按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
merely ought to have possessed。 The friends of the deceased got
up a stately funeral。 They must have had misgivings that the
corpse might not be praised strongly enough； for they prepared
some manuscript headings and notes in which nothing was left
unsaid on that subject that a fervid imagination and an unabridged
dictionary could compile； and these they handed to the minister
as he entered the pulpit。 They were merely intended as suggestions；
and so the friends were filled with consternation when the minister
stood in the pulpit and proceeded to read off the curious odds
and ends in ghastly detail and in a loud voice！ And their
consternation solidified to petrification when he paused at the end；
contemplated the multitude reflectively； and then said； impressively：
〃The man would be a fool who tried to add anything to that。
Let us pray！〃
And with the same strict adhesion to truth it can be said that the
man would be a fool who tried to add anything to the following
transcendent obituary poem。 There is something so innocent；
so guileless； so complacent； so unearthly serene and self…satisfied
about this peerless 〃hog…wash；〃 that the man must be made of stone
who can read it without a dulcet ecstasy creeping along his backbone
and quivering in his marrow。 There is no need to say that this
poem is genuine and in earnest； for its proofs are written all
over its face。 An ingenious scribbler might imitate it after
a fashion； but Shakespeare himself could not counterfeit it。
It is noticeable that the country editor who published it did
not know that it was a treasure and the most perfect thing of its
kind that the storehouses and museums of literature could show。
He did not dare to say no to the dread poetfor such a poet
must have been something of an apparitionbut he just shoveled
it into his paper anywhere that came handy； and felt ashamed；
and put that disgusted 〃Published by Request〃 over it； and hoped
that his subscribers would overlook it or not feel an impulse to read it：
（Published by Request
LINES
Composed on the death of Samuel and Catharine Belknap's children
by M。 A。 Glaze
Friends and neighbors all draw near；
And listen to what I have to say；
And never leave your children dear
When they are small； and go away。
But always think of that sad fate；
That happened in year of '63；
Four children with a house did burn；
Think of their awful agony。
Their mother she had gone away；
And left them there alone to stay；
The house took fire and down did burn；
Before their mother did return。
Their piteous cry the neighbors heard；
And then the cry of fire was given；
But； ah！ before they could them reach；
Their little spirits had flown to heaven。
Their father he to war had gone；
And on the battle…field was slain；
But little did he think when he went away；
But what on earth they would meet again。
The neighbors often told his wife
Not to leave his children there；
Unless she got some one to stay；
And of the little ones take care。
The oldest he was years not six；
And the youngest only eleven months old；
But often she had left them there alone；
As； by the neighbors； I have been told。
How can she bear to see the place。
Where she so oft has left them there；
Without a single one to look to them；
Or of the little ones to take good care。
Oh； can she look upon the spot；
Whereunder their little burnt bones lay；
But what she thinks she hears them say；
''Twas God had pity； and took us on high。'
And there may she kneel down and pray；
And ask God her to forgive；
And she may lead a different life
While she on earth remains to live。
Her husband and her children too；
God has took from pain and woe。
May she reform and mend her ways；
That she may also to them go。
And when it is God's holy will；
O； may she be prepared
To meet her God and friends in peace；
And leave this world of care。
… … …
1。 Written in 1870。