26 THE RED ROAN MARE. 



He thought him then of his own career, 

 The illness that wrecked his life ; 



The fair young face that he held so dear. 

 Who now was another's wife. 



He thought him then of what might have been, 

 Of the home with its children sweet ; 



And then he turned to another scene, 

 His life, on its lonely beat. 



So on he rode on the red roan mare, 

 His heart beating quick and fast : 



As true as steel, and as light as air, 

 The mare she could go and last. 



But softly now 'neath the thick thorn hedge, 



And stand by the old oak tree ; 

 Where the peaceful house on the lawn-set ledge 



Looks out on the sloping lea. 



For there through a window that opens wide 

 A group by the lamplight shows ; 



The husband posed by his fair young bride. 

 While the young child laughs and crows. 



" One long last look," said the horseman bold, 



As he sat on the red roan mare. 

 " One long, last look, ere my heart grows cold 



Ah, God ! what a scene is there." 



