Page:Pieces People Ask For.djvu/222

104 "And, Pompey, while old Massa's waiting
 * For Death's last despatch to come,

If that exiled starry banner
 * Should come proudly sailing home,

You shall greet it, slave no longer—
 * Voice and hand shall both be free

That shout and point to Union colors
 * On the waves of Tennessee."

"Massa's berry kind to Pompey;
 * But old darkey's happy here,

Where he's tended corn and cotton
 * For dese many a long gone year.

Over yonder Missis' sleeping—
 * No one tends her grave like me:

Mebbe she would miss the flowers
 * She used to love in Tennessee."

"'Pears like, she was watching Massa—
 * If Pompey should beside him stay,

Mebbe she'd remember better
 * How for him she used to pray;

Telling him that way up yonder
 * White as snow his soul would be,

If he served the Lord of heaven
 * While he lived in Tennessee."

Silently the tears were rolling
 * Down the poor old dusky face,

As he stepped behind his master,
 * In his long accustomed place.

Then a silence fell around them,
 * As they gazed on rock and tree

Pictured in the placid waters
 * Of the rolling Tennessee,—

Master, dreaming of the battle
 * Where he fought by Marion's side,

When he bid the haughty Tarleton
 * Stoop his lordly crest of pride,—