XLII. ON THE SHORES OF TENNESSEE. a "Move my arm-chair, faithful Pompey, Massa won't be with you long; On the shores of Tennessee. "Mournful though the ripples murmur, As they still the story tell, How no vessels float the banner That I've loved so long and well. I shall listen to their music, Dreaming that again I see Stars and Stripes on sloop and shallop "And, Pompey, while old Massa's waiting If that exiled starry banner Should come proudly sailing home, b "Massa's berry kind to Pompey; No one tends her grave like me. a Slow; voice slightly tremor; with as much variety as would be given by an old man, in the circumstances. b Change the voice; endeavor to give the full but subdued voice of a faithful slave. c Raise both hands. d "Pears like she was watching Massa If Pompey should beside him stay, How for him she used to pray; e Silently the tears were rolling Master, dreaming of the battle Where he fought by Marion's side, When he bid the haughty Tarlton Still the south wind fondly lingers Thus he watches cloud-born shadows Glide from tree to mountain-crest, From a raise the hands still more and clasping them as you utter the last stanza, raising the eyes to heaven. e Narrative style; pure voice; more animated. f Raise one hand above the eyes as if shading them while looking in the distance, step forward. Softly creeping, aye and ever To the river's yielding breast. g Ha! above the foliage yonder Something flutters wild and free! "Massa! Massa! Hallelujah! The flag's come back to Tennessee! h "Pompey, hold me on your shoulder, As they pass my cabin door. Here's the paper signed that frees you, j Then the trembling voice grew fainter, One prayer to Jesus-and the soldier When the flag went down the river Man and master both were free, XLIII. BEFORE VICKSBURG . MAY 19, 1868. GEORGE H, BOKER. While Sherman stood beneath the hottest fire, Weeping and sorely lame, The merest child, the youngest face Man ever saw in such a fearful place. g High pitch, with much animation. h Weak voice; low pitch; slow and labored utterance. Raise the pitch; full tone. Narrative style; low and full, with measured utterance ; slow time to the close. Stifling his tears, he limped his chief to meet, There spread a pool of bright, young blood. Sherman cried, "Halt! front face!" "Are you not hit?" "That' nothing. Only send Some cartridges: our men are out; And the foe press us." "But, my little friend "Don't mind me! Did you hear that shout? What if our men be driven? O, for the love of Heaven, Send to my Colonel, General, dear!” "But you?" 'O, I shall easily find the rear.' "I'll see to that," cried Sherman; and a drop, We'll win the battle yet! But let our soldiers have some more, XLIV. PYRAMUS AND THISBE. JOHN G. SAXE. This tragical tale, which, they say, is a true one, Has told it before in a tedious narration; In a style, to be sure, of remarkable fullness, Young PETER PYRAMUS-I call him Peter, Not for the sake of the rhyme of the meter; But merely to make the name completer — And in one of the worst of pagan climes Now Peter loved a beautiful girl As ever ensnared the heart of an earl, So Thisbe's father and Peter's mother · By any contrivance so very absurd As scolding the boy, and caging the bird? |