| Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900. |
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| 10. On a Travelling Speculator |
| | | By Philip Freneau |
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| ON scent of game from town to town he flew, | |
| The soldier’s curse pursued him on his way; | |
| Care in his eye, and anguish on his brow, | |
| He seemed a sea-hawk watching for his prey. | |
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| With soothing words the widow’s mite he gained, | 5 |
| With piercing glance watched misery’s dark abode, | |
| Filched paper scraps while yet a scrap remained, | |
| Bought where he must, and cheated where he could; | |
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| Vast loads amassed of scrip, and who knows what; | |
| Potosi’s wealth seemed lodged within his clutch,— | 10 |
| But wealth has wings (he knew) and instant bought | |
| The prancing steed, gay harness, and gilt coach. | |
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| One Sunday morn to church we saw him ride | |
| In glittering state—alack! and who but he— | |
| The following week, with Madam at his side, | 15 |
| To routs they drove—and drank Imperial tea! | |
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| In cards and fun the livelong day they spent, | |
| With songs and smut prolonged the midnight feast,— | |
| If plays were had, to plays they constant went, | |
| Where Madam’s top-knot rose a foot at least. | 20 |
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| Three weeks, and more, thus passed in airs of state, | |
| The fourth beheld the mighty bubble fail,— | |
| And he, who countless millions owned so late, | |
| Stopped short—and closed his triumphs in a jail. | |
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