Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, AN AMERICAN GIRL, by JAMES BRANDER MATTHEWS


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

AN AMERICAN GIRL, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: She's had a vassar education
Last Line: A free and frank young yankee maiden.
Alternate Author Name(s): Matthews, Brander
Subject(s): Vassar College


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;
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;
She has a gentle animation,
She joins in singing simple glees.
She tries no trills, no rivalries
With Lucca (now Baronin Raden),
With Nilsson or with Gerster; she's
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:
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
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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