Famous Single Poems
phrase. The most significant of them, so far as the present controversy is concerned, was written in 1786 and is here given in full:
LETTER TO MY BROTHER BEEKMAN
WHO THEN LIVED WITH MR. SCHENK AT
NEW LEBANON
To my dear brother Beekman I sit down to write
Ten minutes past eight and a very cold night;
Not far from me sits with a baullancy cap on
Our very good cousin, Elizabeth Tappan.
A tighter young sempstress you'd ne'er wish to see
And she (blessings on her) is sewing for me.
New shirts & new cravats this morning cut out
Are tumbled in heaps and lye huddled about.
My wardrobe (a wonder) will soon be enriched
With ruffles new hemmed and wristbands new stitched.
Believe me, dear brother, the women may be
Compared to us, of inferior degree.
Yet still they are useful, I vow with a fegs,
When our shirts are in tatters & jackets in rags.
Now for news, my sweet fellow, first learn with a sigh
That matters are carried here gloriously high.
Such gadding, such ambling, such jaunting about—
To tea with Miss Nancy—to sweet Willy's rout;
Now parties at coffee—then parties at wine—
Next day all the world with the Major must dine.
72
