"So now to show bishop and burgher and priest How the Altenahr hawk can die, If they smoke the old falcon out of his nest, He must take to his wings and fly."
He harnessed himself by the clear moonshine, And he mounted his horse at the door, And he drained such a cup of the red Ahr-wine As never man drained before.
He spurred the old horse, and he held him tight, And he leapt him out over the wall; Out over the cliff, out into the night, Three hundred feet of fall.
They found him next morning below in the glen, And never a bone in him whole; But Heaven may yet have more mercy than men On such a bold rider's soul.
Charles Kingsley.
THE LEAP OF ROUSHAN BEG.
Mounted on Kyrat strong and fleet, His chestnut steed with four white feet, Roushan Beg, called Kurroglou, Son of the road and bandit chief, Seeking refuge and relief, Up the mountain pathway flew.
Such was Kyrat's wondrous speed, Never yet could any steed Reach the dust-cloud in his course. More than maiden, more than wife, More than gold and next to life Roushan the Robber loved his horse.
In the land that lies beyond Erzeroum and Trebizond, Garden-girt his fortress stood; Plundered khan, or caravan Journeying north from Koordistan, Gave him wealth and wine and food.