THE PERCHERON REVIEW 
9 
TO THE PERCHERON 
(Copyright, 1922, by John Ashton.) 
Oh ! lovely Perclie, where flow the Sarthe and Huisne ; * 
Where ev'ry vale resounds with streams and rills; 
Where mellow mists bathe pastures ever green, 
And fruit and grain spread o 'er thy rolling hills. 
Gay springtime finds thy fair face at its best ; 
'Tis then that Nature makes her bravest show, 
In raiment bright, fresh from long winter 's rest, 
When sap in living things begins to flow. 
The skylark sings his carol to the morn; 
The blackbird whistles high in yonder birch ; 
And tinted 'apple blossoms, newly born, 
Bedeck the verdant prairies of the Perche. 
The daj^pled brood mare blinking in the shade. 
Her trusting offspring sleeping by her side — 
Such scenes of rural beauty ne 'er can fade 
From mind ; while mem 'ry lasts they must abide. 
* * * * 
In ancient days the feudal barons went 
To eastern climes, the Moslem host to slay; 
With Christian zeal and noble purpose bent. 
Disdaining peace, they welcomed — sought — the fray. 
Not all returned, for some, their life's blood spilled, 
'Neath Orient skies their bones were left to dry, 
But many knights, with cup of victory filled, 
To ancient Perche brought back their battle-cry. 
In civil strife proud fief 'gainst fief took side, 
For honor 's cause they donned their armour bright. 
Their only choice: they fought like men and died. 
Accepting war when might menaced their right. 
'Gainst Islam hordes once more the Seigneurs bold 
Their strength unite to crush the common foe: 
In sunny Spain the knights of Perche, we 're told, 
Laid swarthy Saracens by tliousands low. 
No weakling steed, nor horse of sluggish pace, 
Would deign those lieavy-armoured knights to ride ; 
On chargers bold of stalwart native race 
The men of Perche rode forth to win — or died. 
With hoofs like flint, and adamantine hocks. 
Alertness, courage, marked in ev'ry trait. 
The Perch 'ron grays supported weight and sliocks. 
And proved their steel in ev 'ry grim affray. * 
■"Pronounce ween. 
* * * * 
The blazoned shields and helmets thick with dust — 
For now the long dark age has had its day — 
Lance, battle-axe, and armour go to rust; 
Now peaceful arts and commerce hold their sway. 
But once again this peer of equine breeds. 
His plastic form to breeders' art submits; 
His sterling virtues rise to present needs. 
As now with fleeting coach he gayly trips. 
Yet time with never-ending change goes on ; 
Inventive science brings us iron steeds ; 
The proud diligence finds its mission gone. 
And now no more responds to modern needs. 
The Perch 'ron now assumes his later role ; 
His form is changed commercial wants to please. 
With studious care the breeder gains his goal: — 
A horse that weighs a ton, and trots with ease. 
* * * * 
Oh! lovely Perche, fair land of limpid stream. 
Of grassy vales and undulating hills; 
'Tis there the Percheron draft colts reign supreme, 
(As good as gold, they pay the farmers' bills.) 
Oft have 1 watelied them, heard their joyous neigh. 
With unkempt manes and streaming tails they run, 
Now stop to browse, wheel, now snort and dash away, 
Now toss their heads and lift their heels in fun. 
As time goes on, nerve, bone and muscle grow. 
And weight and strength the youthful forms soon change; 
Not long untaxed such idle ease may go, 
The hour has come to leave their native range. 
For buyers come and bring their foreign gold ; 
They make their choice : the breeder 's work is o 'er ; 
The bargain's made, the virile colts are sold. 
To leave their native haunts for Western shore. 
Their liandsome forms in eolhir never shirk; 
For fifty years they 've plowed Columbia 's soil. 
At liome alike in farm and city work : 
They now feed luingry millions by tlieir toil. 
Their virtues sung by farmers near and far, 
Surpassing fair, of frank and noble mien, 
'Twere vain to try their sov 'reign fame to mar. 
For better liorse the world has never seen! 
JOHN ASHTON. 
