Hamilton Fish Armstrong, ed. The Book of New York Verse. 1917.
The City, 1850 (extract)John G. Saxe
I
The smell of gas; the dust of coal and coke;
The sound of bells, the tramp of hurrying feet;
The sight of pigs and Paphians in the street;
The jostling crowd, the never-ceasing noise
Of rattling coaches, and vociferous boys;
The cry of Fire and the exciting scene
Of heroes running with their mad “mersheen”;
Nay, now I think that I could even stand
The direful din of Barnum’s brazen band,
So much I long to see the town again!
Good-bye! I’m going by the evening train!