Some went to pattin’; some to dancin’; Noah called de figgers;
An’ Ham he sot and knocked de tune, de happiest ob niggers!
“Now, sence dat time—it’s mighty strange—dere’s not de slightes’ showin’
Ob any ha’r at all upon de ’possum’s tail a-growin’;
An’ cur’i’s, too, dat nigger’s ways: his people nebber los’ ’em!—
Fur whar you finds de nigger—dar’s de banjo an’ de ’possum!”
...
The night is spent; and as the day
Throws up the first faint, fresh flash of gray,
The guests pursue their homeward way;