Sonnet on Tight Lacing

TO AMERICAN MOTHERS.

If ye would crash the tree, before one flower

Hath made its fragrance or its fruitage known;

If ye would break the harp, before one tone

Hath told the compass of its varied power;

If ye would quench the lamp at twilight hour,

Or plant the brier where the rose had grown,

Or crush the statue in the encasing stone-

Then make the "CORSET CURSE" your daughter's dower!

But, oh, if ye revere your God's impression

Stamp'd on the human form! If ye would arm

Your sons against consumption's ghastly charm;

Banish this vice of every christian nation!

And know that MURDER-in whatever form-

Of self, or offspring, is no slight transgression!

Philadelphia, Nov. 1840. P.