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Hither and thither rode the field. 



Seeking an easier place — 

 I, too, had turned me, when I met 



My mistress face to face : 

 I bounded in my seat like one 



Death-stricken thro' the brain — 

 Sweet wife ! the bliss of after years 



Scarce paid that instant's pain. 



There was scorn upon her curling lip, 



In her dark eyes angry flame, 

 On the marble of her polish 'd brow 



Red rose the flush of shame. 



The veriest dastard had grown brave 



There — face to face with her : 

 I bit my lip through as I wheel'd, 



And drove home either spur. 



Sprang to the steel old Thunderbolt, 



And snorted savagely ; 

 The blood-gouts dripp'd from his dusky sides 



Like rain from a low'ring sky : 

 I felt .as I rusli'd him at the fence 



He was as wild as I. 



Then came, too late, a warning shriek, 



And then such crackling sound 

 As echoes through a burning house 



When beams are splint'ring round. 



But o'er crash and cry, rose clear and high 

 The voice well loved and known, 



Though not a silver note was strain'd — 

 *' O Charlie ! bravely done.'' 



