GENTLEMEN’S HEARTS.

Oh! what is it made of, each gentleman’s heart?
‘Tis no use to be dressy, and stylish, and smart;
I’ve tried each new fashion, French stocking, and shoe,
French ribbon, French corset, French crinoline too;
Each insensible monster just smirks, and departs.
Oh! what are they made of, the gentlemen’s hearts?

An archery meeting, at croquet, and fête,
I’m dressed out for conquest, and never am late;
I sing like a nightingale, ogle, and sigh –
Alas! All my glances are only my eye.
‘Tis no use every effort, I’m still in the mart,
Oh! what is it made of, each gentleman’s heart?

Than I read all the papers; there’s nothing but stuff
About new inventions and things that are tough –
Choate-house*, gutta-percha: I’ve reason to know
That all such in toughness are only so-so;
For I’ve tried and I’ve proved, to my grief, in all parts,
That the toughest of things are the gentlemen’s hearts.

G. E. M.

*Insulator Historical Timeline (1860-1869). As late as 1865 Van Choate used an insulator of wood, rubber and iron for the short time that they survived, on the Insulated Lines of the Telegraph Company, but soon switched to glass.