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...