THE HIGHWAYMAN

And now it was dawn. He rose strong on his feet.
And strode to his ruined camp below the wood ;

He drank the breath of the morning cool and sweet;
His murderers round him stood.

Light on the Laspur hills was broadening fast.
The blood-red snow-peaks chilled to a dazzling
white :

He turned, and saw the golden circle at last.
Cut by the Eastern height.

" O glorious Life, who dwellest in earth and sun,
I have lived, I praise and adore Thee." 10

A sword swept.

Over the pass the voices one by one
Faded, and the hill slept.

SIR HENRY NEWBOLT

THE HIGHWAYMAN
PART I
THE wind was a torrent of darkness among the gusty
trees,
The moon was a ghostly galleon tossed upon cloudy
seas,
The road was a ribbon of moonlight over the purple
moor,
And the highwayman came riding—
Riding—riding,
The highwayman came riding, up to the old inn-door.
He'd a French cocked-hat on his forehead, a bunch of
lace at his chin, 20
A coat of claret velvet, and breeches of brown doe-
skin,
89