46 ROBERT POCOCK. 



' We'll bury both without a fee.' 



But when he cooler grew, and thought 



To what a scrape himself had brought, 



Away he gallop'd to the bay, 



Where at that time a frigate lay 



With Queen Elizabeth on board ; 



When (strange to tell) this hair-brain'd lord 



On horseback swam to the ship's side, 



There told his tale, and pardon cried. 



The grant with many thanks he takes, 



And swimming still, to land he makes ; 



But on his riding up the beach, 



He an old woman meets (a witch). 



' This horse which now your life does save/ 



Says she, ' will bring you to the grave.' 



' You'll prove a liar,' says my lord, 



' You ugly hag ! ' then with his sword, 



Acting a most ungrateful part, 



The generous beast stabb'd to the heart. 



" It happen'd after many a day 

 That with some friends he stroll'd that way, 

 And this strange story, as they walk, 

 Became the subject of their talk ; 

 When on the bank by the sea-side, 

 ' Yonder the carcase lies ! ' he cried, 

 As not far off he led them to't, 

 And kick'd the skull up with his foot, 

 When a sharp bone pierced thro' his shoe, 

 And wounded grievously his toe, 

 Which mortified ; so he was kill'd, 

 And the hag's prophecy fulfill'd. 

 See there his cross-legg'd figure laid, 

 And near his feet the horse's head. 



'* The tomb is of too old a fashion 

 To tally well with this narration ; 

 But of the tale we would not doubt, 

 Nor put our cicerone out. 

 'Tis a good moral point at least, 

 That gratitude's due to a beast. 



