A. POE.)
["It is stated that a Syndicate of American Capitalists has
been formed with the object of purchasing the remains of the
Coliseum at Rome, and transporting them to Chicago."]
"_BARTERED_ TO MAKE A _YANKEE_ HOLIDAY."
I.
Type of wolf-nurtured Rome! Rich reliquary
Of splendour (and of slaughter) left to Time,
By centuries of ante-Yankee pomp!
At length--at length--after so many days,
Of ruined majesty, and rotting pride
(Pride which Chicago will transmute to dollars),
There is a chance for you, a right smart chance,
Of turning to some profitable end
Thy size, thine age, thy grandeur, gloom, and glory!
II.
Vastness! and Age! and Memories of Eld!
Silence! and Desolation! and dim Night!
Where are ye now? POE said _he_ felt your strength,
But POE was but a poet. Better far
Be turned to "bizness" in a dime Museum,
Or trotted out, for cents, at the World's Fair
Than rot away beneath Rome's ruddy stars!
III.
Here a smart Syndicate shall set you up,
Here, where we slaughter swine as Rome did slaves,
(A sanguine carnival of sausage-meat),
Here, where Chicago belles their braided hair
Pile in Greek knots,--to gaze on brawn and gristle!
Here, where in gilded cars the pork-kings loll,
Driven Mammon-like unto their marble homes,
Lit by the wan light of the electric arc,
Swift-wheeled and silent-tyred o'er wood or stone.
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