SEA SPRAY &> SMOKE DRIFT 



On he strides with step elated, 

 And the steel with blood unsated, 

 Leaps to end the butchery. 



Francesca 

 Tyro ! mark the brands of battle 



On those shoulders dusk and dun, 

 Such as he is, are the cattle 



Skiird tauridors gladly shun ; 

 Warier than the Andalusian, 



Swifter far, though not so large, 

 Think'st thou, to his own confusion. 



He, like him, will blindly charge ? 

 Inch by inch the brute advances. 

 Stealthy yet vindictive glances, 

 Horns as straight as levell'd lances, 



Crouching withers, stooping haunches; — 

 Closer yet, until the tightening 

 Strain of rapt excitement height'ning 

 Grows oppressive. Ha ! like lightning 



On his enemy he launches. 



Nina 

 O'er the horn'd front drops the streamer. 



In the nape the sharp steel hisses, 

 58 



