To measure out the ground, not long
The seconds next forbore;
And having taken one rash step,
They took a dozen more.
They next prepared each pistol pan,
Against the deadly strife;
By putting in the prime of death
Against the prime of life.
Now all was ready for the foes;
But when they took their stands,
Fear made them tremble so, they found
They both were shaking hands.
Said Mr. C. to Mr. B.,
"Here one of us must fall,
And, like St. Paul's Cathedral now,
Be doomed to have a ball.
"I do confess I did attach
Misconduct to your name!
If I withdraw the charge, will then
Your ramrod do the same?"
Said Mr. B., "I do agree;—
But think of Honor's courts,—
If we go off without a shot,
There will be strange reports.
"But look! the morning now is bright,
Though cloudy it begun;
Why can't we aim above as if
We had called out the sun?"
So up into the harmless air
Their bullets they did send;
And may all other duels have
That upshot in the end.
T. Hood.