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Robert Browning: Poems

Cavalier Tunes: Boot And Saddle


I


Boot, saddle, to horse, and away!

Rescue my castle before the hot day

Brightens to blue from its silvery gray,


CHO.--Boot, saddle, to horse, and away!


II


Ride past the suburbs, asleep as you'd say;

Many's the friend there, will listen and pray

"God's luck to gallants that strike up the lay--


CHO.--Boot, saddle, to horse, and away!"


III


Forty miles off, like a roebuck at bay,

Flouts castle Brancepeth the Roundheads' array: 10

Who laughs, "Good fellows ere this, by my fay,


CHO.--Boot, saddle, to horse, and away!"


IV


Who? My wife Gertrude; that, honest and gay,

Laughs when you talk of surrendering, "Nay!

I've better counsellors; what counsel they?


CHO.-- Boot, saddle, to horse, and away!"

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