Poem by Arlo Bates

On the Road to Chorrera

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!

1. A Shadow Boat
2. Before the Dawn
3. The Cyclamen
4. The Watchers
5. When Allah Spoke

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