HERIOT'S FORD

'What's that that hirples at my side?'

_The foe that you must fight, my lord._

'That rides as fast as I can ride?'

_The shadow of your might, my lord._

'Then wheel my horse against the foe!'

_He's down and overpast, my lord._

_You war against the sunset glow,_

_The judgment follows fast, my lord._

'Oh who will stay the sun's descent?'

_King Joshua he is dead, my lord._

'I need an hour to repent!'

_'Tis what our sister said, my lord._

'Oh do not slay me in my sins!'

_You're safe awhile with us, my lord._

'Nay, kill me ere my fear begins.'

_We would not serve you thus, my lord._

'Where is the doom that I must face?'

_Three little leagues away, my lord._

'Then mend the horses' laggard pace!'

_We need them for next day, my lord._

'Next day--next day! Unloose my cords!'

_Our sister needed none, my lord.

You had no mind to face our swords,

And--where can cowards run, my lord?_

'You would not kill the soul alive?'

_'Twas thus our sister cried, my lord._

'I dare not die with none to shrive.'

_But so our sister died, my lord._

'Then wipe the sweat from brow and cheek.

_It runnels forth afresh, my lord._

'Uphold me--for the flesh is weak.'

_You've finished with the Flesh, my lord._

Songs from Books · 第 124 / 132 题