On the Road to Chorrera

Arlo Bates (1850–1918)

THREE horsemen galloped the dusty way

While sun and moon were both in the sky;

An old crone crouched in the cactus’ shade,

And craved an alms as they rode by.

A friendless hag she seemed to be,

But the queen of a bandit crew was she.

One horseman tossed her a scanty dole,

A scoffing couplet the second trolled;

But the third, from his blue eyes frank and free,

No glance vouchsafed the beldam old;

As toward the sunset and the sea,

No evil fearing, rode the three.

A curse she gave for the pittance small,

A gibe for the couplet’s ribald word;

But that which once had been her heart

At sight of the silent horseman stirred:

And safe through the ambushed band they speed

For the sake of the rider who would not heed!