English poem
_The New Baby
by Slason Thompson (1849–1935)
We welcome thee, eventful morn Since to the poet there is born A son and heir; A fuzzy babe of rosy hue, And staring eyes of misty blue Sans teeth, sans hair.
Let those who know not wedded joy Revile this most illustrious boy-- This genial child! But let the brother poets raise Their songs and chant their sweetest lays To him reviled.
Then strike, O bards, your tuneful lyres, 'Awake, O rhyming souls, your fires, And use no stint! Bring forth the festive syrup cup-- Fill every loyal beaker up With peppermint!
March, 1878._
In the spring of 1879 the St. Louis Times-Journal printed the following April verses by Field, which were copied without the author's name by London Truth, and went the rounds of the papers in this country, credited to that misnamed paper, and attributed, much to Field's glee, to William S. Gilbert, then at the height of his Pinafore and Bab Ballad fame: