132 NEIGHBORS WITH CLAWS AND HOOFS. 



Kept but one steed, his favorite steed of all, 

 To starve and shiver in a naked stall, 

 And, day by day, sat brooding in his chair, 

 Devising plans how best to hoard and spare. 



5. At length he said : " What is the use or need 

 To keep at my own cost this lazy steed, 

 Eating his head off in my stables here, 

 When rents are low and provender is dear ? 

 Let him go feed upon the public ways ; 



I want him only for the holidays." 

 So the old steed was turned into the heat 

 Of the long, lonely, silent, shadowless street ; 

 And wandered in suburban lanes forlorn, 

 Barked at by dogs, and torn by brier and thorn. 



6. One afternoon, as in that sultry clime 

 It is the custom in the summer-time, 



With bolted doors, and window-shutters closed, 

 The inhabitants of Atri slept or dozed ; 

 When suddenly upon their senses fell 

 The loud alarum of the accusing bell ! 

 The Syndic started from his sweet repose, 

 Turned on his couch, and listened, and then rose 

 And donned his robes, and with reluctant pace 

 Went panting forth into the market-place, 

 Where the great bell upon its cross-beam swung, 

 Reiterating with persistent tongue, 

 In half -articulate jargon, the old song : 

 " Some one hath done a wrong, hath done a wrong ! 



7. But ere he reached the belfry's light arcade, 

 He saw, or thought he saw, beneath its shade, 

 No shape of human form, of woman born, 

 But a poor steed dejected and forlorn, 



