When I measured the panting courser's speed,

The flight of the courier dove,

As they bore the law a king decreed,

Or the lines of impatient love,—

I could not but think how the world would feel,

As these were outstripped afar,

When I should be bound to the rushing keel,

Or chained to the flying car;

Ha, ha! they found me out at last;

They invited me forth at length;