Till riding out one fatal day,

He overheard some coxcombs say,

"For such a man, 'tis quite a shame,

To mount a horse old, blind, and lame."

"Aye," replied one, "I know a steed

Would nobly carry him indeed;

Young, vigorous, beautiful, and sound;

His like is nowhere to be found."

In evil hour an ear he lent,

To view this boasted courser went: