“A first-class professional fight!”...

"A first-class professional fight!" I'm really doing the town! There were thousands on thousands to-night To see a man knock a man down. Two dollars I willingly (?) paid To view all this muscle and brawn; 'Twas rather too much, I'm afraid, Or seemed so, the minute 'twas gone.

And yet 'tis a study to see The rage gladiatorial of Rome And grim Spanish bull-baiting glee Adopt an American home! That blood-thirsty, murderous spite Men loudly condemn—and possess! Besieged New York City last night, With first-class financial success!

Hands gloved—to comply with the law; Gloves hard—to comply with the crowd; Fists savage as murder could draw; Cheers heavy and fervent and loud. Stern hisses, and shoutings of "Woman!" When either too tender they found; Tremendous applause when a foeman Dropped, more than half dead, on the ground.

'Twas the soul's blackest hell-woven fibre, All thrilling intensely and fast; The curse of the Tagus and Tiber Arrived in New York Bay at last! And victor and vanquished, I learn, Came off with more glittering spoil Than teacher or preacher could earn In years of the hardest of toil.

A spectacle pleasing and bright, Full many good people delighting— So many good men love a fight, When somebody else does the fighting! And "'tis shameful!" we mildly agree, And shout our complainings afar; But the facts are no worse than are we: They show to us just what we are!