Classic Poem

Stephen ostler now doth drive
To the spring his horses five,
Clear the night is glowing.
Jesus placed them in his guard,
And has set within the yard
Life's pure waters flowing.

Hark! the clock strikes twelve, and out
To the courtyard throngs the rout;
Deep the snow has drifted.
Heaven's vault is high and blue,
Where the moon and wee stars too
Shining are uplifted.

Love's bold charger leads the way,
Gallant as the sun in May,
Decked as for a wedding;
Bridle all of flowers fair,
Saddle wrought of rose-leaves rare
Sewn with silver threading.

Fortune's mare neighs lustily,
Shoes and trappings gold has she,
Well she knows hard riding;
Seeks the land of Dream-Desire
And the sunset's golden fire
In the west subsiding.

Slowly after Fortune's steed
Stumbles out the nag of Need,
Drab and melancholy.
Hungry he and hollow-eyed,
Seeks for chaff on every side
As he limps on slowly.

Mid the willows lingering,
Like a dark and spectral thing,
Sorrow's horse moves onward.
Stonily his gaze is sent
Upward, but his head is bent
Ever deeply downward.

Last appears with mane of gray,
Like old age's final day
On the sky encroaching,
With a sudden beat of hoof,
Like to earth on coffin-roof,
Death's pale horse approaching.

Stephen ostler now doth drive
To the spring his horses five;
Bright the water shimmers.
Torches burn in heaven's hall.
Gracious Jesus, help us all
Now that New Year glimmers!