| |
| SHE ’S had a Vassar education, | |
| And points with pride to her degrees; | |
| She ’s studied household decoration; | |
| She knows a dado from a frieze, | |
| And tells Corots from Boldonis; | 5 |
| A Jacquemart etching, or a Haden, | |
| A Whistler, too, perchance might please | |
| A free and frank young Yankee maiden. | |
| |
| She does not care for meditation; | |
| Within her bonnet are no bees; | 10 |
| She has a gentle animation, | |
| She joins in singing simple glees. | |
| She tries no trills, no rivalries | |
| With Lucca (now Baronin Räden), | |
| With Nilsson or with Gerster; she ’s | 15 |
| A frank and free young Yankee maiden | |
| |
| I ’m blessed above the whole creation, | |
| Far, far above all other he ’s; | |
| I ask you for congratulation | |
| On this the best of jubilees: | 20 |
| I go with her across the seas | |
| Unto what Poe would call an Aiden,— | |
| I hope no serpent’s there to tease | |
| A frank and free young Yankee maiden. | |
| |
ENVOY
Princes, to you the western breeze | 25 |
| Bears many a ship and heavy laden. | |
| What is the best we send in these? | |
| A free and frank young Yankee maiden. | |
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