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The old horse has seen them, he hears the dull thunder 

 The strokes of the horses' hoofs make as they go ; 



One plunge in the air, and he snaps them asunder. 

 The traces that bind him to labour so low. 



Away— see the strength of his youth is returning, 

 The embers yet latent are kindled to flame ; 



The light of his life is now brilliantly burning 

 As once more he adds to his record of fame. 



On, on, through the cattle he goes with a rattle, 

 The ends of his chains make a musical song ; 



He warms to his work like a charger in battle, 

 Well up in the van see him sailing along. 



The pack, how he watches them working so keenly, 

 He waits at the check and flies on to the cry, 



He jumps the high gate in the meadow serenely, 

 And skims o'er the vale like a bird in the sky. 



And yonder the river goes gliding and gleaming, 

 Look ; Levity stands on the opposite bank ; 



From her beautiful form mark the bright water streaming. 

 She shakes all the silvery drops from her flank. 



Away ! time is precious, the moments are fleeting, 

 Two men and three horses are seen in the stream. 



And one of them only his task is completing, 



The old horse is left with the hounds, it would seem. 



