POETRY.

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MARGARET CATCHPOLE.

(A SUFFOLK GIRL TRANSPORTED FOR HORSE-STEALING.)

"WOULD ye have the heart for a fearsome deed,

Margaret Could ye ride all night at dare-devil speed ? Would your ha id not flinch, nor your cheek grow pale,. Nor your wits be numbed, nor your courage fail, If ye rode by night through the fog and the gale?

Could ye take a horse from a neighbour's roof? Could ye put his speed to a deadly proof ? The coastguard's pitch-black horse could ye take, And ride him all night for your lover's sake, Till the stars grow faint and the dawn awake ?

Would ye lend your hand to a lawless plan ? Could ye brave the anger of God and man P Could ye bind his girths and hold your breath P For women are weak, as the Scripture saith, And the price of a stolen horse is death."

She said : "For your sake I have dared and done, I have climbed the cliff by the failing moon, I have brought you news of a planned surprise, I have braved the Law, and the Law's Excise, Just to hear you praise the light in my eyes.

I have hauled your kegs to a hidden place While the storm-wind blew the hair in my face, I have rowed your boat against wind and tide, I have risked my life, and subdued my pride, And fear is not known to a smuggler's bride, And true as truth for your sake I'll ride."

"The coastguard's horse is as black as sin, Margaret!

None but his master can hold him in; Ye'll need cool nerves and a steady hand If ye'll ride him safe down the heath to the sand Where the huge waves thunder against the land.

If ye'll ride him safe past the shore and the heath, Be wary and firm, for ye'll ride with Death ; God'll scarcely heed where a thief may tread." And he kissed her face; but she laughed and said, "Then maybe the Devil will help instead !"

The darkness covered the sea with its pall, And the black horse neighed as he left his stall : The coastguard turned in his sleep at the sound, And dreamed he was riding on smuggler's ground By the jagged rocks where the sea sweeps round.

The coastguard dreamed, but he did not wake, Though her heart gave a leap for her lover's sake. She led out the horse from the stable warm, She tightened his girths with her strong young arm,— May all brave spirits keep her from harm!

The black night hung like a bird on the wave, And the slow moon rose like a ghost from the grave; She sprang on his back by a fallen stone; The wild wind piped and the sea made moan, And they two swept into the night alone.

She patted his neck, and she spoke him fair; Who much would win must have heart to dare! They turned down the hill by the churchyard gate, They crossed the road and the swollen spate; And she urged him on, for the hour was late.

The moon shone white as the face of the dead, And his four feet slipped in the river-bed; They crossed the stream at the fording-place, She urged him on and he quickened his pace, And the water splashed up against her face.

No need had she now his steps to goad, For he knew that his feet had left the road ; He trod the firm, light sand of the heath, And he snuffed up the brine with snorting breath ; Sit him steady now, or you'll ride to your death, Margaret !

She leaned o'er his neck, and she slackened his rein And he flew like a bird o'er the heathery plain; Strange shadows waved with the waving trees, Strange voices shrieked with the shrieking breeze, But little she reeked of things like these !

Faster and faster yet did she ride, And wild things rode at her horse's side, The moon rode fast through a sea of grey, And the swift stars fled down the Milky Way, And the great black shadows that earthward lay.

She drew not rein nor paused for breath, For she rode for Life, and was chased by Death ; All night she rode with the sweeping tide, With her Love and her Doom on either side, Till the whole world joined in that headlong ride, Margaret!

MAUD -WALPOLE.