BIOGRAPHICALSKETCH
AlthoughBretHarte’snameisidentifiedwithCalifornianlife,itwasnottillhewasfifteenthattheauthorof\"PlainLanguagefromTruthfulJames\"sawthecountryofhisadoption。FrancisBretHarte,togivethefullnamewhichhecarriedtillhebecamefamous,wasbornatAlbany,NewYork,August25,1839。HewentwithhiswidowedmothertoCaliforniain1854,andwasthrownasayoungmanintothehurly-burlywhichhemorethananyotherwriterhasmaderealtodistantandlaterpeople。Hewasbyturnsaminer,school-
teacher,expressmessenger,printer,andjournalist。Thetypeswhichliveagaininhispagesarethusnotonlywhatheobserved,butwhathehimselfimpersonatedinhisownexperience。
HebegantryinghispeninTheGoldenEraofSanFrancisco,wherehewasworkingasacompositor;andwhenTheCalifornian,editedbyCharlesHenryWebb,wasstartedin1864asaliterarynewspaper,hewasoneofagroupofbrilliantyoungfellows——MarkTwain,CharlesWarrenStoddard,Webbhimself,andPrenticeMulford——whogaveatonceanewinterestinCaliforniabesidewhatminingandagriculturecaused。Hereinanearlynumberappeared\"TheBalladoftheEmeu,\"
andhecontributedmanypoems,graveandgay,aswellasproseinagreatvarietyofform。AtthesametimehewasappointedSecretaryoftheUnitedStatesBranchMintatSanFrancisco,holdingtheofficetill1870。
ButBretHarte’sgreatopportunitycamewhenTheOverlandMonthlywasestablishedin1868byAntonRoman。Thismagazinewastheoutgrowthoftheracy,exuberantliteraryspiritwhichhadalreadyfoundfreeexpressioninthejournalsnamed。AneagerambitiontoliftallthenewlifeofthePacificintoarecognizedplaceintheworldoflettersmadetheyoungmenwehavenamedputtheirwitstogetherinamonthlymagazinewhichshouldrivaltheAtlanticinBostonandBlackwoodinEdinburgh。Thenamewaseasilyhad,andforasignmanualonthecoversomeonedrewagrizzlybear,thatformidableexemplarofCalifornianwildness。Butthedesigndidnotquitesatisfy,untilBretHarte,withafelicitousstroke,drewtwoparallellinesjustbeforethefeetofthehaltingbrute。Nowitwasthegrizzlyofthewildernessdrawingbackbeforetherailwayofcivilization,andthepicturewascompleteasanemblem。
BretHartebecame,bythecommonurgencyofhiscompanions,thefirsteditoroftheOverland,andatoncehisowntalesandpoemsbegan,andinthesecondnumberappeared\"TheLuckofRoaringCamp,\"
whichinstantlybroughthimwidefame。Inafewmonthshefoundhimselfbesoughtforpoemsandarticles,sketchesandstories,ininfluentialmagazines,andin1871heturnedawayfromthePacificcoast,andtookuphisresidence,firstinNewYork,afterwardinBoston。
\"Noone,\"sayshisoldfriend,Mr。Stoddard,\"whoknowsMr。Harte,andknewtheCaliforniaofhisday,wondersthatheleftitashedid。Easterneditorswerecryingforhiswork。Citiesviedwithoneanotherintheofferoftemptingbait。WhenheturnedhisbackonSanFrancisco,andstartedforBoston,hebeganatourthatthegreatestauthorofanyagemighthavebeenproudof。Itwasaveritableovationthatswelledfromseatosea:theclassicsheepwassacrificedallalongtheroute。IhaveoftenthoughtthatifBretHartehadmetwithafatalaccidentduringthattranscontinentaljourney,theworldwouldhavedeclaredwithonevoicethatthegreatestgeniusofhistimewaslosttoit。\"
InBostonheenteredintoanarrangementwiththepredecessorsofthepublishersofthisvolume,andhiscontributionsappearedintheirperiodicalsandweregatheredintovolumes。Thearrangementinoneformoranothercontinuedtothetimeofhisdeath,andhasforwitnessastatelyarrayofcomelyvolumes;buttheprosehasfaroutstrippedthepoetry。TherearefewwritersofMr。Harte’sprodigalityofnaturewhohaveusedwithsomuchfinereservetheirfacultyformelodiousverse,andthepresentvolumecontainstheentirebodyofhispoeticalwork,growingbyminuteaccretionsduringthirtyoddyears。
