SEA SPRAY &' SMOKE DRIFT 



False vigour, soon to evaporate, 



Is lent to nerve and brain ; 

 So the coward will dare on the gallant horse 



What he never would dare alone, 

 Because he exults in a borrowed force, 



And a hardihood not his own. 



And it may be so, yet this difference lies 



'Twixt the vine and the saddle-tree, 

 The spurious courage that drink supplies 



Sets our baser passions free ; 

 But the stimulant which the horseman feels 



When he gallops fast and straight, 

 To his better nature most appeals, 



And charity conquers hate. 



As the kindly sunshine thaws the snow. 

 E'en malice and spite will yield. 



We could almost welcome our mortal foe 

 In the saddle by flood and field ; 



And chivalry dawns in the merry tale 

 That *' Market Harborough " writes, 



And the yarns of " Nimrod " and '' Martin- 



gale " 



Seem legends of loyal knights. 



22 



