Thousands Of Throats."]

VIII.

And there, in the terrible city, The panic-struck, terror-crazed city, The flying and flame-pursued city, The torch of the North and the West,

A beautiful maiden lay moaning, as many a day she had lain, In fetters of wearisome weakness, and throbbings of pitiful pain. The amorous Fire-king came to her--he breathed his hot breath on her cheek; She fled from his touch, but he caught her, and held her, all pulseless and weak. The Fire-king he caught her and held her, in warm and unyielding embrace; He wrapped her about in his vestments, he pressed his hot lips to her face; Then, sated and palled with his triumph, he scornfully flung her away, And, blackened and crushed in the ruins, unknown and uncoffined, she lay-- Lay, blackened and crushed by the Fire-king, in ruined and desolate rest, Like ravished and ruined Chicago, the Queen of the North and the West.

IX.

'Twas morn in the desolate city, The ragged and ruin-heaped city, The homeless and hot-smoking city, The grief of the North and the West.

But down from the West came the bidding, "O Queen, lift in courage thy head! Thy friends and thy neighbors awaken, and hasten, with raiment and bread."

And up from the South came the bidding, "Cheer up, fairest Queen of the Lakes! For comfort and aid shall be coming from out our savannas and brakes!" And down from the North came the bidding, 'O city, be hopeful of cheer! We've somewhat to spare for thy sufferers, for all of our suffering here!" And up from the East came the bidding, "O city, be dauntless and bold! Look hither for food and for raiment lock hither for credit and gold!" And all through the world went the bidding, "Bring hither your choicest and best, For weary and hungry Chicago, sad Queen of the North and the West!"

X.

O crushed but invincible city! O broken but fast-rising city! O glorious and unconquered city, Still Queen of the North and the West!

The long, golden years of the future, with treasures increasing and rare, Shall glisten upon thy rich garments, shall twine in the folds of thy hair! From out the black heaps of thy ruins new columns of beauty shall rise, And glittering domes shall fling grandly our nation's proud flag to the skies! From off thy wide prairies of splendor the treasures of autumn shall pour, The breezes shall sweep from the northward, and hurry the ships to thy shore! For Heaven will look downward in mercy on those who've passed under the rod, And happ'ly again they will prosper, and bask in the blessings of God. Once more thou shalt stand mid the cities, by prosperous breezes caressed, O grand and unconquered Chicago, still Queen of the North and the West!

THE RAILROAD HOLOCAUST.