In1878hewasappointedUnitedStatesConsulatCrefeld,Germany,andafterthatdateheresided,withlittleinterruption,ontheContinentorinEngland。HewastransferredtoGlasgowinMarch,1880,andremainedthereuntilJuly,1885。DuringtherestofhislifehemadehishomeinLondon。Hisforeignresidenceisdisclosedinanumberofprosesketchesandtalesandinoneortwopoems;butlifeabroadneverdimmedthevividnessoftheimpressionsmadeonhimbytheexperienceofhisearlymanhoodwhenhepartookoftheelixirvitaeofCalifornia,andthestorieswhichfromyeartoyearflowedfromanapparentlyinexhaustiblefountainglitteredwiththegoldwasheddownfromthemountainslopesofthatcountrywhichthroughhisimaginationhehadmadesopeculiarlyhisown。
Mr。HartediedsuddenlyatCamberley,England,May6,1902。
CONTENTS
I。NATIONAL。
JOHNBURNSOFGETTYSBURG
\"HOWAREYOU,SANITARY?\"
BATTLEBUNNY
THEREVEILLE
OURPRIVILEGE
RELIEVINGGUARD
THEGODDESS
ONAPENOFTHOMASSTARRKING
ASECONDREVIEWOFTHEGRANDARMY
THECOPPERHEAD
ASANITARYMESSAGE
THEOLDMAJOREXPLAINS
CALIFORNIA’SGREETINGTOSEWARD
THEAGEDSTRANGER
THEIDYLOPBATTLEHOLLOW
CALDWELLOFSPRINGFIELD
POEM,DELIVEREDONTHEFOURTEENTHANNIVERSARYOFCALIFORNIA’S
ADMISSIONINTOTHEUNION
MISSBLANCHESAYS
ANARCTICVISION
ST。THOMAS
OFFSCARBOROUGH
CADETGREY
II。SPANISHIDYLSANDLEGENDS。
THEMIRACLEOFPADREJUNIPERO
THEWONDERFULSPRINGOFSANJOAQUIN
THEANGELUS
CONCEPCIONDEARGUELLO
\"FORTHEKING\"
RAMON
DONDIEGOOFTHESOUTH
ATTHEHACIENDA
FRIARPEDRO’SRIDE
INTHEMISSIONGARDEN
THELOSTGALLEON
III。INDIALECT。
\"JIM\"
CHIQUITA
DOW’SFLAT
INTHETUNNEL
\"CICELY\"
PENELOPE
PLAINLANGUAGEFROMTRUTHFULJAMES
THESOCIETYUPONTHESTANISLAUS
LUKE
\"THEBABESINTHEWOODS\"
THELATESTCHINESEOUTRAGE
TRUTHFULJAMESTOTHEEDITOR
ANIDYLOFTHEROAD
THOMPSONOFANGELS
THEHAWK’SNEST
HERLETTER
HISANSWERTO\"HERLETTER\"
\"THERETURNOFBELISARIUS\"
FURTHERLANGUAGEFROMTRUTHFULJAMES
AFTERTHEACCIDENT
THEGHOSTTHATJIMSAW
\"SEVENTY-NINE\"
THESTAGE-DRIVER’SSTORY
AQUESTIONOFPRIVILEGE
THETHOUGHT-READEROFANGELS
THESPELLINGBEEATANGELS
ARTEMISINSIERRA
JACKOFTHETULES
IV。MISCELLANEOUS。
AGREYPORTLEGEND
ANEWPORTROMANCE
SANFRANCISCO
THEMOUNTAINHEART’S-EASE
GRIZZLY
MADRONO
COYOTE
TOASEA-BIRD
WHATTHECHIMNEYSANG
DICKENSINCAMP
TWENTYYEARS
FATE
GRANDMOTHERTENTERDEN
GUILD’SSIGNAL
ASPIRINGMISSDELAINE
ALEGENDOFCOLOGNE
THETALEOFAPONY
ONACONEOFTHEBIGTREES
LONEMOUNTAIN
ALNASCHAR
THETWOSHIPS
ADDRESS(OPENINGOFTHECALIFORNIATHEATRE,SANFRANCISCO,JANUARY
19,1870)
DOLLYVARDEN
TELEMACHUSVERSUSMENTOR
WHATTHEWOLFREALLYSAIDTOLITTLEREDRIDING-HOOD
HALFANHOURBEFORESUPPER
WHATTHEBULLETSANG
THEOLDCAMP-FIRE
THESTATION-MASTEROFLONEPRAIRIE
THEMISSIONBELLSOFMONTEREY
\"CROTALUS\"
ONWILLIAMFRANCISBARTLETT
THEBIRDSOFCIRENCESTER
LINESTOAPORTRAIT,BYASUPERIORPERSON
HERLASTLETTER:BEINGAREPLYTO\"HISANSWER\"
V。PARODIES。
BEFORETHECURTAIN
TOTHEPLIOCENESKULL
THEBALLADOFMR。COOKE
THEBALLADOFTHEEMEU
MRS。JUDGEJENKINS
AGEOLOGICALMADRIGAL
AVITOR
THEWILLOWS
NORTHBEACH
THELOSTTAILSOFMILETUS
THERITUALIST
AMORALVINDICATOR
CALIFORNIAMADRIGAL
WHATTHEENGINESSAID
THELEGENDSOFTHERHINE
SONGSWITHOUTSENSE
VI。LITTLEPOSTERITY。
MASTERJOHNNY’SNEXT-DOORNEIGHBOR
MISSEDITH’SMODESTREQUEST
MISSEDITHMAKESITPLEASANTFORBROTHERJACK
MISSEDITHMAKESANOTHERFRIEND
WHATMISSEDITHSAWFROMHERWINDOW
ONTHELANDING
NOTES
POEMS
I。NATIONAL
JOHNBURNSOFGETTYSBURG
HaveyouheardthestorythatgossipstellOfBurnsofGettysburg?——No?Ah,well:
Briefistheglorythatheroearns,BrieferthestoryofpoorJohnBurns。
Hewasthefellowwhowonrenown,——
Theonlymanwhodidn’tbackdownWhentherebelsrodethroughhisnativetown;
Butheldhisowninthefightnextday,Whenallhistownsfolkranaway。
ThatwasinJulysixty-three,TheverydaythatGeneralLee,FlowerofSouthernchivalry,Baffledandbeaten,backwardreeledFromastubbornMeadeandabarrenfield。
ImighttellhowbutthedaybeforeJohnBurnsstoodathiscottagedoor,Lookingdownthevillagestreet,Where,intheshadeofhispeacefulvine,Heheardthelowofhisgatheredkine,Andfelttheirbreathwithincensesweet;
OrImightsay,whenthesunsetburnedTheoldfarmgable,hethoughtitturnedThemilkthatfelllikeababblingfloodIntothemilk-pailredasblood!
