Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, DANIEL WEBSTER'S HORSES, by ELIZABETH JANE COATSWORTH


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

DANIEL WEBSTER'S HORSES, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: If when the wind blows
Last Line: "see their shoes fit."
Alternate Author Name(s): Beston, Henry, Mrs.
Subject(s): Animals; Fantasy; Horses; Webster, Daniel (1782-1852)


If when the wind blows,
Rattling the trees,
Clicking like skeletons'
Elbows and knees,

You hear along the road
Three horses pass,
Do not go near the dark,
Cold window-glass.

If when the first snow lies
Whiter than bones,
You find the mark of hoofs
Cut to the stones --

Hoofs of three horses
Going abreast,
Turn about! turn about!
A closed door is best.

Upright in the earth,
Under the sod,
They buried three horses
Bridled and shod,

Daniel Webster's horses.
He said as he grew old:
"Flesh, I love riding;
Shall I not love it, cold?

"Shall I not love to ride
Bone astride bone,
When the cold wind blows
And snow covers stone?

"Bury them on their feet
With bridle and bit.
They were good horses.
See their shoes fit."





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