Pliocene Horses
Far over grassy plain, and vale, and hill,
Wide rove the creatures at their own sweet will ;
Free as the air their opening nostrils draw,
Wild as the waves that toss their spray to shore.
Changed times indeed their progeny will see,
As to his will Man bends their energy ;
And varied be the parts they will sustain,
In bondage held, controlled by bit and rein ;
To run the measured course at headlong pace ;
And tear along in maddening chariot race;
To bear the knight, with spear and blazoned shield,
Or in the joust, or on the battlefield ;
To mount the hunter as he hawking goes ;
To chase the fox, and troll in circus shows ;
And harnessed be, alert at Man's command,
Or on the road, or on the furrowed land.
Ready in war, and toil, and sport, and play,
As Man appoints, to listen and obey.
But here, wild hearts, no bit is yours to fret,
Nor toil to know : your master tarries yet.
From *Nebula To Man*, H.R.Knipe, 1905
www.archive.org/stream/nebulatoman00kniprich#page/n0/mode/2up