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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE HOUSE OF BLAZES, by ARTHUR GUITERMAN Poet's Biography First Line: Where spuyten duyvil's waves environ Last Line: "and right forninst the spittin' divil!'" Subject(s): Blacksmiths; Home; Legends; New York City - Colonial Period | |||
Where Spuyten Duyvil's waves environ Manhattan's stern and rock-bound shore With fume and flame of molten iron A foundry's chimneys blaze and roar. Upon a northward promontory The "House of Blazes" stands in pride -- A tavern famed in local story, Where grimy furnace-men abide. Now, one of these, in proud elation, Despatched a letter o'er the foam. And bitter grief and consternation That missive caused in Patrick's home! "Och! Mother av the Saints in glory!" The wail arose as Nora read: "Sure, Pathrick's gone to purgathory! He niver wrote that he was dead! "'Me job is ahl I c'uld desire,' Sez he, 'though somewhat warrm I feel Wid heapin' coal to feed the fire An' makin' pies av red-hot steel. "'The boss is jist the kind that plazes, And ahl me mates is mighty civil. I'm dwellin' in the House av Blazes, And right forninst the Spittin' Divil!'" | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...BOWLING GREEN by ARTHUR GUITERMAN BUTTERMILK CHANNEL by ARTHUR GUITERMAN CITY HALL PARK by ARTHUR GUITERMAN OFF FIRE ISLAND by ARTHUR GUITERMAN POLLY CORTELYOU by ARTHUR GUITERMAN SAXON HARVEST HEALTH by ARTHUR GUITERMAN |
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