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Poem
September 8, 1859
New Hampshire Journal Of Agriculture
Manchester, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
Humorous poem personifying a sewing machine as an ideal wife who multitasks in household duties, singing, dancing, and sewing, satirizing domestic life and marriage.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
The Sewing Machine.
BY A CONNECTICUT YANKEE
"Got one? Don't say so! Which did you get?
One of the kind to open and shut?
Own it, or hire it? How much did you pay
Does it go with a crank or treadle? Say.
I'm a single man, and somewhat green-
Tell me about your sewing machine."
Listen, my boy, and hear all about it-
I don't know what I should do without it.
I've owned one now for more than a year,
And like it so well I call it "my dear;"
'Tis the cleverest thing that ever was seen,
This wonderful family sewing machine.
It's none of your angular Wheeler things,
With steel shod beak and cast iron wings;
Its work would bother a hundred of his,
And is worth a thousand! Indeed it is;
And has a way-you needn't stare-
Of combing and braiding its own black hair!
Mine is not one of those stupid affairs
That stands in a corner with whatnots and chairs.
And makes that dismal, headachey noise,
Which all the comfort of sewing destroys;
No rigid contrivance of lumber and steel,
But one with a natural spring in the heel.
Mine is one of the kind to love.
And wears a shawl and a soft kid glove.
Has the merriest eyes and a dainty foot,
And sports the charmingest gaiter boot.
And a bonnet with feathers, and ribbons and loops,
With any indefinite number of hoops.
None of your patent machines for me,
Unless Dame Nature's the patentee!
I like the sort that can laugh and talk,
And take my arm for an evening walk;
That will do whatever the owner may choose,
With the slightest perceptible turn of the screws.
One that can dance, and-possibly, flirt;
And make a pudding as well as a shirt;
One that can sing without dropping a stitch.
And play the housewife, lady or witch-
Ready to give the sagest advice,
Or do up your collar and things so nice.
What do you think of my machine?
Ain't it the best that ever was seen?
'Tisn't a clumsy, mechanical toy,
But flesh and blood. Hear that, my boy!
With a turn for gossip, and household affairs,
Which includes, you know, the sewing of tares.
Tut, tut-don't talk. I see it all-
You needn't keep winking so hard at the wall;
I know what your fidgety fumblings mean,
Would you like, yourself, a sewing machine?
Well, get one then-of the same design-
There was plenty left when I got mine.
BY A CONNECTICUT YANKEE
"Got one? Don't say so! Which did you get?
One of the kind to open and shut?
Own it, or hire it? How much did you pay
Does it go with a crank or treadle? Say.
I'm a single man, and somewhat green-
Tell me about your sewing machine."
Listen, my boy, and hear all about it-
I don't know what I should do without it.
I've owned one now for more than a year,
And like it so well I call it "my dear;"
'Tis the cleverest thing that ever was seen,
This wonderful family sewing machine.
It's none of your angular Wheeler things,
With steel shod beak and cast iron wings;
Its work would bother a hundred of his,
And is worth a thousand! Indeed it is;
And has a way-you needn't stare-
Of combing and braiding its own black hair!
Mine is not one of those stupid affairs
That stands in a corner with whatnots and chairs.
And makes that dismal, headachey noise,
Which all the comfort of sewing destroys;
No rigid contrivance of lumber and steel,
But one with a natural spring in the heel.
Mine is one of the kind to love.
And wears a shawl and a soft kid glove.
Has the merriest eyes and a dainty foot,
And sports the charmingest gaiter boot.
And a bonnet with feathers, and ribbons and loops,
With any indefinite number of hoops.
None of your patent machines for me,
Unless Dame Nature's the patentee!
I like the sort that can laugh and talk,
And take my arm for an evening walk;
That will do whatever the owner may choose,
With the slightest perceptible turn of the screws.
One that can dance, and-possibly, flirt;
And make a pudding as well as a shirt;
One that can sing without dropping a stitch.
And play the housewife, lady or witch-
Ready to give the sagest advice,
Or do up your collar and things so nice.
What do you think of my machine?
Ain't it the best that ever was seen?
'Tisn't a clumsy, mechanical toy,
But flesh and blood. Hear that, my boy!
With a turn for gossip, and household affairs,
Which includes, you know, the sewing of tares.
Tut, tut-don't talk. I see it all-
You needn't keep winking so hard at the wall;
I know what your fidgety fumblings mean,
Would you like, yourself, a sewing machine?
Well, get one then-of the same design-
There was plenty left when I got mine.
What sub-type of article is it?
Satire
What themes does it cover?
Satire Society
What keywords are associated?
Sewing Machine
Personification
Satire
Marriage
Domestic Life
Invention
What entities or persons were involved?
By A Connecticut Yankee
Poem Details
Title
The Sewing Machine.
Author
By A Connecticut Yankee
Form / Style
Rhymed Quatrains
Key Lines
"Tisn't A Clumsy, Mechanical Toy,
But Flesh And Blood. Hear That, My Boy!"
Well, Get One Then Of The Same Design
There Was Plenty Left When I Got Mine.