May I Beg a Lift?

Just one time let me get up and ride,
I swear I’ll run that horse to the edge
Of the world, to the point we both fall.

You can laugh. You can say poor fools ride
Wealth straight to their own doom, straight to hell.
Oh well. Give me the reins. Let’s find out.

Show me the rich man from days gone by
Who still lives, still has a horse to ride.
Oh, his sons? His fame? That’s what you want?

Sure. I’m a bit in awe of the Han
And the hordes of the forked Y of Khan.
Those who rose early to ride high thrived.

But how were those first to get rich wise?
And how does a shrewd dead sage draw breath?
Don’t tell me Khan did not ride to death.