It wasn’t because I hadn’t been warned
That I rode full tilt at Death—
It was simply the plan of an indolent man
To save his back and his breath.
For I reckoned I’d slice for the left-hand shore
When the roar of the falls drew near,
And I braced my knees and took my ease—
There was nothing to do but steer.
(There are many savage cataracts, slavering
for prey,