[ORIGINAL.]
THE SONG OF THE SHELL.
WRITTEN ON THE FIELD OF BATTLE.
There's a music aloft in the air
As if devils were singing a song;
There's a shriek like the shriek of despair.
And a crash which the echoes prolong.
There's a voice like the voice of the gale,
When it strikes a tall ship on the sea;
There's a rift like the rent of her sail.
As she helplessly drifts to the lee.
There's a rush like the rushing of fiends.
Compelled by an horrible spell;
There's a flame like the flaming of brands,
Snatched in rage from the furnace of hell.
There's a wreath like the foam on the wave,
There's a silence unbroke by a breath;
There's a thud like the clod in a grave,
There are writhings, and moanings, and death!
From The Lamp.
ALL-HALLOW EVE; OR, THE TEST OF FUTURITY.
BY ROBERT CURTIS.
CHAPTER XXVI.
The chief was well aware of the reputation which the priest had obtained through the parish for medical skill, and was himself convinced of how well he deserved it. Indeed, had the alternative rested in any case between Father Farrell and the dispensary doctor, there was not a parishioner who would not have preferred his pastor's medical as well as spiritual aid.
The chief, instead of ordering off the dispensary doctor to see young Lennon upon a rumor that he was worse, went quietly to Father Farrell, who must know the truth, and be able to give good advice as to what steps, if any, were necessary to adopt.
The matter turned out to be another black-crow story. Father Farrell had also heard it in its exaggerated form, and had not lost a moment in proceeding to the spot. Young Lennon had gone out to assist his father in planting some potatoes--so far the rumor was correct. But he had been premature in his own opinion of his convalescence. The very first stoop he made he felt quite giddy; and although he did not fall forward on his face, he was obliged to lean upon his father for support for a few moments. This little experiment served to keep him quiet for a while longer; but Father Farrell assured the chief that matters were no worse than they had been--he might make his mind easy; there was no injury beyond the flesh, which, of course, had become much sorer, and must do so for a few days still.
The chief, however, suggested the prudence, if not the necessity, of having a medical man to see him. "Not," said he, "but that I have as much, if not more, confidence in your own skill and experience than in any which is available in this wild district."