THE RED ROAN MARE. 27 



" God help them, yet," said the horseman bold, 



Who thought of the sacred fire 

 That kindled the hearts of the group, and told 



Of love that can never tire. 



And back he rode through the village town, 



His tears coming thick and fast ; 

 Away, away, o'er the lonely down 



Where the night wind rushes past. 



And later on, and across the seas, 



Alone, on a Texas ranch, 

 A horseman lies 'neath the stately trees, 



Beneath a great spreading branch ; 



And tethered near is a red roan mare, 



A friend ever staunch and true ; 

 Around them both is the soft night air, 



Where the white mist passes through. 



And far away, so the horseman dreams, 



In the land he loves so well, 

 A fair young wife, bending down, it seems. 



O'er a child in a shady dell. 



And a prayer goes up from a lonely heart, 



A prayer and a stifled cry. 

 God help them, yet may they play their part, 



Man has but to live and die. 