OrhowhefanciedthehumofbeesWerebulletsbuzzingamongthetrees。
ButallsuchfancifulthoughtsastheseWerestrangetoapracticalmanlikeBurns,Whomindedonlyhisownconcerns,TroublednomorebyfanciesfineThanoneofhiscalm-eyed,long-tailedkine,——
Quiteold-fashionedandmatter-of-fact,Slowtoargue,butquicktoact。
Thatwasthereason,assomefolksay,Hefoughtsowellonthatterribleday。
Anditwasterrible。OntherightRagedforhourstheheadyfight,Thunderedthebattery’sdoublebass,——
DifficultmusicformentofaceWhileontheleft——wherenowthegravesUndulatelikethelivingwavesThatallthatdayunceasingsweptUptothepitstherebelskept——
Roundshotploughedtheuplandglades,Sownwithbullets,reapedwithblades;
ShatteredfenceshereandthereTossedtheirsplintersintheair;
Theverytreeswerestrippedandbare;
ThebarnsthatonceheldyellowgrainWereheapedwithharvestsoftheslain;
Thecattlebellowedontheplain,Theturkeysscreamedwithmightandmain,Andbroodingbarn-fowllefttheirrestWithstrangeshellsburstingineachnest。
Justwherethetideofbattleturns,ErectandlonelystoodoldJohnBurns。
Howdoyouthinkthemanwasdressed?
Heworeanancientlongbuffvest,Yellowassaffron,——buthisbest;
AndbuttonedoverhismanlybreastWasabrightbluecoat,witharollingcollar,Andlargegiltbuttons,——sizeofadollar,——
Withtailsthatthecountry-folkcalled\"swaller。\"
Heworeabroad-brimmed,bell-crownedhat,Whiteasthelocksonwhichitsat。
NeverhadsuchasightbeenseenForfortyyearsonthevillagegreen,SinceoldJohnBurnswasacountrybeau,Andwenttothe\"quiltings\"longago。
Closeathiselbowsallthatday,VeteransofthePeninsula,Sunburntandbearded,chargedaway;
Andstriplings,downyoflipandchin,——
ClerksthattheHomeGuardmusteredin,——
Glanced,astheypassed,atthehathewore,Thenattheriflehisrighthandbore,Andhailedhim,fromouttheiryouthfullore,Withscrapsofaslangyrepertoire:
\"Howareyou,WhiteHat?\"\"Putherthrough!\"
\"Yourhead’slevel!\"and\"Bullyforyou!\"
Calledhim\"Daddy,\"——beggedhe’ddiscloseThenameofthetailorwhomadehisclothes,Andwhatwasthevaluehesetonthose;
WhileBurns,unmindfulofjeerandscoff,Stoodtherepickingtherebelsoff,——
Withhislongbrownrifleandbell-crownhat,Andtheswallow-tailstheywerelaughingat。
’Twasbutamoment,forthatrespectWhichclothesallcouragetheirvoiceschecked;
AndsomethingthewildestcouldunderstandSpakeintheoldman’sstrongrighthand,Andhiscordedthroat,andthelurkingfrownOfhiseyebrowsunderhisoldbell-crown;
Until,astheygazed,therecreptanaweThroughtheranksinwhispers,andsomemensaw,Intheantiquevestmentsandlongwhitehair,ThePastoftheNationinbattlethere;
AndsomeofthesoldierssincedeclareThatthegleamofhisoldwhitehatafar,LikethecrestedplumeofthebraveNavarre,Thatdaywastheiroriflammeofwar。
Soragedthebattle。Youknowtherest:
Howtherebels,beatenandbackwardpressed,Brokeatthefinalchargeandran。
AtwhichJohnBurns——apracticalman——
Shoulderedhisrifle,unbenthisbrows,Andthenwentbacktohisbeesandcows。
ThatisthestoryofoldJohnBurns;
Thisisthemoralthereaderlearns:
Infightingthebattle,thequestion’swhetherYou’llshowahatthat’swhite,orafeather!
