RICH AND POOR. 11$
" Dead Captain Allaine !"
With his face to the foe I warrant he died. He is richer, I trow : He owns the six feet of the earth where he lies Six feet of pure ether way up to the skies; Six feet where the flowers shall chaplet the sod, And daisies bright letters designed by a God Shall point to the crown which our good Father keeps For the soldier who prays ere he battles or sleeps.
Through the ranks of the wounded is walking alway
A shadowy figure robed ever in gray
(A color that s woven of darkness and light,
Like glimpses of morning through blackness of night
An emblem of hope, who with right loving care
Sends shuttles, white-threaded, through webs of
despair).
Unwearied, the face with its violet eyes Still watches the soldier as wounded he lies.
But the men whisper softly, with sorrowful sighing,
" Alas ! for the angel among us is dying."
The death-shadowed home that is on Murray Hill
Grows graver and sadder, more mournfully still ;
The soft carpets wait for the bridegroom s still tread ;
The door-bell awaits the black flag of the dead ;
A sorrow is coming no riches can cure :
They have saved Arabella from marrying poor ;
But with prayers and a kiss on the locks growing
hoary, She is going some day from their vision to glory.
�� �
