An Ode on Gas — 147
A country town having been recently lighted with gas, the local editor electrifies the community with an ode:
“Luminous blaze!
I never seen the like in all my born days!
Tallow candles ain’t no mor’n tar
When you’re about;
And spirit lamps is no whar,
Bein clean dun out.
“Sparkling lite!
I think I never seen anything half so brite;
Everything is amazing clear;
The hidjus glume
Is defunct; and every cheer
Is apparient in the rume!
“Gloryous halo!
Your skintelashuns make a surprising display;
You don’t need no snuffers,
But you are just scrude out;
When you are squenched by puffers,
Ojus fumes aryse.
“Brillyant flame!
The nites was next to darkness when you came;
But candles has vanisht
Before you, and lard oil gone to grass;
Every greasy nuisance has been banisht—
Hurraw for Gass!”