A "Mass" Meeting

It was a solemn rite as e'er Was seen by mortal man. The celebrants, the people there, Were all Republican.

There Estee bent his grizzled head, And General Dimond, too, And one--'twas Reddick, some one said, Though no one clearly knew.

I saw the priest, white-robed and tall (Assistant, Father Stow)-- He was the pious man men call Dan Burns of Mexico.

Ah, 'twas a high and holy rite As any one could swear. "What does it mean?" I asked a wight Who knelt apart in prayer.

"A mass for the repose," he said, "Of Colonel Markham's"----"What, Is gallant Colonel Markham dead? 'Tis sad, 'tis sad, God wot!"

"A mass"--repeated he, and rose To go and kneel among The worshipers--"for the repose Of Colonel Markham's tongue."