Part 14 (1/2)

And every time a henchwom_an_ Shall cause me a moment's loss, I'll forthwith fare to that of_fice_ And stab to death her boss.

Rise up! Rise up! thou blessed knight!

And off thy bended knees!

Go forth and slay all folk who make Us wait ”One moment, please.”

A Gotham Garden of Verses

I

In summer when the days are hot The subway is delayed a lot; In winter, quite the selfsame thing; In autumn also, and in spring.

And does it not seem strange to you That transportation is askew In this--I pray, restrain your mirth!-- In this, the Greatest Town on Earth?

II

All night long and every night The neighbours dance for my delight; I hear the people dance and sing Like practically anything.

Women and men and girls and boys, All making curious kinds of noise And dancing in so weird a way, I never saw the like by day.

So loud a show was never heard As that which yesternight occurred: They danced and sang, as I have said, As I lay wakeful on my bed.

They shout and cry and yell and laugh And play upon the phonograph; And endlessly I count the sheep, Endeavouring to fall asleep.

III

It is very nice to think This town is full of meat and drink; That is, I'd think it very nice If my papa but had the price.

IV

This town is so full of a number of folks, I'm sure there will always be matter for jokes.

Lines on Reading Frank J. Wilstach's ”A Dictionary of Similes”

As neat as wax, as good as new, As true as steel, as truth is true, Good as a sermon, keen as hate, Full as a tick, and fixed as fate--

Brief as a dream, long as the day, Sweet as the rosy morn in May, Chaste as the moon, as snow is white, Broad as barn doors, and new as sight--

Useful as daylight, firm as stone, Wet as a fish, dry as a bone, Heavy as lead, light as a breeze-- Frank Wilstach's book of similes.