The Battle-Day and Other Poems By Ernest Jones |
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THE STEED AND THE RIDER. |
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 | The Battle-Day and Other Poems |  |
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THE STEED AND THE RIDER.
In the morning's light advancing
Forward bounds a gallant steed,
Decked with Beauty's goodly housing,
Shod with Youth, Health, Strength, and Speed.
Forward bounds a gallant steed,
Decked with Beauty's goodly housing,
Shod with Youth, Health, Strength, and Speed.
Who will mount the fearless courser?
Who can ride him to the goal,
With the spur of Emulation
And the check of Self-control;
Who can ride him to the goal,
With the spur of Emulation
And the check of Self-control;
Perseverance' solid saddle,
Prudence' trusty bridle-rein,
Enterprise' elastic stirrup,
And Experience' curb of pain?
Prudence' trusty bridle-rein,
Enterprise' elastic stirrup,
And Experience' curb of pain?
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Who will mount the gallant courser?
Who can ride him to the goal,
Thro' the paths of Life uneven
To the temple of the Soul?
Who can ride him to the goal,
Thro' the paths of Life uneven
To the temple of the Soul?
But be wary! oh, be wary!
Long the road—the time unknown!
And at morn the rein is wanting,
And at eve the spur has flown.
Long the road—the time unknown!
And at morn the rein is wanting,
And at eve the spur has flown.
And, ere noon arise, the rider
Oft so far has gone astray,
That when evening's twilight deepens,
He has not recalled the way.
Oft so far has gone astray,
That when evening's twilight deepens,
He has not recalled the way.
Who will mount the gallant courser,
Who can ride him to the goal,
Thro' the paths of Life uneven
To the temple of the Soul?
Who can ride him to the goal,
Thro' the paths of Life uneven
To the temple of the Soul?
| The Battle-Day and Other Poems | |