\"HOWAREYOU,SANITARY?\"
Downthepicket-guardedlaneRolledthecomfort-ladenwain,Cheeredbyshoutsthatshooktheplain,Soldier-likeandmerry:
Phrasessuchascampsmayteach,Sabre-cutsofSaxonspeech,Suchas\"Bully!\"\"Them’sthepeach!\"
\"Wadein,Sanitary!\"
RightandleftthecaissonsdrewAsthecarwentlumberingthrough,QuicksucceedinginreviewSquadronsmilitary;
Sunburntmenwithbeardslikefrieze,Smooth-facedboys,andcrieslikethese,——
\"U。S。San。Com。\"\"That’sthecheese!\"
\"Passin,Sanitary!\"
InsuchcheeritstruggledonTillthebattlefrontwaswon:
Thenthecar,itsjourneydone,Lo!wasstationary;
AndwherebulletswhistlingflyCamethesadder,faintercry,\"Helpus,brothers,erewedie,——
Saveus,Sanitary!\"
Suchthework。Thephantomflies,Wrappedinbattlecloudsthatrise:
Butthebrave——whosedyingeyes,Veiledandvisionary,Seethejaspergatesswungwide,Seethepartedthrongoutside——
Hearsthevoicetothosewhoride:
\"Passin,Sanitary!\"
BATTLEBUNNY
(MALVERNHILL,1864)
\"Afterthemenwereorderedtoliedown,awhiterabbit,whichhadbeenhoppinghitherandthitheroverthefieldsweptbygrapeandmusketry,tookrefugeamongtheskirmishers,inthebreastofacorporal。\"——ReportoftheBattleofMalvernHill。
Bunny,lyinginthegrass,Sawtheshiningcolumnpass;
Sawthestarrybannerfly,Sawthechargersfretandfume,Sawtheflappinghatandplume,——
SawthemwithhismoistandshyMostunspeculativeeye,Thinkingonly,inthedew,Thatitwasafinereview。
Tillaflash,notallofsteel,Wheretherollingcaissonswheel,BroughtarumbleandaroarRollingdownthatvelvetfloor,AndlikeblowsofautumnflailSharplythreshedtheironhail。
Bunny,thrilledbyunknownfears,Raisedhissoftandpointedears,Mumbledhisprehensilelip,Quiveredhispulsatinghip,AsthesharpvindictiveyellRoseabovethescreamingshell;
Thoughttheworldandallitsmen,——
Allthechargingsquadronsmeant,——
Allwererabbit-huntersthen,Alltocapturehimintent。
Bunnywasnotmuchtoblame:
Wiserfolkhavethoughtthesame,——
WiserfolkwhothinktheyspyEveryillbeginswith\"I。\"
Wildlypantinghereandthere,Bunnysoughtthefreerair,Tillhehoppedbelowthehill,Andsaw,lyingcloseandstill,Menwithmusketsintheirhands。
(NeverBunnyunderstandsThathypocrisyofsleep,Inthevigilsgrimtheykeep,AsrecumbentonthatspotTheyeludethelevelshot。)
One——agraveandquietman,ThinkingofhiswifeandchildFarbeyondtheRapidan,WheretheAndroscogginsmiled——
Feltthelittlerabbitcreep,Nestlingbyhisarmandside,Wakenedfromstrategicsleep,Tothatsoftappealreplied,Drewhimtohisblackenedbreast,And——Butyouhaveguessedtherest。
Softlyo’erthatchosenpairOmnipresentLoveandCareDrewamightierHandandArm,Shieldingthemfromeveryharm;
Rightandleftthebulletswaved,Savedthesaviourforthesaved。
——————
WhobelievesthatequalgraceGodextendsineveryplace,LittledifferencehescansTwixtarabbit’sGodandman’s。
THEREVEILLE
Hark!Ihearthetrampofthousands,Andofarmedmenthehum;
Lo!anation’shostshavegatheredRoundthequickalarmingdrum,——
Saying,\"Come,Freemen,come!
Ereyourheritagebewasted,\"saidthequickalarmingdrum。
\"Letmeofmyhearttakecounsel:
Warisnotoflifethesum;
WhoshallstayandreaptheharvestWhentheautumndaysshallcome?\"
ButthedrumEchoed,\"Come!
Deathshallreapthebraverharvest,\"saidthesolemn-soundingdrum。
\"Butwhenwonthecomingbattle,Whatofprofitspringstherefrom?
Whatifconquest,subjugation,Evengreaterillsbecome?\"
ButthedrumAnswered,\"Come!
Youmustdothesumtoproveit,\"saidtheYankeeansweringdrum。
\"Whatif,’midthecannons’thunder,Whistlingshotandburstingbomb,Whenmybrothersfallaroundme,Shouldmyheartgrowcoldandnumb?\"
ButthedrumAnswered,\"Come!
Betterthereindeathunited,thaninlifearecreant。——Come!\"
Thustheyanswered,——hoping,fearing,Someinfaith,anddoubtingsome,Tillatrumpet-voiceproclaiming,Said,\"Mychosenpeople,come!\"
Thenthedrum,Lo!wasdumb,Forthegreatheartofthenation,throbbing,answered,\"Lord,wecome!\"
OURPRIVILEGE
Notours,wherebattlesmokeupcurls,Andbattledewsliewet,TomeetthechargethattreasonhurlsByswordandbayonet。
NotourstoguidethefatalscytheThefleshlessReaperwields;
TheharvestmoonlookscalmlydownUponourpeacefulfields。
Thelonggrassdimplesonthehill,Thepinessingbythesea,AndPlenty,fromhergoldenhorn,Ispouringfarandfree。
Obrothersbythefarthersea!
Thinkstillourfaithiswarm;
ThesamebrightflagaboveuswavesThatswathedourbabyform。
ThesameredbloodthatdyesyourfieldsHerethrobsinpatriotpride,——
ThebloodthatflowedwhenLanderfell,AndBaker’scrimsontide。
AndthusapartourheartskeeptimeWitheverypulseyefeel,AndMercy’sringinggoldshallchimeWithValor’sclashingsteel。
RELIEVINGGUARD
THOMASSTARRKING。OBIITMARCH4,1864
Cametherelief。\"What,sentry,ho!
