Two men I knew met in a pub, The both were prospectors for gold: One Harry Dale, and Olaf Cubb, And neither of them very old. Dale said "I'll go to an old show An old chap had—he's two years dead— And someone who was in the know Said he would go—shall we instead?" "Hullo!" said Dale, "that is good gold The poor old bloke left in the ground; He died; and no one ever told— It is good luck for us we've found." "Yes, it's good gold, and it is mine, I've done most work in this here drive, You need not here kick up a shine; And, if you do, then—look alive." Cool, Dale kept silence, but the threat Was not forgotten; and next day Cubb pulled some dirt, two tons in weight; What were his thoughts we cannot say. When they were finished Dale would climb: Cubb said to him "I'll haul you up"; Dale seemed half doubtful all the time: The shaft was sixty feet from top. Cubb hauled Dale up three parts the way: All of a sudden and amain Let the windlass-handle go—men say To kill his mate—and then—explain. With one hand, and an instant's thought, Dale caught the ladder's iron round; Down went the bucket like a shot, And on the bottom seemed to bound. Cubb waited just a moment there— Saw that his evil trick had failed. He did not speak: he did not dare; His instant fear, he might be—jailed. Dale never spoke when Cubb looked down, The coward's instant thought was flight; And off his hardest for the town And out of it by coach that night. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...MUSIC by STEPHEN VINCENT BENET CONTRA MORTEM: THE GREAT DEATH by HAYDEN CARRUTH MOUNTAIN FARM by MALCOLM COWLEY AFTER VERLAINE by ANSELM HOLLO CALLING DREAMS by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON SUPREME by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON UNCLE JIM'S BAPTIST REVIVAL HYMN by SIDNEY LANIER |