Poems (Argent)/Floating Feather
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FLOATING FEATHER.
HE was a little riding-horse
That revelled in all weather,
So sure of foot, in speed so famed
We called him "Floating Feather."
That revelled in all weather,
So sure of foot, in speed so famed
We called him "Floating Feather."
His glossy coat mocked back the sun,
It shone so bright and golden,
His nostrils they were thin and fine,
His pedigree was olden.
It shone so bright and golden,
His nostrils they were thin and fine,
His pedigree was olden.
He scorned the whip, the spur and rein,
Unrivalled were his paces;
Across the heather and the hills
He showed a thousand graces!
Unrivalled were his paces;
Across the heather and the hills
He showed a thousand graces!
His eyes were beautiful and soft,
Affection's rays were gleaming
In their dark depths, as if the stars
Had come there and lay dreaming.
Affection's rays were gleaming
In their dark depths, as if the stars
Had come there and lay dreaming.
Those eyes, they took you captive quite,
A something almost human
Flashed from them like the beauteous light
One sees in gentle woman!
A something almost human
Flashed from them like the beauteous light
One sees in gentle woman!
Oh! we have roamed full many a mile
Through vale, up hill together;
All tireless as the mountain breeze,
In spite of wind or weather.
Through vale, up hill together;
All tireless as the mountain breeze,
In spite of wind or weather.
On through the air like to a bird,
Or, very Atalanta,
He's borne me on the wildest night
With gallop, trot and canter.
Or, very Atalanta,
He's borne me on the wildest night
With gallop, trot and canter.
His silky mane and flowing tail,
Tossed here and there in wonder,
His hoofs re-echoing far and wide
Like mimic claps of thunder.
Tossed here and there in wonder,
His hoofs re-echoing far and wide
Like mimic claps of thunder.
His nostrils sniffed and snorted fire,
And full of satisfaction,
He seemed to know we all admired
And loved him to distraction.
And full of satisfaction,
He seemed to know we all admired
And loved him to distraction.
In truth, a little steed that none
Could beat in any weather,
The daintiest spirit creature he:
Well named a floating feather!
Could beat in any weather,
The daintiest spirit creature he:
Well named a floating feather!
Though twenty years have come and gone,
Within the grassy meadow,
No sign of age doth he display,
He laughs at Time's weird shadow.
Within the grassy meadow,
No sign of age doth he display,
He laughs at Time's weird shadow.
He comes to all to be caressed
And rubs his nose so tender
Upon your shoulder just to show
How great is still his splendour!
And rubs his nose so tender
Upon your shoulder just to show
How great is still his splendour!
I almost think "Pegasus" dwells
Within this steed so sprightly,
He must have sure some hidden wings
To make him move so lightly.
Within this steed so sprightly,
He must have sure some hidden wings
To make him move so lightly.
The years may come, the years may go,
Their flight he fails to measure,
He canters still with buoyant step,
As if it were a pleasure.
Their flight he fails to measure,
He canters still with buoyant step,
As if it were a pleasure.
Then wonder not the fattest oats
And sweetest heads of clover
Within his manger you shall find
Of such he is a lover.
And sweetest heads of clover
Within his manger you shall find
Of such he is a lover.
Commingling with a warm soft bed
Of straw and hay together,
For where on earth shall mortal find
Another Floating Feather?
Of straw and hay together,
For where on earth shall mortal find
Another Floating Feather?