In Charlestown meanwhile, there were whispers of rescue. Brown told them, “I am worth now infinitely more to die than to live.” And lived his month so, busily. A month of trifles building up a legend And letters in a pinched, firm handwriting Courageous, scriptural, misspelt and terse, Sowing a fable everywhere they fell While the town filled with troops. The Governor came, Enemies, friends, militia-cavaliers, Old Border Foes. The month ebbed into days, The wife and husband met for the last time, The last letter was written: