The Last Leap
The Last Leap
Original Text
Poems, ed. Robert A. Thompson (London and Melbourne: A. H. Massina, 1920). Sydney Electronic Text and Image Service (SETIS), digital text sponsored by AustLit: http://setis.library.usyd.edu.au/ozlit
1All is over! fleet career,
2 Dash of greyhound slipping thongs,
3Flight of falcon, bound of deer,
4Mad hoof-thunder in our rear,
5 Cold air rushing up our lungs,
6 Din of many tongues.
7Once again, one struggle good,
8 One vain effort; -- he must dwell
9Near the shifted post, that stood
10Where the splinters of the wood,
11 Lying in the torn tracks, tell
12 How he struck and fell.
13Crest where cold drops beaded cling,
14 Small ear drooping, nostril full,
15Glazing to a scarlet ring,
16Flanks and haunches quivering,
17 Sinews stiff'ning, void and null,
18 Dumb eyes sorrowful.
19Satin coat that seems to shine
21That a softer hand than mine
23 That in meadows far from this
24 Softer lips might kiss.
25All is over! this is death,
26 And I stand to watch thee die,
27Brave old horse! with 'bated breath
28Hardly drawn through tight-clenched teeth,
29 Lip indented deep, but eye
30 Only dull and dry.
31Musing on the husk and chaff
33Thus I speak, and force a laugh
34That is half a sneer and half
35 An involuntary groan,
36 In a stifled tone --
37'Rest, old friend! thy day, though rife
38 With its toil, hath ended soon;
39We have had our share of strife,
40Tumblers in the mask of life,
41 In the pantomime of noon
43'With the flash that ends thy pain
44 Respite and oblivion blest
45Come to greet thee. I in vain
46Fall: I rise to fall again:
47 Thou hast fallen to thy rest --
48 And thy fall is best!'
Notes
20] tress: long lock of hair. Back to Line
22] wont: accustomed. Back to Line
32] tares: injurious weeds. Back to Line
42] pantaloon: men's close-fitting breeches fastened below the calf or at the foot; a Venetian character in Italian comedy represented as a foolish old man wearing pantaloons. Back to Line
Publication Start Year
1867
Publication Notes
Sea Spray and Smoke Drift (1867)
RPO poem Editors
Cameron La Follette
RPO Edition
2012
Rhyme
Form