218

THE FATAL GATE.

Stay—stay—young Nimrod! rein thy steed,For there is one who mocks thy speed ;L see him on thy path obtrude;—Pursuer!—thou hast been pursued.

Expert thou art, and strong thy horse,But what avails or skill or force ?That hoof of horn is cased in steel—An arrow pierced Achilles' heel.

Then pause awhile, the peril shun,Tempt not yon bar—Fate lurks beneath ;

Infatuate fool!—the deed is done ;That gate hath proved the gate of Death.

H. D