Ready as bird to meet the morn

Were all his efforts at the plow;

Then the mill-brook—with hay or corn,

Good creature! how he'd spatter through.

I left him in the shafts behind,

His fellows all unhook'd and gone;

He neigh'd, and deemed the thing unkind;

Then, starting, drew the load alone.

* * * *

Half choked with joy, with love, and pride,