At Cheyenne
At Cheyenne
Original Text
The Poems of Eugene Field, Complete Edition (Toronto: McClelland and Goodchild, 1910): 94-95. ROBA PS 1665 A2 1910. From Eugene Field, A Little Book of Western Verse (Charles Scribner's Sons, 1896).
2With fringe on his trousers and fur on his vest;
3The width of his hat-brim could nowhere be beat,
6And he flourished a handful of aces on kings.
8When who should turn up but the young Lochinvar!
9Her pulchritude gave him a pectoral glow,
11Then turned on the maiden a rapturous grin,
12And modestly asked if he might n't step in.
13With presence of mind that was marvellous quite,
14The fair Mariana replied that he might;
15So in through the portal rode young Lochinvar,
16Pre-empted the claim, and cleaned out the bar.
17Though the justice allowed he wa'n't wholly to blame,
18He taxed him ten dollars and costs, just the same.
Notes
1] Lochinvar: romantic hero of Sir Walter Scott's poem Marmion who, while dancing with his beloved Ellen at the celebration of her marriage to an unworthy other, quickly hustles her out the door, mounts with her on his horse, and rides away with her in his arms. Back to Line
4] brogans: heavy work shoes Back to Line
5] girdle: belt
horrent: bristling Back to Line
horrent: bristling Back to Line
7] Mariana: lonely, lovesick heroine of Tennyson's "Mariana" poems. Back to Line
10] stentorian: very loud. Back to Line
Publication Start Year
1896
RPO poem Editors
Ian Lancashire
RPO Edition
RPO 1997.
Rhyme