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The winged horseman.
Sped to the land whose lengthened shadows fell
Deep on the waters. All his laurels dropped
Upon the shore he left. His bright wand lay,
Adrift upon the river. The black steed
Swam in its wake, and with his rein left loose
Played the swift ripples; and they drew a veil
Over his sight, and sang into his ears
Where the contending strains of heaven and earth
Met and made discord. When I looked again,
Lo, the pale rider, who with outstretched arms,
Trod the fast-sliding currents, till ashore
Plucked by extended hands! Thenceforth I saw
Only the glorified outlines of a form
Cast on the waters brokenly. Beyond,
In my faint soul excessive light made darkness.
Deep on the waters. All his laurels dropped
Upon the shore he left. His bright wand lay,
Adrift upon the river. The black steed
Swam in its wake, and with his rein left loose
Played the swift ripples; and they drew a veil
Over his sight, and sang into his ears
Where the contending strains of heaven and earth
Met and made discord. When I looked again,
Lo, the pale rider, who with outstretched arms,
Trod the fast-sliding currents, till ashore
Plucked by extended hands! Thenceforth I saw
Only the glorified outlines of a form
Cast on the waters brokenly. Beyond,
In my faint soul excessive light made darkness.
