Classic Poem

" WHAT 's that that hirples at my side? "
The foe that you must fight, my lord.
" That rides as fast as I can ride? "
The shadow of your might, my lord.

" Then wheel my horse against the foe! "
He's down and overpast, my lord.
You war against the sunset-glow,
The judgment follows fast, my lord!

" Oh, who will stay the sun's descent? "
King Joshua he is dead, my lord.
" I need an hour to repent! "
'Tis what our sister said, my lord.

" Oh, do not slay me in my sins! "
You're safe awhile with us, my lord.
" Nay, kill me ere my fear begins! "
We would not serve you thus, my lord.

" Where is the doom that I must face? "
Three little leagues away, my lord.
" Then mend the horses' laggard pace! "
We need them for next day, my lord.

" Next day — next day! Unloose my cords! "
Our sister needed none, my lord.
You had no mind to face our swords,
And — where can cowards run, my lord?

" You would not kill the soul alive? "
'Twas thus our sister cried, my lord.
" I dare not die with none to shrive. "
But so our sister died, my lord.

" Then wipe the sweat from brow and cheek. "
It runnels forth afresh, my lord.
" Uphold me — for the flesh is weak. "
You've finished with the Flesh, my lord!