I could not live a day, and know that we should meet no more!

They tempted me, my beautiful! for hunger’s power is strong,

They tempted me, my beautiful! but I have loved too long.

Who said that I had given thee up, who said that thou wert sold?

’Tis false—’tis false, my Arab steed! I fling them back their gold.

Thus, thus I leap upon thy back, and scour the distant plains,

Away! who overtakes us now shall claim thee for his pains!

—Caroline Norton.


A BRIDGE OF MONKEYS