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1866–1921

TO WHAT BASE USES!

Bert Leston Taylor

This the spruce with the glorious plume That grew in the forest primeval. This is the lumberman big and browned Who felled the spruce tree to the ground

That grew in the forest primeval. This is the man with the paper mill Who bought the pulp that paid the bill Of the husky lumberjack who chopped

The lofty spruce and its branches lopped That grew in the forest primeval. This is the publisher bland and rich Who bought the roll of paper which

Was made by the man with the paper mill Who bought the pulp that paid the bill Of the lumberjack with the murderous ax Who felled the spruce with lusty hacks

That grew in the forest primeval. This is the youth with the writing tool Who does the daily Newport drool That helps to make the publisher rich

Who ordered the stock of paper which Was made by the man with the paper mill Who bought the pulp that paid the bill Of the husky Swede in the Joseph's coat

Who swung his ax and the tall spruce smote That grew in the forest primeval. This is the lady far from slim Who changed the hour of her daily swim

And excited the youth with the writing tool Who does the Newport drivel and drool For the prosperous publisher bland and fat Who ordered the virgin paper that

Was made by the man with the paper mill Who bought the pulp that paid the bill Of Ole Oleson the husky Swede Who did a foul and darksome deed

When he swung his ax with vigor and vim And smote the spruce tree tall and trim That grew in the forest primeval. This is the shop girl Mag or Liz

Who daily devours what news there is Concerning the lady far from slim Who changed the time of her ocean swim And excited the youth with the writing tool

Who does the daily Newport drool For the pursy publisher bland and rich Who bought the innocent paper which Was made by the man with the paper mill

Who bought the pulp that paid the bill Of the Swedish jack who slew the spruce That came to a most ignoble use — The lofty spruce with the glorious plume —

The giant spruce that used to loom In the heart of the forest primeval.

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TO WHAT BASE USES! · Bert Leston Taylor · Poetry Cove