ALL is over! fleet career, br Dash of greyhound slipping thongs, br Flight of falcon, bound of deer, br Mad hoof-thunder in our rear, br Cold air rushing up our lungs, br Din of many tongues. br br Once again, one struggle good, br One vain effort;—he must dwell br Near the shifted post, that stood br Where the splinters of the wood, br Lying in the torn tracks, tell br How he struck and fell. br br Crest where cold drops beaded cling, br Small ear drooping, nostril full, br Glazing to a scarlet ring, br Flanks and haunches quivering, br Sinews stiffening, void and null, br Dumb eyes sorrowful. br br Satin coat that seems to shine br Duller now, black braided tress br That a softer hand than mine br Far away was wont to twine, br That in meadows far from this br Softer lips might kiss. br br All is over! this is death, br And I stand to watch thee die, br Brave old horse! with bated breath br Hardly drawn through tight-clenched teeth, br Lip indented deep, but eye br Only dull and dry. br br Musing on the husk and chaff br Gathered where life’s tares are sown, br Thus I speak, and force a laugh, br That is half a sneer and half br An involuntary groan, br In a stifled tone— br br ‘Rest, old friend! thy day, though rife br With its toil, hath ended soon; br We have had our share of strife, br Tumblers in the masque of life, br In the pantomime of noon br Clown and pantaloon. br br ‘With a flash that ends thy pain, br Respite and oblivion blest br Come to greet thee.