Why do the lean hyenas glare Where the glory of Artemis had begun-- Of Atalanta, Joan of Arc, Lorna Doone, Rosy O’Grady, And Orphant Annie, all in one? Who burned this city of Kalamazoo Till nothing was left but a ribbon or two-- One scorched phœnix that mourned in the dew, Acres of ashes, a junk-man’s cart, A torn-up letter, a dancing shoe, (And the bones of the valiant dead)? Who burned this city of Kalamazoo-- Love-town, Troy-town Kalamazoo? A harum-scarum innocent heart. JOHN L. SULLIVAN, THE STRONG BOY OF BOSTON _Inscribed to Louis Untermeyer and Robert Frost_ When I was nine years old, in 1889 I sent my love a lacy Valentine. Suffering boys were dressed like Fauntleroys, While Judge and Puck in giant humor vied. The Gibson Girl came shining like a bride To spoil the cult of Tennyson’s Elaine. Louisa Alcott was my gentle guide.... Then ... I heard a battle trumpet sound. Nigh New Orleans Upon an emerald plain John L. Sullivan The strong boy Of Boston Fought seventy-five red rounds with Jake Kilrain. In simple sheltered 1889 Nick Carter I would piously deride. Over the Elsie Books I moped and sighed. St. Nicholas Magazine was all my pride, While coarser boys on cellar doors would slide. The grown ups bought refinement by the pound. Rogers groups had not been told to hide. E. P. Roe had just begun to wane. Howells was rising, surely to attain! The nation for a jamboree was gowned:-- Her hundredth year of roaring freedom crowned. The British Lion ran and hid from Blaine The razzle-dazzle hip-hurrah from Maine. The mocking bird was singing in the lane.... Yet ... “East side, west side, all around the town The tots sang: ‘Ring a rosie--’ ‘London Bridge is falling down.’” And ... John L. Sullivan The strong boy Of Boston Broke every single rib of Jake Kilrain. In dear provincial 1889, Barnum’s bears and tigers could astound. Ingersoll was called a most vile hound, And named with Satan, Judas, Thomas Paine! Robert Elsmere riled the pious brain. Phillips Brooks for heresy was fried. Boston Brahmins patronized Mark Twain. The base ball rules were changed. That was a gain. Pop Anson was our darling, pet and pride. Native sons in Irish votes were drowned. Tammany once more escaped its chain. Once more each raw saloon was raising Cain. The mocking bird was singing in the lane.... Yet ... “East side, west side, all around the town The tots sang: ‘Ring a rosie’ ‘London Bridge is falling down.’” And ... John L. Sullivan The strong boy Of Boston Finished the ring career of Jake Kilrain.