Howpassedthenightthroughthylongwaking?\"
\"Cold,cheerless,dark,——asmaybefitThehourbeforethedawnisbreaking。\"
\"Nosight?nosound?\"\"No;nothingsaveTheploverfromthemarshescalling,Andinyonwesternsky,aboutAnhourago,astarwasfalling。\"
\"Astar?There’snothingstrangeinthat。\"
\"No,nothing;but,abovethethicket,SomehowitseemedtomethatGodSomewherehadjustrelievedapicket。\"
THEGODDESS
CONTRIBUTEDTOTHEFAIRFORTHELADIES’PATRIOTICFUNDOFTHEPACIFIC
\"Whocomes?\"Thesentry’swarningcryRingssharplyontheeveningair:
Whocomes?Thechallenge:noreply,Yetsomethingmotionsthere。
Awoman,bythosegracefulfolds;
Asoldier,bythatmartialtread:
\"Advancethreepaces。Halt!untilThynameandrankbesaid。\"
\"Myname?Hername,inancientsong,WhofearlessfromOlympuscame:
Lookonme!MortalsknowmebestInbattleandinflame。\"
\"Enough!Iknowthatclarionvoice;
Iknowthatgleamingeyeandhelm,Thosecrimsonlips,——andintheirdewThebestbloodoftherealm。
\"Theyoung,thebrave,thegoodandwise,Havefalleninthycurstembrace:
ThejuicesofthegrapesofwrathStillstainthyguiltyface。
\"Mybrotherliesinyonderfield,Facedownwardtothequietgrass:
Goback!hecannotseetheenow;
Butherethoushaltnotpass。\"
Acrackupontheeveningair,Awakenedechofromthehill:
ThewatchdogonthedistantshoreGivesmouth,andallisstill。
ThesentrywithhisbrotherliesFacedownwardonthequietgrass;
Andbyhim,inthepalemoonshine,Ashadowseemstopass。
Nolanceorwarlikeshielditbears:
AhelmetinitspityinghandsBringswaterfromthenearestbrook,Tomeethislastdemands。
Canthisbesheofhaughtymien,Thegoddessoftheswordandshield?
Ah,yes!TheGrecianpoet’smythSwaysstilleachbattlefield。
FornotalonethatruggedWarSomegraceorcharmfromBeautygains;
But,whenthegoddess’workisdone,Thewoman’sstillremains。
ONAPENOFTHOMASSTARRKING
Thisisthereedthedeadmusiciandropped,Withtunefulmagicinitssheathstillhidden;
Thepromptallegroofitsmusicstopped,Itsmelodiesunbidden。
Butwhoshallfinishtheunfinishedstrain,Orwaketheinstrumenttoaweandwonder,Andbidtheslenderbarrelbreatheagain,Anorgan-pipeofthunder!
Hispen!whathumblermemoriesclingaboutItsgoldencurves!whatshapesandlaughinggracesSlippedfromitspoint,whenhisfullheartwentoutInsmilesandcourtlyphrases?
Thetruth,halfjesting,halfinearnestflung;
Thewordofcheer,withrecognitioninit;
Thenoteofalms,whosegoldenspeechoutrungThegoldengiftwithinit。
Butallinvaintheenchanter’swandwewave:
Nostrokeofoursrecallshismagicvision:
TheincantationthatitspowergaveSleepswiththedeadmagician。
ASECONDREVIEWOFTHEGRANDARMY
IreadlastnightofthegrandreviewInWashington’schiefestavenue,——
Twohundredthousandmeninblue,Ithinktheysaidwasthenumber,——
TillIseemedtoheartheirtramplingfeet,Thebugleblastandthedrum’squickbeat,Theclatterofhoofsinthestonystreet,Thecheersofpeoplewhocametogreet,AndthethousanddetailsthattorepeatWouldonlymyverseencumber,——
TillIfellinareverie,sadandsweet,Andthentoafitfulslumber。
When,lo!inavisionIseemedtostandInthelonelyCapitol。OneachhandFarstretchedtheportico,dimandgrandItscolumnsrangedlikeamartialbandOfsheetedspectres,whomsomecommandHadcalledtoalastreviewing。
Andthestreetsofthecitywerewhiteandbare,Nofootfallechoedacrossthesquare;
ButoutofthemistymidnightairIheardinthedistanceatrumpetblare,Andthewanderingnight-windsseemedtobearThesoundofafartattooing。
ThenIheldmybreathwithfearanddreadForintothesquare,withabrazentread,ThererodeafigurewhosestatelyheadO’erlookedthereviewthatmorning,Thatneverbowedfromitsfirm-setseatWhenthelivingcolumnpasseditsfeet,YetnowrodesteadilyupthestreetTothephantombugle’swarning:
TillitreachedtheCapitolsquare,andwheeled,AndthereinthemoonlightstoodrevealedAwell-knownformthatinStateandfieldHadledourpatriotsires:
Whosefacewasturnedtothesleepingcamp,Afarthroughtheriver’sfoganddamp,Thatshowednoflicker,norwaninglamp,Norwastedbivouacfires。
AndIsawaphantomarmycome,Withneverasoundoffifeordrum,ButkeepingtimetoathrobbinghumOfwailingandlamentation:
ThemartyredheroesofMalvernHill,OfGettysburgandChancellorsville,ThemenwhosewastedfiguresfillThepatriotgravesofthenation。
Andtherecamethenamelessdead,——themenWhoperishedinfeverswampandfen,Theslowly-starvedoftheprisonpen;
And,marchingbesidetheothers,CametheduskymartyrsofPillow’sfight,Withlimbsenfranchisedandbearingbright;
Ithought——perhaps’twasthepalemoonlight——
Theylookedaswhiteastheirbrothers!
