The Poetry Corner

Through The Metidja To Abd-El-Kadr

By Robert Browning

I. As I ride, as I ride, With a full heart for my guide, So its tide rocks my side, As I ride, as I ride, That, as I were double-eyed, He, in whom our Tribes confide, Is descried, ways untried As I ride, as I ride. II. As I ride, as I ride To our Chief and his Allied, Who dares chide my hearts pride As I ride, as I ride? Or are witnesses denied Through the desert waste and wide Do I glide unespied As I ride, as I ride? III. As I ride, as I ride, When an inner voice has cried, The sands slide, nor abide (As I ride, as I ride) Oer each visioned homicide That came vaunting (has he lied?) To reside, where he died, As I ride, as I ride. IV. As I ride, as I ride, Neer has spur my swift horse plied, Yet his hide, streaked and pied, As I ride, as I ride, Shows where sweat has sprung and dried, Zebra-footed, ostrich-thighed, How has vied stride with stride As I ride, as I ride! V. As I ride, as I ride, Could I loose what Fate has tied, Ere I pried, she should hide (As I ride, as I ride) All thats meant me: satisfied When the Prophet and the Bride Stop veins Id have subside As I ride, as I ride!