The Stirrup Cup

John Hay

My short and happy day is done;

The long and lonely night comes on

And at my door the pale horse stands

To carry me to distant lands.

His whinny shrill, his pawing hoof,

Sounds dreadful as a gathering storm;

And I must leave this sheltering roof

And joys of life so soft and warm.

Tender and warm the joys of life—

Good friends, the faithful and the true;

My rosy children and my wife,

>So sweet to kiss, so fair to view.

So sweet to kiss, so fair to view,

The night comes on, the lights burn blue;

And at my door the pale horse stands

To bear me forth to unknown lands.