Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1880-03-13
SpTFS7 C 1RTFSTOWN JEFFERSON COUNTY, W Va, SATURD
POETICAL..
Written for tls Free Pres.
mTuELEGEND OF MACON"


And turn my pen in posts strain,
That may tell Of gala day,
OF fesiooned arches by the way,
or music, mirih and loud hazza,
To greet the giant OF the war.
In Macon's city tread OF feet
Resounded in her broadest street,
While every eye was strained To see
The Conqueror Of immortal Lee.
Loud plaudits swclled the evening breeze
And echoed through the leaaess trees
Each heart was filed with proud delight
To welcome him with torches bright;
While toast, and feast, and bfimmtng ooWl
Gave out the feelings Of the soul;
With speech. and song, and mouthy rant
The people thus did cringe 70 Grant.
Among those pulling ours was one
Who thought Of byeone days alone.
His eyes we're filed with crystal tears
when he recalled the blood stained years
or long sgo--Of Sump,ers's gan.
Manassas field In sizty-onc.
lie asked of Memory why recall
Those days Of carnage, blood and ball
Why toast and feast In banquet hall
This modern Ulysses atallg
Blu, Memory, busy Memory said.
Some truth. in dusty archives laid
Ne'er come to light except TO die
What's mortal passes swiftly by--
Tn immortal lives beyond the sky.
That tears were made for every eye;
And phantom. trail their garments By.
The moon looked down from crescent pale
Where marble statues tell their tale,
Four generals. and private high,
Cared on the dreamer standing nigh.
The legend runs, there came groan
FROM out those chiseled lips of stone,
Then all was still. The dreamer's blood
CONCEALED within him where he stood,
Ard Ia n ~ tnockgrv's frozen fear.
lie asked IL living soul were near.
Yes, I am the living and the cead
or spirits caunt," the statue said.
"See here, my friend. you'll catch a cold :"
(Surpr;se had made this dreamer bold
- How came your lips unsesled 20 night
rsit 20 tell of deeds OF might,
Or sing some song Of battles won.
Or triumphs made 10 sixty 2
"Confeds tonight are rot al par;
So said our Hercules Of war.
Seen Grant?" those marble lips reply.
"Yes;" said the dreamer with a sigh;
"I toc-he passed along this way
Looking we'll, think, to-day,
While in his ruddy face read
A grief for all the countless dead.
He asked of one, who didn't know,
WHY was there in wariike show.
Itried t. tell 10 whisper low
Th.t .oved him IN long sgo;
Bat there stood, aci.y's boast.
With sealed lips, ike Banquo's ghost
"You seem 20 honor Grant, my friend,
And would, no doubt, In meeknes' bead,
And join with those. your hTiog peers,
who shont and rcnd the air with cheers"
"WeIl, ! should smile :" the statue said,
" "YirRin bosom was nv bed.
For several years fought and bied
10 atmosphere OF smoke and lead.
Like himi Well, | gucss dol
A secret, friend, 'twist me and you -
Four long years Of cold and heat
.leptiu mud, In rain and slect,
With shiyerins form and aching foei,
This modern Ulysses to meet.
I'd give my head 20 tumble down
And have lark wishln this toun,
And shout again that rebel yell
OF long ngo-sDd raise some h-ll y
The dreamers ire now aWoke,
And 20 the statue thus be spoke
How would you look With pi,eOu. Jaws
Drinking toasts 20 by gone wars
You never Orght 90 show your bead,
Or represent the Southern dead
Yes, know H." the statne said,
"My crowd beneath the sod lie dead;
It's vain 10 brave the cold and sun,
Or ,ell the folks OF battles won
OF long ago-they all will say,
Those memories sleep In peace to-day
In bivousc lie the sentry dead,
With blood stains on their rnussets, red,
Not vet d.ied, and breGst.wofks stand
Like mOle-hils on the level land.
Let them who will hurFhh and rant
Pull down this form and put up Grant,
For uow feel that towards won
Manassas Gap and first Bull Run
"A -
Bot who will keep tho legend nov
OF where we rebels died-and how
Our camp free burn too dim and low
On memory's heights 10 cast glow
Upon our deeds this sheeuy night;
And tears have washed our blood from sight
In years that long since took their flight"
Despair and grief impressed his face;
And far across the vale Of space
His stony gaze seemed fixed at last
On scenes that filed the bloody past
The nlgNt re-echocd loud and clear,
The noise OF wheels approaching near
And, from carriage window flashed
woman's hand with jewels dashed;
And pointing 70 the statue there
She told with drierental air
Unto her fairhalrod boy within
OF days that shook with battles din;
when those who fought Tor Southern rights
Rekndled Freedoms altar lights,
And made the aisos Of Heaven ring,
And angels panFe upon the wing
Tonote their noble, sacred decd
Whose glory was their only need.