling-place. She speaks. Say after me, and try to say My very words, as if each word Came from you of your own accord, In your own voice, in your own way: "This woman's heart and soul and brain And yet once more say . . . no word more! Familiarly by my pet name, Which if the Three should hear you call, At once our secret to them all. Ask of me, too, command me, blame- |