My Wars are laid away in Books — Wild Horse

My Wars are laid away in Books-1
I have one Battle more-
A Foe whom I have never seen
But oft has scanned me o'er-
And hesitated me between 5
And others at my side,
But chose the best-Neglecting me-till
All the rest, have died-
How sweet if I am not forgot 9
By Chums that passed away-
Since Playmates at threescore and ten
Are such a scarcity-
(F.1579/J.1549)
[1] Books:: records of riding untamed horses in rodeo shows. I:: a wild horse.
[2] Battle:: between the horse and rider.
[3] Foe:: the rider.
[4] scanned me:: the rider examined the horse.
[6] others:: other horses.
[7] chose:: the rider did the choice.
[8] died:: finished, failed in a game.
[10] Chums:: other horses.
[11] threescore and ten:: seventy or many times the game.