The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-03-23
BY the News and Observer.
THRILLING SCENES AND QUELL.
ING POWERS.

lay, WITH IldIp ana gun,
NV dogs out on the near brookside,
Their day of chase mad done.
My harp l touchd, in dreamy thought;
A Robin passing by
Thrilld a gay note and quickly sought,
A pendant branch quite nigh.
touch'd old Ossian's strains-When soon
On every tree around,
Birds of gay plumage and tune,
Filrd all the air with sound!
Lovely 1 thought,-'how like seeks
like"
How glorious life would be
If Love and song each sense would
strike.
And hate and bloodshed fee!
Resting-a new scene broke around,
Dogs yelp and eagles scream!
Each bird was gone at the first sound,
Vanish'd as in a dream!
On came the dogs-a stag before
Which like a whirlwind flew!
I fir'd!-his antlers how'd in gore,
Then near a wild bull drew,
He smelt the blood and tore the earth
And all my DGdNe dogs slew:
A fright'n rabbit leap'd near by
In haste a covert sought
An eagle, sweeping from the sky,
Seized him as quick as thought!
Now from each lair, the wild beasts
round,
Sped to the scene of strife,
With howlings, snarls and hOrrid sound
The whole woods soon were rife!
They snappd their teeth and how'd and
roar'd
And then each other tore!
The bloody fray--through woods and
plain.
Nearer my caves mouth drew.
| knew beneath, o'erhead and round,
My cave was solid rock
NV gun had ever true been found,
| might Withstand the shock!
But no, for blood would call for blood!
Was plain before mine eye.
And then | thought-how oil on flood
That rose like mountains high,
Smooth'd them amain! The thought was
good,
The pow'r of oil I'd try
Before my cave, on leaves around,
] quickly spread it wide
Scarce done, when my retreat was found
BY beasts from eV'rS side!
Hyenas, jaguars, coyotes, pard,
Tigers-fierce eats and snakes,
Bears, wolves, pumas-rush on caves
sward
Il touch a match--Earth shakes!
How'is, screams and yells, midst flames
arise,
Then calm-where fierce forms stood!
All peace again, from cave to- skies!
Just where, erstwhile, was blood,
Unre' sning savage rage thus stilpd-
v Conquered, it needs must be-
Unmaster'd-then, mans blood were
spilrd.
Mastered then man is free!
Not far away-a Brigand Chief,
With all his outlaws lay:
BY night they brought the towns to
grief
Debauchd. they slept, by day.
They heard the noise and saw the fire,
Finding their arms, they came,
1 heard them tramping-sons and sire,
Young-old-all of i'll fame!
Now, thought I, comes the tug of war;
Ny gun but poor defense
Orpheus or Maias SON
Would with such means dispense!
So to my harp! nerves, fingers-terse-
1t must ring-or I'm slain!
Mary in heav'n" and Home Sweet
Home"
l play'd with might and main.
And in most loving strain,
And plaintive touch, again!
The band had come-the Chief drew
near,
saw. instead of scowl-a teari
"Play on" he said, ito God Wen pray
And quit our brigandry for aye"
oh! matchless song-and deathless Love
Make glad the earth and Heav'n
above!
The pert might ask--where cave can
Where beasts and brigands roam so
free?
Know then, It's in q favOrd zone,
Neat hidden, as has been Miss Stone,
Rock bound and ample. golden door!
Seems in each mock, and iv'ry floor.
Near cave of Thought, mounts loom,
palms wave,
Brooks gush, birds sing, sun beams,
beasts rave.
All men seek it-good, bad and brave
It's Love and music soothe to save!
Duncan Mcneil.
COULD NOT BREATHE.