 | The collected works of Ambrose Bierce |  |
A “MASS” MEETING
It was a solemn rite as e'er
Was seen by mortal man.
The celebrants, the people there,
Were all Republican.
Was seen by mortal man.
The celebrants, the people there,
Were all Republican.
There Estee bent his grizzled head,
And General Dimond, too,
And one—'twas Reddick, some one said
Though no one clearly knew.
And General Dimond, too,
And one—'twas Reddick, some one said
Though no one clearly knew.
I saw the priest, white-robed and tall
(Assistant, Father Stow)—
He was the pious man men call
Dan Burns of Mexico.
(Assistant, Father Stow)—
He was the pious man men call
Dan Burns of Mexico.
200
Ah, 'twas a high and holy rite
As any one could swear.
“What does it mean?” I asked a wight
Who knelt apart in prayer.
As any one could swear.
“What does it mean?” I asked a wight
Who knelt apart in prayer.
“A mass for the repose,” he said,
“Of Colonel Markham's”—“What,
Is gallant Colonel Markham dead?
'Tis sad, 'tis sad, God wot!”
“Of Colonel Markham's”—“What,
Is gallant Colonel Markham dead?
'Tis sad, 'tis sad, God wot!”
“A mass”—repeated he, and rose
To go and kneel among
The worshipers—“for the repose
Of Colonel Markham's tongue.”
To go and kneel among
The worshipers—“for the repose
Of Colonel Markham's tongue.”
| The collected works of Ambrose Bierce | |