A 'Mass' Meeting

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.'