Andsoallnightmarchedthenation’sdead,Withneverabannerabovethemspread,Norabadge,noramottobrandished;
Nomark——savethebareuncoveredheadOfthesilentbronzeReviewer;
Withneveranarchsavethevaultedsky;
WithneveraflowersavethosethatlieOnthedistantgraves——forlovecouldbuyNogiftthatwaspurerortruer。
Soallnightlongsweptthestrangearray,SoallnightlongtillthemorninggrayIwatchedforonewhohadpassedaway;
Withareverentaweandwonder,——
Tillabluecapwavedinthelength’ningline,AndIknewthatonewhowaskinofmineHadcome;andIspake——andlo!thatsignAwakenedmefrommyslumber。
THECOPPERHEAD
(1864)
ThereispeaceintheswampwheretheCopperheadsleeps,Wherethewatersarestagnant,thewhitevaporcreeps,WherethemuskofMagnoliahangsthickintheair,Andthelilies’phylacteriesbroadeninprayer。
Thereispeaceintheswamp,thoughthequietisdeath,Thoughthemistismiasma,theupas-tree’sbreath,Thoughnoechoawakestothecooingofdoves,——
Thereispeace:yes,thepeacethattheCopperheadloves。
Goseekhim:hecoilsintheoozeandthedrip,Likeathongidlyflungfromtheslave-driver’swhip;
Butbewarethefalsefootstep,——thestumblethatbringsAdeadlierlashthantheoverseerswings。
Neverarrowsotrue,neverbulletsodread,Asthestraightsteadystrokeofthathammer-shapedhead;
Whetherslaveorproudplanter,whobravesthatdullcrest,WoetohimwhoshalltroubletheCopperhead’srest!
Thenwhywasteyourlabors,braveheartsandstrongmen,IntrackingatrailtotheCopperhead’sden?
Layyouraxetothecypress,hewopentheshadeTothefreeskyandsunshineJehovahhasmade;
LetthebreezeoftheNorthsweepthevaporsaway,Tillthestagnantlakeripples,thefreedwatersplay;
AndthentoyourheelcanyourighteouslydoomTheCopperheadbornofitsshadowandgloom!
ASANITARYMESSAGE
Lastnight,abovethewhistlingwind,Iheardthewelcomerain,——
Afusilladeupontheroof,Atattooonthepane:
Thekeyholepiped;thechimney-topAwarliketrumpetblew;
Yet,minglingwiththesesoundsofstrife,Asoftervoicestolethrough。
\"Givethanks,Obrothers!\"saidthevoice,\"ThatHewhosenttherainsHathsparedyourfieldsthescarletdewThatdripsfrompatriotveins:
I’veseenthegrassonEasterngravesInbrighterverdurerise;
But,oh!therainthatgaveitlifeSprangfirstfromhumaneyes。
\"IcometowashawaynostainUponyourwastedlea;
Iraisenobanners,savetheonesTheforestwavestome:
Uponthemountainside,whereSpringHerfarthestpicketsets,MyreveilleawakesahostOfgrassybayonets。
\"Ivisiteveryhumbleroof;
Iminglewiththelow:
OnlyuponthehighestpeaksMyblessingsfallinsnow;
Until,intricklingsofthestreamAnddrainingsofthelea,MyunspentbountycomesatlastTominglewiththesea。\"
Andthusallnight,abovethewind,Iheardthewelcomerain,——
Afusilladeupontheroof,Atattooonthepane:
Thekeyholepiped;thechimney-topAwarliketrumpetblew;
But,minglingwiththesesoundsofstrife,Thishymnofpeacestolethrough。
THEOLDMAJOREXPLAINS
(RE-UNION,ARMYOFTHEPOTOMAC,12THMAY,1871)
Well,yousee,thefactis,Colonel,Idon’tknowasIcancome:
Forthefarmisnothalfplanted,andthere’sworktodoathome;
Andmylegisgettingtroublesome,——itlaidmeuplastfall,——
Andthedoctors,theyhavecutandhacked,andneverfoundtheball。
Andthen,foranoldmanlikeme,it’snotexactlyright,Thiskindo’playingsoldierwithnoenemyinsight。
\"TheUnion,\"——thatwaswellenoughwayupto’66;
Butthis\"Re-Union,\"maybenowit’smixedwithpolitics?
No?Well,youunderstanditbest;butthen,yousee,mylad,I’mdeaconnow,andsomemightthinkthattheexample’sbad。
AndweekfromnextisConference……YousaidthetwelfthofMay?
Why,that’sthedaywebroketheirlineatSpottsylvan-i-a!
Hotwork;eh,Colonel,wasn’tit?Yemindthatnarrowfront:
Theycalleditthe\"Death-Angle\"!Well,well,mylad,wewon’tFightthatoldbattleovernow:IonlymeanttosayIreallycan’tengagetocomeuponthetwelfthofMay。
How’sThompson?What!willhebethere?Well,nowIwanttoknow!
Thefirstmanintherebelworks!theycalledhim\"SwearingJoe。\"
Awildyoungfellow,sir,Ifeartherascalwas;butthen——
Well,shortofheaven,therewa’n’taplacehedursn’tleadhismen。
AndDick,yousay,iscomingtoo。AndBilly?ah!it’strueWeburiedhimatGettysburg:Imindthespot;doyou?
Alittlefieldbelowthehill,——itmustbegreenthisMay;
Perhapsthat’swhythefieldsaboutbringhimtometo-day。
Well,well,excuseme,Colonel!buttherearesomethingsthatdropThetail-boardoutone’sfeelings;andtheonlyway’stostop。
Sotheywanttoseetheoldman;ah,therascals!dothey,eh?
