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Poem
September 9, 1851
Meigs County Telegraph
Pomeroy, Meigs County, Ohio
What is this article about?
Newspaper article introduces a satirical poem from the New York Express parodying Longfellow's 'Excelsior' to mock women's new short summer costumes, highlighting reactions from old folks and merchants.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
We perceive that the new costume
has not only given the penny-a-liner extra
employment, but it has inspired some of the
poets. The following is from the New
York Express, and it is so apt a hit under
the circumstances, that even the warmest
advocates of the proposed reform in the
dresses of the gentle sex, will enjoy the
wit:
EXCELSIOR.
BY PROFESSOR SHORTFELLOW.
The shades of night are sailing fast,
When through out quiet city passed
A lass, whose summer costume nice,
Reminds me of the quaint device.
Excelsior.
Her brow was glad, her skirts beneath,
Unsoiled by mud, hung scant and brief;
And with a joyful murmur rung
The accents of her silver tongue,
Excelsior.
" 'Try not the dress!' the old folks said,
" The rabble's scornful shout we dread,
The gutter's filth we can abide;"
Bot firm the silver voice replied,
Excelsior,
"Oh stop!" the dry goods merchant said,
"You'll save your dress and spoil our trade!"
A simile lurks in her bright blue eye,
But still came back the firm reply,
Excelsior.
Thus in the twilight cold and gray,
Pretty and neat she went her way:
And to the sky serene and fair.
A gladsome shout did rent the air,
Excelsior.
has not only given the penny-a-liner extra
employment, but it has inspired some of the
poets. The following is from the New
York Express, and it is so apt a hit under
the circumstances, that even the warmest
advocates of the proposed reform in the
dresses of the gentle sex, will enjoy the
wit:
EXCELSIOR.
BY PROFESSOR SHORTFELLOW.
The shades of night are sailing fast,
When through out quiet city passed
A lass, whose summer costume nice,
Reminds me of the quaint device.
Excelsior.
Her brow was glad, her skirts beneath,
Unsoiled by mud, hung scant and brief;
And with a joyful murmur rung
The accents of her silver tongue,
Excelsior.
" 'Try not the dress!' the old folks said,
" The rabble's scornful shout we dread,
The gutter's filth we can abide;"
Bot firm the silver voice replied,
Excelsior,
"Oh stop!" the dry goods merchant said,
"You'll save your dress and spoil our trade!"
A simile lurks in her bright blue eye,
But still came back the firm reply,
Excelsior.
Thus in the twilight cold and gray,
Pretty and neat she went her way:
And to the sky serene and fair.
A gladsome shout did rent the air,
Excelsior.
What sub-type of article is it?
Satire
Ballad
What themes does it cover?
Satire Society
What keywords are associated?
Excelsior Parody
Women Costume
Fashion Satire
Short Skirts
Merchant Protest
What entities or persons were involved?
By Professor Shortfellow.
Poem Details
Title
Excelsior.
Author
By Professor Shortfellow.
Subject
On The New Costume For Women
Form / Style
Rhymed Stanzas With Refrain
Key Lines
The Shades Of Night Are Sailing Fast,
When Through Out Quiet City Passed
A Lass, Whose Summer Costume Nice,
"You'll Save Your Dress And Spoil Our Trade!"
Excelsior.