Van Valkenburgh, Franklin Butler (1835-1924) Robins and Robbins
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00686.31 Author/Creator: Van Valkenburgh, Franklin Butler (1835-1924) Place Written: s.l. Type: Document Date: no date Pagination: 2 p. ; 27.9 x 21.5 cm. Order a Copy
Poem on two typed pages. The type is green instead of black. Size in the extent is for the larger sheet. The smaller sheet is 13.8 x 21.6 cm. Two stanzas on the smaller sheet and two longer stanzas on the the bigger sheet. Pencil note says the poem was by Franklin Van Valkenburgh. Several corrections made in pencil. Poem is a nonsensical and seems to revolve around a family story or an inside joke.
[Draft Created by Crowdsourcing]
ROBINS and ROBBINS.
The SEMPLE ROBIN is a bird
Of Royal birth and voice
And when his [struck: gentle voice] [inserted: morning song] is heard
The zouls [sic] of men rejoice!!!
But when he avaricious grows
And with two bs goes R O B B I N
One fears to listen to his voice
And "wants to go abobbin!!!"
Franklin B. Van Valkenburgh
Written at [illegible]
Where the [scruples] and robbins [illegible]
[2]
While wandering [struck: through the] [inserted: round a] Dark Soot Field
[inserted: (] Where [struck: held] [inserted: once] Kentucky's forces reeled [inserted: )];
And Robbin' Robin Hoods Green Wood
I found a stick as I thought could
With patience and a strong Jack Knife
Be moulded so [struck: ,] that [inserted: ,] lacking life
It still might look both North [strikeout] and South,
With eager eyes, and toothless mouth,
And though it never said a word
Might crack a joke, thet [sic] [struck: should be] [inserted: of own] heard,
[struck: And] [inserted: Would] scare into koniption [sic] fits
The tramp that in his roving flits
From Florida down to old Kentucky [struck: /] [inserted: -]
And thus assist the ladies plucky,
Who managed, by their wiles and graces
To keep both state in Union traces,
Hence comes this fearful Blockhead
( He hopes the ladies wont be shock-ed )
Make him put his best foot forward,
And he will surely prove no coward,
But stand demurely to his post
Until the game is [struck: surely] won (or lost ??)
Franklin Butler Van Valkenburgh
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