Black Beetles in Amber - читать онлайн бесплатно полную версию книги . Страница 75

A JACK-AT-ALL-VIEWS

So, Estee, you are still alive! I thought That you had died and were a blessed ghostI know at least your coffin once was bought With Railroad money; and 'twas said by most Historians that Stanford made a boastThe seller "threw you in." That goes for naught—Man takes delight in fancy's fine inventions,And woman too, 'tis said, if they are French ones.Do you remember, Estee—ah, 'twas long And long ago!—how fierce you grew and hotWhen anything impeded the straight, strong, Wild sweep of the great billow you had got Atop of, like a swimmer bold? Great Scott!How fine your wavemanship! How loud your songOf "Down with railroads!" When the wave subsidedAnd left you stranded you were much divided.Then for a time you were content to wade The waters of the "robber barons'" moat.To fetch, and carry was your humble trade, And ferry Stanford over in a boat, Well paid if he bestowed the kindly groatAnd spoke you fair and called you pretty maid.And when his stomach seemed a bit unsteadyYou got your serviceable basin ready.Strange man! how odd to see you, smug and spruce, There at Chicago, burrowed in a Chair,Not made to measure and a deal too loose, And see you lift your little arm and swear Democracy shall be no more! If it's a fairAnd civil question, and not too abstruse,Were you elected as a "robber baron,"Or as a Communist whose teeth had hair on?