Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900.

By BranderMatthews

1210 An American Girl

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 Räden),

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.

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.