Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-08-03
THE CROW.


For the Union and American,
Twas at midday, bright and shining, 1 was
- going to a dining,
Der a road that seemd had never been ira
versed by man before; 1880
While plOdded, nearly falling, suddenly there
came SQuailiDg
As of something nadly distinguishing like
its throat was sore; 500
I" IT'S a Demon" straight muttered, 'sbawline
like its throat was sore;
Only this and nothing more d ~
Memory sometimes may befog us, but how
well Imind that August
When marched, like Lycurgus, through the
heat that burned like fire,
Sweating, painting, thinking, dreaming, while
the sun-rays kept on beaming,
Winding not the sorrow teeming at my heart for
dear Ma 'iah---
For that dear and long-lost maiden, called for
Short by angels 'Riah-
Nameless since she's gone up higher.
And the perspiration pouring from my brow
small holes WAS goring,
In the dust small holes was boring, as it dripped
But 1 then again bethought me ofthe sound that
eTst had sought me,
OF the hideous sound that caught mo sorrowing
for my faded rose, T-e srf-1 e \
For the flower that bloomed and withered, as
thr dewdrop on the rose, q o
Called by some "Old Pigeon Toes"
Presently my heart grew stronger, hesltating
then no longer
To spy out this monstrous wronger, this en-
HANGER of my woe,-
just above me discovered, ON a turret which
was severed -
From mansion once it covered, saw horrid,
blear-eyed Grow er.. ~ .---
Black, with stately head and pinion, sat hor-
rid, blear-eyed Crow rr ,sse-
Vast buzzard? Answer: ssNo.D
Back recOiling, yet still gazing on these eyes so
wildly blazing,
In their tisrceness go amazing, essayed to thus
inquire: q 8 Q
"Bird OF passage, where thy home is, tell me
truly what that name is,
What thy history and fame is-what it is thou
dost desire? HE
Surely, sir, thou hast an errand-what is it
thou dost desire?"
And the Crow said, '"Riahl 'Riah!'
Much marveled this unsightly fowl to hear
Though it did not answer rightly-and 1 NUT
tered, "Is it SO?
Dost thou seek the sainted maiden now within
the distant Aidenn.
Leaving me with sorrow laden?" But the bird
seemed not to know
Then said 1, "Plague take the Crow!"
'tProphet fend, saint, wretch or devil! surely
thou art so nething evil,
Else thy words would be more civil; still there's
something to admire;
Iell me I0aI YET may DOr1OW 1rOm my WOrQS
hope for Tomorrow
Is there not balm for sorrow in the land we all
desire?
Who'll be there like thee to taunt me in the land
we so desire?"
Once more said he, .sRiahl 'Riah!"
Maddened then to frenzy, burning to administer
a churning
For his scOrning look and Spurnihg, approach
.For thy scorn,' said 1, with malice, get thee
from that bOdSted palace,
Take thy beak from out the chalice of my heart,
thou worse than liar!
Of the heart that would have heard and be-
leved, thou worse than liar!'F
Again the Crow said, " 'Riah! 'Riah!"
Startled at the stiffness broken by reply so forrl-
ssDo1btIess, !" said 1, "'tis some token from my
rose now gone up higher"
Then upon the parched grass sinking, betook
Fancy unto fancy, thinking what this bird with
eyes of fire
What this grim, gaunt, CHASTITY, greasy bird with
eyes Of fire -.
Meant in squalling " 'Riah! 'Riah!"
Thus sat and guessed his meaning, while my
head was gently leaning
On fence-rail, kindly screening me from seeing
sight so dire:
"wreichl" cried, 81 ask once more, sir, as
asked of thee before, sir,
Who hath sent thee me to bore, sir, with thy
devilish satire?"
Then replied he, "'Riah! Riah!"
"Be that word the last, tell thee, else l with
a rock will fell thee,
And proceed right straight to sell thee to the
first Crow-carcass buyer;
Leave no feather asa token of the lie thy soul
hath spoken!
Leave that boosted palace, broken by the winds,
thou monstTOus liar
Fly back to thy native cornfeld-leave my
EEe sight, thou monstrous liarl
Never say again Mariah!"
Still he moved not till slew him, gave him what
was justly due him,
And proceeded on to stew him for the dining
mentioned prior.
So belated was that had to make my mtal of
cTOW-pe-
Still Jared right well, for near by sat maid in
neat attire;-
Sat beautiful and comely msiden dressed in
neat attire;
Forgotten then was dear Mariah
EPILoGUE.
Prince of poets, king of sages, as thy name goes
down the ages,
And the brightness of thy pages brighter and
still brighter grow;
Though we borrow from thy muses., which by
transfer merit loses,
And thy muse our news enthuSes, yet forgive,
immortal Poe!
Gross net back the Styx to stick us for our sticks
at thee, Q Peel
Spare US first, then spare our CROW.