Well,I’vebusinessdowninBostonaboutthetwelfthofMay。
CALIFORNIA’SGREETINGTOSEWARD
(1869)
Weknowhimwell:noneedofpraiseOrbonfirefromthewindyhillTolighttosofterpathsandwaysTheworld-wornmanwehonorstill。
NoneedtoquotethetruthshespokeThatburnedthroughyearsofwarandshame,WhileHistorycarveswithsurerstrokeAcrossourmaphisnoondayfame。
NoneedtobidhimshowthescarsOfblowsdealtbytheScaeangate,Wholivedtopassitsshatteredbars,Andseethefoecapitulate:
WholivedtoturnhisslowerfeetTowardthewesternsettingsun,Toseehisharvestallcomplete,Hisdreamfulfilled,hisdutydone,Theoneflagstreamingfromthepole,Theonefaithbornefromseatosea:
Forsuchatriumph,andsuchgoal,Poormustourhumangreetingbe。
Ah!ratherthattheconsciouslandInsimplerwayssalutetheMan,——
Thetallpinesbowingwheretheystand,ThebaredheadofElCapitan!
Thetumultofthewaterfalls,Pohono’skerchiefinthebreeze,Thewavingfromtherockywalls,Thestirandrustleofthetrees;
Till,lappedinsunsetskiesofhope,Insunsetlandsbysunsetseas,TheYoungWorld’sPremiertreadstheslopeOfsunsetyearsincalmandpeace。
THEAGEDSTRANGER
ANINCIDENTOFTHEWAR
\"IwaswithGrant\"——thestrangersaid;
Saidthefarmer,\"Saynomore,Butresttheehereatmycottageporch,Forthyfeetarewearyandsore。\"
\"IwaswithGrant\"——thestrangersaid;
Saidthefarmer,\"Nay,nomore,——
Ipritheesitatmyfrugalboard,Andeatofmyhumblestore。
\"Howfaresmyboy,——mysoldierboy,OftheoldNinthArmyCorps?
IwarrantheborehimgallantlyInthesmokeandthebattle’sroar!\"
\"Iknowhimnot,\"saidtheagedman,\"And,asIremarkedbefore,IwaswithGrant\"——\"Nay,nay,Iknow,\"
Saidthefarmer,\"saynomore:
\"Hefellinbattle,——Isee,alas!
Thou’dstsmooththesetidingso’er,——
Nay,speakthetruth,whateveritbe,Thoughitrendmybosom’score。
\"Howfellhe?Withhisfacetothefoe,Upholdingtheflaghebore?
Oh,saynotthatmyboydisgracedTheuniformthathewore!\"
\"Icannottell,\"saidtheagedman,\"Andshouldhaveremarkedbefore。
ThatIwaswithGrant,——inIllinois,——
Somethreeyearsbeforethewar。\"
Thenthefarmerspakehimneveraword,ButbeatwithhisfistfullsoreThatagedmanwhohadworkedforGrantSomethreeyearsbeforethewar。
THEIDYLOFBATTLEHOLLOW
(WAROFTHEREBELLION,1884)
No,Iwon’t,——thar,now,so!Anditain’tnothin’,——no!
Andthar’snarytotellthatyoufolksyerdon’tknow;
Andit’s\"Belle,tellus,do!\"andit’s\"Belle,isittrue?\"
And\"Wot’sthisyeryarnoftheMajorandyou?\"
TillI’msickofitall,——soIam,butIs’poseThetisnothin’toyou……Well,then,listen!yergoes!
Itwasafterthefight,andaroundusallnightTharwaspoppin’andshootin’apowerfulsight;
Andtheniggershadfled,andAuntChlowasabed,AndPinkyandMillywerehidintheshed:
AndIranoutatdaybreak,andnothin’wasnighButthegrowlin’ofcannonlowdowninthesky。
AndIsawnotathing,asIrantothespring,Butasplinteredfencerailandabroken-downswing,Andabirdsaid\"Kerchee!\"asitsatonatree,Asifitwaslonesome,andgladtoseeme;
AndIfilledupmypailandwasrisin’togo,WhenupcomestheMajora-canterin’slow。
Whenhesawmehedrewinhisreins,andthenthrewOnthegate-posthisbridle,and——whatdoeshedoButcomedownwhereIsat;andheliftedhishat,Andhesays——well,tharain’tanyneedtotellTHAT;
’Twassomefoolishness,sure,butit’mountedtothis,Thetheaskedforadrink,andhewanted——akiss。
ThenIsaid(Iwasmad),\"Forthewater,mylad,You’retoobigandmuststoop;forakiss,it’sasbad,——
Youain’tnearbigenough。\"AndIturnedinahuff,WhenthatMajorhelaidhiswhitehandonmycuff,Andhesays,\"You’reatrump!Takemypistol,don’tfear!
Butshootthenextmanthatinsultsyou,mydear。\"
Thenhestoopedtothepool,veryquietandcool,Leavin’mewiththatpistolstucktherelikeafool,WhentharflashedonmysightaquickglimmeroflightFromthetopofthelittlestonefenceontheright,AndIknew’twasarifle,andbackofitallRosethefaceofthatbushwhacker,CherokeeHall!
ThenIfeltinmydreadthatthemomenttheheadOftheMajorwaslifted,theMajorwasdead;
AndIstoodstillandwhite,butLord!gals,inspiteOfmycare,thatdernedpistolwentoffinmyfright!
