ON scent of game from town to town he flew, The soldier's curse pursued him on his way; Care in his eye, and anguish on his brow, He seemed a sea-hawk watching for his prey. With soothing words the widow's mite he gained, With piercing glance watched misery's dark abode, Filched paper scraps while yet a scrap remained, Bought where he must, and cheated where he could; Vast loads amassed of scrip, and who knows what; Potosi's wealth seemed lodged within his clutch, -- But wealth has wings (he knew) and instant bought The prancing steed, gay harness, and gilt coach. One Sunday morn to church we saw him ride In glittering state -- alack! and who but he -- The following week, with Madam at his side, To routs they drove -- and drank Imperial tea! In cards and fun the livelong day they spent, With songs and smut prolonged the midnight feast, -- If plays were had, to plays they constant went, Where Madam's top-knot rose a foot at least. Three weeks, and more, thus passed in airs of state, The fourth beheld the mighty bubble fail, -- And he, who countless millions owned so late, Stopped short -- and closed his triumphs in a jail. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE CHILTERNS by RUPERT BROOKE FOR A DEAD LADY by EDWIN ARLINGTON ROBINSON SILEX SCINTIALLANS: THEY ARE ALL GONE by HENRY VAUGHAN PRAYER FOR A BOY WITH A KITE by DOROTHY P. ALBAUGH EPITAPH ON FRANCIS CHARTRES by JOHN ARBUTHNOT PEARLS OF THE FAITH: 42. AL-JAMIL by EDWIN ARNOLD THE RWOSE IN THE DARK by WILLIAM BARNES URANIA; THE WOMAN IN THE MOON: THE FOURTH CANTO, OR LAST QUARTER by WILLIAM BASSE |