 | The Writings of Bret Harte |  |
THE YREKA SERPENT
A RHYTHMICAL DIALOGUE
[_]
[Yreka, July 15, 1863. Two men in coming out of their drift on Cottonwood Creek, some twenty miles from here, a few days ago, saw on the mountain-side a snake, which they say was twenty-four feet long, and as large around as a man's body. They went toward it, when it ran up the mountain. A party is now out looking for the snake.—Telegram in city papers.]
O excavator of the soil, O miner bold and free!
Where is the snake—the fearful snake—that late appeared to thee?
Was it a bona-fide snake, or only some untruth
Exploding like that firework so popular with youth?
Where is the snake—the fearful snake—that late appeared to thee?
Was it a bona-fide snake, or only some untruth
Exploding like that firework so popular with youth?
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Was it a real Ophidian, or was it simply nil,
Of mania a potu born—Serpent of the Still?
Was it an Anaconda huge, or Boa of mighty strength,
Or was it but an Adder—in the details of its length?
Of mania a potu born—Serpent of the Still?
Was it an Anaconda huge, or Boa of mighty strength,
Or was it but an Adder—in the details of its length?
Was it a Python—such an one as Pliny says for lunch
Would take a Roman Phalanx down, as we take Roman punch?
Or was it that more modern kind that Holmes' page displays,
Whose rattle was the favored toy of “Elsie's” baby days?
Would take a Roman Phalanx down, as we take Roman punch?
Or was it that more modern kind that Holmes' page displays,
Whose rattle was the favored toy of “Elsie's” baby days?
What manner of a snake was it? Speak, O mysterious man!
Proclaim the species of the snake that past thy tunnel ran—
Its length, its breadth, and whence it came, and whither did it flee;
And if extant on Tellus yet, oh, tell us where it be!
Proclaim the species of the snake that past thy tunnel ran—
Its length, its breadth, and whence it came, and whither did it flee;
And if extant on Tellus yet, oh, tell us where it be!
MINER
O stranger in the glossy hat, and eke in store-clothes drest!
Thy words a tunnel deep have picked within this flinty breast;
I may not rightly call those names thou dost so deftly term,
But this I know—I never yet beheld so gross a worm!
Thy words a tunnel deep have picked within this flinty breast;
I may not rightly call those names thou dost so deftly term,
But this I know—I never yet beheld so gross a worm!
My tale begins upon a day I never can forget,
The very time those Democrats in Sacramento met—
A July day—the heated pines their fragrant sap distilled,
When tidings of a victory the hills and valleys thrilled.
The very time those Democrats in Sacramento met—
A July day—the heated pines their fragrant sap distilled,
When tidings of a victory the hills and valleys thrilled.
The mountains laughed to split their sides, the tunnels cracked their jaws;
The fir trees rattled down their cones in salvos of applause;
The blue-jay screamed till he was black—when lo! as if in pain,
A hideous serpent writhed this way from Sacramento's plain.
The fir trees rattled down their cones in salvos of applause;
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A hideous serpent writhed this way from Sacramento's plain.
His tail was pointed to the South, his head toward the North,
As from the Sacramento's bank he wriggled slowly forth;
But when upon the right and left the cheers began to break,
And wider, wider spread the news—still faster flew the snake!
As from the Sacramento's bank he wriggled slowly forth;
But when upon the right and left the cheers began to break,
And wider, wider spread the news—still faster flew the snake!
He reached the mountains—like a dream he passed before my eyes.
O stranger! then it was I knew the secret of his size,
It was no single snake I saw; but by yon blessed sun!
These eyes beheld two serpents joined and blended into one.
O stranger! then it was I knew the secret of his size,
It was no single snake I saw; but by yon blessed sun!
These eyes beheld two serpents joined and blended into one.
Two heads this fearful reptile had; one pointed to the South;
The other pointed to the North, a hissing tongue and mouth;
But that which pointed to the South was like a turtledove,
And dropped from time to time a text of universal love.
The other pointed to the North, a hissing tongue and mouth;
But that which pointed to the South was like a turtledove,
And dropped from time to time a text of universal love.
Its Northern head three sides displayed, and on the first of these
I read the legend “Slavery,” and on the second “Peace,”
And on the third—oh, fearful sight!—these eyes did plainly see,
Deep sunken on its copper front, the capitals “J. D.”
I read the legend “Slavery,” and on the second “Peace,”
And on the third—oh, fearful sight!—these eyes did plainly see,
Deep sunken on its copper front, the capitals “J. D.”
The snake is gone—the tale is told—I view in thy affright,
O stranger with the troubled brow! thou readst the tale aright;
This serpent of protracted length—this awful snake of dread—
Was of the same convention born—the Fusion Copperhead.
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This serpent of protracted length—this awful snake of dread—
Was of the same convention born—the Fusion Copperhead.
| The Writings of Bret Harte | |