Poems of Madison Cawein Vol. 4 — At the Sign of the Skull

AT THE SIGN OF THE SKULL

_It's "Gallop and go!"

and "Slow, now, slow!"

With every man in this life below-- But the things of the world are a fleeting show.

_ The post-chaise Time that all must take Is old with clay and dust;

Two horses strain its rusty brake Named Pleasure and Disgust.

Our baggage totters on its roof, Of Vanity and Care, As Hope, the post-boy, spurs each hoof, Or heavy-eyed Despair.

And now a comrade with us rides, Love, haply, or Remorse;

And that dim traveler besides, Gaunt Memory on a horse.

And be we king or be we kern Who ride the roads of Sin, No matter how the roads may turn They lead us to that Inn: Unto that Inn within that land Of silence and of gloom, Whose ghastly Landlord takes our hand And leads us to our room.

_It's "Gallop and go!"

and "Slow, now, slow!"

With every man in this life below-- But the things of the world are a fleeting show.

_ DUM VIVIMUS