Page:Poems, Volume 1, Coates, 1916.djvu/190

168 When sudden-swooping talons grazed

The pale man face,

As the fierce earn, there, mid the skies

Struck with blind fury at his rival's eyes.

Up-fluttering, the feathered king

Plunged down again.

His rushing anger seemed to bring

Fate nearer; then

The man-bird knew the moment's strife

Not for supremacy alone, but life!

With nerve that grows in peril great,

He toward him drew

A thing to strengthen him with Fate,

Whence instant flew

A wingèd death, and far behind

Headlong the Eagle fell, the abyss to find.

Thy fight was over, glorious bird!—

Thy scornful strength

Which the sky's sovereignty conferred,

Subdued at length,—

An autumn leaf against the wind,

In conflict with a greater power—called Mind!