To Ada.

So must the sinewy Centaur snort and rear,

As some sweet maiden-mare trots wickedly

Across his pagan path, burning his very heart;

Flicking the flies from off her heaving flanks,

The amorous flies who fill their lips with blood;

And while his life-blood riots in his hocks,

She spreads her cunning heels and whisks her tail;

Then kicks the bitter sand into his eyes,

Still gazing smarting on the supple form—