The head of the snake is captured⁠—the tail gripped fast⁠— But the body in between still writhes and resists, Vicksburg is still unfallen⁠—Grant not yet master⁠— Sheridan, Sherman, Thomas still in the shadow. The eyes of the captains are fixed on the Eastern game, The presidents⁠—and the watchers oversea⁠— For there are the two defended kings of the board, Muddy Washington, with its still-unfinished Capitol, Sprawling, badly-paved, beset with sharp hogs That come to the very doorsteps and grunt for crumbs, Full of soldiers and clerks, full of all the baggage of war, “Bombproof” officers, veterans back on leave, Recruits, spies, spies on the spies, politicians, contractors, Reporters, slackers, ambassadors, bands and harlots, Negro-boys who organize butting-matches To please the recruits, tattooers and fortune-tellers, Rich man, poor man, soldier, beggarman, thief, And one most lonely man in a drafty White House Whose everlasting melancholy runs Like a deep stream under the funny stories, The parable-maker, humble in many things