It was a solemn rite as e'er
    Was seen by mortal man.
  The celebrants, the people there,
    Were all Republican.

  There Estee bent his grizzled head,
    And General Dimond, too,
  And one—'twas Reddick, some one said,
    Though no one clearly knew.

  I saw the priest, white-robed and tall
    (Assistant, Father Stow)—
  He was the pious man men call
    Dan Burns of Mexico.

  Ah, 'twas a high and holy rite
    As any one could swear.
  "What does it mean?" I asked a wight
    Who knelt apart in prayer.

  "A mass for the repose," he said,
    "Of Colonel Markham's"——"What,
  Is gallant Colonel Markham dead?
    'Tis sad, 'tis sad, God wot!"

  "A mass"—repeated he, and rose
    To go and kneel among
  The worshipers—"for the repose
    Of Colonel Markham's tongue."