The Trigger will shoot and the dagger will strike,

If you wade in the water it will freeze you.

Watch out for the ice, keep out if you're wise,

Said the goodwife to the soldier.

But the soldier boy with his weapons in place

Harked to the drumming and laughed in her face.

For bugles and drums will never hurt you.

From the north to south he'll march all his life

And his fingers were made just to handle a knife,

The soldiers They said to the goodwife.

Oh bitter you'll mourn the counsel you scorn

When you turn a deaf ear to your elders.

In god's name were abide, there's danger outside,

Said the goodwife to the soldier.

But the soldier boy, with his pistol and sword,

Laughed aloud at her words and crossed over the ford,

For how could the cold water hurt him?

When the moon glimmers white on crest of the knoll,

You shall see us again. Now pray for his soul,

The soldiers they said to the goodwife.

You are gone like smoke. And the heat is gone, too.

For your glory can never warm us.

How quick the smoke goes! Then god preserues you,

Said the goodwife of the soldier.

And the soldier boy with his pistol and sword

Sank down with the spear and was lost in the ford

And he waded in water that froze him.

And cool on the crest the moon shone white

But the soldier and ice whirled away in the night.

And then what did they say to the goodwife?

He is gone like smoke and the heat is gone, too

And his deeds will never warm her.

Oh bitter to mourn women's counsel you scorn, Said the goodwife to the soldier.

Fast Rode the Knight, by Stephen Crane.

Fast rode the knight

With spurs how and reeking,

Ever waving an eager sword,

"To save my lady!"

Fast rode the knight, And leaped from saddle to war.

Men of steel flickered and gleamed

Like riot of silver knights.

And the gold of the knight's good banner

Still waved on the castle wall.

* * *

A horse,

Blowing, Staggering, bloody thing,

Forgotten at foot of castle wall.

A horse

Dead at foot of castle wall.