The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1874-11-17
POETRY.

OGl
I'VE deem it but just to state that the au-
thor OF the rhymes given below is not to be
confounded with the great Quaker poet, Ii
confounded at all he must be contounded on
his own dement's. The performance is, per-
haps, Whittier than anything that the accom-
plished author of "Maud Muller'' could ac-
complisl, and perhaps not. The affirmative
of the proposition is, singularly enough, held
by the perpetrator of the preparation. The
defeat of Mr.. Butler is doubtless destined to
pass into the school reading books Of the
next generation, as an illustration of the
truth, "Its a long road that has no turning"
That being the case, the story of the defeat
set out in verse suitable for defamation is a
service for posterity which posterity cannot
but highly appreciated
MAUDLIN MULLER.
Fen Butler on election day,
Watched the canvass, feeling gay.
Beneath his slouched hat glowed the wealth
VI simple beauty and ford health.
Winking he worked and his laughter loud
Ills henchmen echoed in the crowd.
But when he thought of the Govnor's seat,
Eor which in advance he'd oft been beat,
The loud laugh died. and vague unrest,
And mighty longing filed his breast;
A wish, that wild in his head e'er ran,
10 be something better than Congressman
The Essex men came to the poll
Smiling at Butler, dear old soul.
They halted moment, under shed,
TO shake his hand and pat his head,
And let him ask them up to take
n little something their thirst to slake.
lie pulled out flask Of New England rum,
AND gave in glass each voter some,
And smiled as he did So thinking when
VOTE for
"Thanks,'' said the men, ga sitter nip
From bigger hand we ne'er did sip'
They spoke of Sanborn, back pay and things,
VI imitation schemes and Capital rings;
They talked of lection, and wondered whether
The close of the polls would bring foul weather.
And Ben forgot his Congressman seat,
And the Governorship for which he'd been beat,
And listened, while grim surprise
Looked from his long dashed hazel eyes,
Atlast, like those who for delay
Seek vain excuse, they said, good day.
Ben Butler looked and sighed, "Ah, me.
i nat the voters choice might be!
s'They would serenade me and burn some tar,
And pra Use and toast me and cry hurrah.
My hackers should all have places fat, rr
Ny Simmons should throw aloft his hat;
I'd dress my person the rest to surpass
In broadcloth blue and buttons OF brass
And I'd feed the hungry, like gen'rous sutler,
And all should bless great General Butler"
The men looked ba ok, as they left the poll,
And saw Ben lingering, poor old soul.
"a wink more sly, face less sweet
Meier has it been our lot to meet
And his public record and cheek Internal
Show he's within as he is external.
Would he were beat! and we to-day
Chose In some harvester of hay.
No doubtful balance of rights and wrongs
NO goin' for statesmen with shovel and tOngs.
But gentle granger, with harmless hobby,
Who'd sit in Congress and not in the lobby"
But they thought of Butler rich and sharp
And his deep plans routing those that carp.
So giving up hope the men went home s...
And Ben was left at the polls alone.
But the poll clerks smiled that lection night
As,swatching the count, he didn't look bright.
And the voters all felt quite forlorn
I'LL they learned how the district had really gone
They Elected from Essex Democrat
Whose tut is not like Benjamin's tail
And oft in the coming Congress days
They'll see picture to laughter raise.
And poor Ben Butler, terIit ly beat,
viii sadly gaze at his long-lost seat.
Oft when he's m ping down at home
He'll long to be under the CapitoPs dome.
And closed his eyes on Gloucester beach
10 dream of motion and vote and speech.
And the man will cry with lump in throat,
An, That I'd got bigger vote!
Big as when used to run
And be elected sure as the sum-
They 'lected an old line Democrat, I..
And many were sorry because of that.
But grave discomfort at Buffers ways
Made any change seem cause for praise.
And oft, when in Congress they shall see
Ihompson-he spells it with ''p"-
They'll view once more in the CHEEKY glass,
Ihe not rum tpple that Ben did pass,
And meath long horse shed again
wen see the general plan to reign.
Sometimes the wicked Benjamin 3.
Loomed up statesman fair to see;
His deadened conscience, deep quicked shone,
His frame included moral back bone;
And for him who to-day is understood,
With his evil eye and his sneer at good,
Another sort of man they viewed
Ben's better self, in an ideal mood.
Now they 60 Ger the lection returns again,
Saying only, We've laid out Ben,"
las for Butler, bull bully for those
Who left his standard and Joined his foes. A..
Bully for ttem-aye, bully for all 40
Who helped give Ben his terrible fall.
For of all good words, by tongue or pen,
The gaddest are these-We won't have Ben.
All well! at last che General lies
Deeply buried from human eyes.
And in the hereafter-hel be some some older
Before from the grave they toss the boulder.
~ st...1,t Albany Journal.