At civic revel and pomp and game, Attest their great commander's claim With honour, honour, honour, honour to him, -Tennyson. 70 SECTION V LESSONS AND EXPERIENCES OF LIFE XIX. HOW THEY BROUGHT THE GOOD NEWS FROM GHENT TO AIX I I sprang to the stirrup, and Joris, and he; I galloped, Dirck galloped, we galloped all three; "Good speed!" cried the watch, as the gate-bolts undrew; "Speed!" echoed the wall to us galloping through; Behind shut the postern, the lights sank to rest, II Not a word to each other; we kept the great pace III 'T was moonset at starting; but while we drew near Lokeren, the cocks crew and twilight dawned clear; 40 5 10 At Boom, a great yellow star came out to see; And from Mecheln church-steeple we heard the half-chime, IV At Aerschot, up leaped of a sudden the sun, With resolute shoulders, each butting away The haze, as some bluff river headland its spray: V And his low head and crest, just one sharp ear bent back 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; 15 20 25 30 35 The broad sun above laughed a pitiless laugh, 'Neath our feet broke the brittle bright stubble like chaff; VIII "How they'll greet us!"—and all in a moment his roan IX Then I cast loose my buffcoat, each holster let fall, 40 45 Called my Roland his pet-name, my horse without peer; Clapped my hands, laughed and sang, any noise, bad or good, Till at length into Aix Roland galloped and stood. X And all I remember is-friends flocking round 50 Was no more than his due who brought good news from Ghent. 60 -R. Browning. XX. ON HIS BLINDNESS When I consider how my light is spent Ere half my days, in this dark world and wide, And that one talent which is death to hide, Lodged with me useless, though my soul more bent To serve therewith my Maker, and present My true account, lest he returning chide: "Doth God exact day-labour, light denied?” I fondly ask: But Patience, to prevent That murmur, soon replies, "God doth not need Bear his mild yoke, they serve him best: his state And post o'er land and ocean without rest; 5 10 |