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Poem
June 4, 1849
The Daily Crescent
New Orleans, Orleans County, Louisiana
What is this article about?
A narrative poem recounting fireman Higginbottom's heroic but fatal attempt to rescue his brother chief from a blazing building, amid scalding streams and smoke, ending with his last defiant words.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
"Did none attempt, before he fell,
To succor one they loved so well"?
Yes, Higginbottom did aspire
(This fireman's soul was all on fire)
His brother chief to save:
But ah! his reckless, generous ire
Served but to share his grave!
'Mid blazing beams and scalding streams.
Through fire and smoke he dauntless broke.
Where Muggins broke before.
But sulphury stench and boiling drench
Destroying sight, o'erwhelmed him quite,
He sunk to rise no more.
Still o'er his head, while Fate he braved,
His whizzing water-pipe he waved:
Whitford and Mitford, ply your pumps;
You, Clutterbuck, come stir your stumps,
Why are you in such doleful dumps?
A fireman, and afraid of bumps!-
What are they fear'd on? fools! 'od rot 'em!'
Were the last words o' Higginbottom.
To succor one they loved so well"?
Yes, Higginbottom did aspire
(This fireman's soul was all on fire)
His brother chief to save:
But ah! his reckless, generous ire
Served but to share his grave!
'Mid blazing beams and scalding streams.
Through fire and smoke he dauntless broke.
Where Muggins broke before.
But sulphury stench and boiling drench
Destroying sight, o'erwhelmed him quite,
He sunk to rise no more.
Still o'er his head, while Fate he braved,
His whizzing water-pipe he waved:
Whitford and Mitford, ply your pumps;
You, Clutterbuck, come stir your stumps,
Why are you in such doleful dumps?
A fireman, and afraid of bumps!-
What are they fear'd on? fools! 'od rot 'em!'
Were the last words o' Higginbottom.
What sub-type of article is it?
Ballad
Satire
What themes does it cover?
Death Mourning
Moral Virtue
Friendship
What keywords are associated?
Fireman Heroism
Higginbottom Death
Heroic Rescue
Satirical Verse
Fire Tragedy
Poem Details
Key Lines
Yes, Higginbottom Did Aspire
(This Fireman's Soul Was All On Fire)
His Brother Chief To Save:
'Mid Blazing Beams And Scalding Streams.
Through Fire And Smoke He Dauntless Broke.
Where Muggins Broke Before.
What Are They Fear'd On? Fools! 'Od Rot 'Em!'
Were The Last Words O' Higginbottom.