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. 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.