Find this Story

Print, a form you can hold

Wireless download to your Amazon Kindle

Look for a summary or analysis of this Poem.

Enjoy this? Share it!

Penelope
by [?]


(SIMPSON’S BAR, 1858)

So you’ve kem ‘yer agen,
And one answer won’t do?
Well, of all the derned men
That I’ve struck, it is you.
O Sal! ‘yer’s that derned fool from Simpson’s, cavortin’ round ‘yer in the dew.

Kem in, ef you WILL.
Thar,–quit! Take a cheer.
Not that; you can’t fill
Them theer cushings this year,–
For that cheer was my old man’s, Joe Simpson, and they don’t make such men about ‘yer.

He was tall, was my Jack,
And as strong as a tree.
Thar’s his gun on the rack,–
Jest you heft it, and see.
And YOU come a courtin’ his widder! Lord! where can that critter,
Sal, be!

You’d fill my Jack’s place?
And a man of your size,–
With no baird to his face,
Nor a snap to his eyes,
And nary–Sho! thar! I was foolin’,–I was, Joe, for sartain,–don’t rise.

Sit down. Law! why, sho!
I’m as weak as a gal.
Sal! Don’t you go, Joe,
Or I’ll faint,–sure, I shall.
Sit down,–ANYWHEER, where you like, Joe,–in that cheer, if you choose,–Lord! where’s Sal?