Of these midnight slaves of the pen.

Forgive them a caustic, or feeble phrase,

And remember they are but men.

Funny Folks, January 9th, 1875.


THE SONG OF THE SWORD.

Weary, and wounded, and worn, wounded and ready to die,

A soldier they left, all alone and forlorn, on the field of the battle to lie.

The dead and the dying alone could their presence and pity afford,

Whilst, with a sad and terrible tone, he sang ... the Song of the Sword.