Read "A Wail" by Eugene Field online for free on Textopian. Full text with search, annotations, highlights, and AI-powered reading aids.
My name is Col. Johncey New, / And by a hoosier's grace / I have congenial work to do / At 12 St. Helen's place.
I was as happy as a clam / A-floating with the tide, / Till one day came a cablegram / To me from t'other side.
It was a Macedonian cry / From Benjy o'er the sea; / "Come hither, Johncey, instantly, / And whoop things up for me! " / I could not turn a callous ear / Unto that piteous cry; / I packed my grip, and for the pier / Directly started I.
Alas! things are not half so fair / As four short years ago -- / The clouds are gathering everywhere / And boisterous breezes blow; / My wilted whiskers indicate / The depth of my disgrace -- / Would I were back, enthroned in state, / At 12 St. Helen's place!
The saddest words, as I'll allow, / That drop from tongue or pen, / Are these sad words I utter now: / "They can't, shan't, won't have Ben! " / So, with my whiskers in my hands, / My journey I'll retrace, / To wreak revenge on foreign lands / At 12 St. Helen's place.