University of Virginia Library


86

THE HEATHEN CHINEE

July, 1900

Which I wish to remark—
And my language is plain,
That the tiniest spark
Of form don't remain
In the heathen Chinee, his false bosom,
Which fact I would rise to explain.
They called him Ah Sin;
He had sunk in the slough
Right up to his chin,
Which was dreadful, you know—
We sent railways and moral instruction
And battleships all in a row.

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We said, “Sinny, your civ-
ilisation's effete,
Look up, man, and give
The reformers a treat,
Let the world see that if you are yellow,
You've got a white heart.”—Which was neat.
Also, “Open your door
Whenever we tap,
We are dying to pour
Cheap goods on your lap,
And you might lend us all a few ports, Sin,
To show you're a well-meaning chap.”
Then Ah Sin look'd quite gay,
And proffered his hand—
“The game that you play
I do well understand;
I love all you wise foleign people”—
And his smile it was childlike and bland.
He set his door wide,
And we started to trade.
It will not be denied
That large fortunes were made;

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For we sold him cheap cotton and rifles
And much ammunition he buyed.
And on July the first
(Quite soft were the skies)
Ah Sin yelled, “I thirst
For the blood of the wise.
Bring hither that dam Foleign Devil:
Behold, I will tear out his eyes!”
And things have occurred
That curdle the blood,
And the nations are heard
Crying, “Sin, please be good,
We really don't want any war, Sin!”
But Sin smiles a smile made of wood.
Which is why I remark,
And my language is plain,
That the tiniest spark
Of form don't remain
In the heathen Chinee, his false bosom—
Which the same I am free to maintain.