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Guards Came Through and other Poems

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<h2><SPAN class="pagenum" name="Page_70" title="70"> </SPAN>LINDISFAIRE</h2> <div class="poetry"> <div class="stanza"> <div class="line"><span class="small-caps">Horses</span> go down the dingy lane,</div> <div class="line">But never a horse comes up again.</div> <div class="line">The greasy yard where the red hides lie</div> <div class="line">Marks the place where the horses die.</div> </div> <div class="stanza"> <div class="line">Wheat was sinking year by year,</div> <div class="line">I bought things cheap, I sold them dear;</div> <div class="line">Rent was heavy and taxes high,</div> <div class="line">And a weary-hearted man was I.</div> </div> <div class="stanza"> <div class="line">In Lindisfaire I walked my grounds,</div> <div class="line">I hadn't the heart to ride to hounds;</div> <div class="line">And as I walked in black despair,</div> <div class="line">I saw my old bay hunter there.</div> </div> <div class="stanza"> <SPAN class="pagenum" name="Page_71" title="71"> </SPAN> <div class="line">He tried to nuzzle against my cheek,</div> <div class="line">He looked the grief he could not speak;</div> <div class="line">But no caress came back again,</div> <div class="line">For harder times make harder men.</div> </div> <div class="stanza"> <div class="line">My thoughts were set on stable rent,</div> <div class="line">On money saved and money spent,</div> <div class="line">On weekly bills for forage lost,</div> <div class="line">And all the old bay hunter cost.</div> </div> <div class="stanza"> <div class="line">For though a flier in the past,</div> <div class="line">His days of service long were past,</div> <div class="line">His gait was stiff, his eyes were dim,</div> <div class="line">And I could find no use for him.</div> </div> <div class="stanza"> <div class="line">I turned away with heart of gloom,</div> <div class="line">And sent for Will, my father's groom,</div> <div class="line">The old, old groom, whose worn-out face</div> <div class="line">Was like the fortune of our race.</div> </div> <div class="stanza"> <SPAN class="pagenum" name="Page_72" title="72"> </SPAN> <div class="line">I gave my order sharp and hard,</div> <div class="line">“Go, ride him to the knacker's yard;</div> <div class="line">He'll fetch two pounds, it may be three;</div> <div class="line">Sell him, and bring the price to me.”</div> </div> <div class="stanza"> <div class="line">I saw the old groom wince away,</div> <div class="line">He looked the thoughts he dared not say;</div> <div class="line">Then from his fob he slowly drew</div> <div class="line">A leather pouch of faded hue.</div> </div> <div class="stanza"> <div class="line">“Master,” said he, “my means are small,</div> <div class="line">This purse of leather holds them all;</div> <div class="line">But I have neither kith nor kin,</div> <div class="line">I'll pay your price for Prince's skin.</div> </div> <div class="stanza"> <div class="line">“My brother rents the Nether Farm,</div> <div class="line">And he will hold him safe from harm</div> <div class="line">In the great field where he may graze,</div> <div class="line">And see the finish of his days.”</div> </div> <div class="stanza"> <SPAN class="pagenum" name="Page_73" title="73"> </SPAN> <div class="line">With dimming eyes I saw him stand,</div> <div class="line">Two pounds were in his shaking hand;</div> <div class="line">I gave a curse to drown the sob,</div> <div class="line">And thrust the purse within his fob.</div> </div> <div class="stanza"> <div class="line">“May God do this and more to me</div> <div class="line">If we should ever part, we three,</div> <div class="line">Master and horse and faithful friend,</div> <div class="line">We'll share together to the end!”</div> </div> <div class="stanza"> <div class="line">You'll think I'm playing it on you,</div> <div class="line">I give my word the thing is true;</div> <div class="line">I hadn't hardly made the vow,</div> <div class="line">Before I heard a view-halloo.</div> </div> <div class="stanza"> <div class="line">And, looking round, whom should I see,</div> <div class="line">But Bookie Johnson hailing me;</div> <div class="line">Johnson, the man who bilked the folks</div> <div class="line">When Ethelrida won the Oaks.</div> </div> <div class="stanza"> <SPAN class="pagenum" name="Page_74" title="74"> </SPAN> <div class="line">He drew a wad from out his vest,</div> <div class="line">“Here are a thousand of the best;</div> <div class="line">Luck's turned a bit with me of late,</div> <div class="line">And, as you see, I'm getting straight.”</div> </div> <div class="stanza"> <div class="line">That's all. My luck was turning too;</div> <div class="line">If you have nothing else to do,</div> <div class="line">Run down some day to Lindisfaire,</div> <div class="line">You'll find the old bay hunter there.</div> </div></div> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />

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