Fraternity-Testvériség, 1941 (19. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

1941-12-01 / 12. szám

16

TESTVÉRISÉG

Come, wake up your enthusiasm, mercantile Broadway,

Show samples of your, goods in economical display —

Who wouldn’t be most liberal on such a fete as this,

Fling forth your woolen merchandise, bold Chittenden and Bliss.

You'll hang in goodly company, look over vis-á-vis,

Your neighbors, pious Bowen and sagacious MacNamee,

What burning words of freedom on their banners you may read, . Contrasting white and black, so emblematic of their creed.

All hail, immortal Genin, who with Jenny the divine Rang loudly at Fame’s bell-pull, like — that’s no affair of mine —

That you have acted liberally, nobody can doubt,

Whatever feeling prompted you — why that’s your own look out —

I simply wish to say, sir, that your allegoric flag Unquestionably, “off the bush” of banners “took the rag,” The Magyar in verdant garb and turbaned Turk were there, With Austria and Russia, the Hyena and the Bear.

But see, the city architect has built a pasquinade,

Those arches to the Park, of sundry barbers’ poles are made — The Satire would be perfect, had they printed at the top, Instead of “Welcome Kossuth,” “To the Public Shaving Shop.”

And now, commingled shouts and shots resounding through the air,

Conclusively proclaim there’s something going on somewhere — Enthusiastic citizens, with ardor overflowed,

And occasionally “villainous saltpetre” would explode.

He’s coming — There he is! oh, mark that lofty pallid brow, Those eyes deep sunk by sorrow, though they flash so brightly now,

His heart is dead within him surely, for his country’s thrall, And that vesture of black velvet seems to shroud it like a pall.

All inwardly acknowledge, as his lineaments they scan,

If perfection •dwelt with humankind, there is a perfect man — Determined though benevolent, inflexible, yet mild,

Vast on the field or forum, in his home a simple child.

Now through the crowded thoroughfares he stems the surging tide,

While Kingsland, oleagineously smiling by his side,

Is thinking rather nervously, the truth to be contest,

Of the “soaping” the Chief Magistrates must give the city guest.

To tell how men their unconsidered lungs exhausted quite. And laidies too, God bless them, ever on the side of right, How brightening the light of day, they every window lined, Like blessed “interventions” between Heaven and mankind.