To pay survivor's-tribute,—harder squeezed

From anybody beaten first to last,

Than one who, steadily a conqueror,

Finds that his magnanimity is tasked

To merely make pretence and—beat itself!'

"So chirped the feasters though suppressedly.

"But I—what else do you suppose?—had pierced

Quite through friends' outside-straining, foes' mock-praise,

And reached conviction hearted under all.

Death's rapid line had closed a life's account,