Wentoff——trueasgospil!——and,strangestofall,ItactooallyinjuredthatCherokeeHall!
Thet’sall——now,go’long!Yes,somefolksthinksit’swrong,Andthar’ssomewantstoknowtowhatsideIbelong;
ButIsays,\"Servedhimright!\"andIgo,allmymight,Inloveorinwar,forafairstand-upfight;
AndasfortheMajor——sho!gals,don’tyouknowThet——Lord!thar’shisstepinthegardenbelow。
CALDWELLOFSPRINGFIELD
(NEWJERSEY,1780)
Here’sthespot。Lookaroundyou。AboveontheheightLaytheHessiansencamped。BythatchurchontherightStoodthegauntJerseyfarmers。Andhereranawall,——
Youmaydiganywhereandyou’llturnupaball。
Nothingmore。Grassesspring,watersrun,flowersblow,Prettymuchastheydidninety-threeyearsago。
Nothingmore,didIsay?Stayonemoment:you’veheardOfCaldwell,theparson,whooncepreachedthewordDownatSpringfield?What,no?Come——that’sbad;why,hehadAlltheJerseysaflame!AndtheygavehimthenameOfthe\"rebelhighpriest。\"Hestuckintheirgorge,ForhelovedtheLordGod——andhehatedKingGeorge!
Hehadcause,youmightsay!WhentheHessiansthatdayMarchedupwithKnyphausen,theystoppedontheirwayAtthe\"farms,\"wherehiswife,withachildinherarms,Sataloneinthehouse。HowithappenednoneknewButGod——andthatoneofthehirelingcrewWhofiredtheshot!Enough!——thereshelay,AndCaldwell,thechaplain,herhusband,away!
Didhepreach——didhepray?ThinkofhimasyoustandBytheoldchurchto-day,——thinkofhimandhisbandOfmilitantploughboys!SeethesmokeandtheheatOfthatrecklessadvance,ofthatstragglingretreat!
Keeptheghostofthatwife,foullyslain,inyourview——
Andwhatcouldyou,whatshouldyou,whatwouldYOUdo?
Why,justwhatHEdid!TheywereleftinthelurchForthewantofmorewadding。Herantothechurch,Brokethedoor,strippedthepews,anddashedoutintheroadWithhisarmsfullofhymn-books,andthrewdownhisloadAttheirfeet!ThenabovealltheshoutingandshotsRanghisvoice:\"PutWattsinto’em!Boys,give’emWatts!\"
Andtheydid。Thatisall。Grassesspring,flowersblow,Prettymuchastheydidninety-threeyearsago。
Youmaydiganywhereandyou’llturnupaball——
Butnotalwaysaherolikethis——andthat’sall。
POEM
DELIVEREDONTHEFOURTEENTHANNIVERSARYOFCALIFORNIA’SADMISSION
INTOTHEUNION,SEPTEMBER9,1864
Wemeetinpeace,thoughfromournativeEastThesunthatsparklesonourbirthdayfeastGlancedasheroseonfieldswhosedewswereredWithdarkertintsthanthoseAuroraspread。
Thoughshornhisrays,hiswelcomediskconcealedInthedimsmokethatveiledeachbattlefield,Stillstrivingupward,inmeridianpride,HeclimbedthewallsthatEastandWestdivide,——
Sawhisbrightfaceflashedbackfromgoldensand,AndsapphireseasthatlavetheWesternland。
StrangewasthecontrastthatsuchscenesdiscloseFromhishighvantageo’ereternalsnows;
ThereWar’salarmthebrazentrumpetrings——
Herehislove-songthemailedcicalasings;
Therebayonetsglitterthroughtheforestglades——
Hereyellowcornfieldsstacktheirpeacefulblades;
TherethedeeptrenchwhereValorfindsagrave——
Herethelongditchthatcurbsthepeacefulwave;
Theretheboldsapperwithhislightedtrain——
Herethedarktunnelanditsstoresofgain;
Herethefullharvestandthewain’sadvance——
TheretheGrimReaperandtheambulance。
Withscenessoadverse,whatmysteriousbondLinksourfairfortunestotheshoresbeyond?
Whycomewehere——lastofascatteredfold——
Topournewmetalinthebrokenmould?
Toyieldourtribute,stampedwithCaesar’sface,ToCaesar,strickeninthemarket-place?
Ah!loveofcountryisthesecrettieThatjoinsthesecontrasts’neathonearchingsky;
Thoughbrighterpathsourpeacefulstepsexplore,WemeettogetherattheNation’sdoor。
Warwindsherhorn,andgiantcliffsgodownLikethehighwallsthatgirtthesacredtown,Andbaresthepathwaytoherthrobbingheart,Fromclusteredvillageandfromcrowdedmart。
PartofGod’sprovidenceitwastofoundANation’sbulwarkonthischosenground;
NotJesuit’szealnorpioneer’sunrestPlantedthesepicketsinthedistantWest,ButHewhofirsttheNation’sfateforecastPlacedhereHisfountainssealedforagespast,Rock-ribbedandguardedtillthecomingtimeShouldfitthepeoplefortheirworksublime;
WhenanewMoseswithhisrodofsteelSmotethetallcliffswithonewide-ringingpeal,AndtheoldmiracleinrecordtoldTothenewNationwasrevealedingold。
Judgenottooidlythatourtoilsaremean,Thoughnonewleviesmarshalonourgreen;
Nordeemtoorashlythatourgainsaresmall,Weighedwiththeprizesforwhichheroesfall。