| 288 POETRY
For the Times and Seasons.
The Kidnapping of Gen. Joseph Smith,
On the 23d of June, by Reynolds, the Sheriff of Jackson County, Mo. and Wilson, of Carthage, Hancock Co Ill.
BY MISS E. R. SNOW.
Like bloodhounds fiercely prowling, Their hearts are seats where blindness
With pistols ready drawn- O'er foul corruption reigns-
With oaths like tempests howling, The milk of human kindness
Those kidnappers came on. Flows not within their veins.
He bared his breast before them, Their conduct was unworthy
But as they hurried near, The meanest race of men;
A fearfulness came o'er them- 'Twould better fit the tiger
It was the coward's fear. Emerging from its den!
Well might their dark souls wither Missouri! O, Missouri!
When he their courage dared- You thus prolong your shame
Their pity fled, O whither? By sending such as Reynolds
When he his bosom bared? Abroad to bear your name.
"Death has to me no terrors," Could Jackson County furnish
He said, "I hate a life No tamer shrub than he?
So subject to the horrors Must legal office burnish
Of your ungodly strife." Such wild barbarity?
"What means your savage conduct? Go search the rudest forests,
Have you a lawful writ? The panther the bear
To any LEGAL process As well would grace your suff'rage-
I cheerfully submit." As well deserve a share.
"Here," said these lawless ruffians, Then might the heartless Wilson,
"Is our authority" Thy shame, O Illinois!
And drew their pistols nearer Become confed'rate with them
In rude ferocity. And teach them to destroy.
With more than savage wildness- So much ferocious nature
Like hungry beasts of prey; Should join the brutish clan,
They bore, in all his mildness, And not disgrace the features
The man of God away! That claim to be a man.
With brutish haste they tore him But hear it, O Missouri!
From her he loves so well, Once more "the prophet's free"-
And far away they bore him Your ill-directed fury
With scarce the word "farewell"! Brings forth a "jubilee."
The Times and Seasons, is edited by JOHN TAYLOR. Printed and published about the first and fifteenth of every month, on the corner of Water and Bain Streets, Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, by JOHN TAYLOR AND WILFORD WOODRUFF.
TERMS. TWO DOLLARS per annum, payable in all cases in advance. Any person procuring five new subscribers, and forwarding us Ten Dollars current money, shall receive one volume gratis. All letters must be addressed to John Taylor, editor, POST PAID, or they will not receive attention.
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